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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
Rate
per person
in double in USD$ |
Minimum
10 guests |
Minimum
15 guests |
Deluxe
hotels
And private gulet yacht cruise |
$
7285 |
$
5,797 |
| Rate
per person in double |
Minimum
8 guests |
Minimum
6 guests |
Deluxe
hotels
And private gulet yacht cruise |
$
8753 |
$
7,893 |
For most west coast cities + DEN + PHX , add-on air
fare
add on subject to availability : $350
For
Chicago and Detroit : $ 300
Rates
are per person in USD $ Four star Gulets ( not
air-conditioned)
Rate
per person
in double in USD$ |
Minimum
10 guests |
Minimum
15 guests |
Deluxe
hotels
And private gulet yacht cruise |
$
6,070 |
$
4,806 |
| Rate
per person in double |
Minimum
8 guests |
Minimum
6 guests |
Deluxe
hotels
And private gulet yacht cruise |
$
7,476 |
$
6,388 |
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.
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