From Halicarnassus to Didyma

Beginning and ending in Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus, birthplace of Herodotus, this archaeological gulet cruise and cultural escorted tour in Turkey visits some of the country’s prettiest and most interesting sites.

The highlights are plentiful: from the small harbour of Myndos, where Cassius moored after murdering Caesar, to Iasos, a wealthy port, famed for its fish market and red marble. Iasos’ past vitality is revealed by the splendid ruins that litter the site - from the colonnaded agora to the Roman villa decked with mosaics.

Travelling inland we see two impressive temples, the elegant shrine to Zeus at Euromus, and the gargantuan temple of Apollo at Didyma, one of the very biggest in ancient Greece.

A holiday aboard a traditional Turkish gulet is simply the best way to explore this historic coast studded with beautifully preserved ruins. While at sea there are plenty of coves for swimming, snorkelling and relaxing. Like all our gulet cruises in Turkey, scrumptious Turkish food is an integral part of the vacation.

Request a brochure or to book your place, please contact our office.

Day 1: Our boat is about 40 minutes from Bodrum airport, in the city’s amphitheatre style harbour. Welcome drink and dinner aboard.

Day 2: A chance to relax as we cruise west around the Bodrum Peninsula past the Greek island of Kos, to a quiet bay opposite Yalikavak.

Day 3: We cruise north east to moor in the pretty harbour of ancient Iasos, where archaeological excavations are revealing a vital and beautiful classical city.

Day 4: We head inland to the temple of Zeus at Euromus, one of the best preserved in Asia Minor, and located amidst a beautiful olive grove. Then on into the mountains to Labraunda, Caria’s most sacred sanctuary, site of the great oracular shrine to Zeus Labraundus.

Day 5: A morning to relax and cruise. In the late afternoon we head inland from Altinkum’s golden beach to visit Miletus, one of the most significant Ionian sites, with its vast theatre, baths, and brooding atmosphere, and its most important sanctuary, the colossal and awe-inspiring oracular temple of Apollo at Didyma.

Day 6: A gentle cruise to the pretty coastal village of Gümüslük, ancient Myndos; where excavations have recently started. The scant ruins offer a glimpse of this once bustling fortified harbour.

Day 7: A last chance to swim as we cruise south east to explore Halicarnassus, site of the Mausoleum, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and the castle of St Peter, now one of the most important museums of underwater archaeology. A chance for some last minute shopping.

Day 8: Transfer from our gulet to Bodrum airport, some 40 minutes away.

Arrival and Departure Information

Arrival Airport - Bodrum (Milas)
Departure Airport - Bodrum (Milas)

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. Here is the recommended flight time with Turkish Airlines the national flag carrier in Turkey.

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: +1 773 445 7537 • Mob: +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.

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