Turkish Coastal Cruise
Traditional Wooden Gulets
Gulf of Gökova
BODRUM – ORAK ISLAND – COKERTME – SEVEN ISLANDS (KUFRE / UZUN LİMAN) – ENGLISH HARBOUR – CLEOPATRA ISLAND -KARACASOGUT – LONGOZ – TUZLA – KARGILI -KISEBÜKÜ (ALAKISLA BUKU) PABUCBURNU – YALİCİFTLIK – BODRUM
Saturday departures
3 night options also possible Bodrum – Karacasogut or v.v.
Sail away along the Turkish coast and experience the real Turkey on one of the most relaxing holidays there is – a traditional wooden gulet cruise. What a great, economical way to take a break in May. Take a chance on the weather early in the season, but you are well compensated with the much lower prices. For us, most days were perfect with just the occasional rain shower and some wind. Daily temperatures easily reaching the high 20’s in May. To our way of thinking, this is preferable to the 40+ temperatures that are common in July and August with the additional advantage of fewer tourists and less boats. We were often moored in bays on our own. The Captain said in the high season, space is at a premium!
Traditional gulets are the perfect way to pop in and out of the many small harbours, bays and ports that ring the Gulf of Gökova. Impossible to do on larger ships. This is a great mix of cruising, culture, relaxing, swimming and eating fab Turkish cuisine prepared onboard.
Board at 15:30 and settle into your cabin, meet your fellow passengers and the crew. Explore Bodrum as the gulet remains in Bodrum on the first night. The mooring is an excellent location to wander from and to Bodrum’s myriad of shops and bars.
Turkey is steeped in fascinating history. Cleopatra Island is just one example of amazing Hellenistic and Byzantine ruins. Entrance for a mere 20TL is optional. We also visited English Harbour:- named as such because the English navy took refuge there during the Second World War.
Swimming off the boat, or from the coast in the crystal clear waters is possible from most stops. Turtle spotting was a favourite pastime of ours. We saw quite a few. Flippers, masks and snorkels are provided. Fishing gear is also onboard if you fancy your chances.
We were also dropped on land in a few bays for a hike along the coast….. with a rest stop at conveniently located restaurants & bars for a quick refreshing, rejuvenating beer! 😉
Standard Plus Gulets
The Standard Plus category of gulets range from 3 to 16 cabins with your particular gulet dependent on booking numbers. Ours, the Sea Star 1 has only 3 cabins. Small, compact and bijou, the 5 of us quickly felt at home and quite possessive of ‘our’ gulet! At this size, there is the Captain and 1 crew.
Each cabin has A/C and is ensuite. NB: A/C is not always available as the engine or generator must be on for the electricity to work. In May the evenings are cool so there is no requirement for A/C. (Into the hot summer months, many passengers sleep on deck.)
Clean bed linen including a bath towel is provided on arrival. NB: beach towels are not provided.
Full board (3 meals per day (+ afternoon tea with cake) from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8) is included with water at meals. Drinks are extra and billable to your onboard account which is payable at the end of the cruise in cash only. The Turkish and Greek cuisine is fresh, tasty and locally sourced. Typical Turkish breakfast of tomato, cucumber, olives, cheese, sigara borek, bread, honey & jams and eggs served in various ways (boiled, fried, omelettes etc). Tea and coffee are also included for breakfast (& afternoon tea). Lunch and dinner are a mix of Turkish and Greek local dishes prepared onboard. Beautiful fresh fruit is provided for desert.
I can highly recommend this cruise to anyone. The standard is basic, say 3*, but perfectly comfortable. However, Turkey is definitely a fabulous 5* country!
• Prices from EUR310 per person based on twin/double share for a 7 night cruise.
• There is a very large selection of flights into Bodrum in the summer season and the 15:30 boarding with the first night in Bodrum make arriving a breeze. Disembark post cruise by 10:00 after arriving back in Bodrum the night before make returning home just as easy.
• Transfers can be booked on request.
• Turkish e-visa required. This must be purchased online prior to arrival. It is about USD20. www.evisa.gov.tr/en
• Other cruise routes are available www.barbarosyachting.com
• Charters also possible.