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Home to ancient cities with origins lost to time and some of the most picturesque beaches in the world—as well as the most crowded—the Mediterranean seems to be on everyone’s bucket list for the upcoming summer.

Before you go ahead and book an overpriced Amalfi trip that will be anything from relaxing, with all the jammed traffic and tour buses, there’s a lesser-known resort town in the Eastern Med you should know about, offering sunny weather and Old World vibes.

Unlike all your usual tourism hotspots, however, this one actually fits your budget:

Welcome To The Turkish St Tropez

A mid-size city in the Aegean Coast of Turkey, Bodrum is an incredibly-popular summer destination for Europeans and Turks alike, though many Americans might not be all-that-familiar with it.

Think of it as the Turkish Saint-Tropez, with the same myriad of beach bars, luxury villas overlooking azure waters, and the Instagrammable historic center, except it’s somewhat less boujee (and usually half the price).

According to TIME magazine, these are some of the reasons why Bodrum is one of the top 100 ‘greatest places’ to visit in 2025.

The experts at TIME go further in comparing Bodrum to the Greek islands, which lie just offshore—the trendy Greek holiday island of Kos, for instance, is clearly visible from the Turksih mainland, and a short 51-minute ferry away.

In their own words, Bodrum rivals the ‘decadence’ of the Greek islands, which in recent years, have been overrun by tourists, and for the most part, feel anything but authentic, with the ever-fluctuating population, the seasonal workers, and cruise crowds.

Though Bodrum is no hidden gem itself, it can feel less tumultuous.

A Picture-Perfect Old Town Yet To Be Ruined By Overtourism

The Old Town shares many similarities with Greece, with stone-paved pathways lined with chalk-white dwellings and bougainvillea-clad street cafes.

Unlike Mykonos, Santorini and the like, however, you’re still able to find dirt-cheap ceramic souvenirs and leather sandals in the local bazaar, and gorge on sumptuous three-course dinners by the marina for around $36.80.

If you’re fine with kebabs and other popular takeout foods, that’s a surprisingly-affordable $5.26—$10.52.

Some of our favorite cheap eats in Bodrum include Levant Ocakbasi, for their ‘adana’ kebab, Hadik Balik, a laid-back bistro, famous for their grilled filets and freshly-caught fish, and Mirzaoğlu, everyone’s go-to bakery for that honey-soaked baklava.

Gorgeous White-Sand Beaches

We won’t lie, the beaches in Bodrum do tend to get busy in the warmer months, particularly between June and August, the peak season for travel, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a hidden spot or two for escaping the crowds.

For that, you’ll want to walk right past Bodrum Beach, the closest ones to the Old Town, unless you’re here for the wide range of amenities and windsurfing.

Take a taxi out to Yahşi instead, an 18-minute drive from town, and a long stretch of soft, clean sand bathed by turquoise waters, away from the shouting children and city sounds.

Further out even, in Aspat, there’s a less developed sandy strip lining a quiet, shallow stretch of the Aegean Sea.

If you’re looking to party Mykonos-style, and you don’t mind splurging a little (for Turkey’s standards), Türkbükü has a big choice of beach bars, including a well-frequented Reana, serving food and drinks all day long, and Miam, where a drink will cost you roughly $11.

For a more family-friendly experience, you can always opt for Camel Beach: be it riding camels (hence the name), paddle-boarding, snorkeling, or taking boat tours of the coastline, there’s plenty to keep you and the kids busy.

Just make sure you get there early in summer to get a good spot.

A Plethora Of Ancient World Wonders

Bodrum is not just picture-perfect alleyways and beaches!

To our fellow culture buffs out there, it is home to a landmark Castle of St. Peter, which dominates the yacht-lined harbor, and was built by an order of knights in the 15th-century.

On the outskirts of Bodrum, near the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Halicarnassus, Bodrum’s precedessor, there’s a partially-preserved, 2,400-year-old theater overlooking the sea.

It used to seat 13,000 spectators, and despite no longer being functional, it continues to command a breathtaking panorama of Bodrum in the distance.

