A Mediterranean Escapade

Our 12-day Turquoise Coast odyssey includes a five-day yacht cruise beginning beneath the walls of St Peter's Castle in Bodrum, and three days in each of Istanbul and Cappadoccia

Click here for the 11 day Ephesus edition

Just imagine! Friday you hop on a plane, and Saturday you're on a yacht cruising the Mediterranean. Yes! It's that easy with our Turquoise Coast getaway. You'll cruise aboard a comfortable, romantic gulet, the traditional wooden sailing vessel used for centuries along Turkey's pine-fringed Mediterranean coast. We'll even be able to tour the legendary Cappadoccia

You'll also spend two nights in exotic Istanbul to see its imperial palaces, world-class museums, chic restaurants, bazaars and boutiques. Your accommodations? An Ottoman-style mansion inn.

DAY 1 - USA/ISTANBUL- Friday : Weekly : April - Sep
We board our transatlantic flight to Istanbul in New York : Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, British Airways or Turkish Airlines . Please ask us for add on from your home town. For West Coasy Passengers : You need not to fly via JFK, you'll board a non-stop flight to London, Frankfurt etc, then connect to Istanbul .

Day 2 - ISTANBUL - BODRUM Saturday (D)
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 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 Sunday (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 Monday (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 - Tuesday (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 - ISTANBUL- Wednesday (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 meet our guide and drive in our van to the impressive site of Ephesus. Visit the site in full with lunch at Le Wagon and continue afterwards to the Izmir airport for flight to Istanbul. Transfer to the Sultanhan Hotel and we recommend that you try out the Turkish Bath in the hotels spa. There are many places to eat in the area so wander on your own for dinner. More detail on the Ottoman mansion inn.

Day 7- ISTANBUL - Thursday (BL)
Let us show you the City of the Sultans! Begins with the Byzantine Cisterns, and the Turkish Arts and Craft Museum. Enjoy lunch at Sultanahmet Köfteci and then starts your shopping spree in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, with its 4000 shops. Afterwards with your van, driver and guide visit the Chora Church and end the day with the Rustempasha Mosque. Dinner is included at your hotel on its roof top terrace.

DAY 8- ISTANBUL - NEVSEHIR - CAPPADOCIA - Friday (BLD)
Depart for the Istanbul airport for flight at 10.00 am to Nevsehir. Land and immediately start touring Cappadocia, the Soganli village, the incredible underground city of Kaymakl or Derinkuyu, enjoy lunch in the village of Avacik, continue to Sinassos with it well preserved Byzantine Churches and the day with the Keslik Monastery before checking into the Esbelli House. Dinner at Somine Restaurant.

DAY 9 -- CAPPADOCIA - Saturday (BLD)
We explore the "Moonscape" of Cappadocia, visiting the painted churches in the Goereme and Zelve Valleys, lunch in Bizem Ev in Avanos and afterwards visit the pottery making center of Avanos. Continue to the rock hewn dwellings in Uchisar and end with a sunset hike through the Pigeon Valley. Enjoy dinner tonight at Ziggy’s.

DAY 10-- ISTANBUL -Sunday (BD)
Fly back and noon time to Istanbul and check back into the Sultanhan and the remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner is included at your hotel.

DAY 11-- ISTANBUL Monday (BL)
The center of ancient Constantinople and Istanbul was on Seraglio Point, framed by the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. We visit the Blue Mosque, built by Sultan Ahmet III to challenge the architectural primacy of neighboring Sancta Sophia. We then walk next door to compare achievements in Justinian's great Sancta Sophia. Right behind Sancta Sophia is our next stop, sumptuous Topkapi Palace, the sultans seraglio for centuries, filled with breathtaking exhibits of priceless jewels, golden thrones, delicate colored tiles, and lavish court costumes. At the Topkapi Palace enjoy lunch in the palace grounds at the Konyali Restaurant. Then tour the Treasury of the sultans, and the Costume Gallery, then finish up in the bustling Egyptian Bazaar and walk through the maze of colors , spices and perfumes. Return to your hotel with sounds and colors of your day of touring in Istanbul.

Day 12-RETURN HOME Tuesday (B)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home, completely refreshed, and with memories to last for years. Bon Voyage.

Rates are per person in USD $ Deluxe five star Luxury Yachts

Your Mediterranean Escapade Includes...

• International airfare from New York (JFK) to Istanbul and return, including all taxes (normally on Turkish Airlines, British Airways or Lufthansa, but we reserve the right to use any IATA-approved international airline). For June 15 - Sep 14, please add $350 air fare supplement. This doesn't apply when you handle your own air fare.).
  
  
• Domestic airfares within Turkey, including all taxes
• A 5-day (4-night) cruise aboard a Turkish gulet, staffed by a licensed captain and crew
  
• Two nights' accommodation at a four-star Ottoman-style inn in Istanbul, including tax & service charges
• Two nights' accommodation at a four-star hotel in Cappadoccia , 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 in Turkey (between airport, hotel, yacht, etc.), including portage.
  
  Guided sightseeing in Cappadoccia as listed and a full-day sightseeing tour in Istanbul, including lunch and admission fees
  
• The latest Lonely Planet guidebook to Turkey, and a language-learning audio cassette keyed to the guidebook's Turkish Language Guide

What's not included...

• Turkish ,Visa Fee : in cash upon arrival, or from the nearest Consulate)
• Travel Insurance.
• Gratuities to captain and crew (at your discretion)

BODRUM OR MARMARIS?
Yachts may depart from either Bodrum or Marmaris, depending upon availability.