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ITINERARY
Day 1: Bodrum - Independent arrival in Bodrum where you can board the vessel in the afternoon. Once settled, you’ll go to a village Hamam and enjoy a traditional Turkish bath and massage. Male guests can also take this opportunity to experience a shave from a Turkish Barber and female guests may choose to have a manicure and/or pedicure. Dinner and welcome drink on the boat.
Day 2: Kos - Heading to Kos, you’ll stop along the way for breakfast in a bay at Black Island. You may wish to have your first swim in the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea. Kos, home of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, is a large island full of contrasts. Rich in history, with many ancient ruins, as well as modern lively towns.. Lunch and dinner are served on the boat in the harbour. Guests are welcome to explore Kos. Stay overnight in Kos.
Day 3: Kalymnos - Kalymnos is known as the island of the Sponge Divers due to its residents’ tradition of diving for sponges. Even today there are still sponge divers who go underwater to collect the sponges in their own traditional method. Coming in to the island by boat, upon reaching Pothia, the picturesque capital, you will be welcomed by a mermaid statue on rocks and cute houses with multi coloured windows.
Day 4: Nisyros - After breakfast departure from Kalymnos Island to Nisyros Island. This island is an extinct volcanic crater and the soil is very fertile therefore the island is rich in vegetation. Lunch will be served at the island upon arrival. A trip can be arranged to go up to the crater which spans 2 ½ miles across. The view is spectacular. Enjoy the island at your leisure. Overnight in the harbour.
Day 5: Tilos - An island with nineteen beaches, twelve mountains, seven medieval castles, a Byzantine monastery and two hundred churches, a cave full of natural discoveries, a village that is a declared cultural monument, a hundred bird species, hundreds of wild flowers and herbs, and five hundred residents. Many travellers return to Tilos Island time after time to experience her unique friendly atmosphere and breathtaking natural beauty
Day 6: Halki - After breakfast we travel to the island of Halki, one of the smallest islands in the Dodecanese with a population of about 350 inhabitants. The beautiful central harbour is dotted with traditional family tavernas and local bars for your enjoyment. Upon arrival, visitors feel as though they are looking at a painting, with a scattering of old churches, the monastery of Agios Ioannis on top of the hill, and the charming buildings creating the wonderful landscape. Lunch will be served in a bay around the back of the island with plenty of time to swim and enjoy the sun.
Days 7 & 8: Rhodes - Early this morning you set off for the long journey to the wonderful island of Rhodes. This island offers something for everyone and will be one of the biggest highlights of your journey. Free time to explore the town at your leisure. Hire a car and drive around the island, stop along the way at all the sights like amazing Lindos with all its history and walk amongst the city ruins, have a swim and meet the locals. You spend another night in Rhodes.
Days 9 & 10 Symi - Symi is a tiny Greek island directly hugging the Turkish Coast. The scenic natural landscape consists of jagged coastline with sheer cliffs, narrow fjords, private coves and high mountains. It is different than the other Dodecanese islands, remaining refined with an aristocratic charm, seen in the carefully restored neo-Classical homes, painted in pastel colours.
You will spend the day in a remote cove surrounded by enormous cliffs with wild goats scaling the cliff walls. Then we move to the main harbour port and bustling village town of Symi. Dinner on land tonight at your leisure. There is an opportunity to visit Panormitis Monastery, a special highlight for those who would like to take the local transport over the hill. Panormitis dates back at least to the 15th century and is dedicated to the archangel Michael, the patron saint of seafarers. Enjoy the rest of our day and evening in Symi Harbour. Free evening to enjoy the local delicacies in one of the many restaurants & tavernas.
Day 11 Knidos - Depart Symi before breakfast and leave Greek waters as you travel back to Turkey arriving in Datça harbour. After breakfast, you immediately move on to Knidos in the Gokova Gulf to explore the harbour and all its ruins. The ancient Carian city of Knidos was described by Strabo as "a city that was built for the most beautiful of goddesses, Aphrodite, on the most beautiful of peninsulas." Famous as a centre of art and culture in the fourth century B.C. the city had two harbours: one on the Aegean and the other on the Mediterranean. You spend the night in Knidos.
Days 12 & 13 Orak Island - You leave before breakfast and set off to Orak Island. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and swimming all day. Dinner will be served onboard and then you can enjoy your last night at sea under the stars. On day 13 you have more time to spend on the coast or the island.
Day 14 Kusadasi - In the early morning you leave for Bodrum harbour. Breakfast on board and then time to farewell the crew and disembark by 10 am. Transfer to Kusadasi, free afternoon to wander through the bazaar and explore this port town.
