3 nights in Istanbul, 7 nights Turquoise Coast Gulet Cruise with optional Cappadocia

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Blue Odyssey Travel Exploring Turkey 3 nights in Istanbul, 7 nights Turquoise Coast Gulet Cruise with optional Cappadocia Dates: TBA

As we travel we will bear witness to over 5000 years of human history including the great civilizations of the Greeks, Romans,

We ll walk in the footsteps of Alexander, Homer, Cleopatra, and innumerable scribes, traders and explorers who traveled the globe to

1 Blue Odyssey Travel Exploring Turkey 3 nights in Istanbul, 7 nights Turquoise Coast Gulet Cruise with optional Cappadocia Dates: TBA Pack your bags for a journey of discovery as we explore the ancient lands and cultures of Anatolia (modern Turkey). As we travel we will bear witness to over 5000 years of human history including the great civilizations of the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. East meets west in a dazzling display of culture, cuisine, and architecture. We ll walk in the footsteps of Alexander, Homer, Cleopatra, and innumerable scribes, traders and explorers who traveled the globe to discover this exotic and timeless land. In Istanbul we will wander the Grand Bazaar, explore the harem at the Topkapi Palace, cruise the Bosphorus and dine at fabulous local restaurants. Blue Odyssey Travel! 1

2 Perhaps the highlight of the trip will be the seven day cruise along the Turquoise Coast, so named for its jewel colored waters. Our luxurious floating home will be waiting for us in the port city of Marmaris. After flying from Istanbul (1 hour) we will board the gulet, a beautifully handcrafted motor yacht, both spacious and well appointed. Pulling ashore in quiet bays and coves, we ll hike through unspoiled countryside among the ruins of the great civilizations of Asia Minor. Greek theaters, Hellenistic temples, Roman arches, Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman city walls adorn the landscape. We ll meet local farmers harvesting sage and oregano in the fields, encounter nomads tending their flocks at the foot of well preserved ruins, and sample tea with local villagers. In the haunting Lycian city of Kaunos we ll marvel at the Royal Lycian tombs carved into the cliffs in the 6th century BC. Along the route we will stroll through quaint seaside villages with lively markets, narrow cobblestone streets lined with craft shops, cafes and bars. We ll snorkel over the ancient sunken columns of Cleopatra s Bath and enjoy a sunset hike to the top of Gemiler Island. Evenings find us aboard our comfortable gulet, where our chef pampers us with excellent food and wine as we relive the day s excitement. Many guests enjoy sleeping under the stars during the warm summer nights. We will bid a fond farewell to our crew and disembark in Gocek for the next leg of our adventure. Continuing on to Cappadocia by plane we will witness the surrealistic geological formations, the fairy chimneys formed by volcanic eruptions and erosion. We ll walk through amazing slot canyons filled with rock cut churches, underground cities, and natural rock castles. We ll taste local wines at a vineyard and try our hand at throwing pottery in Avanos, a tradition dating back 3000 years. Our lodgings will be a special class hotel with exquisitely decorated rooms that were hand carved into the soft tufa cliffside. The region is famous for these cave hotels! Bon Voyage!!! Day 1 Fly to Istanbul: Day 2 Arrival in Istanbul: Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be picked up from the Ataturk Airport and transferred to your hotel in the Old Quarter (Sultanahmet). Check into your hotel and relax. Overnight at Blue House Hotel or similar.! 2

3 Day 3: Istanbul Guided Tour Today you will visit some of the classic sites in Istanbul: Topkapi Palace: Former residence of Ottoman Sultans and their harem for 400 years. Topkapi Dagger and Spoonmakers diamond are not to be missed. Blue Mosque: 16th century Ottoman mosque famous for its blue tiles and domes. Grand Bazaar: Ottoman style covered market with thousands of shops and alleys. Make sure to be with your guide at all times so you don t get lost. Ask your guide his/her shopping advice when buying goods. Haghia Sophia: The church of Holy Wisdom, the symbol of Christianity in the Eastern Roman Empire. The 11th century mosaics and the dome are amazing. Sunken Cistern: Byzantine cistern with hundreds of ancient columns. Byzantine Forum: Also known as the Hippodrome, this square was the center of social life during the Byzantine times. Adorned with the famous Egyptian Obelisk. Overnight at the Blue House Hotel or similar. Breakfast included at the hotel. Day 4: Bosphorus Cruise and Foodie s day in Istanbul Today you will visit Spice Market: Spice Market: Also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, home of spice and Turkish delights. Bosphorus Cruise: Public vintage ferries leave from Eminonu (right across Spice Market). It takes about 1 hour to cruise along Bosphorus. Wonderful way to see the Palaces, Castles, Ottoman Houses You will visit the Kadikoy marketplace and sample different kinds of baklavas, breads, olives, etc... This is a very lively market where locals shop. For lunch, your guide will take you to the famous Ciya Sofrasi restaurant. Ciya is featured in every gourmet magazine in the US. If Chef Musa is around, he will sit with you and tell you more about the dishes you ll be sampling. After a cup of Turkish coffee, you ll explore the antique stores of Kadikoy. Overnight at Blue House Hotel or similar. Breakfast included at the hotel. Lunch at Ciya is included. 10 course lunch at the famous Ciya Restaurant is included. Chef Musa wi" prepare a special tasting menu for our group...! Blue Odyssey Travel 3

