Cruising Mediterranean on a gulet

Day 1 – Arrive Istanbul
Arrival to Istanbul at any time, you will be met at airport, privately transfer to your hotel in old town. Rest till meeting the group for orientation. Welcome dinner will be at a traditional Turkish restaurant.

Day 2 – Istanbul Bosphorus tour
The day starts with a morning walk to the public ferry ride, departing and ending in the Old town near the Spice Bazaar. During our approximately 1.5 hours of cruising, we will see impressive 18th-19th century Ottoman buildings and private homes now belonging to the modern rich. We will also see the Ottoman Castle (better known as Rumelian Fortress) from the boat, built by the water on European side to stop receiving naval help by the Byzantine Empire before conquering the city in 15th Century. Once we are back to Old town, we will visit the Spice Market where all kinds of herbs are being sold since 17th century, and have a chance to taste the delicious Turkish delight in different flavors. Our final visit will be to the most beautiful small mosque of the Ottoman Renaissance, the Mosque of Rustem Pasha with its stupendous 16th century Iznik tiles. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 – Istanbul – High lights of old town
Today we will discover the Ancient Monuments of Istanbul. We start with a tour of the Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years, with its fabulous collections of jewels and other artifacts. You will also visit the ”Harem” section, which is its own palace inside the Topkapi, where you will hear us recount the history of the white and black Eunuchs and the high education of the concubines. After lunch, we continue the tour with a visit to Hagia Sophia Museum, originally built as a church by Justinian the Great in the 6th Century, then used as a mosque from 1453 until 1935. Today it is a museum encompassing both Christianity and Islam. We also visit the Blue Mosque, famous for the beautiful blue tiles decorating its interior walls. It was built in the 17th century and both it and Hagia Sophia are considered masterpieces of their periods. Last on our itinerary is the Basilica Cistern Museum, the best known and the largest of the closed cisterns built under the Justinian basilica in the 6th century. The James Bond movie ”From Russia with Love” was filmed here in early 60’s. Later, we will explore the ancient Hippodrome; seeing the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column and other sights. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4 – Fly to Cappadocia, afternoon explorations
Morning flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. Short drive to Cappadocia (45 min.). Check into our Hotel in Uchisar. Start exploring the lava covered ancient landscape. We will walk up to Uchisar castle to see the complete surrounding valleys of the Area. We will drive to famous Greek village, Sinasos for lunch in a small town with local tastes. We will stop at some of the famous panoramic overlooking valleys. Later on the day we will go for an optional walk in one of the famous valley in the area. (1-1.5 Hrs.) Return to hotel and overnight Cappadocia.

Day 5 – Cappadocia highlights
We will start our tour by visiting the most important open air museum Goreme St. Basil’s valley including best survived ”Dark Church” with its best preserved frescoes, being on a higher location with a single window. We will also tour the other important churches. Later we will discover one village and have talk to people about their daily life. We will also visit one of the 36 underground cities where Christians had refuge from invading Arab Armies in the 8th century on. These underground cities go to over 10 stories deep. Possible visit to a local wine tasting as Cappadocia is a wine country. Overnight Cappadocia.

Day 6 – Konya, the city of Whirling Dervishes
Morning drive to Konya (2.5 hrs.) – Home of Whirling Dervishes. On the way, we will visit an ancient Motel – Selcuk Caravanserai built in 13th. Century for offering shelter, food, care for ”Pack Animals” and sanitation provisions to merchants on the old Silk road. It is the largest one, which were used to be built in 35 km. distance. Lunch will be in Konya. A visit to Museum of Whirling Dervishes of Mevlana C. Rumi: His lyrical verse recounts a mystical ecstasy in which he saw all differences of race, religion and creed disappear, and how he was exalted above the principles of the Sheriat. And we will visit Karatay Madrasa Museum. 1251 C.E The museum houses magnificent collection of tiles. Particularly the wall-tiles from a palace built by Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat I. These tiles have representations of people and animal on brilliantly- colored glazed tiles, shaped like stars, octagons, squares, crosses and other forms. Later, walk on the markets of Konya and visit famous stores of the town. Overnight in Konya. B

