I am going to describe how to drive to İzmir from Bodrum at the moment and if I will have time I will give you information about Bodrum later this day..
First if you will have to drive alone you will need an international driving license which I think you already know..Hertz and Avis are the popular car rent agencies and I think you are also aware of that..If there is someone to drive you then I would like to remind that there are police controls ( radars ) at the entrances of Söke, Ortaklar, and at the exit of Selçuk..Anyway the road :

You have two alternatives to reach İzmir..Leaving Bodrum you will follow the Muğla road..Approximately 60 kilometers after, you should take the way to Milas..Don't forget this otherwise you will be driving happily to Muğla..So turning right ( to North ) to Milas, you will head for Söke which is the next spot passing Milas..Between Milas and Söke you will be driving through a tunnel which will direct you drive by a beautiful lake called " Bafa"..You may have a beer here but don't eat anything because lunch waits you few kilometers later..Now as you arrive in Söke you have to choose between the four alternatives..From Söke you eitherway head for Kuşadası-Pamucak-Selçuk-İzmir(highway right after Selçuk-the entrance is at the spot Belevi) or for Ortaklar-Selçuk-İzmir(highway entrance is the same-the only difference is the way until Selçuk) or Kuşadası-Selçuk-Gümüldür-Özdere-Seferihisar-İzmir(the highway entrance is right after Seferihisar) and lastly Ortaklar-Selçuk-Pamucak-Gümüldür-Özdere-Seferihisar-İzmir(the highway entrance is the same)..Now what will you miss or what will you see if you choose between four of them..

First of all Kuşadası, Ortaklar, Selçuk (Ephesus and Mother Mary's House and Church) and the long snakey road after Kuşadası following Pamucak and Gümüldür-Özdere-Seferihisar are must see places..What I recommend is you better drive for Ortaklar after Söke and when you arrive Ortaklar you will see approximately 15 restaurants which only make Çöp Şiş and they are all on the same pavement..Better eat lunch here but try not to eat your fingers :))..Then turn back an head for Söke and from Söke go for Kuşadası..I won't talk much about Kuşadası as you will find enough information about here in the tourist guides..You may swim if you want and I recommend the Kadınlar Plajı ( Kadınlar Beach )..Then leaving Kuşadası drive to Selçuk..If you will use your time economically you may have the chance to visit Mother Mary's house and the ancient ruins of Ephesus also..One more hint which you will not find in the guides about Selçuk..From the center of the town you may go for a village called Şirince which is on the mountain..It takes 10 minute from Selçuk to Şirince ..But you will love there..The villagers make their own Wine and they sell them..It is delicious..And you will love their ancient houses, little streets, lovely villager boys and girls will try to sell you things and like that..When you will be done, if you will feel tired, you may take directly the road following the signs "İzmir" from Selçuk and couple of kilometers later you will see the highway and half an hour later you will be in İzmir..But instead, you may head back for Kuşadası from Selçuk..Now the Ephesus ancients will be on your left, and passing the little airport when you will arrive the crossing (Kuşadası to the left, Pamucak directly,Gümüldür and Özdere to the right (west)) choose Gümüldür road which is a long but very interesting road with marvellous views..Remember not to turn anywhere until you pass Seferihisar..İt will take an hour maybe more to reach there..Then you will see the green highway sign for İzmir..What to do in İzmir was told yesterday..Now this may seem complicated but when you will observe your map you will easily solve the problem..Bodrum later as I wrote above..:))

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