The Sultan's Yacht
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. We'll even give you the award-winning Lonely Planet guidebook to Turkey, and an audio cassette to help you learn useful Turkish words and phrases. Click here for the 12 day edition .

Day 1 - ISTANBUL - BODRUM - Choose your own date : March - Oct
Our local rep. meets your international flight at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport and escorts 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 drives you to your hotel, with remainder of the day at leisure . Please click here , if you prefer to start with Istanbul tours then board your yacht

Day 2 - 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 they'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 (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 rockface 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 (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 (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: facemasks 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 (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 (BL)
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 Kismet Hotel

Day 8 - Ephesus - ISTANBUL (B)
Reach Ephesus, in the morning the most impressive ancient city on the Mediterranean. We continue to the fine Ephesus Museum and the hilltop House of the Virgin Mary, lunch in a local restaurant. Then fly back to Istanbul. We escort you back to your hotel.

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, come with us for a shopping spree in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, with its 4000 shops.

Then on to tour the Jewish Heritage in Istanbul : drive to Balat along the Golden Horn where the Star of David appears on the facades of some buildings. See Ahrida Synagogue, built in the 15th century. See the Jewish Cemetery, where the martyrs of Neve Shalom are buried.
Continue to the centuries-old Jewish neighborhood, Galata, with its tower built by the Genoese. From the panorama balcony. See the stunning views of old constantinople, Bosphorus, Golden Horn and the Jewish quarters. Enjoy refreshments in this historical atmosphere. Afterwards see Neve Shalom Synagogue & Ashkenaz Synagogue, Afterwards drive to Ortaköy, first disembark point of Sepharads, welcomed by the Ottoman Sultan, and visit to Etz-Ahayim Synagogue.
Your last stop will be Zulfaris Synagogue, a 19th century synagogue which houses a museum. Here learn about the Turkish Jews who were welcomed by the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century after Inquisition forced them to flee Spain.
There is an opportunity for rich collection of history books and novels about Turkish Jewry as well as CDs of Turkish Jewish folk music and lithurgical music, selection of souvenirs including Mezuzahs, Hamsa keyrings

Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals: This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Istanbul l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course . You may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town)

DAY 10 -- ISTANBUL (BL) Monday
ISTANBUL- "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:"

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 Military History Museum in Harbiye in time to hear the "Mehter," or Ottoman military band (mid-afternoon). Then go on a shopping spree at the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar.
Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 11 - RETURN HOME - Tuesday (B)
Our local rep. escorts 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.
  
• Travel Planet guidebook to Turkey.

More choices:

• Compare with the Jewish Heritage Tour of Turkey .
  
  
• Compare with the Group Rate sailing in the Mediterranean .
  
  
• Add Athens - Greece .
  
• Add a drive along the Turquoise coast all the way to Antalya.
  
• Click here for the 14 day edition with a stay at a seaside resort .
  
• Extend to Cappadocia

Rate doesn't include :

• International air fare from/to your home country .
• Visa Fee : in cash upon arrival , or from any of the Turkish Consulates
• Trip/travel insurance

Click here for info on sailing the Mediterranean ( Blue Cruise)

The hotels we recommend for the deluxe category are:

- Bodrum: The Marmara Bodrum Hotel www.themarmarabodrum.com

- Kusadasi: Kismet Hotel www.kismet.com.tr

- Istanbul: Conrad , Hyatt , Inter.Continental or similar