Day 7 – Antalya – the land of Sun
Morning drive to Antalya, going over 6000 feet Touros Mt. pass.from north to south (3.5 – 4 hrs). On our way to Antalya, we will explore the famous Aspendos antique theatre which seats 8 thousand spectators, which is the only surviving best preserved theatre in the world. We will also explore the other remains of the Aspendos. Later in the afternoon, drive to Old town. After we check in to our hotel, we will have a short walk in the old town, see the Hadrian’s Gate, which was originally built to commemorate the emperor’s visit to Antalya in 130 CE. We will also see the Truncated minaret Mosque, built as a church and dedicated to Blessed Virgin in the 5th century, and later converted into a mosque in the 13th century. Return to our hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 8 – Perge visit and Gulluk National Park hike
We will start the day with a visit to the city of Perge, an ancient city dating from 300 BCE that lies just outside of Antalya. Perge includes buildings from the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods. We’ll visit its well-preserved baths complete with underground heating pipes, and walk along the long colonnaded street flanking an ancient channel where water once flowed from cooling fountains. Later on the day, we will have a short drive to the Gulluk Dag National Park, where we will start our walk. We shall explore the most dramatic historical site of the Western Taurus Mountains. Our walk will take us to the ancient city of Termessus, which originally dates back to as early as 800 BCE; this site is actually mentioned in the Homer’s book of Iliad. Today, objects from different historical periods can be seen on the site, but the ruins themselves are the remains of the Roman Empire dating back to 200-300 CE. It is said that Alexander the Great gave up the idea of capturing the city when he first saw the heroic resistance of its people, but he took his revenge by burning the neighboring olive groves, which were the only food crop of the people at that time. We shall spend the entire afternoon walking the Lycian trails through the following areas: unidentified buildings, theatres, bouleuterion, necropolis, and the gymnasium. After exploring a hidden trail off of the “beaten path”, then we will return to our hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 9 – Embarking our Gulet
Morning drive (1.5 – 2 hours) to embark our Gulet. Our crew will welcome us with drinks. After an orientation we will cruise for 2 hours to Andreka. Lunch will be on the boat prepared by our chef from local produce. Extension (10 min.) with a small put-put motor boat to the ancient city of Myra dates back to 1200 BCE. explore the site with its 400 BCE Lycian and later period Roman ruins. We also see the Famous church of St. Nicholas – known as Santa Clause in the West who was the Saint of children, Sailors, prisoners and travellers. Return to boat. Short cruise to a nearby cove swimming. Overnight on board.

Day 10 – Kash – Anthiphellos
Short cruise to Kekova Island where we will have a cruise over the ancient sunken ship yard ruins. We will hike to hill-top Castle of Simena, which was a watch point for approaching pirates in old days and have a possible walk – 1 hour to Theimussa through limestone trails, where our boat will meet us. We will cruise to picturesque village Kash. Possible visit to the town of Kash, where we supply some more goodies for the future days. Overnight on board.

Day 11 – Kalkan – Kalamaki
Early morning start (06.30 am – 2.5 hrs.) arrive to a small village Kalkan. We will have breakfast and catch a minibus ride (20 min.) to Capital of Lycians – Xantos, where brave Lycians fought till the last one died against Persians in 540 BCE. Lycian monuments are still on their place next to Roman and Byzantine. We will explore the extensive site as we walk around the hills and trees. Return to our boat and cruise to a cove where we will have lunch. Relax and easy afternoon. A short hike is possible in late afternoon. Overnight on board.

Day 12 – Ghost town – Levissi
Early departure (05.00am – 3.5hrs.) Arrive to an area called Pirates hideout. Hike up to an area for over an hour and a half where we will see how people had hidden themselves from danger. 18-19 th century Byzantine Christians lived in a small village called Levissi. It is a historical ghost village now where ocean blue and wine red was the only inspired colors used in their houses. Return to the boat either by walk or a minivan ride. Lunch is on board. Afternoon is free for swimming and reading. Short hike for the famous sun set from the island of St. Nicholas. Overnight on board.

Day 13 – Fethiye – Telmessos
Morning departure to Orange Creek (1 hr.) for breakfast with a view. Later short cruise to town of Fethiye, ancient Telmessus. Last Lycian city on the border of Caria. We will walk up to the Temple tomb (35 feet high) of the local ruler Amynthas. Wander in town for our needs and walk to the famous Farmers market. We will also shop for fresh fish here. Cruise (2 hours) to a cove across Gocek village. Possible long good hike for those who want to some good trekking and hiking. Rest, can stay on the boat and enjoy swimming, reading and waiting for happy hour to start.

Day 14 – Kusadasi – Ephesus
Short cruise to Gocek marina have a walk in the Forbes-famous village to discover the word of ‘Go check your wallet’ Return to boat, after lunch disembark the boat, drive to Ephesus (3.5 hours) the ancient Asia Minor’s capital. Check into our Hotel and rest for a while before dinner in a nice restaurant. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 15 – Full day tour of Ephesus
Morning tour of Ephesus ancient city, the capital of Roman Empire of Asia Minor. It had a sheltered harbor on a river mouth. It was at the end of a traditional trade route that linked the great cities of Asia and Aegean Sea. It had long association with the worship of Cybele, the Anatolian Mother Goddess was worshiped here at Ephesus. Sometime after 1000 B.C.E. when Greek colonists first settled here, she was assimilated with Greek Artemis, the beautiful sister of Apollo. We will also visit the site of Temple of Artemis – one of the seven wonders of ancient world including the famous Ephesus museum which houses the artifacts from the site and surrounding places. Our last visit will be to Isa Bey mosque, an early Ottoman architecture mixed with Byzantine art. Transfer to Izmir airport and fly to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 16 – Private Group Transfer to airport. Fly Home
Private transfer to Ataturk Airport for your home bound flights.