This brand-new cruise is one of our combined itineraries, introducing our guests to the sights of the Turkish coast and the adjacent Greek Isles within the same tour.
Throughout the region’s long history, the sea has not only provided a geographic separation, but also a dense network of cultural link between the settlements along its shores, island or mainland. From the Doric Greeks who settled the area three millennia ago, founding a series of vibrant cities, via the Romans and Byzantines to the short-lived empire of the Crusader Knights of St John and beyond, fascinating remains of past glories await you around every corner.
On this cruise, starting from the lovely Turkish fishing village of Gümüslük, we will visit the great island of Kos (part of the Dodecanese), its island capital a veritable patchwork of ancient and modern, overlooked by the serene healing shrine of Asklepios. We continue to the tiny island of Nisyros with its labyrinthine harbour village and its stupendous volcanic caldera and then to verdant and peaceful Tilos. On Chalki, we get to see one of the Mediterranean’s most picturesque ports. Returning to Turkey, we explore Knidos, one of the greatest cities of the ancient Aegean, set on a long peninsula and virtually surrounded by Greek islands, before finishing at Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus, erstwhile capital of Caria, with the remains of the great Mausoleum and the enormous crusader castle.
Join us for this unique experience combining two countries, one fascinating history and a whole series of beautiful land and seascapes!
Day 1: Board our gulet in the lovely seaside village of Gümüslük, 45 minutes from Bodrum/Milas airport. Welcome drinks and dinner aboard.
Day 2: We cruise to the famous Greek island of Kos, where we moor in the island’s ancient main harbour. In the afternoon, we stroll through the island capital, exploring its fascinating mix of Greek and Roman archaeological sites, Ottoman monuments and eclectic 1930s Italian architecture. Dinner in a traditional taverna.
Day 3: In the morning, we visit the Asklepieion, antiquity’s most significant sanctuary to Asklepios, the god of healing, in its beautiful wooded setting. Later, we cruise onwards to anchor off the uninhabited islet of Periousa.
Day 4: In the morning, we visit the surreally beautiful volcanic crater on the island of Nisyros and its labyrinthine main village, Mandraki. In the afternoon, we continue to the green island of Tilos, an important nature reserve.
Day 5: We visit the enchanted monastery of St. Panteleimon and the curious paleontological museum of Tilos, dedicated to the island’s extinct pygmy elephant. Later, we cross to Symi, where we moor in one of the Aegean’s most picturesque harbour towns, which we explore in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Having re-entered Turkey, stopping by the resort town of Datça, we continue to Knidos, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Turkey. Set on the tip of a long peninsula jutting out of the mainland, the huge ancient Greek city is literally surrounded by the islands we saw during the previous days.
Day 7: We return to Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus, to visit the remains of the Mausoleum, the monumental tomb of Mausolus and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as well as the medieval castle housing the Turkish National Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
Day 8: Transfers to Bodrum/Milas airport.
Arrival and Departure Information
Arrival Airport - Bodrum (Milas)
Departure Airport - Bodrum (Milas)
We recommend you arrive at the gulet in Gümüşlük (approx an hour from Bodrum airport) in the late afternoon/early evening on Sep 21, and leave the boat in Bodrum (approx 40 minutes from Bodrum airport) first thing in the morning of Sep 28. We will arrange local transfers from Bodrum airport at the start of the tour and to Bodrum airport at the end of the trip.
Guests can board the gulet after 17:30 on the first day. You are more than welcome to arrive earlier to drop off your bags, but please be aware that the crew will be busy cleaning and tidying until late afternoon making everything ready for your group.
Suggested Flights
If you are staying in or connecting via Istanbul then the easiest way to get to and from the gulet is to fly. There are a number of airlines that offer domestic flights in Turkey such as Turkish Airlines the national flag carrier in Turkey and there are alternative flights to and from Istanbul with some of Turkey’s low cost airlines such as Atlas Jet, and Onur Air
Arriving Saturday September 21
Depart İstanbul / Atatürk 16:40 arrive Bodrum 17:55 TK2516 Turkish Airlines
Departing Saturday September 28
Depart Bodrum 09:20 arrive Istanbul / Atatürk 10:30 TK2505 Turkish Airlines
Please note: Flights are subject to change. Please contact Turkish Airlines for exact details.
Booking Flights
The cheapest way to book flights is directly with the airline online.
If you prefer to book with a travel agent, we are happy to recommend specialists in a number of countries around the world, please contact us for more details.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a requirement of our booking conditions and we recommend you investigate the options thoroughly to make sure that your trip is properly covered.
In the UK we work with specialist travel insurers Milsom Howard Ltd. 22 Highfield Drive, Ickenham, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 8AN, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1895 234 919 • Fax: +44 (0) 1895 231 864 • Email: globetrotter@milsomhoward.com.
Our travel insurance specialist in the US is Julie Gorny, Email: juliannegorny@yahoo.com • Tel: +1 773 972 8849.
Alternatively you might like to look at an online travel insurance company like World Nomads to give you a comparison in terms of price and coverage.
If you would prefer not to take out travel insurance you will need to complete a travel insurance waiver form.
Visas
Visas are easily obtained on arrival at Istanbul airport (or other local airports). A visa costs £10 for UK Nationals, $20 for USA Nationals and AUS $20 for Australian Nationals. Only US dollars and Euros are accepted at the airports and visas must be paid for in cash. Once you have arrived in the terminal, do remember to obtain your visas before queuing up for immigration control. You can get your visa in advance, before you arrive in Turkey, from any Turkish Consulate, but it entails time and an extra visa processing fee.
Istanbul
If you are planning to stay in Istanbul before or after your gulet tour we have included below links to more information and things to see and do.
Istanbul Destination Guide
Istanbul Travel Article
Custom Tours
If you are thinking of extending your trip to Turkey to include visits to Cappadocia, Ephesus, Istanbul or further afield, please contact our office for further information.
