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Crusader
Castles Yacht Cruise
with a foray into Ephesus
Our
12-day Turquoise Coast odyssey includes an eight-day yacht cruise beginning
beneath the walls of St Peter's Castle in Bodrum, and three days in
Istanbul
Compare
with the 8 day , or 14
day edition , add Spain &
Andalusia . Add
Greek Island Hopping !
or
the Independent traveler edition
with no sightseeing included you design your own itinerary as you
go !
DAY
1 - USA/ISTANBUL Wednesday
We board our transatlantic flight to Istanbul in New York. Dinner is
served on board.
DAY
2 - ISTANBUL Thursday
Our staff meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel. Have
your first look at Istanbul this afternoon!
DAY
3 - ISTANBUL Friday (cBLD) 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 . In the evening, we'll have dinner and take in a folk show.
DAY
4 - ISTANBUL - air - Izmir - Ephesus - BODRUM Saturday (B
L D)
A morning flight takes us to Izmir. Upon arrival we drive to the magnificent
site of Ephesus. Ephesus is the best preserved of the Greek/Roman cities
in Anatolia and while you are visiting the ancient ruins of this magnificent
site and your guide will bring them alive. You will see the beautiful
Celsus Library, restored and reconstructed according to its original
form by the architect Friedmund Hueber in the 1970's. The most spectacular
building of Ephesus is the Grand Theater, built during the Hellenistic
age to hold 24,000 spectators. It is there that St. Paul preached. Opposite
the Temple of Hadrian are the Hill Houses, homes of Ephesus' wealthy
citizens. The city was also the hometown of great philosopher Heraclitus.
After a visit to Ephesus Antique Site enjoy lunch in local surroundings.
Afterwards drive to Bodrum through rich agricultural country, past ancient
cities. Late afternoon 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. Prefer
to add extra hotel nights in Kusadasi and Bodrum? Please click here
DAY 5 - 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.
DAY
6 - 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.). Two ancient harbours still in use.
DAY
7 - 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 8 - 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
9 - 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
10 - 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 11 - 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 Izmir for our flight to Istanbul and your hotel.
DAY
12 - DEPARTURE Sunday (cB)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Gulgule -
Bon Voyage
RATES per
person in USD $
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Apr - Sep
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Double
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US$
2475.00
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Single
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US$
3250.00
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International
air fare supplement ( doesn't apply when you handle your own air fare
: For travel : June thru end of Sep : Please add : $ 250 USD peak season
supplement , once again this doesn't apply when you handle your own
air fare
Rates
are based on 4 stars gulets (non air conditioned cabins).
For upgrade to 5 star air conditioned cabin deluxe gulets please
add $ 300 per person to any of the above rates.
Rates
are per person and include :
- All
transfers in Turkey.
- Air
fare from JFK including tax ( if/when you wish to handle your own
air fare , please deduct $400 from any of the listed rates), on Turkish
Airlines , Air France, Lufthansa , or British Airways. For
most west coast cities suggest Air France or British Airways
, air fare add - on $ 350.
- Domestic
air within Turkey in economy class , tax included.
- Four
stars hotel accommodation in Istanbul .
- Cabins
are always private basis with private facilities .
- Guided
sightseeing in Istanbul as per itinerary, including all entrance fees.
Not
Included :
Dodecanese
Cruise of the Greek Isles
Marmaris
– Rhodes – Symi – Kos – Datça – Loryma
– Marmaris
Southern Dodecanese Cruise
Marmaris - Rhodes - Symi - Datca - Hisaronu - Bozukkale
Northern Dodecanese Mediterranean
Gulet Cruise
Bodrum - Kos - Leros - Patmos - Kalymnos
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