Technically not Europe but close enough, Bodrum, in the southwest corner of Turkey, sports a glistening marina, elegant boutiques and gorgeous beaches. Off-season, you get a sense of the jet-set aura here, minus the crowds.
Extracurricular: Once you’re through with the courtyards, gardens and dungeons of the 15th-century Castle of St. Peter, visit the adjacent Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The tombs at the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus date from the fourth century BCE.
Taste to try: While the typical Mediterranean diet rules here, sidestep into a plate of cokertme kebab — marinated veal over fried potatoes with garlic yogurt.
Bonus tip: Bodrum is the gateway to other resort towns farther west. You can even take one of the ferries over to the Greek island of Kos for beach time with a different view.
