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This cultural gulet cruise in Turkey will introduce you to the renowned Carian coast.

Starting in the bustling town of Kuşadası we head south to explore this magical coastline in its entirety, from the Aegean Shore facing Greece to the turquoise Mediterranean Coast.

We’ll visit some of the greatest archaeological gems on the southern shore: the world-renowned museum of underwater archaeology in Bodrum, the one-time capital of all Caria; beautifully preserved Knidos, a monumental marbled city arranged around a double harbour; and Kaunos with its exquisite rock-cut temple tombs.

Aboard our traditional Turkish gulet we’ll rediscover the realm of Mausolus, Caria’s ruler 2,400 years ago, whose tomb was ranked one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. With such rich and strategically vital cities, the area was a crossroads of civilisations. Alexander the Great liberated it from Persia, Rhodes sought to subjugate it into an empire, and the legacy of Crusader castles still speaks of the epic battle between Christianity and Islam.

This gulet cruise weaves together a cornucopia of simple pleasures: magnificent sites, quiet coves, wondrous walks, fabulous food, breath-taking vistas and glorious swims. A tour designed to inspire and relax in equal measure.

This is a previous tour itinerary. However, we can offer it as a private tour. Please contact us for more information.

Day 1: Our boat is an hour from Izmir airport, in Kuşadası’s marina. Welcome drink and dinner.

Day 2: A chance to relax as we cruise past the Greek island of Samos for our very first swim.

Day 3: We explore Herakleia, an ancient city set in breathtaking mountain scenery boasting some of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular Greek fortifications.

Day 4: We sail east to moor in the pretty harbour of ancient Iasos, where excavations are revealing a vital and beautiful classical city.

Day 5: Into the mountains to the sanctuary of Zeus at Labraunda. At Euromus, amidst an olive grove stands a temple to Zeus, one of the best preserved in Asia Minor.

Day 6: We cruise to the pretty village of Gümüşlük, ancient Myndos. The scant ruins offer a glimpse of this once bustling fortified harbour.

Day 7: East to Halicarnassus, home to one of the seven ancient wonders and a Crusader castle that houses a splendid museum of underwater archaeology.

Day 8: At the head of the Ceramic gulf, we wander through the ruins of Cedreae on Cleopatra’s Island, strewn with Byzantine churches and an ancient theatre almost hidden by olive trees.

Day 9: A whole day’s excursion to two of the most evocative sites. First Stratonikeia, with its stunning gymnasium, then Lagina, for a picnic in the sanctuary of the underworld goddess Hekate.

Day 10: West to spectacular Knidos, a well-planned ancient city, one of the most beautiful in Turkey. At the tip of a sinuous peninsula, this was a city built for maritime trade, and famed for its fabled nude statue of Aphrodite.

Day 11: We head to Loryma, a magnificent Rhodian fortress guarding a strategic bay.

Day 12: Inland to Phoenix, a wild and remote citadel city, with grand vistas all around.

Day 13: We take a river boat up the Dalyan River to Kaunos. Its monumental public buildings, surrounding a silted up harbour, speak of its once great wealth.

Day 14: We walk up an ancient track to Lydae, set in a forgotten valley. A final chance to swim, then to Göcek, a pretty harbour town ringed by forested hills.

Day 15: Transfer to Dalaman airport, about 30 minutes away.

This is a previous tour itinerary. However, we can offer it as a private tour. Please see our Gulet Charters page for more information.

I would like to book, what else do I need to know?

For information not covered below please refer to our FAQ’s or contact us directly on info@petersommer.com

Arrival and Departure Information

Arrival Airport

Departure Airport

Arrival Location

Departure Location

Embarkation and departure is planned for approx.17:00. 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 making everything ready for your group so you will not be able to settle into your cabin.

If your travel plans or flights do not allow you to arrive before 17:00 we recommend arriving the day before the tour starts. This would also allow time to relax, recover from any jet lag and arrive at the boat on time for embarkation and departure.

If you arrive at the gulet after 17:00, we will do our best to enable you to join the tour at a later time and place.

Please Note: Departure time is subject to change depending on weather, harbour, or other conditions.

Disembarkation is around 09:00. We will arrange local transfers on the first and last day of the tour.

Booking 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. The cheapest way to book flights is directly with the airline online.

Please note: Flights are subject to change. Please contact the airline for exact details.

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: We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. You should ensure that you take out a suitable policy, to make sure that your trip is properly covered. Please be advised some insurers may require you to take out a policy within 15-20 days of booking your holiday to receive all of their insurance benefits.

Visas: You must check to see if you require a visa to enter Turkey. Visas are easily obtained online at eVisa and must be purchased before you travel.

Istanbul: If you are planning to stay in Istanbul before or after your gulet tour we would be happy to help with suggestions and information and things to see and do. Please get in touch.

Custom Tours: If you are thinking of extending your trip to Turkey to include visits to Cappadocia, Istanbul or further afield, please contact our office for further information.

Tour Includes:
Full board accommodation with water, tea and coffee and wine with dinner
Airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour
Travel by private minibus
Harbour fees and crew services
All entrance fees and tips on land
The services of your expert tour leaders throughout the entire trip
WiFi (coverage permitting)

Not included:
Flights and airport taxes
Visas
Travel insurance
Gratuities on the gulet. It is customary to tip the crew at the end of a tour (we recommend a minimum of 20Euro per day per guest)
Tips for guides

Accreditations

AITO Tour Operator of the Year 2015 Gold Award AITO Tour Operator of the Year 2017 Gold Award AITO Tour Operator of the Year 2018 Silver Award AITO Tour Operator of the Year 2019 Silver Award Best Travel Company for Arts and Culture Holidays Silver British Travel Award 2022 Member of AITO The Specialist Travel Association Member of ABTA the Association of British Travel Agents Member of ASTA The American Society of Travel Advisors Member of ABTOI the Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy

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