Bodrum – Muğla – Turkey
Blue cruise (cruising in Southwest Turkey) is one of the most relaxing vacations on earth. It is a unique form of cruising and yachting experience, an adventure that takes you to the magic of myths three millennia old, under the Mediterranean sun and in the turquoise blue of the crystal clear waters. It is also an opportunity to taste Turkish cuisine as well as fresh fish.
A yachting holiday is the ideal way to see the best of Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coastline. Many of the archaeological sites are accessible from the sea and the turquoise waters are a joy to swim in. Gulets are traditionally designed and locally built wooden motor sailing yachts . These yachts range in size from two to eight cabins and all cabins usually have wc/shower en-suite.
The cabins of the crew are completely separated from those of the passengers. The gulets offer enough space to the passengers in the cabins, in the aisles and on the deck. The crew consists of a captain, a cook and one or two deckhands who are all experienced in their work. Although the gulets are essentially motor yachts, it is possible to sail certain distances during a Blue Cruise.
You can shape your cruise itinerary as you wish before booking. Usually the daily duration of cruising is not longer than 3-4 hours, and the rest of the day can be spent in a gorgeous cove enjoying the sun and the sea. Sunbathing on the deck, swimming in clear waters, snorkeling, windsurfing, water skiing or just fishing… Or anchoring in a cove and trekking in the wild nature, visiting a nearby village and coming closer to local people and their traditions or visiting an ancient ruin. Here, in the midst of the idyll, you can feel the touch of nature and history.
True to its spirit, the ideal itinerary for a Blue Voyage must allow you to best penetrate the sense and soul of places where you anchor. So, instead of rushing from one spot to the next, a program has to strike a balance between the time spent at sea, the time passed in various bays, villages or ancient sites and the time required to enjoy them. For those on a private cruise, we recommend an itinerary visiting as many places as possible without making the cruise tiresome. Cabin charter tours are scheduled in accordance with this philosophy, as well.
FOOD
The food on board, for guests and crew is not included in the price of the yacht. Shopping and cooking services are included in the price of the yacht.
All meals are cooked on board by the cook unless guests wish to eat out at any time.
Meals are based on fresh vegetables, fresh fish, meat (beef or lamb), chicken, fresh fruits, cheese, eggs and yoghurt.
Cuisine is mainly based on Turkish Mediterranean home cooking.
Vegetarian dishes can also be cooked upon request.
DRINK
On our gulets, we do not run a bar. All the drinks requested by the charterer are purchased by us at cost and put on board. Crew does the service.
There is a large selection of good quality Turkish wines as well as beer, imported spirits, mixers, fruit juices and other soft drinks.
The traditional Turkish drink, RAKI is certainly worth a try.
PROVISIONING
Stocking up a boat for a week or two, takes time and careful planning. We do not want our guests to lose that time from their holiday. Our policy is to prepare the yacht according to personal requirements of the charterers before their arrival. We suggest the charterers to choose either our full board on a fixed price or provisioning according to their personal requirements at cost.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
The cruising season on the Aegean Coast lasts from May to October.
In MAY, days are warm, evenings cool. The sea is warm enough for swimming, the countryside is very green.
JUNE and SEPTEMBER are hot, evenings are warm. A dependable breeze makes these two months very pleasant for cruising.
JULY and AUGUST are warmest months, blue skies are guaranteed every day.
In OCTOBER, good weather can last right through the end of the month except for the occasional rain showers but sea is warmer than May.
For clients who wish to take advantage of lower season prices and prefer to cruise at a time when bays are far less crowded with other boats, May, June, September and October are ideal.
CRUISING AREAS & SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
The South Western coast of Turkey is one of the best cruising areas in the world. You could spend a year cruising this coast from Kuşadası to Antalya and still not see everything. When you come on a Transbalkan Gulets Holiday for a week, two weeks or longer, whichever itinerary you choose, will definitely give plenty of time to relax and explore, cruising no more then 4 – 5 hours a day with stops for swimming and long leisurely lunches.
