Bodrum

I don't even know where to start — Bodrum was SENSATIONAL.

We stayed in the most gorgeous Airbnb perched high above the city - the view was outrageous.

The glistening Aegean stretched endlessly before us, dotted with little boats, and hills sprinkled with whitewashed homes.

And right at the heart of it all - the incredible Bodrum Castle, sitting pretty beside a seriously swanky marina crammed with gleaming yachts, designer boutiques, and restaurants that had “treat yourself” written all over them.

We stumbled upon a place serving the most unreal posh kebabs (yes, that’s a thing!) and went back… err, not once, hmmm, not twice, but thrice — because who knows when we’ll be back!

We wandered through the souk, haggling over Turkish sweets (pistachio Turkish delight to be specific — I can’t leave Turkey without them!).

We strolled along the harbour and lazed at the little cafés on the sand, alternating between Turkish tea (I like mine extra sweet!) and strong Turkish coffee, just watching the world drift by.

We took a day trip just 30 minutes outside Bodrum to Aspat Beach — soft sands framed by rolling hills, tiny hidden harbours, Mediterranean-style architecture, and Venice-like canals.

We lounged, swam, and explored, and of course, Oliver nearly tripped over a dozen dogs sprawled out in the heat — each one living their absolute best lazy life. Bellies up, tails twitching, completely unbothered by the world… honestly, they were the mood we all aspire to on holiday.

And just when I thought it couldn’t possibly get better — a dear friend flew out to spend the weekend with us, spoiling us absolutely rotten.

We spent an entire day at the Bodrum Mett Hotel & Beach Resort — eating, drinking, swimming, lounging, and unapologetically chilling. The service? Next-level. The views? Ridiculous. The serenity? Off the charts.

Later, we ventured into the hills along Bodrum’s north coast to Amanruya — hidden behind lush greenery, where daybeds and loungers hugged the shoreline, turquoise waters glittered ahead, and not a soul in sight. Pure bliss.

Everything about that day — our whole time in Bodrum, really — was just a whole new level of heaven.