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Days
10
Price from
2565EUR
Map of Cruising the Turkish Coast including Turkey

History comes alive on this cruise around the stunning islands and coast of Turkey.

Turkey by land is full of the mystique of times gone by. But when you explore Turkey by sea, you’re treated to all this, with the addition of stunning coastline and islands. From exploring an ancient, abandoned ghost town on the island of Kayakoy, to picking up some cooking tips from a local in Kekova, there are cultural and historic experiences aplenty. And that’s before you even consider the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea that are simply begging you to pop on a snorkel and jump right in off the back of your gulet boat.

Start
Istanbul, Turkey
Finish
Istanbul, Turkey
Destination
Turkey
Style
Peregrine
Theme
Adventure Cruising
Code
PETB
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 32

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore the vibrant city of Istanbul with insider knowledge, thanks to your local leader.

  • Visit an abandoned ghost village on Gemiler Island.

  • Take a Turkish cooking class with a local in Kekova.

  • Enjoy frequent swimming stops off the back of your gulet boat, in crystal clear waters.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a small ship Adventure Cruise, which means you’ll be sailing on a traditional Turkish gulet with up to 31 other people. The boat is comfortable, but the focus of this trip is exploring the wonders of Turkey – not the on-board activities. For example, instead of a pool, we have the sea itself and instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wi-Fi is available for a small charge.

  • Our ship uses engine power, with the occasional opportunity to hoist the sails, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

  • Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking. You’ll be visiting ancient sites and historical places, and at times you may have to cross cobbled streets and uneven ground. At certain times of year, the weather can get quite warm, so if you have any concerns, please speak to your local leader before taking part.

  • There are no lifts (elevators) on-board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs. Handrails are always available.

  • Our traditional gulet is air conditioned but the air conditioner does not run at night time to limit noise from the generator.

  • The cabins on the Admiral gulet have ensuites and are comfortable, but quite small. It is advised to keep luggage to a minimum and use a soft bag for easier storage.

Cruising the Turkish Coast - Turunc Bay
Cruising the Turkish Coast: Myra ruins at Demre
Cruising the Turkish Coast: Fethiye
Cruising the Turkish Coast: Fethiye
Cruising the Turkish Coast: Istanbul Blue Mosque
Cruising the Turkish Coast: Swimming at Kas

Itinerary
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Merhaba! Welcome to Istanbul, the eclectic city that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all called home. Your welcome meeting will be at your included hotel at 6pm today. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. Don’t forget to bring your insurance details and next of kin information to this meeting for your local leader to collect. After the meeting, you may wish to join your new group and local leader for dinner to get to know each other before your adventure begins.
Accommodation
  • Legacy Ottoman Hotel, or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

This morning, you’ll hit the streets of Istanbul early to beat the crowds and head to the Hippodrome, Sultanahmet Square. Visit the ruins and monuments in the square and then make your way to the Hagia Sophia Museum, which has been used as both a church and a mosque over different historic periods. After a walking tour in the old city, you’ll head back to the hotel and then head to the airport to take a one and a half hour flight to Dalaman. Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up by a private vehicle to meet the crew and board your gulet boat. While you settle in, dinner will be served on the boat. Tonight you will be staying on board in Fethiye Port. Fethiye, which was known as Telmessos in the ancient times, was the most important city situated on Lycia's western border with Caria. The name changed many times before being named Fethiye in memoriam of Fethi Bey in 1914, one of the first martyrs of the Turkish Air Force, who crashed his plane and died there when he was on duty. In the south part of the town you will see many famous ruins, tombs and graves from the Antique Era including the tomb of King Amyntas.
Accommodation
  • Admiral Gulet (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Istanbul Walking tour
Meals Included
  • Dinner

