Bodrum –
Boarding starts at 15:30 from Bodrum Harbour. On
the first day, our gulet will remain anchored in Bodrum Port for dinner
and stay at the port an overnight.
Bodrum is the ideal starting
point for sailing the Aegean coast of Turkey. The Gokova Gulf is
acknowledged to be one of the best cruising areas in Europe. With
abundant sunshine, crystal clear waters, continuous blue skies, good
anchorages and friendly people, this coast offers many diversities.
There are many unspoiled areas rich in natural beauty and in costal
settlements and villages.
Bodrum is a port city in
Mugla Province, in the south western Aegean Region of Turkey. It is
located on the southern coast of Bodrum Peninsula, at a point that
checks the entry into the Gulf of Gokova. The city was called
Halicarnassus of Caria in ancient times and was famous for housing the
Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Bodrum Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 15th century, overlooks the
harbour and the marina. The castle grounds include a Museum of
Underwater Archeology and hosts several cultural festivals throughout
the year.
Adabogazi (Aquarium Bay), Mersincik Bay –
After breakfast, you will be informed about the cruise itinerary and the gulet. Then we will cruise to Ada Bogazi.
Adabogazi
derives its name from the word ‘Aquarium’ simply because the water here
is so clear. You can see as deep as 30m with the naked eye! There are
small bays at the west end of the west end and together with the crystal
clear waters, present a perfect feast to the senses. You can reach
Adabogazi on a yacht or a boat trip and swim up to 20m in gleaming
waters. Dinner and overnight stay at Mersincik Bay.
Knidos (Cnidus), Aktur Bay –
After breakfast, we will anchor in
Knidos. Knidos is one of the most magnificent ancient cities
inAnatoliathat you should visit. As the first settlement in the east of
the Datca peninsula, Knidos has splendid ruins and a unique beauty.
There is a theater is located right next to the harbor of the ancient
city ofKnidos. A short walk towards the harbor will take you to the
remains of two churches built during the Byzantine period. Knidos
century has been a site of archaeological excavations since 1960. The
Statue of Demeter discovered here and the lion statues that protected
the harbor in ancient times now adorn the halls of theBritishMuseum. The
sacred temple of the goddess Aphrodite is a major center of attraction.
The city with a huge necropolis, a double harbor and the magnificent
acropolis with the temple of Aphrodite truly impresses all visitors.
Then
we will cruise to Aktur Bay. Witness the world’s oxygen tank at Aktur!
Spotted with pine trees, it definitely is a slice of paradise. In fact,
it won the title of the ‘most beautiful bay inTurkey’ and proved to be a
hot tourist destination. Aktur consists of two units, namely Datca and
Kurucabuk, located at a distance of 4 km from each other. Dinner and
overnight stay at Aktur Bay.
Selimiye Bay, Orhaniye Bay, Bozburun –
After breakfast, we will
anchor in Selimiye Bay.The Selimiye village in the Mugla district of
Marmaris is one of the pearls of the Gulf of Hisaronu. The ancient name
of this village was Hydas, which got changed to Losta. At sunset, the
sun disappearing behind the mountains surrounding the village seems to
dye the scenery in a rich red hue. The ancient site of Bybossos Hydas
(Selimiye) has ruins dating back to the archaic period. One of the
highest hills of the region is in Selimiye, the other one at the top of
Sarikaya and the last one has three castle ruins, including the Kzlkoy
Asarkale Quarter. The sheep-shaped southeastern hills are visited by
foreign tourists looking to explore the castle ruins dating back to the
Hellenistic era. The tomb in the southern part of the square is located
100 meters offshore from the coast and shows ships the way to the
Selimiye. Other areas of interest include a monitoring tower, a
lighthouse, a monastery and a theater.
American
underwater archeologists and scientists are engaged in researching
sunken wrecks in the region and have produced valuable findings that are
now exhibited in the Bodrum Underwater Museum. Selimiye is frequented
by the Blue Cruise boats. Selimiye – Hisaronu – Orhaniye are like an
indispensable trio. Selmiye is also renowned for its clean sea water, a
great bounty of fish, vegetables, fruits, almond and olive trees, the
smell of fresh thyme and oregano enveloping the mountains, clean,
pollution-free air, peaceful environment and warm people. Afterwards we
will cruise to Orhaniye Bay.
