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 This is the Turquoise Coast at its finest. In a part of Turkey that has seen tremendous tourist development, our gay 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.
Day 1 -
 Today we arrive in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel.
"If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Constantinople," marveled Alphonse de Lamartine, the 19th century French writer and politician. New Rome, Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul; the legendary city has served as the capital of the legendary Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Though no longer a capital, Istanbul is the largest city and the cosmopolitan heart of Turkey, full of marvels and startling contrasts.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 -
 Istanbul has been the capital of two of the world's greatest empires, the Byzantine and the Ottoman. We start today's walking tour at the legendary Blue Mosque, built between 1609 and 1616 by Mehmet Aga. The inside is covered by more than 20,000 Iznik tiles.
At the Hippodrome you will see the remains of the great sports stadium where chariot races were held in Roman and Byzantine times. We will also see an Egyptian obelisk, a giant needle of stone carved for the Pharaoh Tutmoses III around 1500 BC and brought to Constantinople by the Byzantine Emperor Theodosius in AD 390.
We continue to the church of St Sophia (Agia Sophia), built by the Emperor Justinian in 548 BC. It was the largest church in the Christian world for nearly 1,000 years. When the Ottoman Turks conquered the city in 1435 one of the first things they did was to convert St Sophia into a mosque. Today it is a museum featuring many beautiful Christian mosaics.
Outside St Sophia we descend underground to the gigantic cisterns that contained the vast water supply that allowed Constantinople to withstand so many long sieges. Here the many columns are reflected in the water while classical music plays quietly.
Balance of the day at leisure. This evening we can explore some of Istanbul after dark. With a population of 12 millions, the city hosts the most liberal and lively gay scene in the country.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 -
 A morning flight (75 min) takes us south to Antalya, located in the region called Pamphylia and founded by Attalus II, King of Pergamum in the 2nd century BC.
On arrival we will visit the excellent Antalya Archaeology Museum, then continue to Perge. Built around 1000 BC, Perge boasts a beautiful theater and the largest stadium in all Asia Minor. Alexander spent time here, as did the mathematician Appolonius. The city was by turns Pamphilian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Selcuk. We then visit Aspendos and the best-preserved theater in Asia Minor which is still used for performances.
Overnight in Antalya.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4 - 
Today we drive southwest toward Finike via the ruins of Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas (3rd century). Myra boasts one of the most colossal and well-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world, complete with stone masks of the performers lying about. We explore 4th century BC Lycian house-tombs with richly-decorated facades carved out of the rock.
At nearby Demre we board our gulet and head west skirting the indented coast. As a point of interest, Demre is where the legend of Father Christmas ("Noel Baba" in Turkish) is said to have originated with a Christian bishop who gave dowries to penniless girls. The bishop became known as St. Nicholas.
 OUR BOAT: Gulets are wooden boats, traditionally hand made by master craftsmen from the Bodrum area of Turkey. This classic gulet was once used by fisherman and sponge divers to transport their catch. Today they are purpose-built for the charter market with fittings and equipment designed for guests' comfort. A gulet is typically built of pine wood and styled with a pointed fore and round aft. The major difference between the Turkish and Western boats is that the Turkish boats are designed to allow passengers more space on the deck. The Bodrum built boats take as much advantage as they can of the pleasant climate of the south. An aft deck for dining and lounging in the shade of a sun awning and a forward deck with numerous sunbeds. Large living areas, air-conditioned twin-berth cabins (with WC, shower) and a sun deck furnished lounge area are typical. On deck there are sun lounges for sunbathing and relaxing as well as dining areas under sun awnings. Our gulet will rage in size, depending on number of group participants.
NOTE: single cabins are limited in number. Late single supplement requests may need to double up on the gulet portion of the tour. The actual order of places visited may vary due to variables such as weather and other considerations.
The pace is, of course, relaxed with plenty of time for swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing on deck. During the day our gulet navigates for about 4 hours at most, stopping in the bays and isolated islands for swimming breaks or short visits to the shore. In some places where the gulet can dock close to the shore, you will be able to travel by smaller boat (dinghy) to the shore for a walk or to visit a place. Most of the places you visit are of historical and natural importance.
Overnight on Gulet.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 -
 The Gulf of Kekova is one of the most picturesque stretches of the coast and has several bays. On Kekova, there is no trace of the city which once dominated the island -- its ruins and foundations can now only be seen under the surface of the clear water on the northern side of the island. The name "Kekova" is Turkish for "plain of thyme" and describes the region encompassing the island of Kekova, the villages of Kalekoy and Ucagiz and the three ancient town of Simena. We will have a chance to hike to Kalekoy, a pastoral village crowned by a Crusader castle with dozens of impressive Roman sarcophagi strewn around its base.
Kas is just a little further on, and is slightly larger and more developed than its neighbours but still very charming, with streets and shops leading down to the sea. Kas was one of the earliest settlements of the Lycian era, when it was called Antiphellos. A large sarcophagus dominates the centre of town, and the sheer rock face overlooking Kas is dotted with Lycian rock tombs. After touring the village on foot (1 hr) we reach our anchorage at Kalkan for the night.
