Walk Turkey Gulet Adventure

September 28 - October 12, 2008 ...( Fully Booked) May 15 - 29, 2009 ( Sign up )

EAT unforgetable FOODS - Walk to HISTORICAL SITES and SCENIC VILLAGES - SWIM in TURQUOISE blue waters.

. Savor travel in comfort on a traditional wooden boat –Enjoy easy to moderate Walks to historical sites and to villages – We will spend 9 nights in Traditional Mansions, Ottoman Houses, and selective hotels, and 6 days/5 nights aboard a Gullet, our modern incarnation of the old wooden boats of the Mediterranean sea.

...Turkey has been a trail-blazing country in the history of mankind. The evolution from a life of hunting and gathering into settled communities was completed by about 6000 BCE. By then villages had been established in western and southeastern Turkey whose inhabitants kept domesticated pigs and sheep, and who farmed crops such as barley.

....Our tour will take us to the glorious capital of the Roman Empire in Asia Minor–EPHESUS – one of only 3 cities in the Ancient World with lighted streets. Also, of course, to ISTANBUL, the imperial city straddling two continents, where East meets West in so many ways—to CAPPADOCIA, with fairy-land walks on moon-like surfaces-- to KONYA, the land of the Sufi whirling Dervishes; and to LYCIA - the land of all Tribes, a civilization whose history is recorded in Hittite tablets from 1500 BCE. We will explore ancient cities with pre-Hellenistic, Hellenistic, Roman, Eastern Roman, Seljuk, Mongol and Ottoman settlements.

....You will also take an unforgettable cruise on the Turquoise cost of southwestern Mediterranean TURKEY. The pleasures will include swimming in clear, multi-hued waters, soaking up the sun, tasting the delicious Ottoman-Turkish cuisine prepared by our chef, and walks on 3000 year old Lycian trails. You will be transported to another era, as you listen to your guide in his accounts of the many civilizations that have each, in turn, left their mark on these ancient hills and valleys. The adventure awaits you.

Day 1 Istanbul ; Arrival in Istanbul and private transfer to your hotel in the old town. Welcome dinner at a traditional Turkish restaurant...

Day 2 Istanbul ; Bosphorus ferry ride, landing on the Asian side to explore the beauties of an Anatolian summer Palace, followed by a drive back to the European side through green hills...

Day 3 Istanbul ; Old Town : Topkapi Palace, including the Harem, jewels, arms and armor, Holy Relics, the view of Golden Horn from the 4th courtyard, and more ; then Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome...

Day 4 Cappadocia ; Morning flight to Cappadocia. Afternoon tour and walks to local attractions: Uchisar Castle, Sinassos village, and a visit to the places where you get the best photo options. Optional Hot-Air Balloon rides...

Day 5 Cappadocia ; More treasures of Cappadocia: the Goreme open air museum, the Dark Church, the underground city, a hike in the Love Valley and more...

Day 6 Konya ; Morning drive to Konya, the Holy city of Turkey. Tour of the Shrine of the Whirling Dervishes, where we will see modern and traditional Sufi life side by side. Visit to the 13th Century Seljuk Madrasa ( Islamic College of Science)...

Day 7 Antalya ; Morning drive to the Turkish Riviera, passing through the 6000 ft. high Alacabel pass in the Toros Mountains, then on to the coast and Antalya- Lycia, Land of all Tribes...

Day 8 Gulet ; A short drive to Finike, followed by Lunch on board the gullet. – Extension to Myra, where St. Nicholas became a Bishop, and to the Church of Santa Claus. Overnight in a secluded cove...

Day 9 Gulet ; Cruise to Simena – Kekova - Kas , where we explore the village (reached only by foot or by sea). Glass bottom boat ride over a submerged city. Walk to a near-by village...

Day 10 Gulet ; Short cruise to Kalkan, a pretty seaside village of pastel-colored buildings, then a short drive to the Lycian capital of Xanthos, where heroic Lukka people fought to the death against the Persians in 540 B.C.E...

Day 11 Gulet ; Hike to Ghost Town. We will anchor under the forested cliffs and hike about one hour up through a pine forest, then 15 minutes down to the ghostly remains of Levissi, an abandoned Greek village (1,100' elevation gain)...

Day 12 Gulet ; Cruise to Fethiye, a modern city and harbor on the site of ancient Telmessos in Lycia. We walk through old houses, visit a traditional farmers market and climb a few couple hundred easy steps to the Temple of Amintas, who ruled here in 400 B.C.E. Later a nice and most unusual walk on the Lycian way with some serendipitous cultural contacts...

Day 13 Gulet - Kusadasi ; Morning swim in picturesque coves, then cruise to the FORBES Magazine awarded village of Gocek, a pretty harbor that is a major center for chartering sailboats. Disembark in the afternoon and drive about three hours to Ephesus...

Day 14 Ephesus ; Short drive to Ephesus, the largest and most important Roman city in Anatolia, renowned in antiquity for its wealth and beauty. Visit the Temple of Artemis (Diana) One of the wonders of the Ancient world, and the Ephesus museum, which contains many original statutes, including that of the Mother Goddess-ARTEMIS. Fly back to Istanbul in the late afternoon...

Day 15 Istanbul ; Private transfer to the airport for your homeward-bound flights...

FOOD ; We are experts in finding the best traditional food, and our Gullet has a private chef who will surprise you with the quality of his cuisine, including many Ottoman - Turkish specialties.Turkey is a paradise for vegeterians.

ABOUT GULET ; The term '' Gulet " is probably derived from the Venetian word " Goliata " These two - masted pine and oak wood vassels, whose main purpose were transport olive oil, wine and fishing along the south coast of Turkey. They are newly built with luxury and comfort for small group adventure cruising nowadays.

OUR GULET ; Cabins have deluxe double/single beds, spacious bathrooms with separate shower, wash basin, and electric operated toilets. The stern deck is very spacious accommodating 10-12 people, and it is ideal for reading, sleeping or sun bathing. One can dive from the deck into the water or use a wooden ladder for a gradual descent. Our Gulet is specially built for U.S. standards. Ceilings are high enough for a 6 1/2 ft. tall person to walk without fearing bumping his head.

HISTORICAL SITES ; Must-see museums as well as unspoiled hidden historical sites ( including ones under water ). Visits to small local Agoras and covered bazaars.

CULTURAL CONTACT ; Meeting local and tribal people at various places is one of our favored adventures.

TRANSPORTATION ; All the busses we use in transportation are new, with A/C and professional tourism drivers.

VISAS ; Can be obtained by US citizens at Istanbul Airport upon arrival in 3-5 minutes for $ 20, $ 60 for Canadians, .GBP 10 for British.

INSURANCE ; We highly recommend you secure accident/baggage/trip cancellation insurance.

INTERNAL AIR FLIGHTS ; Not included. We book and issue domestic tickets by Turkish Air at lowest cost.. ............................................................................................ ........................ .... .. .. ............ .... ...... ... ....... ....( $ 90 - $ 120 one way )

	May 15		Jun 15		Sept 15		Oct 15
	C	F	C	F	C	F	C	F
Istanbul	18	64	24	75	20	68	18	64
Izmir	20	68	28	82	25	77	18	64
Cappadocia-Konya	18	64	22	72	22	72	16	61
Antalya	21	70	28	82	30	86	25	77

Please contact us with any questions, for quotes, to book your tour or for more details...