4 Day 5: Fly to Dalaman, Board your gulet in Marmaris You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Istanbul Ataturk Airport domestic terminal for your flights to Dalaman. Flight information: TK 2556, Istanbul to Dalaman Departing at 11:45 am and arriving in Dalaman at 1:05 pm Upon arrival at the Dalaman airport, you will be met and transferred to Marmaris (70 minutes drive) Boarding time on your gulet is 4 pm. Your guide will help you buy alcohol & beverages at the local market. Once you are on board, you ll cruise for 30 minutes to a secluded bay where you will spend the late afternoon swimming in the Turquoise waters of Mediterranean. Breakfast included at the hotel in Istanbul. Lunch on your own in Marmaris. Dinner included on board. Gulet Accommodation. Day 6 Royal Lycian Tombs of Kaunos: Cruise to the Dalyan river mouth (2 hours) and board a small boat to travel up the river to the Roman ruins of ancient Kaunos (2nd century AD). Here you can visit the theater and Basilica, and perhaps witness a team of archeologists excavating the site. Just down the slope are the Royal Lycian cliff tombs dating from the 6th century BC magnificently perched above the emerald green waters of the Dalyan River. As you travel up the river you will be traversing a sanctuary for endangered sea turtles (caretta caretta) so keep your eyes on the lookout. Imagine yourself on the African Queen as you wind through the tall reeds of this spectacular delta; parts of the famous film were shot here. You will have lunch on your own in Dalyan village. Then you will return to your gulet to relax in the afternoon. Breakfast and dinner are included Lunch on your own in Dalyan town. Gulet Accommodation! Blue Odyssey Travel 4

Day 7- Kayakoy and Gemiler Island : You will cruise for 4 hours to Gemiler Island which was the home of Byzantine monks around 6th century AD.

The inhabitants left the town in the 1920s, but the roofless houses and cobbled paths seem as ancient as any site on your voyage.

There s a nice cafe called Poseidon with village style platform seatings where you can enjoy the view. For those, who don t want to join the excursion, can stay on board and enjoy water sports.

5 Day 7- Kayakoy and Gemiler Island : You will cruise for 4 hours to Gemiler Island which was the home of Byzantine monks around 6th century AD. Optional tour: If you want, you can have a shore excursion to Kayakoy with your guide. You can explore the ghostly remains of Kayakoy, an abandoned Greek town (1,200' elevation gain). The inhabitants left the town in the 1920s, but the roofless houses and cobbled paths seem as ancient as any site on your voyage. Louis De Bernieres book called Birds without Wings is about this village and the Greek-Turkish population exchange that took place here right after World War I. There s a nice cafe called Poseidon with village style platform seatings where you can enjoy the view. For those, who don t want to join the excursion, can stay on board and enjoy water sports. Read: Louis De Bernieres book ca"ed Birds without Wings which takes place in Kayakoy... At sunset, your guide will take you to the Byzantine ruins of Gemiler island. Tunnels and stone paths used by Byzantine monks wind their way up through arches and alleys towards the summit where you ll be rewarded with fabulous views of the Mediterranean and nearby islands. All meals are included Gulet Accommodation! Blue Odyssey Travel 5

Day 8 Oludeniz and Butterfly Bay Explore the famous Oludeniz Beach (Dead Sea Lagoon) and Butterfly Valley... Optional hiking, kayaking, water sports... All meals included.

of Lydea to explore the remains of the Temple of Athena. As you hike up into the hills you ll pass secluded farms perched high above the turquoise sea.

6 Day 8 Oludeniz and Butterfly Bay Explore the famous Oludeniz Beach (Dead Sea Lagoon) and Butterfly Valley... Optional hiking, kayaking, water sports... All meals included. Gulet Accommodation Day 9 Lydea ancient site and Cleopatra s bath: After breakfast, you ll cruise to Agalimani, a secluded bay where your guide will take you on an optional hike to the ancient site of Lydea to explore the remains of the Temple of Athena. As you hike up into the hills you ll pass secluded farms perched high above the turquoise sea. Scents of sage, lavender, and oregano greet you at each turn. You may encounter local nomads tending their flock around the ancient site and perhaps enjoy a cup of tea in a traditional goat hair tent. In the late afternoon, you will cruise along the coast for 20 minutes and visit a sunken ruin known as Cleopatra s bath. Local legend has it that these baths were built especially for Cleopatra by her love, Marc Anthony. You ll enjoy a leisurely day, swimming, snorkeling and water sports. All meals included. Gulet Accommodation Snorkeling over the ruins of Cleopatra s Bath is one of the highlights of this trip! 6

