Crusader Castles Yacht Cruise
with a foray into Ephesus

14-day Tour with Extra Nights in Kusadasi & Bodrum

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

or the Independent traveler edition with no sightseeing included you design your own itinerary as you go !

DAY 1 - USA/ISTANBUL - Monday
We board our transatlantic flight to Istanbul in New York. Dinner is served on board.

DAY 2 - ISTANBUL - Tuesday
Our staff meets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel. Have your first look at Istanbul this afternoon!

DAY 3 - ISTANBU L - Wednesday (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 - Kusadasi - Thursday (B L D)
A morning flight takes us to Izmir. Upon arival 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 Kusadasi where we overnight at this charming sea-side resort. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 5 - BODRUM - Friday (B L D)
Breakfast is included at the hotel . WE head for Bodrum enjoy lunch in local surroundings. On to Bodrum through rich agricultural country, past ancient cities, check -in at your charming hotel, remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner is included at the hotel

Day 6 - BODRUM - Board your Gulet / Mediterranean Yacht Saturday (B L D)
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.

DAY 7 - 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 8 - 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 9- 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 10 - 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 11 - 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 12 - 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 13 - 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 14 - DEPARTURE Sunday (cB)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Gulgule - Bon Voyage

RATES per person in USD $

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 :

• Visa Fee : in cash upon arrival, or from any of the Turkish Consulates.
• Tips
• Trip cancellation insurance/travel insurance

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