Visiting historical sites, shopping in resort towns, or anchoring in secluded bays with just the sound of water lapping against the side of the boat are all possible. We believe that every taste can easily be satisfied along this diverse coastline. Once you are on board a Transbalkan Gulet, one of our staff will show you the possibilities, make suggestions and then let you to decide your own program.
BODRUM – BODRUM
Day 1… Board your sailing yacht in Bodrum. Bodrum is known in ancient times as Halicarnasus was the Birthplace of Herodotus and the site of the Tomb of King Mausolus (4th Century B.C.) one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Her wife who also happens to be her sister had this tomb built after King Mausolus’ death to make his name immortal. An impressive medieval castle built by the Knights of Rhodes guards the entrance to Bodrum. Castle of St. Peter or Bodrum Castle in the harbour is a fine example of 15th Century crusader architecture and has been converted into a Underwater Archeology Museum. Enjoy a welcome drink and receive a brief orientation about the yacht and the cruise. Dinner and overnight in Bodrum Harbour.
Day 2… Departure after breakfast. After a one-hour cruise, we arrive at first stop near Karaada, a tiny island off the Bodrum coast. After lunch, we cruise 3-4 hours before arriving in Çatı, a lovely bay ringed by pine trees on the south coast of the gulf. Dinner and overnight here.
Day 3… We cruise for about 1.5 hours after breakfast, arriving in an area known as Seven Islands. In Küfre Bay, we suggest you take a short walk through the forests of storax (liquidamaber), a rare, endangered tree from which myrrh is extracted. If the group wants, tonight is the perfect time for a barbecue! Overnight in Seven Islands.
Day 4… After breakfast, a short cruise of 1.5 hours brings us to Löngöz Bay. In the afternoon, after cruising another 1.5 hours, we arrive in Karacasöğüt. 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. If you’d like, you can rent a minibus and spend some time in Marmaris after dinner. Overnight in Löngöz.
Day 5… After breakfast, we cruise to Cleopatra (Cedraea) Island. On the western coast of the island is a wonderful little beach reputedly created with sand brought from North Africa expressly for the bathing pleasures of Cleopatra. Late in the afternoon, we leave the island to anchor in one of the bays of Değirmenbükü. A small creek on the western side of this bay is called Ingiliz Limanı (English Harbour), a reference to the English torpedo boats that hid in this cove during WW-II. Overnight in English Harbour.
Day 6… We depart English Harbour and cruise to the northern side of the Gulf, to Akbük. Here we spend some time swimming, surfing and enjoying the crystal-clear secluded waters. In the afternoon, we continue on to Çökertme Bay, two hours away. Overnight in Çökertme.
Day 7… Today, we cruise back to Bodrum. After swimming stops near Oraklar and Çiftlik, We have the option of visiting Tavşanburnu. We share our last onboard dinner together in Bodrum Harbour.
Day 8… Disembark in Bodrum after breakfast.
BODRUM – GÖÇEK
Day 1… Board your sailing yacht in Bodrum. Bodrum is known in ancient times as Halicarnasus was the Birthplace of Herodotus and the site of the Tomb of King Mausolus (4th Century B.C.) one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Her wife who also happens to be her sister had this tomb built after King Mausolus’ death to make his name immortal. An impressive medieval castle built by the Knights of Rhodes guards the entrance to Bodrum. Castle of St. Peter or Bodrum Castle in the harbour is a fine example of 15th Century crusader architecture and has been converted into a Underwater Archeology Museum. Enjoy a welcome drink and receive a brief orientation about the yacht and the cruise. Dinner and overnight in Bodrum Harbour.
Day 2… Cruise to Mersincik for our first stop and lunch. Dinner and overnight in Knidos, at the mouth of Gцkova 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.). Two ancient harbours still in use.
Day 3… Arrive at Datзa after breakfast. If desired, visit this small village until midday. Choose between dinner and overnight in Datзa or in a nearby secluded bay.
