Bodrum: A Day Trip to the Turkish Riviera, Bodrum, Turkey

I booked a day trip to Bodrum, Turkey, on a whim. That was the best decision ever. Sailing from Greece’s ancient shores into Turkey felt both unfamiliar and familiar, like stepping into a scene from a history book or a film. The air was thick with the scent of the sea and something more—spices, mystery, and history. As the call to prayer echoed over the blue-green water, I felt drawn in, like I was answering an ancient call myself. My kids and I still talk about that day—the sights, the sounds, and the magic of walking into a world we’d only imagined.

I had no idea what to expect but was awarded an experience my kids and I look back on with great fondness and a little bit of laughter. You’ll need your passports to book the trip and receive the 24-hr visa which the tour operator will handle for you. The round trip ticket cost about 20 Euro each, with a 4 Euro port fee. Show up early for the 45-minute crossing to Turkey. I chose Maria Star Cruises which had a lovely boat. I’ve read a lot of accounts of people being left out in the baking sun for an hour to process passports. I didn’t have that experience. Everything was done swiftly and with precision. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).