BODRUM

Passengers sailing into the Turkish port of Bodrum first see St Peter's Castle, a 15th-century crusader-ruled outpost that sits between a marina and a bay.  The harbour town is surrounded by Greek-style buildings: gleaming white cubes covered in purple bougainvillea. You might actually think for a moment that you're on another Greek island - Kos is, in fact, easily visible in the distance - until you hear the sound of the muezzin and take a look at the handful of minarets across the sea of square structures. Make no mistake: this is a Turkish city, full of locally built boats, bustling bazaars and numerous regional dishes.

Known in antiquity as Halicarnassus, after the famous king who left an impressive mausoleum, today's Bodrum is a popular leisure spot for wealthy Europeans.

 Shoppers are sure to come running with bags in hand, as the area is known for its leather goods (especially sandals) and carpets. However, the town is also a haven for artists and intellectuals, attracted by Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli, the famous political writer-dissident who fell in love with Bodrum during his forced exile. (His romance novel, 'Blue Voyage', is credited with bringing international attention to what was previously a lazy fishing outpost).

Bodrum regularly hosts ships from luxury lines such as Seabourn Cruise Line, Azamara Club Cruises and Windstar Cruises, usually as part of the Eastern Mediterranean cruises to the Greek Islands. The occasional larger ships - from Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line or U.K. Thomson Cruises