Overnight on Gulet.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6 -
 Today we stop at Oludeniz, the "Dead Sea," below the resorts of Ovacik and Hisaronu. This azure lagoon, now part of a nature park, features on countless Turkish travel posters and is one of Turkey's iconic sights. The area southeast of the lagoon, fronting onto an attractive sandy beach, has developed into the popular resort village of Belcegiz -- though it is far more commonly referred to, even by locals, as Oludeniz.
After a chance to swim and lunch and enjoy this pretty spot. we sail to Gemiler Island where we can hike to the 6th C. ruins of a Byzantine monastic society. This tiny islet is sprinkled with ruined monastic buildings, Byzantine dwellings and churches -- one believed to have been the original burial place of St. Nicholas, the inspiration behind Father Christmas.
Overnight on Gulet.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7 -
 This morning we can hike from Aga Bay to Lydea (3 hrs, optional), an ancient Lycian Oracle reached only by foot. This is one of the most spectacular hikes in the region -- high, rocky ridge tops with pine forests, shepherds' homesteads, and the aroma of natural herb gardens of oregano, thyme and sage lingering in the air.
We then continue to Hamam Cove, a wonderful stop with unbelievably beautiful sea and coastal scenery. In a typical Mediterranean fashion, local people are convinced that Cleopatra once swam here and so the site is often called Cleopatra Cove. We can swim and snorkel, searching for sponges, octopus and fish. An easy walk takes us along the cove. Then we sail towards our anchoring point for the evening.
Overnight on Gulet.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8 -
 Today we sail into Fethiye where we bid our gulet crew farewell and retire to a hotel.
Fethiye is a sizeable-yet-relaxed town with a friendly vibe and international atmosphere. It has grown from a modest trading port/fishing village and fertile tomato growing area to a rapidly expanding vibrant town and tourist holiday destination which offers many things to many people, from those with an interest in history and nature to those looking for sun, sea and great food.
While in Fethiye we will visit the cave tombs, located in the cliff on the south side of town. We will also see the Lycian sarcophagus -- there are a number of stone sarcophagii carved in typical Lycian style scattered around the town, with one of the most preserved ones lying in the yard of town governor's office. The Fethiye Amphitheatre, a coastal amphitheatre dating back to Hellenistic times (as far back as Alexander the Great), is also worth a look.
Overnight in Fethiye.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 -
 After breakfast drive to Bodrum, site of one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world: the Mausoleum. This was also the birthplace of the Greek historian Herodotus. Today Bodrum's whitewashed houses scattered on the hillside overlook the perfect natural harbour. It's delightful to wander along the palm-lined marina in the evening and marvel at the yachts from all over the world anchored there.
This afternoon we visit the Crusader castle of St Peter which dominates Bodrum Bay. The castle was built by the Knights Hospitaller in the early 15th century. Today the castle houses an excellent museum, mainly dedicated to the artifacts retrieved from the many ancient shipwrecks discovered off the Turkish coast. Many of the pieces in the museum have been excavated from below the sea bed by teams of archaeologists from Texas's A&M University.
Overnight in Bodrum.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 -
 After a free morning in Bodrum, we travel northward along the Aegean coast, on winding roads through fields and olive groves, toward Kusadasi, a beautiful port city with a small island fortress. En route we stop at Didyma, an ancient Ionian shrine and the most renowned oracle of the Hellenic world, containing a temple and an oracle of Apollo.
Kusadasi has rapidly developed into one of the most popular seaside resorts of the coast and was most probably founded on the ancient site of Neopolis. Because of its beautiful location and its excellent hotels, it is an ideal base for Ephesus.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11 -
 Today we visit Ephesus, one of the highlights of any visit to Turkey. During its Golden Age, the city was adorned with splendid monuments, theatres, agoras and libraries. The protectress of the city was the goddess Artemis whose temple, dating back to 1300 BC, was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. As a prosperous trade and banking centre, Ephesus had a cosmopolitan population. It has been recorded that St John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus where she spent her last days after the death of Christ. On our tour of Ephesus we see a 24,000 seat amphitheatre, the Library of Celsus, and the marble-paved Arcadian Way. We also include the special Terrace Houses section, which provides fascinating insight into family life during the Roman period.
In addition to the main site of Ephesus we will visit the superb Ephesus Museum. We also visit the traditional town of Selcuk with its many beautiful buildings, including the Isa Bey Mosque (built in 1307), remains of old Turkish baths, and a hill crowned by the Ayasoluk Fortress.
We proceed to Izmir for a late afternoon or evening flight to Istanbul.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 -
 This morning we visit the Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the mid-15th to the early 19th century. It was from this vast complex of buildings that the mighty Ottoman Empire was administered. Today it is a huge museum containing ceremonial robes in silk and gold thread, Japanese and Chinese porcelain, European clocks, miniature paintings depicting Ottoman courtly life, and one of the largest jewelry collections in the world. Highlights of the jewelry collection include one of the world's largest diamonds, the Spoonmakers diamond, and the Topkapi dagger with three enormous emeralds in the handle.
