Turkey is known for its history, culture, hospitality, and natural beauty and there is no better way to explore its beaches and bays than aboard a gulet, a traditional wooden sailing yacht. After spending time in the vibrant city of Istanbul and the fascinating city of Ephesus, we’ll be glad to get off the traditional tourist path as we head to the Turquoise Coast. We’ll hike on trails accessible only from the sea, explore ancient ruins, visit small villages, feast on fresh food prepared by our on-board chef, and relax at night to the sound of the sea gently lapping against the boat. Traveling on a small boat allows us to moor in quiet bays, hike from one point to another, choose to stay on board and relax on any day, swim and snorkel in azure seas, and unpack only once. Along the way we’ll see ruins that reflect Turkey’s long history, from Lycia to Roman domination to the Turkish empire. Maximum group size: 12
This trip also features an optional Cappadocia trip extension! Details can be found in the Trip Documents section.
Highlights
- Exploring Istanbul, truly one of the world’s most important and interesting cities
- Hiking ancient paths and seeing ruins that date back to the 10th century BC
- Swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling as you cruise along beautiful coastline
- Learning Turkish history and experiencing Turkish culture and hospitality
- Feasting on food that is always fresh and sometimes even caught that day
- Visiting the historic city of Ephesus
