This tour in Turkey weaves a magic combination of magnificent sites, quiet coves, and breath-taking vistas along the virtually pristine coast of the Ceramic Gulf. Cruising aboard an elegant gulet our ever changing horizon is a wild, remote and mountainous landscape cut into long peninsulas, deep inlets, secluded coves and pine-fringed fjords.
Exploring this unspoilt coast, we rediscover the ancient realm of Mausolus, ruler of Caria, 2,400 years ago. His tomb, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, stood for almost two millennia in the centre of Halicarnassus, modern Bodrum, our starting point and final destination.
Highlights include beautifully preserved Knidos, a monumental marbled city arranged around a double harbour, and the Castle of St. Peter built by the Knights of Rhodes, and now one of the finest museums of underwater archaeology in the world.
This is currently not one of our scheduled tours, however, we can offer it as a private tour. Please see our Gulet Charters page for more information.
Day 1: Our boat is about 40 minutes from Bodrum airport, in the city’s amphitheatre style harbour. Welcome drink and dinner.
Day 2: A chance to relax and unwind as we cruise east into the Ceramic Gulf for our very first swim and a leisurely afternoon stroll around the ruins of Ceramus itself, charmingly enveloped by a small Turkish country village.
Day 3: Leisurely on to the head of the gulf, to wander through the ruins of old Cedreae situated on Cleopatra’s Island. The site is strewn with the remains of Byzantine churches together with an ancient theatre almost hidden by olive trees.
Day 4: Inland on a long excursion to two of the most evocative of sites. First Stratonikeia, with its stunning gymnasium, then Lagina, where we picnic in the sanctuary of the underworld goddess Hekate.
Day 5: A leisurely day devoted to swimming and relaxing as we cruise westwards along the north shore of the beautiful and sparsely-populated Datça peninsula.
Day 6: To spectacular Knidos, where decades of digging, still ongoing, have revealed a beautiful and well planned ancient city. Set at the very tip of a sinuous peninsula, this was a city built for maritime trade. We explore the city that was once famous for exhibiting the fabled first sculpture of a nude goddess in history.
Day 7: A last chance to swim as we cruise north to Halicarnassus, site of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the Mausoleum. A chance for some last minute shopping.
Day 8: Transfer from our gulet to Bodrum airport, some 40 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 – Bodrum (Milas)
Departure Airport – Bodrum (Milas)
Arrival Location – Bodrum Harbour (approx. 40 mins from airport)
Departure Location – Bodrum Harbour (approx. 40 mins from airport)
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.