A quick stop on the way, don’t forget to check out Myndos Gate, an equally-ancient structure that formed part of Halicarnassus’ fortifications, and the site of an important battle between Alexander the Great and the Persians.

Fascinating as those may be, Bodrum’s most famous historical monument is the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, not due to its impressive state of preservation—it’s mostly lying in ruins—but because it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Built in 350 BC, it was formerly celebrated for its intricate design, sheer scale, and monumental tombs.

Oh, and like most things in Bodrum, the Mausoleum costs a bargain to visit: 129 Turkish liras, or approximately $3.41.

$77-A-Night For An All-Inclusive

Looking for an affordable-enough stay in Bodrum?

This May, the local Holiday Inn Resort has the cheapest rates and best reviews, with overnights starting at only $49 per adult:

It’s set in a peaceful area, within walking distance of a secluded beach, and the downtown zone is 1.9 miles away, not to mention the sauna (equipped with a Turkish bath), the beautiful outdoor pool, and the fitness center.

There are also all-inclusive offers, from only $77, which you can check out here.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

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Last Updated 9 mins ago

London, it was a good run! Now it’s another timeless city’s turn in the spotlight, at least according to the New York Times.

Naming 2025’s ‘52 Best Places to Travel’, taking home gold is a U.K. city often left in the shadows of London.

But, travelers have been more receptive to exploring more of what the U.K. has to offer, from trending destinations such as Edinburgh, the rise of Belfast, and other lesser-known cities on the up and up with new train routes, which is your best bet to reach 2025’s top destination.

Exuding Roman-era charm, delightful tea shops, and picturesque villages on the outskirts, you’ll be magnetized toward an array of historic sites and, even more so, the wide selection of spas to melt your stress away, hence the name Bath.

Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than London’s sky-high prices.

Forget The Household Names: How Bath Sets Itself Apart

At first glance, Bath may not feel like a typical U.K. city. In fact, it’s relatively small in size, housing just 94,092 inhabitants according to the last census records.

Boasting grand Georgian architecture and Roman-style bathhouses, Bath is a far cry from London’s towering skyline and tourist-curated landmarks.

Bath is easy to explore on foot and well-connect by bus and train from London, but while here, a great way to see the sites is by electric scooters dispersed across the city to see the sites

There’s no place like Bath anywhere else in the U.K. Sure, there are other timeless gems like the Cotswolds, but everything fails in comparison to what Bath offers.

Bath is an eye-popping city perfect for kicking back and unwinding rather than pub-hopping across London.

While there are certainly traditional pubs here, the main draw of Bath is ample Roman spas originally consisting of thousands of archaeological discoveries, many of which are open to the public to enjoy all the benefits of naturally warm hot springs just as the Romans did.

Bath’s Must-Visit Spas

With a name like Bath, it would be hard-pressed to find any tourists who didn’t enjoy a soak at a bathhouse.

While I’m certainly no spa expert by any means, I can attest to how relaxing and beneficial visiting such concepts can be as I’ve visited Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon Istanbul’s traditional hammams, and I liked both so much that I even made a point to visit a new hot spring resort in my home state of California.

I haven’t had the privilege to visit Bath, but can totally relate to visitors’ enthusiasm like this review for Thermae Bath Spa:

“Only thermal baths in the whole of the UK. Great to be in the rooftop pool looking out over the countryside and UNESCO world heritage city!”

You can also book tickets to the Roman Baths Museum, a fascinating tour showcasing the old world.

According to TripAdvisor, these are travelers’ 3 favorite spas to visit Bath:

• Thermae Bath Spa
• The Cross Bath
• The Bath Massage Company

Cheaper Stays: Historic Hotels And Cozy Inns

Saying Bath is cheaper than London is an understatement, as a majority of global destinations don’t sniff London’s bank-breaking prices.

Bath offers a variety of intriguing stays brimming with character rather than splurging on name-brand hotels.

