”If you like your sailing with a little stimulation, book yourself on to this gulet cruise of the northern Dodecanese, which gives you an up-close look at the architectural pomp of ancient Greece, from the Asclepieion of Kos, to the tunnel of Eupalinos on Samos, and the medieval castle on Leros.” National Geographic Traveller Magazine, March 2013
Selected as one of the five best cruises to the world’s most beautiful corners by Lonely Planet Magazine, Dec 2012.
This gulet cruise takes us through some of the most beautiful and evocative Greek islands. Their strategic location has bequeathed them spectacular fortifications and religious sites of all periods and beliefs, which we will explore at leisure.
Cruising south from Kuşadasi to Samos, we combine visits to ancient sites with strolls through the modern towns. We’ll explore their winding streets, magnificent views and traditional architecture.
We’ll savour the local Greek cuisine, dining out occasionally in neighbourhood tavernas. Aboard our stylish gulet, we’ll take full advantage of secluded coves perfect for swimming.
This Greece tour introduces you to some of the most impressive aspects of Greek island culture and one of the most complicated historical fault-lines of the eastern Mediterranean. Archaeological highlights abound: from the Asclepieion of Kos, to the tunnel of Eupalinos on Samos, and the medieval castle on Leros.
Find out about our all escorted Greece tours.
Request a brochure or to book your place, please contact our office.
Day 1: We embark on our gulet in the Marina of Kuşadasi, about 60 minutes from Izmir airport. Welcome drinks and dinner.
Day 2: We cruise to Pythagorio, a pretty resort on the site of the ancient capital of the island of Samos. In the afternoon, we visit the island’s main archaeological museum with its astonishingly rich array of ancient statues and precious objects. Later we explore the Heraion, birthplace and main sanctuary of the goddess Hera, and the 1000m long Tunnel of Eupalinos, a miracle of 6th century BC engineering.
Day 3: Morning crossing to one of the smaller islands in the area for swimming and relaxing. In the afternoon, we cruise to the sacred island of Patmos, where we enjoy dinner in a traditional fish taverna.
Day 4: In the morning, we visit the Cave of the Apocalypse, where St. John the Divine is said to have had his famous vision. We continue to the picturesque town of Chora, crowned by the massive Byzantine monastery of St. John. In the afternoon, we travel to the island of Leros.
Day 5: On Leros, we view the island’s excellent archaeological museum and its dominant castle, occupied in turn by the Byzantines, the Knights of St. John and the Ottoman Turks. In the afternoon we continue to a cove off the rugged island of Kalymnos.
Day 6: We cruise to Pothia, the bustling island capital of Kalymnos. Here, we visit the archaeological museum, and the Early Christian basilica of Christ in Jerusalem with its impressive mosaics.
Day 7: With a swimming break along the way, we continue to the harbour of Kos and visit that island’s most famous site, the sanctuary of Asklepios, god of healing. In the late afternoon, we return to Bodrum. Farewell dinner on board.
Day 8: Transfer to Bodrum airport about 40 minutes away.
Arrival and Departure Information
Arrival Airport - İzmir (Adnan Menderes)
Departure Airport - Bodrum (Milas)
We recommend you arrive at the gulet in Kuşadasi (approx 60 minutes from Izmir airport) in the late afternoon/evening of September 7th, and leave the boat in Bodrum (approx 40 minutes from Bodrum airport) first thing in the morning on September 14th. We will arrange local transfers from Izmir airport at the start of the tour, and to Bodrum airport at the end of the trip.
Guests can board the gulet after 5pm 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 7
Depart İstanbul / Atatürk 17:00 arrive Izmir 18:05 TK2332 Turkish Airlines
Departing Saturday September 14
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 our office 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 online at eVisa or on arrival at Istanbul or other local airports. A visa costs £10 for UK Nationals, $20 for USA Nationals and AUS $60 for Australian Nationals. Only US dollars and Euros are accepted at the airports and visas must be paid for in cash. UK passport holders can also pay in Sterling. Once you have arrived in the terminal, do remember to obtain your visas before queuing up for immigration control.
Citizens of European Union or Schengen Treaty member states need no visa for Greece, those from the United States, Canada and Australia do not need to apply for a visa to visit Greece for trips of less than 90 days duration.
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
Athens, Kos and the Greek islands
If you are planning to stay in Athens before or after your tour we have included below links to more information and things to see and do. If you intend to add time on Kos or any other Greek island, we are happy to offer information and advice.
Athens Destination Guide
