This cultural holiday and archaeological gulet cruise interweaves the magic of the Turkish coast with two awe inspiring Greek islands. We set sail on our gulet and head west from Göçek, to Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus, site of the Mausoleum, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Fortification door, Loryma
On this escorted tour we visit some of the greatest archaeological gems on Turkey’s southwest coast: Kaunos with its exquisite rock-cut temple tombs, and beautifully preserved Knidos, a monumental marbled city arranged around a double harbour.
We’ll also travel to visit one of the best preserved medieval cities in the world, Rhodes, (a powerhouse in antiquity too) and the neighbouring Greek island of Symi, decked out in the finest neo-classical style.
This archaeological tour weaves together a cornucopia of simple pleasures: magnificent sites, quiet coves, wondrous walks, breathtaking vistas and glorious swims. As with all our gulet cruises in Turkey, delicious Turkish food is a key component.
Taking a luxurious sailing vacation on the Turkish gulet, Almira, our ever changing horizon is a wild, remote and mountainous landscape cut into long peninsulas, deep inlets, secluded coves and pine-fringed fjords. Exploring this unspoilt coast, we rediscover the ancient realm of Mausolus, ruler of Caria, 2400 years ago. With such rich and strategically vital cities, the area was a crossroads of civilisations. Alexander the Great liberated it from Persia, Rhodes sought to carve it into an empire, and the legacy of Crusader castles still speaks of the epic battle between Christianity and Islam.
A holiday in Turkey designed to inspire and relax in equal measure.
Here is an overview of our expert led cultural tour and gulet cruise of Caria. If you would like to know more about this escorted archaeological holiday in Turkey, please don’t hesitate to contact us, or visit our travel FAQ’s.
Goats on the Resadiye peninsula.
Day 1: Our gulet is about 30 minutes from Dalaman airport at Göcek, a pretty harbour beneath mountains on the Bay of Fethiye. Welcome dinner on board.
Day 2: We sail to the beautiful inlet of Aglimani and walk up an ancient track to the city of Lydae, set in a forgotten valley filled with the tinkle of goat bells.
Day 3: Heading west we take a boat through a lagoon into the reed lined Dalyan River to see the city of Kaunos. Its monumental public buildings, surrounding a silted up harbour, speak of its once great wealth and fame.
Day 4: South to the Greek island of Rhodes. We step back in time to visit the acropolis of this once powerful and dynamic ancient city. We’ll explore its small theatre, stadium, and the temple of Apollo.
Day 5: The medieval city of Rhodes, built by the Knights Hospitaller, is now a living breathing world heritage site. We’ll wander through the moat beneath mighty fortifications, to the Palace of the Grandmaster with its splendid archaeological museum. Time to shop and explore the streets of the old town.
Day 6: We sail on to the Greek island of Symi, to savour the magnificent architecture and local cuisine.
Day 7: Back in Turkish waters, we head to Loryma, a magnificent Rhodian fortress guarding a strategic bay.
Day 8: We head inland to explore Phoenix, a wild and remote citadel city, with beautiful landscapes and grand vistas all around.
Day 9: West to spectacular Knidos. We climb up to the temple of Aphrodite that once housed the fabled first female nude in history.
Main Harbour on the Greek Island of Simi
Day 10: A day of leisure as we sail along a beautiful pine clad coast. Plenty of time to swim and relax in an area known as the Seven Islands.
Day 11: North east to the head of the Ceramic gulf, to wander through the island ruins of ancient Cedreae.
Day 12: Inland to two evocative sites, Lagina, shrine to the underworld goddess Hekate, and Stratonikeia, with its stunning gymnasium.
Day 13: A last chance to swim as we set sail west, to explore Halicarnassus, Mausolus’s great capital city. A final opportunity to shop, and a fitting end to this inspirational archaeological tour of southwest Turkey.
Day 14: Transfer from our gulet to Bodrum airport, about 35 minutes away.
