Turkey has over 8,000km of coastline dotted with fishing villages, ancient ruins, and pristine beaches backed by olive groves, pine forests and rocky cliffs. If you enjoy adventures on dry land there’s history, art, architecture and archaeology and other amazing natural wonders to enjoy.

Blowing gently across the Bodrum peninsula from June to September, the Meltemi is a cooling breeze that takes the edge off the high summer temperatures between mid-morning and early evening. Its is known by the Greeks as the Etesian wind, its cooling effect is what draws today’s Turks to escape the stifling summer heat of Istanbul and Ankara. As well as having the Meltemi to set a pleasant summer climate, the Bodrum peninsula is blessed with year-round sunshine. A glorious 300 days of it.

Flipflops Meltemi is located in Gulluk which is in the Bodrum peninsula in south eastern Turkey. Flipflops Meltemi is west facing on the hillside, to the rear of Gulluk town.

Gulluk is a gem and quite an undiscovered one too. A charming town of old-world character and modern amenities, its local community and seafront restaurants thrive throughout the year. Flipflops Meltemi is located just ten minutes from the Bodrum International Airport, and just twenty five minutes from Bodrum town itself.

Once in Gulluk there are plenty of facilities including shops, markets, supermarkets, bars and restaurants. There are numerous beaches close by to choose from with the nearest being just a ten minute walk away. There is also a minibus service which provides transport around the local area making Bodrum Town very accessible.

Where to go for the freshest fish, the coolest beer and the warmest welcome. Here’s a tour of Gulluk from Mike, our man on the ground.

Walking from palm beach or North end of Gulluk the first place is Omar’s Bar which is a small but nice beach bar and café.

Next is the Palm Beach Restaurant which has with wooden sun deck on the beach opposite. This is meant to be a very good restaurant and comes highly recommended by Kirk in Joes bar.

Then round to Tikisik which is a popular bar with the younger crowd on an evening. Quite lively and good for music and drinks.

Next to this is the Yelken Café with an excellent raised terrace and good cheap food.

Walking into the next bay, which is the town beach, there is Hermias Restaurant and Hotel. Very nice rooftop restaurant over looking the beach.

100m further along is the Mimoza Café Bar. A simple place with good cheap local food.

On the corner of the main bay and the port, near the dolphin boy statue, there is a big restaurant café bar called Doktor’un Yeri which has a good selection fish and meats.

Theres quite a lot happening as you walk around the port.

Kucuk Restaurant is good for fish and pizza/pide. Next to that is a fresh fish shop, the Ayca Internet Café and then the Kordon Motel and Restaurant.

This then brings you to the centre of the port and two traditional old warehouse buildings with tables and chairs outside.

The first is the Cicek Restaurant and next to it the Eski Depo Restaurant which seems to be the most popular and comes well recommended. All the restaurants around the port are excellent for fresh fish and very reasonable.

Local street sellers also do great stuffed mussels which are a local speciality.

Above Eski’s is the Hann Bar which is always busy when they have live Turkish folk music and again comes highly recommended.

Below this is also a club called Club Deep House which is fairly quiet.

Then its onto Joe's Bar which is popular with foreigners and is an informal tourist information point. If you need to know anything ask Kirk. Next to joes bar is a bank with cashpoint.

Opposite is the old tea house which is run by the belediyre which is why its so cheap. Great for local food as well.

In the centre of the main square is the mayors office or Belediye as its known and also the Medical Centre. Just off the square is the local market which is every Thursday. The taxi rank is located at the end of the main pier.

There are 3 supermarkets in Gulluk as well as loads of smaller shops. Migros is the largest and Bim is about 100m from the Meltemi site.

Moving on past the pier on left is Cetin Restaurant, great for cheap pide, and next on the right is Dildado Cafe again very simple but good. By the fishing boats there are a few stalls selling fresh fish and the Kircin Restaurant is next door. Looks very nice but again simple.

Then onto Fuegos which is the height of sophistication. Great beach club during the day, excellent restaurant and club atmosphere in the evenings. Comes highly recommended.

Finally there is the Ozkan Beach Bar and Café which is a great location for lazing around.

This should be enough to get you started…