SUGGESTED TOUR ITINERARY of TURKEY and GREEK ISLANDS

 

 

DAY 1 Departure

 

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DAY 2 Istanbul

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We will arrive in Istanbul and meet our guide in the airport. We will transfer to our hotel in the heart of the ancient city. We will have free afternoon to overcome our jetlag and stroll through the nearby Arasta Bazaar. We will have dinner in a local restaurant and stay overnight in Hotel. (D)

 

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DAY 3 Karaada (Turkey)

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After breakfast we will transfer to the airport and fly to Bodrum. Situated on Turkey's southwestern coast, the Bodrum peninsula is a painterly tableau of white-washed stucco homes, purple bougainvilleas, and olive-green hillsides. The city is also awash in historical attractions including the stumpy foundation of the Mausoleum, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. But now this ancient fishing village, set against the blue waters of the Aegean Sea, has been a part of the global party circuit. Upon our arrival to Bodrum we will visit the Bodrum Castle in the morning. Built in the fifteen century by the Knights of John, the castle houses the biggest underwater archeological museum of Europe. The superb collection of the museum consists of artifacts from the sunken boats from the twelve century BC to the fourteen century AD. This tour of the museum will be illuminating introduction of the ancient maritime routes between the Turquoise Coastline and the Greek Islands before our cruise. We will embark on our boat at noon. After having our lunch on board we will have free time to wonder through the charming streets of Bodrum for shopping before our departure. We will cruise to Karaada near Bodrum in the late afternoon. We will have a fish dinner on board and stay overnight in Karaada. (BLD on board)

 

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DAY 4 Kos (Greece)

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After breakfast we clear the custom duties in Bodrum Harbor and cruise to Kos in the morning. After clearing Greek Port duties we enjoy the tour of Kos Town, known as “Floating Garden”. Dominated by its Castle of the Knights, the Kos harbor bristles with yachts and excursion boats, and pavements cafes line the street. Our Greek local guide will lead our group to visit the Hippocrates tree, the ancient Agora, the Casa Romana and the Archeological Museum in the old town. In the afternoon we also tour Asklepieion; temple, school, and medical center combined, it was the most famous ancient hospital dedicated to God Asklepios, god of healing. The first holistic healer and “father of modern medicine,” Hippocrates was born in Kos in 460 BC. He taught on Kos before the Asklepieion was establish and wrote the Hippocratic Oath, still sworn by medical practitioners worldwide. We will drive to Asfendiou Villages of Zia and Lagoudi. Zia has become the epitome of the Greek village. We will have our dinner in a local restaurant as the sun sets on the distant Aegean horizon. We will enjoy the night as ancient and modern sit oddly side by side: Nafklirou, the “street of bars” runs beside the ancient agora at night lit up by strobes and lasers. We will overnight in Kos Harbor. (BL on board, D is on your own)

 

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DAY 5 Nisyros (Greece)

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While having our breakfast on board we will cruise to Nisyros. This island is on a volcanic line which passes through Island of Poros, Milos, and Santorini.  

 

In 1422 there was a violent eruption and its 4,593 ft high peak exploded and left a huge caldera. Everything flourishes in the volcanic soil and there is some unique flora and fauna. We will anchor in Mandraki, the capital, with quayside tavernas and cafes. We will tour the caldera which is two miles in diameter at the top of the island. Its eruption for thousands of years was accompanied by an outpouring of pumice, forming a blanket 328 ft thick on the upper slopes of the island. Fuming and smelling of rotten eggs, this huge caldera contains several water-filled craters. The largest is the still active Stefanos crater, which has a number of hot springs, boiling mud pots and gas vents. After touring the caldera we will visit the village of Nikia on the way back to Mandraki. The major attractions in Mandraki are the 14th century kastro and the monastery from the 16th century. The monastery houses a finely carved iconostasis holding a Russian style icon of the Virgin and Child with gold and silver offerings. At night, Mandraki is bustling with the still open shops with traditional painted signs depicting their wares. (BL on board, D in a local restaurant)

 

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DAY 6 Symi (Greece)

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We anchor off early morning to cruise to the Island of Symi. In Greek mythology, Symi is reputed to be the birthplace of the Three Graces, and it takes its name from Poseidon's wife, the nymph Syme. The harbor area, Gialos is one of the most beautiful in Greece, surrounded by Neo-Classical houses and elaborate churches built on the hillside, reminders of that 100 years ago this was one of Greece's most prosperous islands. We will enjoy our free time in Symi by visiting the upper town, Chorio. This district comprises a maze of lanes and distinctive houses with traditional interiors. The spirit of the island through the ages remains intact and we will indulge in this spirit in the night. Dinner is on your own in one of the traditional taverns by the waterfront. (BLD on board)

 

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DAY 7 Rhodes (Greece)

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Before breakfast we will take anchor to cruise to Rhodes, the capital of the Dodecanese. The island was an important center as early as the fifth century BC and made its reputation by having one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes. Rodos, as Rhodes is called in Greek, is known as the Isle of the Sun. The poet Pindar wrote in one of his Odes that Rhodes was born after the union of Helios, the sun god, and the nymph named Rhoda. The capital occupies the northernmost tip of the island. There are actually three cities on this site–ancient, medieval, and modern. The medieval city is still standing, surrounded by moats and several miles of high walls. One of the finest examples of medieval architecture, the Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town is accessed by eleven gates. Within this fortified perimeter, an inner wall divides the city into two sections, the Collachium and the Bourg. The Collachium, which dates from 1309, was the Knights’ Quarter. The Bourg, which housed the rest of the city’s population, was inhabited by Greeks, Turks, and Jews.

