Rock-cut temple tomb, Fethiye
This gulet cruise and cultural Turkey tour explores the virtually untouched coastline of ancient Lycia, on the breathtaking turquoise coast. We’ll explore some of the best historical sites in all of Turkey, from the marbled city of Perge, where Turkish archaeologists are unearthing a site to rival Ephesus, to Aspendos, adorned with the best preserved ancient theatre in the world.
The archaeological wonders go on and on - like magnificent Arykanda, a quite gorgeous antique town surrounded by jaw dropping natural scenery on the edge of a mountain; and beautiful Phaselis, famed in antiquity for its rascally merchants, and set beside the shore, its three harbours, aqueduct, theatre, baths, and streets swathed in pine trees. There’s also the award winning museum (and Peter’s personal favourite in Turkey) in Antalya, which houses an unbeatable collection of Roman statues almost all of which were discovered at nearby Perge.
As we travel behind the soaring Taurus Mountains, we will discover an extraordinary culture and a fiercely independent people that developed over many centuries: the Lycians. Their funerary architecture, unlike anything else in the world, still litters their once prosperous ports.
On this escorted holiday, we step back in time, to see how these towns evolved from Greek, Roman and Byzantine times to the present day. Their location, history, and state of preservation make for some of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world.
Taking a lovely sailing vacation on a Turkish gulet is simply the best way to explore the maritime civilisation of the Lycians. We can reach otherwise inaccessible places in relaxing and stylish fashion without even the need to change hotels. There are frequent opportunities to swim in the crystal waters of the Turquoise coast, windsurf, kayak, or go for a hike and admire the flora. Naturally, delicious Turkish food is a vital component of all our gulet cruises in Turkey.
Turkish Gulet near Gemiler
Once a day we visit one of the antique cities that adorn Lycia’s timeless coast. We stroll along ancient roads lined with wild herbs, and through olive trees strewn with rock tombs.
From soaring aqueducts to Byzantine churches floored with mosaics, each site is an archaeological adventure, part of a historical puzzle that reveals a remarkable story of human civilisation. This is a holiday in Turkey designed to relax and inspire in equal measure.
Request a brochure or to book your place, please contact our office.
Day 1: Our boat is about 30 minutes from Dalaman airport in the pretty harbour of Göcek. Welcome dinner on board.
The great triple-harboured city of Phaselis
Day 2: A chance to unwind in the Bay of Fethiye.
Day 3: We cruise south to Gemiler Island, a key Byzantine pilgrimage site, where Japanese archaeologists have been hard at work. A perfect area for swimming.
Day 4: On to Kaş, a beautiful village of white washed houses covered with purple bougainvillea. The ancient city, Antiphellos, is littered with tombs and a theatre with a magnificent sea view.
Day 5: East to picturesque Üçağız, old Teimiussa, one of the most evocative of all Lycian burial sites.
Day 6: We visit Myra, famed for its Roman theatre and rock hewn tombs. Walking through its port, Andriake, we uncover a giant cistern and granary built by the Emperor Hadrian.
Day 7: Into the mountains to Arykanda, the Turkish Delphi, where excavations have revealed a prosperous monumental city.
Day 8: On to Phaselis, seat of pirates who terrorised the region’s rich trade routes. Its three harbours now lie serene amid pine trees.
A typical Lycian view
Day 9: To Antalya, the south’s most vibrant city, with a fortified harbour and museum full of marble statues. We visit Aspendos’ mighty aqueduct and extraordinary theatre.
Day 10: Roman Perge is a vast treasure house of ruins. We stroll through colonnades and shops, marbled bath-houses, a stadium, and fortifications.
Day 11: South to Olympos. On an ancient sacred way we visit the Chimaera, a natural phenomenon where flames burst from the ground, and legendary home of the mythical beast.
Day 12: West to Kale, ancient Simena, a mêlée of Lycian tombs and an Ottoman castle with vast views. One of the tour’s most romantic locations.
Day 13: We set off for pretty Kalkan, and inland to Xanthos, capital of ancient Lycia, where French archaeologists have been digging for half a century, uncovering more and more wonders every year.
Day 14: A last dip, then to Fethiye to visit its magnificent cliff tombs and a final chance to shop.
Day 15: Transfer 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 Aug 31st, and leave the boat in Fethiye (approx 60 minutes from Dalaman airport) first thing in the morning of Sep 14th. 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. Flight schedules are still being prepared for next Sept. Once fully released we’ll be very pleased to make recommendations. 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 August 31
Depart İstanbul / Atatürk 16:45 arrive Dalaman 18:05 TK2558 Turkish Airlines
Departing Saturday September 14
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, 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 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.