Day 15 Ephesus - A short drive this morning brings you to Selçuk where you’ll visit the ancient city of Ephesus and follow in the footsteps of St Paul and Cleopatra and Anthony as your local guide brings history alive. After lunch at a local restaurant (always a favourite with our guests) you’ll see storks nesting on the ruins of an ancient aqueduct and visit a carpet shop (where we can guarantee you won’t get ripped off or pressured to buy - in contrast to the bazaars!) before retuning to Kusadasi. Overnight: Kusadasi. (B,L)
Day 16 Assos - Travel north to the lovely little fishing village of Assos. This afternoon you’ll visit the ruins of the ancient Temple of Athena on the hill overlooking the harbour. Stay in a beautifully restored hotel on the waterfront in this little fishing village tonight. Overnight: Assos. (B)
Day 17 Gallipoli - This morning you’ll visit the battlefields of Gallipoli including Kabatepe Museum, Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair and Lone Pine before continuing your journey to the vibrant city of Istanbul, arriving early evening. Overnight: Istanbul. (B)
Days 18 & 19 Istanbul - Two full day tours. Visit the Spice Market, Rustempasa Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and Grand Bazaar. The next day you will visit the Dolmabahce Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Boat Cruise through the Bosphorus. Overnight in Istanbul. (2B, 1D)
Day 20 Departure Day - Transfer to Istanbul airport for your onward flight.
IS THIS JOURNEY FOR YOU?
This tour is pure holiday relaxation and fun. An undemanding trip physically, with plenty of time for swimming, exploring and taking in the local sights.
Cruise and explore the beautiful southern Turkish coast and lesser known Greek Dodecanese islands on our luxury gulet. The M/S ‘SEHER1′ is a traditional wooden schooner built in 1993 from solid Oak and Baltic Pine and finished in Mahogany and Teak.
She was designed with comfort in mind and this shows in the space on board, both inside and out. There are several covered areas to enjoy a book and a cool drink and 12 individual sun beds in a designated area at the front to relax and enjoy the sun. Downstairs are 6 double cabins, each with en suite shower, toilet and vanity. Our beds are all at least double size or queen. Our cabins are under the galley and don’t face directly to the sun which keeps them cool, a great advantage in the hotter months. Please note there are no twin cabins on board.
The dinner table is set in a covered area at the aft of the boat. The a large, open kitchen on the upper deck (unusual on a gulet) is where guests can pop in through the day to watch our chef as he prepares the next Mediterranean feast. Anyone is welcome to join him at any time if they would love to see how some of our special dishes are prepared.
After your cruise you’ll travel north to the ancient city of Ephesus and the battlefields of Gallipoli before ending your holiday in vibrant Istanbul. This portion of the trip focuses on sightseeing and local culture, leisurely paced throughout.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE:
Breakfast, Lunch, Teatime & Dinner during cruise (except where mentioned)
Other meals as indicated in itinerary.
Use of non-motorised equipment (the gulet carries a kayak and a small selection of flippers, masks, and snorkels).
Traditional Hamam visit (Turkish bath)
Greek & Turkish harbour charges/ entry & exit paperwork
Bodrum Airport and Istanbul Airport transfers
2 full day tours in Istanbul
Entrance fees where applicable
Escorted from Bodrum by tour manager Karen Platzer
Not Included:
International flights
Travel insurance
Alcoholic drinks including wine, beer & spirits (can be purchased on board at competitive prices)
All onshore excursions other than those mentioned are at extra cost to the customer.
Additional prices will apply for diving, jet ski, water ski, fishing etc.
Crew gratuities (standard 10% of tour price) are not included.
Gratuities for guides are not included.
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| Tour Summary |
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- Duration: 20 days starting in Bodrum and finishing in Istanbul
- Departs: 20th May 2012
- Trip focus: Leisurely cultural tour with
plenty of time to explore, swim and relax.
- Accommodation: 13 nights Gulet cabin, 6 nights comfortable hotels with private facilities
- Transport: Gulet, bus and van
- Group Size: Min 6, Max 12 + S.E.T. tour leader
- Trip cost: $5450 per person
- Single Supplement: NZ$2230**
- Ask us about airfares to join your trip: Packages available ex NZ from $8110 including flights & one night stopover in Seoul.
**The Gulet has no twin bedded cabins, so if single cabins are required, the double occupancy price is to be paid.
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| Tour Highlights |
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Bodrum – Kos – Kalymnos – Nisyros – Tilos – Halki – Rhodes – Symi – Knidos - Bodrum - Ephesus - Gallipoli - Istanbul
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