Best Gulet Charter Route in the Aegean of Turkey
SUMMARY
Have you ever had the desire to try something unique like a historical charter onboard a traditional Gulet in a relaxing, casual setting with local flavor cusines and breathtaking sceneries along the Turkish Riveria? Here is one of the best gulet charter routes in the Aegean of Turkey. This is a wonderful way to unplug and escape from your everyday routine, explore real history, enjoy family and friends and it is surprisingly affordable too. Get more info below…
Day 1: Bodrum aka “Saint Tropez of Turkey” by NYTimes Magazine
Boarding starts at 15:30 from Bodrum Harbour. On the first day, your boat will be anchored in Bodrum Port for dinner and overnight stay. Bodrum is one of the most important centers of trade, art and entertainment as it has been since centuries ago. This coastal town in which traditional and modern life go along hand in hand in an excellent harmony opens it arms for those who want to be acquainted with her and live her. Bodrum has a history that goes back to the 12th century B.C. The city which was called ‘Halicarnassus’ was the birthplace of Herodotus; the “Father of History” who lived in the 5th century B.C. The ‘Mausoleum’ of King Mausolus (350 B.C.) which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is in this city. The only structure that survived from the Classical Era is the Amphitheatre. It is one of the oldest theatres in Anatolia with a capacity of 13,000 guests and is still hosting many shows and concerts for the art-lovers of Bodrum. Another place that you should visit whilst in Bodrum is the landmark of the city the Castle of Saint Peter. This is one of the best preserved pieces of architecture with a history that dates back to the Middle Ages. Myndos Gate through which Alexander the Great entered Halicarnassus is another place that you should not miss.
Day 2: Palamutbuku – Inceburun
Early in the morning you will start your cruise to Palamutbuku Bay. Your vessel will anchor in Ýnce Burun for lunch and swimming break. Guests will remain at anchor in this lovely bay for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Aktur – Bencik
After breakfast vessel will cruise to Aktur Bay. Your first stop will be the Bencik Bay, which has a very narrow entrance but a unique view once you get inside. Here is where you will stay for dinner and remain overnight. Bencik is located at the narrowest part of the peninsula that divides Hisaronu Gulf from the Gokova Gulf and is located at Hisaronu side. In 550s B.C. the Cnidus people wanted to dig a tunnel in the narrowest part of the peninsula between the Hisaronu Gulf and the Gokova Gulf as a defence line against the Persians. This would create two peninsulas, one island and the defence much easier. They started with diligence however, in the end they could not manage and the city was conquered by the Persians.
Day 4: Emel Sayin Koyu – Orhaniye – Selimiye
After Breakfast vessel will anchor at Emel Sayin Bay, you can enjoy a swimming stop here in this lovely bay. For lunch we will dock in Orhaniye. In Orhaniye Bay, you will see the unique sceneries of a natural tidal formation called ‘kiz kumu’ (Maiden’s Beach). There are many myths about this reddish sand-path going from the shore to the inner parts of the sea. On a tiny island located in the bay, you can see the wrecks of an antique castle, a sign of an ancient city. On this day, your final destination will be Selimiye for dinner and overnight stay
Day 5: Dirsek Buku – Bozburun
After anchoring in Dirsekbuku and taking a swimming stop, we will cruise to Bozburun which is a small fishing town. This area was a popular and suitable spot for sponge-diving, in todays time the people of the island are no more interested in sponge-diving as it is currently not financially beneficial. Sponge-diving has been replaced by gulet tourism and Bozburun Gulet tours.
Day 6: Datca – Knidos (Cnidus)
Today we will cruise to Datca where food and water will be supplied to the boat from Datca Harbour. The city was founded by the Dors who came from Aegean Sea to the southern coast of Ionia in the 7th century B.C. The island has no humidity and has fresh air with plenty of oxygen. The historian Strabo has a rightful saying about Datca’s weather: “God would send his beloved servants to Datca to live longer”. According to a myth while the Spanish pirates were passing by the coast of Datca, they disembarked people with Hansen’s disease in Sariliman Bay. These abandoned people recovered from their disease with the help of the clean weather of Datca. Vessel will cruise to Cnidus for dinner and overnight stay. Cnidus was a developed city in science, art and architecture. Eudoxos, a very popular astronomer and math professor; Dr. Euryphon; Polygontos, a popular painter; Skopas and Bryaksis of Faros, the most famous sculptors of the era; Sostrates, the architect of Alexandrian Light House – one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. Ktesias the doctor who saved the life of a Persian king from a disaster lived on this island. Dr. Euryphon and his students founded the second largest medical sciences school in the Cnidus. The island also homes the largest sun clock of its time which was erected by Eudoksos. Cnidus was the home for Aphrodite’s monument and at those times the city was famous for brothels and became popular for sailors and Arabic tradesmen. You may take a walk on the shore to see the ruins.
Day 7: Poyraz Limani – Meteor Bay – Bodrum
You will cruise early in the morning to Karaada (Black Island), have breakfast and swimming stop will be at Poyraz Bay which is located at the northern side of the island. This is a beautiful bay with its turquoise-blue waters. Vessel will anchor at Meteor Bay for lunch which is located at the southern side of the island. There is a meteor hole here and this is how the bay got its name. Here you may jump over the platform in to the deep water. You may also take a walk through the under water cave which is very near to Meteor Bay for a small local fee. Vessel will dock in Bodrum Harbour for dinner and overnight stay where you will disembark vessel after breakfast by 10:30am the following day.
This wonderful itinerary has been created with the help of our East Mediterranean Expert and Broker Gurcan Kosar. Our Affiliates are available to assist and expedite arrangements from airport arrival, transportation to vessel or hotel and returning flight.
Please contact us or comment with any questions or topics you would like to talk about, we are here to help and are always available. See you next week!
Faruk Kosker with Port Yachting
Categories: Chartering, Cruising, Destinations, Gulet, Lifestyle, Luxury Travel, Traveling, Turkey, Uncategorized, Yacht Charter Tags: Aegean, Destinations, Gulets, history, Luxury Travel, Sailboats, Turkey