Day 4… Cruise to Bozburun, where you may have a chance to see a yacht under construction in this well-known ship-building town. After lunch, cruise to Bozukkale, a bay above the entrance of which stands an ancient castle. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5… We begin sailing after breakfast, reaching Ekincik after about two hours. Depending on the wishes of the group, we can take an excursion to the ancient city of Caunos, where you’ll be amazed by the Lycian rock tombs carved out of the sheer cliff sides. Caunos is the Phrygian city dating back to the 4th century B.C. also bears the imprint of other civilizations. Among them the giant Roman theater with a diameter of 76 meters and the splendid rock tombs carved into the hills, the powerful remnants of Lycian civilization are worthwile seeing. You also have an opportunity to take a mud bath in the curative hot springs the area is famous for. Plus, we can cruise through the watery maze of reeds on the delta of the Dalyan River to Iztuzu, a sandy, expansive beach that is one of the last nesting grounds of the endangered loggerhead Caretta Caretta turtles. Dinner and overnight in one of Ekincik’s bays.
Day 6… After breakfast, cruise for approximately 3.5 hours to Ağa Limanı, behind Kurdoğlu Bay, for lunch and a swimming stop. Arrive at Bedri Rahmi Bay for dinner and overnight.
Day 7… Departure after breakfast to Tersane Island. After lunch, we cruise through Göçek Gulf, with stops in bays like Manastır and Sarsala. Last dinner and overnight in Göçek harbour or a nearby bay. Göçek is a beautiful “Marina Town”. Very picturesque surroundings. Nice shops selling Turkish chinaware. Good restaurants. Very close to Dalaman Airport.
Day 8… Disembark in Göçek after breakfast.
MARMARIS – GÖÇEK
Day 1… Board your sailing yacht in Marmaris. Ancient Marmaris, Physkos was an important stage on the Anatolia-Rhodes-Egypt trade route. In the 16th century Süleyman the Magnificent had a citadel built which can still be seen today. An interesting and beautiful coastal town surrounded by pine forests and lovely bays. Mixture of old and new. Nice bays and restaurants. Very lively bazaar. Enjoy a welcome drink and receive a brief orientation about the yacht and the cruise. Dinner and overnight in Marmaris Harbour.
Day 2… We begin sailing after breakfast, reaching Ekincik after about two hours. Depending on the wishes of the group, we take an excursion to the ancient city of Caunos, The Phrygian city dating back to the 4th century B.C. also bears the imprint of other civilizations. Among them the giant Roman theater with a diameter of 76 meters and the splendid rock tombs carved into the hills, the powerful remnants of Lycian civilization are worthwile seeing. You’ll be amazed by the Lycian rock tombs carved into the sheer cliff faces. You also have the opportunity to take a mud bath in the curative hot springs the area is famous for. Or, we can cruise through the watery maze of reeds on the delta of the Dalyan River to Iztuzu, a sandy, expansive beach that is one of the last nesting grounds of the endangered loggerhead Caretta Caretta turtles. Dinner and overnight in one of Ekincik’s bays.
Day 3… After breakfast, arrive in Ağa Limanı for lunch and swimming stops. Dinner and overnight near Gemiler Adası.
Day 4… We cruise to Fethiye after breakfast, stopping, if you like, to visit this town until lunch. Lunch in a nearby bay. Dinner and overnight in Tersane.
Day 5… After a short cruise we arrive at Batıkhamam, where we have lunch. After lunch, we continue on to Merdivenliköy for dinner and overnight.
Day 6… After breakfast, we journey to Sarsala Bay, after which we cruise to Bedri Rahmi for lunch. Dinner and overnight near the Yassıca Islands.
Day 7… On the way to Göçek Gulf, where we have lunch, we anchor for several swimming stops. Lunch is in a bay of Göçek Gulf. Last dinner and overnight in Göçek Harbour. Göçek is a beautiful “Marina Town”. Very picturesque surroundings. Nice shops selling Turkish chinaware. Good restaurants. Very close to Dalaman Airport.
Day 8… Disembark from the yacht in Göçek.
MORE INFO
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Posted by Robert Harrison 
Posted by Robert Harrison 
