History comes alive on this cruise around the stunning islands and coast of Turkey.
Turkey by land is full of the mystique of times gone by. But when you explore Turkey by sea, you’re treated to all this, with the addition of stunning coastline and islands. From exploring an ancient, abandoned ghost town on the island of Kayakoy, to picking up some cooking tips from a local in Kekova, there are cultural and historic experiences aplenty. And that’s before you even consider the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea that are simply begging you to pop on a snorkel and slide in off the back of your gulet.
Is this trip right for you?
This is a small ship Adventure Cruise, which means you’ll be sailing on a traditional Turkish gulet with up to 31 other people. The boat is comfortable, but the focus of this trip is exploring the wonders of Turkey – not the on-board activities. For example, instead of a pool, we have the sea itself and instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wi-Fi is available for a small charge.
Our ship uses engine power, with the occasional opportunity to hoist the sails, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.
Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking. You’ll be visiting ancient sites and historical places, and at times you may have to cross cobbled streets and uneven ground. At certain times of year, the weather can get quite warm, so if you have any concerns, please speak to your local leader before taking part.
There are no lifts (elevators) on-board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs. Handrails are always available.
Our traditional gulet is air conditioned but the air conditioner does not run at night to limit noise from the generator.
The cabins on the M/S Grand Admiral gulet have ensuites and are comfortable, but quite small. It is advised to keep luggage to a minimum and use a soft bag for easier storage.
- Explore the vibrant city of Istanbul, where east blends beautifully with west, and discover hidden gems on a guided walking tour with your expert local leader.
- Visit Gemiler Island, home to the ruins of an abandoned ghost town. Wander through the remarkable remains of this pretty little village with a spooky history and spectacular views.
- Swim and snorkel in the crystal-blue waters that surround the sunken city of Kekova, then enjoy an afternoon tasting delicious local cuisine.
- Select a fish of your choice from the market in Fethiye before visiting a local restaurant to have it cooked to your liking by the chefs.
- Join your leader for an orientation walk around the ancient town of Kas, which was the centre of Episcopacy in Byzantine times, and discover monumental tombs from Lycian times.
There are no future departures for this trip at this stage.
Merhaba! Welcome to Istanbul, the eclectic city that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all called home. Your welcome meeting will be at your included hotel at 6 pm today. After the meeting, you may wish to join your new group and local leader for dinner to get to know each other before your adventure begins. Special Information It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. An airport arrival transfer is included. This complimentary transfer is valid from both Istanbul New Airport and (IST) and Sabiha Gocken Airport (SAW), Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel (note - we may not be able confirm request made within 15 days of travel). Once you have provided your details a transfer representative will be booked to meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Hit the streets of Istanbul early to beat the crowds and head to the Hippodrome, known today as Sultanahmet Square. Visit the ruins and monuments in the square, then continue to the Hagia Sophia Museum, a historic building used as both a cathedral and a mosque since it was built in the sixth century. Head back to the hotel to gather your belongings, then transfer to the airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Dalaman Airport. Upon arrival, board a private vehicle and transfer to Fethiye Port. Climb aboard a traditional gullet, settle in and enjoy dinner on board. Spend the evening at port.
Today you will cruise to Oludeniz, where you’ll anchor for lunch and a swimming break. From here, the next stop will be Gemiler Island where you can get off the boat for an early evening walk and pay a visit to Kayakoy. Kayakoy was once a thriving village but since the 1920s the ancient stone houses have been abandoned. Now protected by the Turkish government, it provides the opportunity to enjoy a quiet, traditional Turkish lifestyle. Open 24 hours, the ghost village has an entrance fee which helps towards the upkeep of the paths and rubbish clearance. One church in the lower area of the village, Kataponagia, is of particular interest due to a room out the back – it was used to collect the bones of the dead! Wander the ruins, enjoy the solitude, or play backgammon and sip tea with the locals. Dinner is included on the gulet and you will stay overnight in the Gemiler Strait.
