Adventures Abroad Turkish Delights Various Dates TOUR CODE: OATQ 13 Days

Click to enlarge image(s)

WELCOME TO TURKEY

This is the Turquoise Coast at its finest. In a part of Turkey that has seen tremendous tourist development, our sailing journey provides a way to escape the package holiday crowd and take a look at the fascinating and beautiful country that lies beyond the reach of the majority of tourists. We cruise for four nights on a fully-crewed traditional wooden Gulet, equipped with all modern amenities, private cabins, motors, and fully functional rigging. The closeness of a small group of travellers promotes camaraderie as we ply a leisurely course through rocky islets and azure waters. Shore trips include walks along the historic and rugged Lycian Way. Springtime means perfect temperatures and blankets of wildflowers, while fall offers warm seas and thyme-scented evenings under the stars.

ITINERARY IN BRIEF
For detailed itinerary (PDF), click here
For hotel samples, click here.

Day 1 • Arrive in Istanbul, Turkey.

Day 2 • Istanbul: city tour, including the Hippodrome and Agia Sophia.

Day 3 • Morning flight to Antalya. Sightseeing in Antalya.

Day 4 • Drive along the Mediterranean coastal road west to Fethiye. Continue to Kaya Koy, a Greek ghost town. Hike to meet our gulet boat in Soguksu Cove.

Day 5 • Morning cruise to Turquoise Cove. We can swim, snorkel and walk along the cove.

Day 6 • Optional hike to Lydea, one of the most spectacular hikes of the trip. Sail to Gemiler Island.

Day 7 • Cruise to the charming Mediterranean village of Kas. Hike to Kalekoy. Overnight on gulet.

Day 8 • Sail to Andriace for sightseeing. Afternoon drive to the ruins of the coastal city of Olympos and on to Finike.

Day 9 • Drive to Bodrum, site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Mausoleum.

Day 10 • Travel northward along the Aegean coast to Kusadasi, a beautiful port city with a small island fortress.

Day 11 • Drive to Ephesus, one of the highlights of any visit to Turkey. Proceed to Izmir for a late afternoon flight to Istanbul.

Day 12 • Istanbul: Topkapi Palace. Free afternoon.

Day 13 • Departure from Istanbul.

INCLUSIONS

Accommodation
Internal transportation
Breakfasts and most dinners
All meals on gulet
Sightseeing and entrance fees
Tips for hotel, porters, drivers
Transfers (Land/Air)
Services of a Tour Leader

EXCLUSIONS

Lunches and some dinners
Drinks
Items of a personal nature
Air departure taxes/fuel surcharges
Visa fees (if applicable)
Transfers (if early/late)
Transfers (if Land Only)
Tour Leader gratuities

OUT FACTOR

Historically, homosexuality was a rooted tradition in the era of Ottoman Empire, which lasted more than five centuries. It is known that some of the sultans had homosexual affairs and public Turkish baths (hammams) were the common meeting place among men. There were also poets and musicians who were known to be homosexual. These traditions lost their influence with the westernization of Turkey, which came with the establishment of the Republic in 1923. That said, the overt gay lifestyle is not terribly jarring to most Turks as, traditionally, this is already a society with a high level of male/male and female/female camaraderie: ie Turkish men hang out with other men; they touch and caress and walk arm in arm. Women have even easier access to one another, as is common in Muslim cultures, where the genders are usually segregated in public. Generally, for the sake of your experience on tour in Western Turkey, you will find attitudes fairly consistent with what you may have encountered elsewhere in Europe.
TOUR CODE: OATQ

NUMBER OF DAYS: 13

TOUR BEGINS/ENDS
Istanbul / Istanbul

TOUR DATES
15 Sep 2009 - 27 Sep 2009
25 May 2010 - 06 Jun 2010
13 Jul 2010 - 25 Jul 2010
14 Sep 2010 - 26 Sep 2010

LAND PRICING
3506 CAD Per Person, Twin Share
475 CAD Optional Single Supplement

Call or e-mail for airfare quotes from your city.

GROUP SIZE
Maximum 16 plus Tour Leader.

STAFF & SUPPORT
Tour Leader, driver(s), and local step-on guides at various locations.

ACCOMMODATION
Well-located, air-conditioned, mid-range hotels (3/4 star) throughout. All hotels have en suite bath, though some have shower only. Hotel porter service is generally available. Single rooms are limited in number and likely smaller than twins. A gulet is a wooden boat traditionally hand made by master craftsmen from Bodrum. Our vessels feature an aft deck for dining and lounging in the shade of a sun awning and a forward deck with numerous sun beds. Large living areas, twin-berth cabins, WC, shower and a sun deck furnished lounge area are typical. Our gulet will range in size, depending on number of group participants, accommodating from 8-16 people. Singles available.

TRANSPORT & TRAVEL CONDITIONS
Land transport by private air-conditioned motor coach, 36-40 seats depending on group size (see 'Group Size'). Turkish roads are very good and travel is not arduous though we do have some full days. Several walking tours on uneven surfaces.

WEATHER/SEASONALITY
This tour is offered in spring and fall when temperatures are mild, crowds relatively thin, and airfares lower. Spring is popular for green landscapes and wildflowers; beach-goers prefer fall sea temperatures. The region has a Mediterranean climate with early springs and autumns that are bright and warm into October. Showers are possible in both spring and fall.

PLEASE NOTE

This itinerary is correct at time of publishing. For a more detailed itinerary. We reserve the right to make changes as necessary due to reasons beyond our control. For booking terms and conditions, please refer to our Booking Terms.

Search by Keyword

Shopping Basket