7 Day 10: Fethiye Fethiye town is a great place to experience a traditional shave (hair, mustache, beard) for men at the barbershops. Get ready to be pampered! Cruise to Fethiye (one hour), ancient Telmessos, now a quaint modern town with a bustling marketplace, many fine craft shops and wonderful fish restaurants. Your guide will take you to the Fish Market to see the daily catch of fish. There are restaurants in the fish market that allows you buy fish from the market and they cook it for you, serving with salad and fries.they charge a flat rate per person. These restaurants are a local favorite. If you would like to eat here, your guide will help you with buying the fish and selecting a restaurant. Lunch is on your own in Fethiye town. You can explore the nearby Amintas tomb (optional, by local taxi or a half hour walk), an impressive rock carved tomb honoring the famous 6th century B.C. Lycian ruler. After visiting the bustling markets of Fethiye, you ll return to your gulet. Breakfast and dinner are included on board. Overnight on the gulet. Day 11: Gocek Islands Explore the Gocek Islands. You will have time for water sports as well. In the late afternoon, you will visit Gocek which is a little village full of beautiful boutiques, textile stores, restaurants and patisseries. Enjoy shopping at one of a kind stores along the main street: silver jewelry is fantastic. Meet Margot (our Canadian friend) at Bazaar Anatolia to see her unique collection of local jewelry, pottery by an artist named Sitki and Ikat (Central Asian fabrics). Enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee at a local pastry next to the Mosque. You will enjoy the last dinner on the boat. Overnight on the gulet in the Gocek Marina. All meals are included on board. Overnight on the gulet.! Blue Odyssey Travel 7

8 Day 12: Disembark the gulet and fly home Or take an extension trip to Cappadocia Today you will disembark your gulet and bid farewell to your crew. You will be picked up from the gulet and transferred to Dalaman airport (30 minutes drive) for your flight to Cappadocia (via Istanbul) Here is the flight schedule: TK 2553 Departing Dalaman at 9:50 am, arriving in Istanbul at 11:10 am Connecting to your flights home Or if you are joining our extension trip to Cappadocia: TK 2012 Departing Istanbul at 12:00 and arriving in Kayseri at 1:25 pm Upon arrival at the Kayseri airport, you ll be met by your local driver and start exploring Cappadocia. Lunch at the Greek House: Indulge on traditional Turkish food prepared by village women. You ll sit on the cushions and eat around a large wooden low table. Cappadocian Village life: Explore a traditional village, sit at the local coffee shop and have a cup of Turkish tea. Afterwards, your guide will take you to your hotel. Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight at Yunak Hotel or similar. The hotel in Cappadocia is a cave hotel, carved into the rocks. Some rooms are cave rooms and some are built with the local volcanic stone. Please let us know what type of room you prefer.! 8

Day 13: Explore Cappadocia: You ll start your day with an early morning balloon ride (optional and extra cost). Your guide will inform you about pick up time.

Pottery workshop in Avanos: Pottery has been made in this part of the world for thousands of years.

9 Day 13: Explore Cappadocia: You ll start your day with an early morning balloon ride (optional and extra cost). Your guide will inform you about pick up time. After the balloon ride, you ll be transferred back to your hotel where you can have breakfast. Today your guide will start touring at 10:30. You ll continue exploring Cappadocia. Pottery workshop in Avanos: Pottery has been made in this part of the world for thousands of years. There are beautiful ateliers where you can see the traditional potters wheel and samples of Turkish ceramics with beautiful tulip and carnation designs. Pasabag: Perfect place to see the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Here you can walk through the valley and even visit these fairy chimneys. Lunch: You will sample Cappadocian village style cooking. Your guide will take you to one of our favorite restaurants in Cappadocia, located in a remote village where husband and wife team cook everything in clay pots including desserts. Castle at Uchisar: You will visit Uchisar Castle, where you will have magnificent views of the Cappadocian valley. Walk through charming village of Uchisar. Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight at Yunak Hotel or similar.! Blue Odyssey Travel 9

Day 14: Explore Cappadocia: Underground city: In the morning, you will visit the underground city of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu which has layers and layers of dwellings

Hike In Zelve Valley: People used to live in this valley until the 1950s. An easy hike through a picturesque valley. Lunch at a traditional village restaurant.

carpets special to this region. Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight at Yunak Hotel or similar.