 

After the breakfast we will have guided tour in the Old Town, the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe. The town is surrounded by the wonderfully preserved 2.5 miles city walls, illustrating the engineering capabilities financial and human resources of the knights. Part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, Rhodes was occupied by the Knights of St. John in the fourteenth century. They stayed until 1522 until the arrival of the Turks. The medieval walled city, built by the Knights, still dominates Rhodes city. We will start from the Marine Gate and visit the Archeological Museum, housed in the flamboyant Gothic Knights’ Hospital at the entrance of Odos Ippoton. Most famous of the exhibit is marble Aphrodite of Rhodes from the first century BC. We will continue along the Street of the Knights of St John. The Order of the Knights of St. John was originally founded by merchants from Amalfi in the 11th century as the Order of Hospitaliers of the Knights of St. John, Their job was to guard the Holy Sepulcher and care for Christian Pilgrims in Jerusalem. They became a military order after the First Crusade in 1096-99. When Jerusalem fell in 1291 they were forced to take refuge in Cyprus. In 1306 they bought Rhodes from a Genoese pirate and then had the job of conquering the Rhodians which they accomplished in 1309.The Order elected a Grand Master to govern the members of the Order. The Order was divided into seven Tongues or nationalities: Italy, England, Germany, France, Provence, Spain, and Auvergne. Each Tongue was responsible for guarding a section of the wall which was called a Curtain. Within these walls was the Palace of the Grand Master. A fortress within the mighty city walls, this was the seat of 19 Grand Masters, the nerve center of the Collachium and the last refuge for the population in times of danger. Next are Mosque of Suleyman and the Ottoman Library which houses the chronicle of the siege of Rhodes in 1522. We will continue to the Plateia Ippokratous and the Jewish quarter. In the afternoon we will tour the town of Lindos where traffic is banned so the village retains much of its charm and donkeys carry people up to acropolis as local taxis. Perched on a sheer precipice 410 ft above the village, the acropolis is crowned by the Temple of Lindian Athena. We might enjoy an optional folk dance show in Nelly Dimoglou Theater at 9.20 PM. We will overnight in Rhodes harbor. (BLD on board)

 

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DAY 8 Rhodes-Symi (Greece)

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After breakfast we will enjoy the free day in Rhodes by strolling in the old city by ourselves. We will cruise to Symi Island in the afternoon. After the swimming breaks on the way we will arrive in Symi. (B on board, LD on your own)

 

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DAY 9 Datca-Selimiye (Turkey)

After clearing the Greek Custom duties we will cruise to Turkish town of Datca and clear the custom duties in Turkey. We will visit the Maiden Dunes, a natural phenomenon enabling you walk on water, and then continue to Turgut Village to visit remote people with their local tradition and hospitality. We will cruise to Selimiye Village, a charming fishing town with seaside restaurants, bars, a carpet shop, a gift shop and tea houses. Enjoy the solitude of this friendly town and its unequal pace of life. (BLD on board)

 

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DAY 10 Serce

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We will sail through tiny islands and secluded coves around Bozburun Peninsula to Sogut Village. We will take a short drive through scenic road to Taslica Village, famous for its donkeys and ancient wells. We will have an optional hike on an ancient paved path from the village to Carian Phoenix and meet the boat in Serce Cove. (BLD on board)
 

DAY 11 Cennetadasi

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We will cruise to the ancient site of Bozukkale, ancient Loryma, only accessible by boat. There is an optional hike from the bay to the imposing citadel of Loryma, which was a naval base for the sailors. We will enjoy the astonishing view overlooking Rhodes and catch the meltemi breeze from the southern countries. Then sail to Marmaris for the farewell dinner at the last night on the gulet. (BLD on board)
 

DAY 12 Disembarkation/Marmaris

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After breakfast we will disembark the gulet and say good bye to the crew. We will transfer to Dalaman Airport and fly to Istanbul in the morning. We will enjoy the free time in Istanbul either shopping in the bazaars or visiting one of the Turkish bathes. We will have the farewell dinner in the fish market. (BD, lunch is on your own)

 

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DAY 13 Departure

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We will transfer to the airport and fly back to home. (B)

 

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What's Included?

• Four star hotel accommodations in Istanbul

• All meals as indicated: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner. The lunches and dinners in restaurants specializing in local cuisines. All local drinks including wine and beer are included on board at indoor and outdoor dining tables.

• Upscale deluxe traditional wooden gulet or ketch, 95-110 feet long (traditional Turkish boats), dinghy, galley, outdoor sun bathing, fresh water tank, waste water tank, generator (220V), refrigerator, deep freezer, ice-machine,  windsurf, and snorkeling equipment.

• Air-conditioned cabins with private shower and bathroom. Mattresses, towels, and bed linens (changed once within a week tour).

• Port duties in Turkey and Greece.

• Professional, English-speaking guide.

• Air-conditioned vehicle with professional tour bus driver.

• Excursions in Cos, Nisyros, Simi, and Rhodes.

• Hotel tips only.

• Group flight transfers.

• All entrance fees and admissions.

• Baggage handling.

• Tour folders with brochures and maps of Turkey.

 

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What is excluded?

• International and domestic flights.

• Visa for Turkey and Greece

• Gratitude for guides, drivers, and boat crew.

• Lunches and dinners when not mentioned in the itinerary.

• Drinks in the restaurants.

• Personal expenses such as laundry, minibar, telephone, etc.