Today you will cruise to Ölüdeniz, where you’ll anchor for lunch and a swimming break. From here, the next stop will be Gemiler Island where you can get off the boat for an early evening walk on Gemiler Island and pay a visit to Kayakoy. Kayakoy was once a thriving village but since the 1920s the ancient stone houses have been abandoned. Now protected by the Turkish government, it provides the opportunity to enjoy a quiet, traditional Turkish lifestyle. Open 24 hours, the ghost village has an entrance fee which helps towards the upkeep of the paths and rubbish clearance. One church in the lower area of the village, Kataponagia, is of particular interest due to an interesting room out the back – it was used to collect the bones of the dead. Wander the ruins, enjoy the solitude, or play backgammon and sip tea with the locals. Dinner is included on the gulet and you will stay overnight in the Gemiler Strait.
Accommodation
  • Admiral Gulet (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kayakoy village visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning you’ll cross Yedi Burunlar (Seven Capes) smoothly before anchoring at Yeşilköy Bay, close to Kalkan for breakfast and a swimming break. Then you’ll cruise to Kaş Harbour, where you’ll anchor until tomorrow. Being one of the most important ancient Greek towns of Lycia, Kaş gained importance in Roman Times and eventually became the centre of Episcopacy in Byzantine times. After lunch, you’ll head in to Kaş where your local leader will take you for an orientation walk to see the monumental tombs from Lycian times as well as hidden shops, cafes and restaurants. After free time in town, your leader will take to the Ancient Theatre where you can watch a beautiful sunset while enjoying a local wine. Have a local dinner in one of Kas’ restaurants before heading back to the boat.
Accommodation
  • Admiral Gulet (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kas orientation walk
  • Sunset drinks at Kas ampitheatre
  • Kas local dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast, you’ll cruise to the sunken city of Kekova, where you can swim and snorkel in crystal blue waters. Enjoy lunch at Tersane Bay where you will see an old shipyard from the Roman Period and a church from the Byzantine times. Spend the afternoon tasting fabulous local cuisine, floating over an ancient sunken city or exploring Lycian tombs. For dinner, you will meet a local host who will run a simple cooking class so you can learn how to cook local specialties.
Accommodation
  • Admiral Gulet (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sunken city of Kekova
  • Turkish cooking class
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast, you’ll anchor at Kaleköy and spend the morning visiting a crusader fortress. As a mid-morning snack, you’ll have a chance to try local, homemade ice cream in the ancient ruins of Simena. From here, you’ll cruise to Demre for lunch and swimming break before heading off on a tour from Çayağzı Bay to the ruins of Myra, a Lycian city. Tonight you’ll anchor in Gökkaya Bay for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation
  • Admiral Gulet (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Myra Lycian city visit
  • Simena Fortress Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning you’ll begin cruising early in the morning to Liman Ağzı Bay with breakfast being served on the way. By the time you arrive it will be time for lunch and a swimming break. After lunch, you’ll head to Kalkan and, weather permitting we’ll visit Kaputas beach, one of the biggest man-made beach in Turkey. Anchor in Fırnaz Bay for dinner and an overnight stay.
Accommodation
  • Admiral Gulet (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

An early start today will enable you to cruise to Turunç Pınarı Bay for lunch, with a swimming break at Butterfly Valley on the way. After lunch, you’ll head back to Fethiye Harbor and get off from the boat for a walking tour in Fethiye. You’ll get to visit Fethiye Museum to see King Midas’ Monumental Tomb before wandering the streets of the town for a leisurely afternoon stroll. Next, you’ll head to the Fish Market where you can buy fish of your choice for the kitchen staff of a local restaurant to prepare for your dinner. There will be street musicians walking around, serenading you with local music.
Accommodation
  • Admiral Gulet (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Fish market and local dinner
  • Fethiye walking tour
  • Butterfly Valley swim
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note, swim stop at Butterfly Valley is weather dependent

This morning you’ll have breakfast on board before saying goodbye to your amazing crew. After docking, you’ll head back to Dalaman airport for your flight back to Istanbul. You’ll make your way straight to the hotel to check in and can then enjoy a free afternoon to continue exploring. There are so many wonderful things to see and do, including a visit to the Spice Bazaar or the Blue Mosque. If you and the group would like to head out for a final dinner together, your leader will be able to recommend some brilliant local restaurants.
Accommodation
  • Legacy Ottoman Hotel, or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today marks the end of your journey around the Turkish coast. You can head off any time after breakfast, whether you’re heading onward or spending more time in Istanbul.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Gulet, bus, plane

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Gulet (7 nights)

Included Activities

  • Istanbul Walking tour
  • Kayakoy village visit
  • Kas orientation walk
  • Sunset drinks at Kas ampitheatre
  • Kas local dinner
  • Sunken city of Kekova
  • Turkish cooking class
  • Myra Lycian city visit
  • Simena Fortress Visit
  • Fish market and local dinner
  • Fethiye walking tour
  • Butterfly Valley swim

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Important notes

BOOKING CONDITIONS
Adventure Cruising trips have a deposit of A$600 per person (different amounts apply in other currencies) and the balance is due 90 days before departure.
If a booking is cancelled 90 days or more before departure - the cancellation fee is the full loss of the deposit paid.
If a booking is cancelled between 89 and 31 days before departure - the cancellation fee is 50% of the total booking cost, or the deposit, whichever is greater.
if a booking is cancelled 30 days or less prior to departure - the cancellation fee is 100% of the total price of the voyage.
Other fees may apply for air tickets and other arrangements booked in conjunction with a voyage.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS
Single travellers will share a twin a room with another traveller of the same gender. If you’d prefer not to share, a single cabin supplement is available at an additional charge. A single passenger cannot be booked or confirmed in a double cabin unless a single supplement is paid.

Essential trip information

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