10 Day 14: Explore Cappadocia: Underground city: In the morning, you will visit the underground city of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu which has layers and layers of dwellings date back neolithic times. Goreme Open Air Museum: 10th to 16th century early Christian churches carved into the rocks, adorned with simple but beautiful frescoes. Hike In Zelve Valley: People used to live in this valley until the 1950s. An easy hike through a picturesque valley. Lunch at a traditional village restaurant. Cappadocian Carpets: Your guide will take you to the Carpet Weaving Center where you will see how carpets are made and will have the opportunity to buy unique carpets special to this region. Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight at Yunak Hotel or similar. Optional: Whirling Dervish Ceremony in a 13th century old caravanserai. This takes place in the evening. Cost will be around 25 Euro. Please check the cost and time with your guide. He/she can book this for you.! Blue Odyssey Travel 10

11 Day 15 Cappadocia to Istanbul: After breakfast, you ll be met in the lobby of your hotel and transferred to Kayseri airport for your flight to Istanbul. Flight info: Turkish Airlines, TK261 departing Kayseri at 9:40 am and arriving in Istanbul at11:00 am. Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you ll connect to your international flight home. If you need an extra night hotel room in Istanbul please advise and we will arrange (extra cost). If you are not taking 9:40 am flight out of Kayseri, please let us know as we need to make transfer reservations for you (extra cost) Minimum Group Size: 10 Maximum Group Size: 18! Single Travelers: You may either choose to share with a member of the same sex or pay a single supplement fee if you wish to lodge alone. Please contact us to discuss your options. Single Supplement is $300 for hotel only. No singles available on the boat, we will match you with a partner of the same sex.! Blue Odyssey Travel 11

12 What s included? Local professional tour guide throughout the trip 2 Free Escort from WMS (Land cost only) All sightseeing and touring mentioned in the itinerary Entrance fees to all the museums mentioned in the itinerary Ground transportation in an air conditioned minivan and a professional driver 3 nights Blue House Hotel (double basis) in Istanbul (or similar) Breakfasts at the hotels Private Bosphorus Cruise (1.5 hours) 10 course special lunch at Ciya Sofrasi in Istanbul Arrival airport transfer in Istanbul 7 nights on Deluxe Gulet with meals as noted and bottled water included All group airport transfers for domestic flights as listed Porters at the airports where available (guide will have porters carry all the luggage) and assisted group check-in by the guide What s not included? International and domestic airfare; meals not noted in itinerary; soft drinks & alcoholic beverages; insurance of any kind; optional tipping to guides and local staff; excess baggage charges; airport taxes; cost of medical immunizations (none required on this trip); visas; admission to Turkish baths; items of a personal nature (laundry, etc.), motorized water sports (available by third parties at almost every bay) The itinerary is subject to change based on weather and sea conditions as determined by the captain. You will be consulted in the event of any changes.! Blue Odyssey Travel 12

Gulet Type: Ketch Rigging : Ketch Year Building : 2002 Loa!: 34.00 meters!

: 2x 450 HP IVECO Generator : 2x 45 KWA Water!: 18.000 LITERS!! Fuel: 12.

Salon with TV, dvd player and music system. Generator 2x42-35 KWA.

Washing machine, Dishwasher and Ice maker.

13 Gulet Type: Ketch Rigging : Ketch Year Building : 2002 Loa!: meters!!!!! Beam!: 7.50 meters!! Engine!: 2x 450 HP IVECO Generator : 2x 45 KWA Water!: LITERS!! Fuel: LITERS EQUIPMENT VHF, Radar, GPS and Deepsounder. Salon with TV, dvd player and music system. Generator 2x42-35 KWA. Sails (roller). Fishing equipment, Snorkeling gear and Dinghy. Washing machine, Dishwasher and Ice maker. Inside telephone line and Safebox ACCOMMODATION 10 cabins; 10 WC + 10 Shower Each cabin with private shower, toilet and A/C. Teak deck. Seperate crewcabins.! Blue Odyssey Travel 13

14 Blue House Hotel, Istanbul Located in the heart of the Old Quarter aka Sultanahmet, Blue House is a charming boutique hotel. 26 comfortable guest rooms, suite facing Marmara Sea and Blue Mosque. All rooms are equipped with: A/C, Minibar, TV Cable System, Hair Dryer, Radio / Music System, Direct Dial Telephone, Toilet / Shower.! 14

15 Contact us: Jale Boga Robertson Blue Odyssey 12 Council Crest Drive, Corte Madera, CA Phone: (USA cell) Turkish Cell: E-fax: You can reach us via or by fax all year round. BON VOYAGE --- IYI YOLCULUKLAR!! 15

5 DAYS TURKEY TREASURE TOUR

5 DAYS TURKEY TREASURE TOUR Highlights Istanbul City Tour, Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise, Cappadocia Tour. DAY 1 ISTANBUL- ARRIVAL DAY Meet at the airport and transfer to your hotel. You will be given your