Many of Bath’s top accommodations are centrally located, making for a great way to start your day with a cup of coffee or cap off your day with afternoon tea, a long-held British tradition.

Dating back to the 1400s Sally Lunn’s is a must-stop for great local fare, including tea and better yet, the chic Z Hotel is within walking distance and only $51 per night.

For those who do stick with the familiar brands back home to rack up points, Hotel Indigo is a great value too for a 4-star stay around $100 per night.

The best choice, however, has got to be 5-star Ayrlington, incredibly priced with a nightly rate of just $71 for a last-minute getaway or just $10 more in spring.

To discover the serene side of Bath, venturing away from the quaint city center, you’ll find a cozy inn overlooking the scenic River Avon – The Old Mill Hotel is also very affordable at just $56 through March.

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Last Updated 2 months ago

Not that long ago, you’d probably laugh at the prospect of gang-dominated El Salvador, where corruption is supposedly endemic and violent crime is rampant, ever featuring on a mainstream list of the world’s safest countries.

We probably would ourselves at one point, too, but as unlikely as it sounds, especially if you’ve grown used to the damning headlines coming out of the infamous Latin American state, the impossible happened:

According to Gallup’s latest Global Security Report, one of the most reputable sources for assessing safety and living standards, El Salvador is now the 8th safest country globally.

So what changed?

How Did El Salvador Even Get Here?

The Global Security Report is based primarily on locals’ perceptions of safety in their place of residence: Do they need to maintain a higher level of situational awareness when leaving the house?

Do they feel on edge walking alone at night?

Is falling victim to violence a pressing concern?

Only 8 years ago, 30% of El Salvadorians answered those in a positive manner, and that was hardly surprising, considering the country’s strategic location for the Central American drug trade, widespread gun violence, and its status as a human trafficking hub––or should we say former?

Love him or hate him, since he came into power, President Nayib Bukele has adopted a tougher stance on crime than his predecessors ever did, introducing a ‘State of Exception’ in March 2022 that allowed for the mass incarcerations of gang members.

Despite a temporary outcry over Human Rights abuses and arbitrary arrests, its effectiveness in drastically curbing crime cannot be so easily understated: from a homicide rate of 105 per 100,000 people in 2015, the country now boasts an updated rate of just 2.4 per 100,000.

In other words, the number of heinous acts has plunged.

As a result, over 88% of El Salvadorians now feel their country is safe, leading the country to chart at number 8 on the Global Security Report, surprisingly ahead of the ultra-safe European countries like Iceland and Switzerland.

Based on this report, it is also the safest country in the entire Western Hemisphere, ahead of Canada, but to which extent is the data reliable?

So How Safe Is El Salvador?

As we stated previously, the Gallup report is one of the most trusted sources for assessing safety levels worldwide, as it’s based on feedback from ordinary citizens, but there are still some nuances to be observed.

El Salvadorians may feel safer walking alone at night than their Swiss or Icelandic counterparts, yet at the same time, we must remember safety perceptions in Europe as a whole have decreased significantly in recent years.

In Switzerland, for instance, serious violent offenses have increased ‘by around one third’ over the previous decade, as noted by SwissInfo, though it remains very much under acceptable levels compared to the global average.

Picture living in a country where, up until a couple of years back, you wouldn’t leave home without anxiously looking back over your shoulder, sharing your live location with friends, or even carrying a cheaper, spare phone to surrender instead of your actual phone in case you get mugged.

Suddenly, your city feels a lot safer, a majority of gangs have been wiped off the streets, leaving behind your usual backstreet, petty criminals easily dealt with, and life isn’t exactly perfect, but at least it’s not as terrible as it once was.

Your safety perception is likely to shoot up considerably.

Now, imagine living in a mountain town in the Swiss Alps, where the passing of a certain 92-year-old Mrs Heffelfinger––or whatever the knitting cat lady living up the street is called––would typically be considered a traumatizing collective experience.

Suddenly, a truckload of irregular migrants from North Africa are dropped at the front of your local parish, the social cohesion is broken, and all sorts of problems start arising from their apparent ineptitude to integrate or fully participate in society.

