The Sultan's Yacht
Private Mediterranean Cruise - 11 day tour

Escape to Istanbul, Bodrum in the Turkish Riviera then join a Mediterranean Yacht cruise hugging the Turquoise coast

We will provide the Captain! Isn't this the escape you really want? You'll cruise for five days (four nights) aboard a comfortable, romantic gulet, the traditional wooden sailing vessel used for centuries along Turkey's pine-fringed Mediterranean coast. You'll also spend some time in exotic Istanbul to see its imperial palaces, world-class museums, chic restaurants, bazaars and boutiques. Your accommodations? An Ottoman-style mansion inn. We'll even give you the award-winning Lonely Planet guidebook to Turkey, and an audio cassette to help you learn useful Turkish words and phrases.

Click here for the 12 day edition including Cappadoccia

DAY 1 - Arrive Istanbul:
We meet you at the airport in Istanbul. Weekly on Fridays, or choose your own date ( subject to boat(s) availability ) Friday We board our flight in New York, bound for Istanbul. Weekly departures. May-Oct .Extend your air ticket to Cairo, special air fare with tax: $200

Day 2 - ISTANBUL & BODRUM (D)
Saturday Our staff meets your international flight at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport and escorts you to the domestic terminal for your onward flight to Bodrum. Known in ancient times as Halicarnassus, Bodrum was once the capital of King Mausolus, whose elaborate tomb, the Mausoleum, gave its name to all grand tombs which followed. Our staff drives you to your hotel, with remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner is included at the hotel.

Day 3 - Yacht (Gulet) (BLD)
Sunday We drive to the waterside Castle of St. Peter, built by the Crusaders in the early 1400s, where your yacht awaits you, moored beneath the castle walls. Step aboard and enjoy a welcome cocktail as you meet your captain and crew, after which they'll prepare the first of many delicious shipboard dinners for you. Settle in and relax: you're a l-o-n-g way from any cares or worries here!

Day 4 - KNIDOS & MERSINCIK (BLD) Monday Weighing anchor at sunrise, we sail south through Gokova Bay, passing close to the Greek Island of Kos (Karaada) and around the Resadiye Peninsula to Knidos, famous in ancient times for its superb statue of Aphrodite sculpted by Praxiteles. We drop anchor in Knidos's ancient harbor and go ashore for a tour of the ancient city. Sailing south and east around the peninsula, we reach the mouth of the Dalyan River, where we board a motor launch for a voyage upriver to the Roman ruins at Caunus. The sheer rock face overlooking the river is pierced by Lycian rock-cut tombs dating from 600 BC. We return to our yacht and continue our leisurely "Blue Voyage" to Mersincik, where we drop anchor for the night.

Day 5 - ÇATI, YEDI ADALAR & INGILIZ LIMANI (BLD)
Tuesday We continue our meandering route through these classical waters, stopping at peaceful Çati cove, at Yedi Adalar (the Seven Islands) and at Sedir (Sidera) Island. On Sidera we explore the Roman theater, ruined Byzantine monasteries, and Cleopatra's Beach, a gift from Marc Anthony to the Egyptian queen, with sand said to have been brought from Egypt. Onward, we head for Marmaris, where Lord Nelson's fleet took shelter as it prepared to attack Napoleon's forces at Abukir in 1798. For us, "Green Marmaris," as it is called because of its surrounding pine forests, is a welcome shore excursion with a wonderful bustling bazaar, a long palm-shaded waterfront promenade, and a fortress that's now a museum. We return to our yacht for dinner, moored at Ingiliz Limani (English Port).

Day 6 - SEDIR & ORAKLAR (BLD)
Wednesday Today is filled with the pleasures of sun and sea: swimming, reading, relaxing, and enjoying a lazy shipboard lunch. Your yacht has everything you need for water sports: facemask's and flippers, sailboard, canoe and fishing tackle. We drop anchor at Oraklar for a calm night aboard, gently rocking in the pellucid waters of the Mediterranean.

Day 7- BODRUM (BD)
Thursday Wonderfully refreshed by our voyage, we return to Bodrum harbor and tie up beneath the castle walls. Bidding farewell to our captain and crew, we drive to Kusadasi check in our hotel, for an opportunity to explore the charming city on the Aegean Sea shores, on your own. Dinner included at the hotel

Day 8 - Kusadasi (BL)
Friday In the morning light we drive to the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Basilica of St John the Evangelist, who came here with the Virgin Mary. Said to be her last home on earth. Lunch included at a local restaurant.

Day 9 - Ephesus / ISTANBUL (B)
Saturday Reach Ephesus, in the morning the most impressive ancient city on the Mediterranean. We continue to the fine Ephesus Museum and the hilltop House of the Virgin Mary, lunch in a local restaurant. Then fly back to Istanbul. We escort you back to your hotel.

Day 10-ISTANBUL (BL)
Sunday Let us show you the City of the Sultans! In the morning we tour the top sights including Topkapi Palace, Sancta Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Byzantine Hippodrome. After lunch, come with us for a shopping spree in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, with its 4000 shops. In the evening, use your Lonely planet guidebook to bone up on Turkish cuisine.

Day 11 - RETURN HOME Friday (B)
Monday Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home, completely refreshed, and with memories to last for years.

Rate per person from JFK :

For private tours and transfers , we use the best sedans

Inclusions:

• Air fare from JFK. In Economy class, tax included . International airfare from New York (JFK) to Istanbul and return, including all taxes (normally on Turkish Airlines, Air France, British Airways or Lufthansa, but we reserve the right to use any IATA-approved international airline)
  For most west coast cities, please add: $300
  For May through Sep 15 : Air fare supplement applies: $ 250 to be added to the rate, this doesn't apply when you handle your own air fare.
  
• Domestic airfares within Turkey,in economy class, including all taxes
• A 5-day (4-night) cruise aboard a Turkish gulet, staffed by a licensed captain and crew.
• Hotel accommodation as per itinerary, including tax & service charges
• All meals aboard the yacht, and other meals as listed (cB = continental breakfast; B = Breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner).
• All transfers in Turkey (between airport, hotel, yacht, etc.), including portage Guided sightseeing tours in Istanbul, Izmir, Ephesus as listed including admission fees.
• The latest Lonely Planet guidebook to Turkey, and a language-learning audio cassette keyed to the guidebook's Turkish Language Guide

What's not included...

• Turkish Visa Fee payable in cash upon arrival at the airport in Istanbul, or contact any of the Turkish Consulates near you .
• Any shore excursion while cruising/sailing.
• Travel Insurance. Please ask us for the flyer
• To participate in this cruise-tour, we must require you to provide proof of medical and travel insurance. We will be happy to send you information on how to purchase these policies if you do not already have them. Please contact us for details. Gratuities to captain and crew (at your discretion)

Extend your  stay in Turkey on board a comfortable Gulet

Amusing airplane/train/bus or end-of-the-day reading? Turkey: Bright
Sun, Strong Tea, my humorous travel memoir:
http://www.brightsunstrongtea.com/