Featuring its deep blue
sea and the legendary Kizkumu beach, Orhaniye is well admired by all
holidaymakers. Take a journey down its quaint village roads to discover
the historic castle of the black knight. Floating in this bay, the
yachts present a picturesque scene. ThevillageofOrhaniyehas lots to
offer to a hungry tourist. Enjoy walking down the village or witness the
beauty of the busy docks accessed by local and foreign yachtsmen alike,
stay indoors or explore the local culture and cuisine of the place –
Orhaniye is full of surprises! Then our gulet will sail to Bozburun for
dinner and spend the night there.
Bozburun is renowned
for the thriving sponge business and gullet yacht construction industry.
Some of the best wood and craftsmen for building strong and beautiful
gullet boats are to be found in this region, which is why leading names
in the business employ Bozburun’s boat makers. Owing to its gullet and
yacht manufacturing industries, Bozburun has become a central
attraction, visited by tourists from all across the world.
Symi Island –
After port formalities we will set sail to Symi
Island . Symi has the most beautiful harbour in Greece. On either side
of a steep-sided fjord rise tier upon tier of houses, some white, some
pastel yellow, but virtually all with Neo-Classical pediments – a
reminder that 100 years ago this was one of Greece’s most prosperous
islands. There has been virtually no modern concrete construction here
and now these fine old houses are being resurrected for visitors. The
spirit of the island remains intact. Dinner and overnight stay at Symi
Island.
Datca, Palamut Buku –
We will back to Turkey via Datca. Datca was
founded by the Dorians settled in the Aegean islands and the southern
coast ofIonia. This peninsula is located between the Aegean Sea and
theMediterranean Sea. At the end of the peninsula, at a distance of
about 38 kms is the ancient Carian city ofKnidos, which was described by
Strabo as the ‘city built for the most beautiful goddess, Aphrodite, on
the most beautiful peninsula". It is also believed that around
500 years ago, the Spanish pirates sailing left leprosy patients to die
here but the fair weather of the peninsula recovered the lepers! We
will cruise to Palamut Buku for dinner and an overnight stay.
Palamutbuku
is reputed for having the best beaches in the Datca peninsula. The
beaches are small but very beautiful. Surrounded by mountains and
spotted with gardens, these beaches are known for their tranquility and
fresh sea air that together present the perfect backdrop for a
rejuvenating getaway. Palamutbuku is located at the end of the peninsula
and is also famed for the remains of the historic city ofKnidos.
Knidos, known for its bounty of fish, is located about 12 kilometers
away.
The waters here are crystal clear, so much so
that it is believed that if you take a needle at the very bottom of the
sea, you can still see it!The people are warm and friendly. Palamutbuku
epitomizes peace, tranquility and happiness. With its warm people with
their smiling faces and immense natural beauty, Palamutbuku is indeed a
little paradise in its own right.
Kisebuku (Alakisla), Black Island –
After breakfast, we will be
anchoring at Kisebuku (Alakisla Buku). Located only 3 miles away from
Orak Island is Kise Buku, a name originating from the word ‘kilise’
(church) due to the remains of the Byzantine Monasteries found in this
area. It is indispensable for all boats to anchor here at a very large
cove. This bay is surrounded by mountains in the north, and western
winds blow in the eastern side of the island against. At Alakisla, you
will encounter the ruins of an old monastery by the name of Kise Bay.
Kise’s name is also believed to originate from the word ‘church’.
The
must-visit places in the Kisebk ruins include Yalkoyu, Akarca, Fork,
summerhouse, bath, cistern and the cove where the ruins of the church
are found. These call for an indispensable stop during your Blue Cruise.
In a few coves in the vicinity, you can find wonders like cold drinking
water boiling! The silhouette of a grove of Oleander trees rolling down
into the sea against the glittering sandy beaches is indeed a spectacle
to behold! Then we will sail to Black Island.
Karaada
is located around 5 km away from Bodrum and is renowned for the immense
healing power of its sulphurous waters and mud baths. The hot water and
mud from the cave is believed to restore beauty and health. The hot
water has a temperature of about 29-32 degrees and flows into the sea.
Here you will have the opportunity of swimming in hot waters and take a
mud bath. Then our boat will cruise back to Bodrum Port for the last
day’s dinner and an overnight stay.
Bodrum –
Upon agreement, the guests will leave the gullet with precious memories by 10:30.