That’s not a right-wing talking point, it’s a verifiable figure:

As Swiss police and public prosecutors confirm, there’s been a ‘significant’ increase in the number of crimes attributed to undocumented migrants.

Add to that the wider European border crisis, and you’ll start to understand why the Swiss feel less safe in their neck of the woods, even though Switzerland continues to be considered extremely safe by any existing standards.

El Salvador Is Low-Risk By Latin American Standards

So is El Salvador truly safe?

Well, we wouldn’t be the first ones to test how it goes walking unaccompanied in a deserted, poorly lit street with our newly acquired iPhones in hand, dripping in jewelry and shiny Nike shoes, especially in a suburban zone with a reputation, but sure, El Salvador has gotten safer.

Again, safe-rrr.

What we’re trying to say is, locals feel their place of residence is less dangerous than it once was, and they are likely to respond to a survey on safety positively following the drastic changes of recent years.

At the same time, we suspect a non-experienced Swiss or Icelandic person wouldn’t share their perception if they were suddenly dropped in the middle of San Salvador, the bustling Salvadorian capital, and left to fend for themselves.

In short, El Salvador is now a lower-risk destination by Latin American standards.

Does The U.S. State Department Agree El Salvador Is Safe?

Washington continues to list the up-and-coming Latin hub as a Level 3 country, meaning Americans should ‘reconsider’ visiting due to the higher crime levels in certain states and municipalities, and the ongoing State of Exception.

At the same time, they note there has been a reduction in gang-related activity.

Judging by the excellent outcomes on the security front, it might not be long until El Salvador is upgraded to a near-perfect Level 2, or even a perfect Level 1:

Last august, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz, Chair of the Congressional El Salvador Caucus, addressed a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinker requesting El Salvador’s safety warning is downgraded to Level 1.

Gaetz argues that the incarceration of over 75,000 violent gangsters, and the steady homicide decline from 2015 to 2024 are sufficient to prove Americans should not be discouraged from visiting El Salvador, now a thriving destination, famous for its volcanic nature, Mayan ruins and unspoiled beaches.

In his letter, the Congressman adds the homicide rate in El Salvador is now ‘less than that of nearly every major city in the United States’.

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Last Updated 2 months ago

As someone who took 106 flights in 2023, most of them with a carry-on bag, I would consider myself both a travel and luggage expert. 

I’ve gotten super picky about my luggage, as I’ve realized it’s one of the most important factors of a smooth trip, and I’m not in the mood to compromise.

Low-quality luggage is a nightmare and there’s no way I can grit my teeth and bear it with a cheap bag. 

I’ve been a die-hard fan of TravelPro bags for the last decade, because I truly believe they have the best bang for your buck, but they’re not the most stylish kid on the block. 

However, Carl Friedrik caught my eye, with their 007-type design, masculine and handsome, but I wanted to see if they were also as functional as my TravelPro Elite carry-on bag. 

Straight up, it’s a dang sexy suitcase, but I’m finding it’s lacking in a few small but important areas. 

To inform the reader, the team at Carl Friedrik gifted me a carry-on bag, a perk of being a CEO of a travel news site, but my review below is completely unbiased and my own.

While they gift the bag hoping I will ultimately love it, they have zero say in my published opinion, and I always give our readers both sides of the story. 

Carl Friedrik Carry On X

• Exterior surface texture option: Dotted
• Color: Grey/Chocolate 
• Overall rating = 8/10 

I will break down everything I love, plus the details I think need redesigning. 

Looks & Style

10/10

The Carl Friedrik carry-on X bag is undeniably the best-looking piece of luggage I have ever owned. 

It’s as good-looking as they get.

It oozes luxury and wealth and looks like it has a designer-like price tag of 4-figures plus. 

I simply cannot fault it for anything style-wise. It’s absolutely flawless. 

The shell is German polycarbonate, the framing is aluminum, and it features a beautiful leather trim detail by Vachetta. 

