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Cruise through the sparkling waters of the Aegean aboard a traditional Turkish sailing vessel! Swim and snorkel in sheltered bays, sail to secluded lagoons and explore quaint, seaside towns. Feast on fresh seafood by the shore and visit archeological ruins when you are not busy lazily taking in the sights deck side. This nautical adventure offers total immersion into the culture, cuisine and natural beauty of Mediterranean Turkey. Each day you will explore a new area, enjoy a swim, hike through ancient Byzantine ruins, go shopping in port towns or anchor in a private bay to enjoy the sunset. Relax in the splendour of nature and admire the unspoiled coastal scenery. Based on a design that is centuries old, a gulet is a wooden sailing vessel handmade by the Bodrums in the southwest of Turkey. This classical two-masted sailboat typically comfortably accommodates approximately 18 passengers in 8 cabins. (Exact size of boat depends on availability at time of booking).
Book one cabin or charter the entire cruise for your family and friends. This is a unique and entertaining way of experiencing Turkey and is available from mid April until the end of October. Climb aboard a Turkish gulet and cruise the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean sea. Swim and snorkel in sheltered bays, sail to secluded lagoons and explore quaint, seaside towns. Feast on fresh seafood by the shore and visit coastal teahouses to meet the locals. This nautical adventure offers total immersion into the culture, cuisine and natural beauty of Mediterranean Turkey.
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| Day |
Activities |
Hotel |
Day 1
Istanbul
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- Istanbul: Transfer - Private - Airport (with Assistant) - Vehicle/Assistant/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Welcome Package
- Dinner (not included)
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Sultanhan (4*) (B)
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Day 2
Istanbul
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- Private - Walking Tour - Guide
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
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Sultanhan (4*) (B)
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Day 3
At Sea
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- Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Istanbul - Antalya [Direct - (1 hr)] - Economy
- Antalya: Transfer - Private - Kemer Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Depart Demre Harbour & Pirates Cave
- Kekova & Simena - Roman vestiges & Charming fishing village
- Lunch on Board
- Afternoon Tea
- Dinner on Board
- Staff on board
- Drinks & Entrances to sites (not included)
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Traditional Turkish Sailing boat (Gulet)
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Day 4
At Sea
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- Breakfast (included)
- Cruise to Kas, Morning swim, Lunch & village visit
- Lunch on Board
- Afternoon Tea
- Dinner in Firnaz Bay
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Traditional Turkish Sailing boat (Gulet)
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Day 5
At Sea
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- Breakfast (included)
- Sunrise cruise to Butterfly Valley Natural Reserve & Oludeniz - Blue Lagoon
- Lunch on Board
- Visit Byzantine ruins on St Nicolas Island
- Afternoon Tea
- Dinner on board
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Traditional Turkish Sailing boat (Gulet)
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Day 6
Fethiye
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- Breakfast (included)
- Swim & Lunch in Samanlik bay
- Disembark at Fethiye harbour
- Fethiye: Transfer - Private - Port - Vehicle/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
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Yacht Boutique (4*) (B)
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Day 7
Fethiye - Istanbul
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- Transfer - Private - Port - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Fethiye - Istanbul [Direct ] - Economy
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Depart (Int`l Airport)
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| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
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Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. This cruise is available on a cabin only as well as a charter basis. Consider adding days on either end of your cruise - for example, spend time in the magical cave city of Cappadocia or head to the mountains of Greece to the awe-inspiring ancient monasteries of Meteora. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Istanbul Istanbul (Byzantium, and later Constantinople) is the world's 3rd largest city and Turkey's cultural and financial center. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is therefore the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. Enjoy a private airport transfer today with a car/driver and airport assistant. A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, plane tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip. Boasting a wonderful location, the Sultanhan Hotel (4*) is a warm guesthouse reflecting Turkish hospitality, authentic decor and oriental east culture. Located on one of the most popular streets of Istanbul, Sultanhan Hotel is close to the tram stop and all the major attractions in the city. The hotel is within walking distance of St Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Golden Horn, Archaeology Museum, Obelisks, Suleymaniye, underground cistern and the covered Bazaar. Overnight at Sultanhan (4*). |
 Istanbul |
 Istanbul |
 Sultanhan Hotel, Istanbul |
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Day 2
Istanbul Enjoy a full day tour of Istanbul and see the most important sights. Visit the St. Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture); the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles; Byzantine Hippodrome, where once chariot races were held; and the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. Afterwards, visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour). The tour ends at your hotel. Overnight at Sultanhan (4*). |
 Blue Mosque |
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Day 3
