The Bodrum suits holidaymakers interested in a subdued and relaxing atmosphere. Enchanting villages, with guest-houses and small hotels on quiet bays, dot the peninsula. On the southern coast, Bardakçi, Gümbet, Bitez, Ortakent (12 km), Bagla and Akyalar (10 km), have fine, sandy beaches. Campers and wind-surfers enjoy Akyarlar, and at Bitez colorful sail boards weave skillfully among the masts of yachts in the bay. On shore you can enjoy quiet walks through the orange and tangerine groves bordering the beach. Ortakent has one of the longest stretches of sandy beach in the area and offers an ideal place for relaxing in solitude. One of the most beautiful beaches on the Bodrum peninsula, Karaincir, is ideal for lively active days by the sea and relaxed, leisurely evenings with local villagers. Finally, Akyarlar enjoys a well-deserved reputation for the fine, powdery sand of its beach. Turgutreis (20 km from Bodrum), Gümüslük and Yalikavak, (A natural shoreline, beautiful sunsets and luxury holiday villages make this a rapidly developing spot), all with excellent beaches, lie on the western side of the peninsula and are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. Turgutreis is the birthplace of a great Turkish admiral of the same name, you will find a monument honoring him. In the ancient port of Myndos, Gümüslük, you can easily make many friends with the hospitable and out-going local population. In Yalikavak white-washed houses with cascading bougainvillaea line narrow streets. Small cafes and the occasional windmill create a picturesque setting. See the north coast of the peninsula - Torba (5 km), Türkbükü (15 km), Gölköy (13 km) and Gündogan, - by road or, even better, hire a boat and crew to explore the quiet coves, citrus groves and wooded islands. Little windmills which up to 10 years ago provided the energy to grind grain crown hills covered with olive trees. Torba, a modern village with holiday villas and a nice marina is located 8 km north of Bodrum. Gölköy and Türkbüku (Small piers are trans-formed into romantic restaurants at night) are small and simple fishing villages with a handful of taverns overlooking a lovely bay.