Space

10/10

It’s a wide bag and the space is wonderful for someone trying to get the maximum allowance into a carry-on.

I was able to pack for a two-week trip easily, even though it was to 3 different cities with very different weather. 

I have been using a traditional bag for a while, so I’m hyper-used to the ‘lid on a bucket’ style, but the ‘clam shell’ style was a great way to keep things organized without packing cubes.

Functionality 

8/10

The overall functionality of the bag is good. 

I thought I would dislike the old chest-style clasps, but they are efficient for getting the bag open and closed fast. 

Where it lost 2 points:

1 point was lost for not having many interior pockets. There are two small pockets on the interior spine of the bag, but only large enough for a super tiny item, like a few business cards worth of space. 

There is another interior pocket in the compression pack which flattens and contains clothes on the one side. It’s larger of course, but only for long flat items, like a notebook or perhaps a few undergarments.

The other point was lost for the exterior laptop sleeve.

I’m sorry C.F., but TravelPro does this best. I can unzip and grab my laptop easily with one hand, as the other hand is always busy with TSA people yelling at me.

To be clear, this luggage was not poor for this specific function, but it could be better.

The exterior laptop flap is ‘hard shell’, making it a bit harder to open wide with one hand, plus the lined pocket and little velcro strap is not as smooth and flawless as it could be.

It’s a two-hand design for sure, slowing down my security experience by a few seconds. 

Wheels

9/10

The wheels are really smooth, which is nice on a fully packed case, as it tends to glide nicely on hard floors. 

The sales site mentions they are 360-degree Hinomoto silent wheels, which I’m not sure what that means, but they worked well on tile, hardwood, and concrete. 

I took off one point because they don’t roll as well on carpet as my other luggage. 

Handle 

3/10 

The handle is my biggest issue with the bag.
The luggage set Itself is so luxurious, sturdy, strong, and durable, but the handle feels like it was made by an entirely different brand. 

It’s a kind of hollow plastic that feels very cheap, very light, and it wobbles quite a bit. I imagined them using a kind of titanium or super heavy plastic with chrome or carbon-fiber detailing, but alas it’s just underwhelming. 

The button you push to make the handle go up and down also rattles, adding to the cheap feeling.

I also don’t love the shape of the handle when it’s in my hand and I’m walking with the luggage. Sounds like crazy attention to detail, but as I mentioned above, I’m on a flight at least 2x’s per week, so these little experiences add up for me. 

I have a feeling they may redesign this handle, because I cannot be the only one who has made this complaint. The bag would be PERFECT if they could make an adjustment to this one area. 

Does it fit?

When I packed this bag for the first time, I noticed it was a little wider than my TravelPro, and I got worried about it fitting in the overhead bin. Obviously, a luggage company would check that sort of thing, but I had doubts just by eyeballing the bag. 

I had a few legs on my flight, one with luxurious Emirates on a 777 and one with super low-cost airline Vueling on an A321. 

I knew it would fit on the 777 in business class, but I had doubts on the super low-cost leg. Thankfully it fit like a dream, proving it was just my eye reading the bag wrong, its measurements had been well-researched 

Am I sold? Will I continue to use the bag?

I once said I would NEVER stop using my TravelPro Elite for any reason, but this bag has convinced me to rotate in and out. My TravelPro is more functional, but if we’re being honest it’s a bit of a dog. 

• When I need more style, I will reach for the Carl Friedrik. 

• If I am on 1-direct flight, I will like use the C.F.

• When I am taking multiple legs, let’s say 2-3 flights, I will rotate back to my TravelPro, as it’s just superior for travel smoothness and functionality (mostly because of the amazing handle and one-handed laptop sleeve) 

To conclude, the bag is a gorgeous, show-off piece for a refined traveler, almost perfect really, but it just needs a few small tweaks to have ultimate bragging rights. 

Disclaimer: As I mentioned above, Carl Friedrik provided me with the piece of luggage so I could review it, but my opinion is entirely my own. No payment was made for this article and no affiliate links are used in this article, making it a completely independent and unbiased review.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.