At Sea The Aegean Sea is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea located between the mainlands of Greece and Turkey respectively. In the north, it is connected to the Marmara Sea and Black Sea by the Dardanelles and Bosporus. The Aegean Islands are within the sea and some bound it on its southern periphery, including Crete and Rhodes. The Aegean Region consists of nine provinces in southwestern Turkey, in part bordering on the Aegean sea. Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Enjoy a direct flight from Istanbul to Antalya . The flight duration is approximately 1 hour. Enjoy a private airport transfer with private vehicle and driver. After your departure from Demre harbour in the early afternoon, you'll get to see Pirates Cave before cruising towards the sunken city of Kekova. The sunken city of Kekova is a protected Roman archeological Site and your boat will pass close by for some viewing opportunities. From here, continue on to Simena, a traditional Turkish fishing village with no car access which boasts a Bytantine / Otoman Castle. Enjoy afternoon tea on deck this afternoon. Enjoy your first night onboard and have your dinner on deck as you take in your calming surroundings. There will be either 2 or 3 staff on board - a Captain, a cook and (where applicable), another hand Drinks are not included onboard, but can be purchased directly for a reasonable price. Entrances to various sites that are visited along the cruise are not included and can be paid for locally. The Aegean Sea is an elongated embayment of the Mediterranean Sea located between the mainlands of Greece and Turkey respectively. In the north, it is connected to the Marmara Sea and Black Sea by the Dardanelles and Bosporus. The Aegean Islands are within the sea and some bound it on its southern periphery, including Crete and Rhodes. The Aegean Region consists of nine provinces in southwestern Turkey, in part bordering on the Aegean sea. Overnight at Traditional Turkish Sailing boat (Gulet). |
 Scenic View |
 Pirates Cave |
 Simena |
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Day 4
At Sea Relax on the cruise to Kas this morning where you'll get to have a swim in a nice quiet bay in front of the little town before stopping in the harbour for lunch and a visit of this charming fishing village. Of ancient Antiphellos, as Kas was once known, only Lycian rock tombs & sarcophagi and the Roman theatre are left but the charm of the town remains! Enjoy afternoon tea on deck thias afternoon. Dinner this evening will be in Firnaz Bay near Kalkan. Overnight at Traditional Turkish Sailing boat (Gulet). |
 Kas -Turkey |
 Firnaz |
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Day 5
At Sea Around sunrise this morning, we'll set sail for Butterfly Valley (sea conditions permitting) where you can enjoy the surroundings as you munch on breakfast and have another opportunity to take a swim. This naturel reserve, hosts 136 kinds of different butterflies and moths. Afterwards, if the weather Gods are kind to us, we'll cruise to Öludeniz, known as The Blue Lagoon. The last stop of the day is at St Nicholas Island where you can visit the Byzantine ruins, and have a last swim of the day. Enjoy afternoon tea on deck this afternoon. Enjoy your last dinner on board as you are moored by St Nicolas island. Take in the calming surroundings and settle in for an enjoyable evening. Overnight at Traditional Turkish Sailing boat (Gulet). |
 Blue Lagoon |
 Fethiye |
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Day 6
Fethiye Fethiye is a modern city situated in the Aegean region of Turkey, with a medium-sized population. Formerly the ancient city of Telmessos, Fethiye still possesses some of the well-preserved ruins of a time not forgotten. A Hellenistic theatre is seen nearthe harborfront, while the local museum is home to an abundance of recent and ancient artifacts. After breakfast this morning, you'll get to have your last chance for a swim in Samanlik bay before lunch is served on board. Bid adieu to your captain this afternoon as you disembark at Fethiye harbour. Enjoy a private port transfer with your own vehicle and driver. Yacht Boutique Hotel (4*) is located on Fethiye Gulf, at sea side. With contemporary minimalist design and Mediterranean architecture the hotel is only 5 minutes away from downtown Fethiye. Featuring panoramic views of the marina and Fethiye Bay, this design hotel offers modern rooms with free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV. Rooms are decorated in warm colours and wooden furniture. The hotel has 34 rooms, a roof restaurant which serves traditional Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. The snack bar at the pool area serves a variety of drinks and snacks. Overnight at Yacht Boutique (4*). |
 Fethiye |
 Swimming in Fethiye |
 Yacht Boutique Hotel |
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Day 7
Fethiye - Istanbul Enjoy a private port transfer with your own vehicle and driver. Enjoy a flight from Dalaman Airport to Istanbul. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary. Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport). |
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Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services - Gulet specifics: On cabin only basis, there is a minimum of 2 clients in order for the gulet to run - there is no twin occupancy options (only single, double and triple) and boat capacity is typically about 18 guests. Staff onboard ranges from 2 to 3 people including a captain and cook with the potential of a 3rd hand (depending on final numbers) - All meals (Breakfast/Lunch/Afternoon Tea, Coffee/Dinner), fuel, harbour fees, service - Standard yacht equipment, board games, snorkels & masks, fishing lines.
Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance - Gulet specifics: Drinks on board are not included - Entrances to sites mentioned in itinerary are not included - Guests may bring snacks, such as fruit, nuts, yoghurt, chocolate etc. as they are not sold on board - All drinks, also water, are sold on board at reasonable prices (Please do not bring your own drinks on board) - Towels are not provided - Please bring your own - Archaeological sites and national parks entrance fees - Crew gratuity (recommended amount: $40 - 50usd).Optional activcities are not included but can be made available on a request basis.
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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