Our 14-day Turquoise Coast odyssey includes an eight-day Mediterranean yacht cruise beginning beneath the walls of St Peter’s Castle in Bodrum, and three days in Istanbul.
DAY 1 – ISTANBUL – Thursday – Weekly – April – Oct
Our local representative meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel. Have your first look at Istanbul this afternoon!
DAY 2 – ISTANBUL Friday (BL)
In the morning we take a half-day city tour, visiting Topkapi Palace, Sancta Sophia, and the Blue Mosque. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we ‘ll explore the great city Grand Bazaar.
DAY 3 – BODRUM Saturday (BD)
A morning flight takes us to Bodrum, where we drive through rich agricultural country, past ancient cities, and board our yacht, a traditional Turkish gulet, moored beneath the Crusader castle. After meeting our captain and crew, we enjoy the first of many delicious dinners on board.
DAY 4 – BAY OF BITEZ Sunday (BLD)
We cruise out of Bodrum headed for the Bay of Bitez, where we drop anchor for an afternoon of swimming and water sports. Face masks and flippers, sailboards, canoes and fishing tackle are all available.
Bodrum Gulet Yacht. ©Faraways | Bigstock
DAY 5 – MERSINCIK Monday (BLD)
Cruise to Mersincik for our first stop and lunch. Dinner and overnight in Knidos, at the mouth of Gokova Bay. Knidos is one of the most important ancient cities on the west coast of Anatolia. Very famous with its statue of Aphrodite. Birth place of Eudoxos, one of the most important astronomers in history (5th century B.C.). The two ancient harbours are still in use.
DAY 6 – SEVEN ISLANDS Tuesday (BLD)
After breakfast we set sail for the Seven Islands, where, if the captain approves, we picnic onshore, followed by a walk. We return to our yacht for swimming, sunning and snoozing.
DAY 7 – Karacasogut – Wednesday (BLD)
After breakfast, a short cruise of 1.5 hours brings us to Longoz Bay. In the afternoon, after cruising another 1.5 hours, we arrive in Karacasogut. It is only a 30-km drive from this small village to Marmaris, one of the Aegean’s largest resort town and great place for shopping. Overnight in Longoz.
DAY 8 – CEDREAE – TUZLA – Thursday (BLD)
Cleopatra met Mark Anthony for a lovers’ tryst at Cedreae and received the shore as a gift. When she mentioned that it had no sand, Mark Anthony sent his fleet to Alexandria to get some. The Egyptian sand remains at Cedreae to this day, cooled by an ever-faithful breeze, and the spot is as romantic as it was 2000 years ago. From Cedreae we cruise to Tuzla, our anchorage for the night.
DAY 9 – ÇIFTLIK Friday (BLD)
Back across Gökova Bay we make our way to the anchorage at Çiftlik on our last full day at sea, filled with the pleasures of sun and sea. Swimming, reading, relaxing, and enjoying lazy shipboard lunches could easily become a way of life!
DAY 10 – BODRUM & ISTANBUL – Saturday (B) We cruise into the harbor of ancient Halicarnassus (now Bodrum), and tie up beneath the castle walls. Bidding farewell to our captain and crew, we visit the Museum and the Princess exhibit, then drive to the airport for our flight to Istanbul and your hotel.
Day 11 – “Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque”
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the “Paris of the East:” – Sunday (BL)
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. In the afternoon the tour visit Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz, and finish up with a visit to the History Museum in Harbiye in time to hear the “Mehter,” or the Ottoman Sultan Imperial band (mid-afternoon).
DAY 12 – ISTANBUL – Monday (B)
Istanbul is all yours, day at leisure, any way you like it. Grab your Lonely Planet guidebook to Istanbul and stroll along the restored 19th-century thoroughfare of Istiklal Caddesi, once known as the Grand Rue de Péra. Search for spices and folk remedies in the Egyptian Bazaar. Admire the medieval mosaics in the city’s many Byzantine churches. Shop in the chic boutiques around Taksim Square. Climb the Galata Tower, built by the Genoese six centuries ago, for a panoramic view of Old Istanbul.
Day 13 – Cooking class – Tuesday (BL)
This morning we’ll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread… Cooking Ala turka: Turkish Cooking Class and Restaurant: Learn how to cook authentic Turkish foods in between visiting Istanbul’s many sights. Classes are generally held from 10:30 to 14:30. We prepare five typical Turkish dishes in a group of 6-10 persons and then have them for lunch in our restaurant. We have aprons at your disposal and we will give you the recipes to take with you. Private classes are held as well (supplement applies). For private groups, evening classes can be considered as well, starting at 16:30, with dinner served from 19:00 to 21:00. Cooking with Chef Eveline Zoutendijk. Remainder of the day at leisure.
DAY 14 – DEPARTURE – Wednesday (B)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Gulgule – Bon Voyage!
| RATES per person in USD $ | |
| Apr – Oct | |
| Sharing in Double | US$ 4425. |
| Single occupancy | US$ 5535. |
Rates are per person and include
- All transfers in Turkey.
- Domestic air within Turkey in economy class, tax included.
- Four stars hotel accommodation in Istanbul: Arena or Blue House for the Boutique style hotels, and Aygun Plaza or Madison Hotel or similar if you prefer more contemporary style.
- Cabins are always private basis with private facilities.
- Guided sightseeing in Istanbul as per itinerary, including all entrance fees.
Not included
- Visa Fee: in cash upon arrival, or from any of the Turkish Consulates.
- Tips
- Trip cancellation insurance/travel insurance
- Air fare from/to your home country.
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.
Add a Hamam / Spa Experience to your tour
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