This Beach Spot Belongs on Your Summer Vacay Bucket List Stat

From Cosmopolitan

I care about one thing when the weather gets warmer: vacation season. And while it seems like everyone traveling overseas flocks to the coasts of Italy and France, I suggest a less-frequented seaside gem: Bodrum, Turkey.

The peninsula, located on the Aegean Sea across from eastern Greece, is full of pristine sandy beaches, meaning you can get your fabulous beach getaway and traditional experiences (think Turkish breakfasts overlooking the water and hammam treatments). I stayed at the Bodrum Edition, a boutique hotel with beach access and incredible restaurants.

The hardest part of the trip? Trying not to flood my feed with endless vacation snaps. Here, the nine most photogenic experiences in Bodrum.

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Turkish breakfast puts your avocado toasts and mimosas to shame. Traditionally, it includes varieties of cheese, olives, and sweet and savory pastries, among other items. Shoot the spread from above and using natural light to make all the colors and textures really pop. If you're feeling extra, throw in a few props, like napkins, and take action shots of people serving.

Spice up your feed (sorry, had to) with a trip to a local food and spice market. Bonus: Between shooting pics, you can try traditional Turkish bites like grape leaves and baklava. I went to the Turgutreis Bazaar, an inexpensive, colorful market for sampling and snapping. This is the perfect opp for a gallery post-mix in shots with different depths of field (close-ups and pulled-out photos) to capture all the colors and textures. If you're not buying anything, it's common courtesy to ask the vendors if it's okay to take a photo. Otherwise, come hungry and bring cash.

Many family-run carpet businesses are based in small villages on the Bodrum peninsula. I went to Etrim Hali Carpets, which offers tours, demonstrations, and an array (I mean THOUSANDS) of carpets to buy, all with intricate patterns and colors. Capture it all in a still life-include the stacks of rugs and raw materials and tools for an authentic vibe-or try layering them, picking up different designs and textures in a full-frame shot. And remember to take off your shoes before walking on the carpets.

After you've gotten a taste of Bodrum's culture, take in some of its natural beauty. Put on your favorite suit, grab your Instagram bf, and have a mini photo shoot on the beach with the bright Aegean Sea in the background. If you want to capture all the turquoise shades, venture out midday when the sun is brightest. Walk around the frame to look natural, and if you want an especially gratuitous 🍑 shot, arch your back and stick out your booty as far as you can. It might feel weird, but it'll look 🔥 in front of the tranquil water.

Take lunch al fresco to the next level-and to the sand. (ICYMI, the beach makes a perf backdrop for any photo.) Claim a chair at the Beach Club at the Bodrum Edition, sip on a colorful juice (or some bubbly), and try the tropical fruit plate. The sunshine will be perfect, and a short depth of field will really capture your decadent meal.

Would your vacation be complete without cocktails at sunset? Prob, but you’d miss an excellent Instagram photo op. After visiting The Beach Club, head to the Edition's waterside restaurant, Brava, for refreshing beverages, like the citrus spritz or a Turkish rosé. Frame your shot so there are no visual interruptions between your drink and the sky-that way, you'll capture the glorious sunset through your glass. Or, simply turn the camera on yourself (that golden hour light is dreamy as hell).

After your beach day, head into town for even more idyllic scenery. The smaller villages are full of whitewashed buildings, and they're a stunning juxtaposition to the magenta bougainvillea flowers everywhere you look. Also stunning: the cascading blooms against the sunset on the sea. They're ideal if those vacation fit photos need a pop of color, but you could easily dedicate a post (or three) solely to this plant's beauty.

If your lodging doesn’t have immediate beach access, it prob has an infinity pool where you can take waterside pics. Head down during the glorious golden hour-the pools will be nearly empty, meaning you'll have plenty of time to get your uninterrupted shot. Include the mountainous backdrop, and for a super stunning shot have your photog get low so the pool edge melts seamlessly into the background.

A Turkish bath (pronounced hammam in Turkish) is a ritual that involves being scrubbed, cleansed, and massaged by another person. It’s spiritually and physically cleansing, and it's also incredibly relaxing. You can't take photos during the treatment, so try getting one after, or bundle up in a fluffy robe and snap a selfie to add luxe ~spa vibes~ to your Insta portfolio.

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