Lycian tombs at Xanthus
Open to Families and All
One of the best family holidays for 2013 - The Times, Sat Jan 19, 2013 (needs subscription).
This gulet cruise for families offers a marvellous mix of fantastic ancient sites, gorgeous landscapes and superb swimming opportunities. This newly announced trip is open to all, families and non-families alike.
Cruising Western Lycia in Turkey explores a quite beautiful stretch of coastline behind which an extraordinary culture and a fiercely independent people developed.
Once a day we visit one of the antique cities that adorn this timeless coast. We stroll along ancient roads lined with wild herbs, or through olive trees strewn with rock tombs.
We have the chance to snorkel over sunken harbours, and climb rocky fastnesses for unrivalled vistas. From mighty theatres to churches floored with mosaics, each site is an archaeological adventure, part of a historical puzzle that reveals a remarkable story of human civilisation.
Travelling aboard a beautiful Turkish gulet, every day there are plenty of opportunities to swim in the crystal waters of the Turquoise coast, or to windsurf, kayak, or go for a hike.
Typical traffic around Kekova in southern Turkey
Highlights include Xanthus, the great capital of ancient Lycia, whose magnificent treasures caused an extraordinary stir when they were brought to the British Museum.
Clinging to Gemiler Island is a small town that shone only in Byzantine times, resplendent with an avenue of churches. It’s just one highpoint in this fascinating gulet cruise.
Request a brochure or to book your place, please contact our office.
Day 1: Our gulet is about 30 minutes from Dalaman airport at Göcek, a pretty harbour beneath mountains at the head of the Bay of Fethiye, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Welcome dinner on board.
Day 2: We head east to the island of Gemiler, with its superb Byzantine churches, a pilgrimage centre for St Nicholas. The area is perfect for swimming and snorkelling.
Day 3: We cruise on to Kaş, a beautiful village of white-washed houses covered with purple bougainvillea. Ancient Antiphellos lies littered in amongst the modern town: stunning sarcophagi and a theatre with a magnificent sea view.
Day 4: East to the spectacular village of Üçagiz, old Teimiussa, one of the most evocative of all Lycian burial sites. On to fascinating Kale, site of ancient Simena, perched among a mêlée of Lycian sarcophagi and an Ottoman castle. One of the most romantic settings of the holiday.
Day 5: We set off west for pretty Kalkan. Inland to Xanthus, the great capital of ancient Lycia, where excavations are uncovering a vast monumental city.
tour group on top of the Ottoman castle at Kale, Lycian Turkey
Day 6: We head to Patara, birth place of St. Nicholas (Father Christmas) and a major naval and trading port of ancient Lycia. Much of Patara still remains undiscovered, but excavations have revealed many structures previously hidden by sand dunes. Among them, the parliament building of the Lycian League (a formative influence in the creation of the US Constitution).
Day 7: A last dip before cruising into Fethiye. A visit to Telmessus’ massive cliff face tombs and a final chance to shop. A fitting end to this inspirational holiday in Turkey.
Day 8: Transfer from our gulet back to Dalaman airport.
Arrival and Departure Information
Arrival Airport - Dalaman
Departure Airport - Dalaman
We recommend you arrive at the gulet in Göcek (approx 30 minutes from Dalaman airport) in the late afternoon/evening on July 20, and leave the boat in Fethiye (approx 60 minutes from Dalaman airport) first thing in the morning of July 27. We will arrange local transfers from Dalaman airport at the start of the tour, and to Dalaman 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 July 20
Depart İstanbul / Atatürk 16:45 arrive Dalaman 18:05 TK2558 Turkish Airlines
Departing Saturday July 27
Depart Dalaman 09:00 arrive Istanbul / Atatürk 10:20 TK2553 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, our UK, ATOL accredited flight specialists are Diplomat Travel, Tel: +44 (0) 207 730 2201 - Sarah and Matt are our point persons in their office, but anyone there will be able to help you.
Our recommended flight specialist in the US is Julie Gorny, Email: juliannegorny@yahoo.com • Tel: +1 773 972 8849.
We are happy to recommend the following flight specialists in Australia; Arlette de Brey from Mary Rossi Travel, Email: arlette@maryrossitravel.com • Tel: + 61 2 9957 4511 or Matt Hodgins from Alumni Travel, Email: matt@alumnitravel.com.au • Tel: +61 2 9290 3856. They will be more than happy to help you with international flight options.
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 and must be paid for in cash. Once you have arrived in the terminal, do remember to obtain your visa before queuing up for immigration control.
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.
