The Sultan’s Yacht (11 days)

A Grand 11 Day Tour and Cruise
Private Touring and Private Mediterranean Cruise

Escape to Istanbul, Bodrum in the Turkish Riviera
then join a Mediterranean Yacht cruise
hugging the Turquoise coast

We will provide the Captain! Isn’t this the escape you really want? You’ll cruise for five days (four nights) aboard a comfortable, romantic gulet – the traditional wooden sailing vessel used for centuries – along Turkey’s pine-fringed Mediterranean coast. You’ll also spend some time in exotic Istanbul to see its imperial palaces, world-class museums, chic restaurants, bazaars and boutiques. Your accommodations? An Ottoman-style mansion inn.

Video by Andreas Hiekel

Day 1 – ISTANBUL – BODRUM – Choose your own date: March – Oct
Our local representative will meet your international flight at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport and escort you to the domestic terminal for your onward flight to Bodrum. Known in ancient times as Halicarnassus, Bodrum was once the capital of King Mausolus, whose elaborate tomb, the Mausoleum, gave its name to all grand tombs which followed. Our staff will drive you to your hotel, with the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 2 – Yacht (Gulet) – Board Your Yacht Gulet (BLD)
We drive to the waterside Castle of St. Peter, built by the Crusaders in the early 1400s, where your yacht awaits you, moored beneath the castle walls. Step aboard and enjoy a welcome cocktail as you meet your captain and crew, after which the wi’ll prepare the first of many delicious shipboard dinners for you. Settle in and relax: you’re a l-o-n-g way from any cares or worries here!

Day 3 – KNIDOS – MERSINCIK –On Board Your Yacht Gulet (BLD)
Weighing anchor at sunrise, we sail south through Gokova Bay, passing close to the Greek Island of Kos (Karaada) and around the Resadiye Peninsula to Knidos, famous in ancient times for its superb statue of Aphrodite sculpted by Praxiteles. We drop anchor in Knidos’s ancient harbor and go ashore for a tour of the ancient city. Sailing south and east around the peninsula, we reach the mouth of the Dalyan River, where we board a motor launch for a voyage upriver to the Roman ruins at Caunus. The sheer rock face overlooking the river is pierced by Lycian rock-cut tombs dating from 600 BC. We return to our yacht and continue our leisurely “Blue Voyage” to Mersincik, where we drop anchor for the night.

Day 4 – ÇATI, YEDI ADALAR – INGILIZ LIMANI – On Board Your Yacht Gulet (BLD)
We continue our meandering route through these classical waters, stopping at peaceful Çati cove, at Yedi Adalar (the Seven Islands) and at Sedir (Sidera) Island. On Sidera we explore the Roman theater, ruined Byzantine monasteries, and Cleopatra’s Beach, a gift from Marc Anthony to the Egyptian queen, with sand said to have been brought from Egypt. Onward, we head for Marmaris, where Lord Nelson’s fleet took shelter as it prepared to attack Napoleon’s forces at Abukir in 1798. For us, “Green Marmaris,” as it is called because of its surrounding pine forests, is a welcome shore excursion with a wonderful bustling bazaar, a long palm-shaded waterfront promenade, and a fortress that’s now a museum. We return to our yacht for dinner, moored at Ingiliz Limani (English Port).

Day 5 – SEDIR – ORAKLAR- On Board Your Yacht Gulet (BLD)
Today is filled with the pleasures of sun and sea: swimming, reading, relaxing, and enjoying a lazy shipboard lunch. Your yacht has everything you need for water sports: face masks and flippers, sailboard, canoe and fishing tackle. We drop anchor at Oraklar for a calm night aboard, gently rocking in the pellucid waters of the Mediterranean.

Day 6 – BODRUM- Disembarkation- Drive to Kusadasi (B)
Wonderfully refreshed by our voyage, we return to Bodrum harbor and tie up beneath the castle walls. Bidding farewell to our captain and crew, we drive to Kusadasi check in our hotel, for an opportunity to explore the charming city on the Aegean Sea shores, on your own.

Day 7 – Kusadasi (BLD)
In the morning light we drive to the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Basilica of St John the Evangelist, who came here with the Virgin Mary. Said to be her last home on earth. Lunch included at a local restaurant. In Kusadasi, for boutique style hotel lovers we suggest the Kismet Hotel. Dinner is included at your hotel.

Day 8 – Ephesus – ISTANBUL (BLD)
Reach Ephesus, in the morning the most impressive ancient city on the Mediterranean. We continue to the ancient Ephesus, one of the most magnificent and best-preserved ancient sites in the world. Visit the Terrace Houses, the Odeon, the Market Basilica, Curetes Street, Bath, Celsus Library, Marble Street and the Great Theatre with a seating capacity of 25,000 people. See the Terrace Houses, the newly excavated site in Ephesus, excavation site for the ancient homes of richest ephesians. After lunch visit the Ephesus Museum in Selcuk and see the Temple of Artemis, one of the wonders of the ancient world. View Basilica of St John and Isa bey Mosque, the hilltop House of the Virgin Mary. Lunch is included before we head for Izmir Airport and fly to Istanbul and your hotel where dinner awaits you.

Day 9 -ISTANBUL (BLD)
Let us show you the City of the Sultans! In the morning we tour the top sights including Topkapi Palace, Sancta Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Byzantine Hippodrome. After lunch at a charming local restaurant, then go on a guided  walking tour and maybe a shopping spree at the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar. After the Bazaar we break for Tea and Turkish sweets (included) then back to your hotel where dinner awaits you.

DAY 10 — ISTANBUL (BLD) “Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque” (late 19th century), the exotic romance of the “Paris of the East:” Monday
Morning walking tour: We start with our guide in Karaköy where the foreign bankers and shipping companies had their headquarters, then take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish tekke, and walk past the various old embassy buildings (now consulates), and point out the architecture. Stop for tea (included) at the famous Pera Palace Hotel.

Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then walk up to Taksim Square and be picked up for the afternoon tour to  Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz, and finish up with a stop at a  local ice cream corner for Turkish specialities and sweets (included),  later this evening your private chauffeur will provide round-trip private transfers for dinner ( included) at a gourmet Turkish restuarnat.

Day 11 – RETURN HOME – Tuesday (B)
Our local representative will escort you to the airport for your flight home, completely refreshed, and with memories to last for years.

Inclusions

• Domestic airfares in economy class, within Turkey, including all taxes.
• A private cruise aboard a Turkish gulet, staffed by a licensed captain and crew.
• Hotel accommodation as per itinerary, including tax & service charges.
• All meals aboard the yacht, and other meals as listed (cB = continental breakfast; B = Breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner).
• All transfers (private basis) in Turkey (between airport, hotel, yacht, etc.), including portage.
• Private Guided sightseeing tours in Istanbul, Izmir, Ephesus as listed including admission fees.

Rate doesn’t include

• International air fare from/to your home country.
• Visa Fee: (procure yours online in advance of travel at www.evisa.gov.tr/en/)
• Trip/travel insurance

The hotels we recommend for the deluxe category are:

• Bodrum: The Marmara Bodrum Hotel bodrum.themarmarahotels.com
• Kusadasi: Kismet Hotel www.kismet.com.tr
• Istanbul: Hilton Istanbul, Conrad Istanbul , Hyatt Istanbul , Inter.Continental or similar

Click here for details, photos and spec’s
Total cost for Charter for one week (exclusive use for you and your party): $10,100 USD – subject to change depending on the season. Half board is an additional $600 USD per person for the one week.

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