The afternoon is free for you to explore Istanbul, a city crowded with beautiful mosques, churches and palaces. You may want to visit the Topkapi Harem before leaving the palace. Perhaps stroll down to the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), where spices, dried fruits, cheeses, sausages, jams, nuts, lokum (Turkish Delight) and other edibles fill many of the shops. This bazaar is located right at the southern end of the Galata Bridge on the Golden Horn in the Eminönü district, right next to the New Mosque (Yeni Cami). Alternatively, you may take an optional ferry ride up the Bosphorous towards the Black Sea. Along the shores of the Bosphorous are many summer palaces and old wooden houses dating from Ottoman times. Your Tour Leader will help you plan your day.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13 -
Departure from Istanbul.
IYI YOLCULUKLAR!
Meals: Breakfast
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*The red tour trail on the map does not represent the actual travel path.
• Breakfast daily and most dinners (mostly local restaurants, some hotels); all meals on gullet
• All transport, accommodation, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary
• Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, gullet crew, porters
• Internal flight
• Airport transfers for land & air customers arriving / departing on tour dates
• Tour Leader gratuities, some dinners, most lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), international (if applicable) and domestic air taxes, visa fees, and excursions referenced as 'optional'
• Airport transfers for Land Only customers
• Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on optional meal costs, shopping, and visas
10-18 plus Tour Leader
Tour Leader, driver(s), and local step-on guides at various locations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The following is a sampling of our preferred properties in some of the locations visited on this tour and is meant to be indicative only. Hotel properties are not confirmed until 30-60 days before trip date.
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel, Istanbul
 The Sultanahmet Palace Hotel is located right behind the Blue Mosque and across from the Mosaic museum. It features a restaurant with a sun terrace and Marmara Sea views.
All rooms at Sultanahmet Palace have air conditioning and TV. In addition, every room has an en suite bathroom, and some provide views of the Blue Mosque.
 The Sultanahmet Restaurant serves regional specialties and overlooks the Marmara Sea. There is also a bar which offers outdoor seating on the sun terrace.
Sultanahmet Palace Hotel is within walking distance to major attractions in the historic quarter. The hotel's eclectic style reflects Byzantine and Ottoman elegance along with modern touches in every corner.
Puding Marina Residence Hotel, Antalya
 Situated in Antalya, this 4-star property is modern and cosy. It features an outdoor pool, a swimming pool and a sauna.
There are a range of facilities at Puding Marina Residence that guests can enjoy, including a steam bath, an express check-in and check-out feature and a gym.
The hotel is conveniently located for discovering Antalya with Hadrian's Gate and Antalya Old City Marina within walking distance. It is also within walking distance of the Ataturk's House Museum and the Murat Pasa Mosque.
 The modern rooms at Puding Marina Residence feature a private bathroom, movies-on-demand and a mini bar. Each provide a telephone, a bathtub and a flat-screen TV.
A satisfying breakfast is available for purchase, and there are numerous restaurants and cafés close by.
Gulet Cruise, Turquoise Coast
 Gulets are wooden boats, traditionally hand- made by master craftsmen from the Bodrum area and once used by fisherman and sponge divers to transport their catch. Today they are purpose-built for the charter market with fittings and equipment designed for guests' comfort. An aft deck for dining and lounging in the shade of a sun awning and a forward deck with numerous sunbeds. Large living areas, air-conditioned twin-berth cabins (with WC, shower) and a sun deck furnished lounge area are typical. On deck there are sun lounges for sunbathing and relaxing as well as dining areas under sun awnings. Our gulet will rage in size, depending on number of group participants (may not be exactly as pictured).
Montana Pine Resort, Fethiye
 Located in Ölüdeniz, the Montana Pine Resort offers rooms with a private balcony. It features an a la carte restaurant, wellness center and 3 pools with scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
The Montana Pine's rooms are decorated with warm colours and wooden furniture. Rooms have individual bathrooms, satellite TV, and minibar.
The resort includes 2 restaurants, which serve traditional Turkish as well as international dishes. Snacks and drinks are available in the café and the 3 bars.
 Montana Pine Resort offers its guests a fully appointed spa with massage rooms, a whirlpool, steam room, Turkish bath and a relaxation room. Sport facilities are provided on-site, including a tennis court, mini golf course and table tennis.
Events are organised in the evenings. These include music performances, themed dinners and folklore shows.
El Vino Suites Hotel, Bodrum
 Overlooking the Bodrum Castle, the peaceful El Vino Hotel offers comfortable rooms with balconies. It has an outdoor pool surrounded by parasols and gazebos. There is also a small cinema.
Fresh seafood and healthy Mediterranean cuisine can be enjoyed at the rooftop restaurant with excellent city and sea views. Guests can taste homemade H & G Organic Wines at the panoramic Wine Bar. There is also complimentary freshly baked pastries with tea/coffee every afternoon from 17:00 until 18:00.
 All air-conditioned rooms come with satellite TV and minibars. Each El Vino room provides plenty of natural light, also offering free Wi-Fi.
El Vino Hotel & Suites has an open-air hot tub and can arrange yacht tours. The Mausoleum of Halikarnassus and Myndus Gate are just 10 minutes' walk away. The hotel is 30 minutes' drive from Milas Aiport.
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