This morning you’ll cross Yedi Burunlar (Seven Capes) smoothly before anchoring at Yesilkoy Bay, close to Kalkan for breakfast and a swimming break. Then you’ll cruise to Kas Harbour, where you’ll anchor until tomorrow. Being one of the most important ancient Greek towns of Lycia, Kas gained importance in Roman Times and eventually became the centre of Episcopacy in Byzantine times. After lunch, you’ll head in to Kas where your local leader will take you for an orientation walk to see the monumental tombs from Lycian times as well as hidden shops, cafes and restaurants. After free time in town, your leader will take to the Ancient Theatre where you can watch a beautiful sunset while enjoying a local wine. Have a local dinner in one of Kas’ restaurants before heading back to the boat.
After breakfast, you’ll cruise to the sunken city of Kekova, where you can swim and snorkel in crystal blue waters. Enjoy lunch at Tersane Bay where you will see an old shipyard from the Roman Period and a church from the Byzantine times. Spend the afternoon tasting fabulous local cuisine, floating over an ancient sunken city or exploring Lycian tombs. For dinner, you will meet a local host who will run a simple cooking class so you can learn how to cook local specialties.
After breakfast, you’ll anchor at Kalekoy and spend the morning visiting a crusader fortress. As a mid-morning snack, you’ll have a chance to try local, homemade ice cream in the ancient ruins of Simena. From here, you’ll cruise to Demre for lunch and swimming break before heading off on a tour from Cayagzı Bay to the ruins of Myra, a Lycian city. Tonight, you’ll anchor in Gokkaya Bay for dinner and an overnight stay.
This morning you’ll begin cruising early in the morning to Liman Agzi Bay with breakfast being served on the way. On arrival, it will be time for lunch and a swimming break. After lunch, you’ll head to Kalkan and, weather permitting you’ll visit Kaputas beach, one of the biggest man-made beach in Turkey. Anchor in Firnaz Bay for dinner and an overnight stay.
An early start today will enable you to cruise to Turunc Pinari Bay for lunch, with a swimming break at Butterfly Valley on the way. After lunch, you’ll head back to Fethiye Harbor and get off from the boat for a walking tour in Fethiye. You’ll get to visit Fethiye Museum to see King Midas’ Monumental Tomb before wandering the streets of the town for a leisurely afternoon stroll. Next, you’ll head to the Fish Market where you can buy fish of your choice for the kitchen staff of a local restaurant to prepare for your dinner. There will be street musicians walking around, serenading you with local music. Special Information Please note that the swim stop at Butterfly Valley is weather dependent.
This morning you’ll have breakfast on board before saying goodbye to your amazing crew. After docking, you’ll head back to Dalaman Airport for your flight back to Istanbul. You’ll make your way straight to the hotel to check in and can then enjoy a free afternoon to continue exploring. There are so many wonderful things to see and do, including a visit to the Spice Bazaar or the Blue Mosque. If you and the group would like to head out for a final dinner together, your leader will be able to recommend some brilliant local restaurants.
Today marks the end of your journey. You can head off any time after breakfast, whether you’re heading onward or spending more time in Istanbul.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Grand Admiral
Vessel Type: Gulet
Length: 45 metres
Passenger Capacity: 32
Built: 2005
Explore the coast of Turkey in traditional style aboard the Grand Admiral
Cruise back in time to an era of seafaring romance on the M/S Grand Admiral. As traditional and stately as the name suggests, few can match the old-world allure of this impressive 45-metre (220-foot) traditional teak gullet. Cruise along at speed of 11 knots, or when the sails are out to stretch out beneath them on the large upper sundeck, cool off with a drink in the maritime lounge, or sit back and relax with your new shipmates in the Ottoman-style seating area.
Facilities - 18 cabins with ensuite and air conditioning, Indoor and outdoor eating areas, Spacious lounge and American bar area in the main deck, Daily cabin service
Equipment - Board games, Audiovisual equipment