sailing and cruising
lie back and watch the beautiful scenery, stopping off as
the fancy takes you
Turkey is surrounded by sea to three sides,
and has a coastline of over 8000 kilometres in length. One
of the bestways to see Turkey is from the deck of a boat,where
you can lie back and watch the beautiful scenery, stopping
off as the fancy takes you to explore a historic site or visit
a charming village. Turkey has a wealth of world class marinas,
providing excellent facilities for those who have their own
yacht or who have chartered one. The large cruise liners usually
only stop off at IÏstanbul and Kus¸adasÝ. both large
ports which are perfectly situated for access to some of Turkey’s
most interesting historic sites.
Turkey is perhaps best known for the Mavi Yolculuk or ‘Blue
Cruise’, the coastal voyage on board a traditional Turkish
wooden boat known as a gulet (goo-let). It all started in
Bodrum with Cevat Sakir Kabaagðac, who wrote a book in the
middle of the last century called Mavi Yolculuk in which he
described his ‘blue cruise’ sailing around the
coast of Bodrum with the local sponge fishermen. He became
known as the ‘Fisherman of Halikarnas’ and inspired
many others to seek the pleasures which he described.
Over the years, gulets have evolved from traditional fishing
and cargo vessels into their present profile with a broad
beam and wide deck. They usually have a large sunbathing deck
to the fore, a sitting/ dining area at the back, and cabins
below. Constructed mainly in local shipyards in and around
Bodrum, Bozburun, Marmaris, Fethiye, and IÏstanbul, and along
the Black Sea Coast, the boats are equipped with motors as
well as fully functional rigging. The number of passengers
a gulet carries depends on the boat’s size, although
most of them accommodate between eight and twelve people in
double or twin cabins.
Gulets can be fully chartered by a group or are sold on a
cabin basis by tour operators. They are usually comfortable
and can be extremely luxurious but standards do vary hugely,
so if you are comparing prices you should check exactly what
you are getting for your money. Cabins can be on the small
side with little storage space so it is wise not to pack too
much – in any case, you probably won’t be wearing
much more than swimwear during days at sea. Usually, there
are three or four crew members on board, including the captain
and the cook, and the atmosphere is one of relaxed communal
living.
Gulets usually travel a specified route, starting from resorts
along the SouthAegean and Mediterranean. Turkey is full of
isolated bays, inlets and tiny islands, some of which can
only be explored from the sea so it is a great way to see
the best of the coast and get away from the crowds. Those
who don’t like the idea of a whole week at sea, can
take a day trip from most resorts. Either book through your
operator or a local agency or simply go along to the harbour
first thing in the morning.
Some of the highlights of the coast from Bodrum to Antalya:
Bodrum is the place where it all started,
a buzzing, bohemian resort whose Karada Marina is one of the
best-equipped in the region and the starting point for a trip
around the stunning Gulf of Gökova. Akbük
is hidden behind a forested promontory, it is splendidly scenic
and a great place to stop for its charming restaurants and
snorkelling in the clear waters. Datça
is a charming village with the famous ruins of the ancient
city of Knidos nearby. Orhaniye
is a picturesque hamlet, surrounded by pine trees, where you
can see the shallow bar of sand known as KÝzkumu
which runs across the cove and makes it look as if people
are walking on water. Sedir Island, known
in English as Cleopatra’s Island (ancient
Cedrai) boasts an incredible beach with fine sand composed
of fossils, and a splendid view of the Kiran Mountains across
the bay. It is said that the sand here was imported by Mark
Antony for his lover, Cleopatra and that she bathed here.
Marmaris’ Netsel Marina is one of the
largest and best-equipped marinas in Turkey, and the Marmaris
Albatross Marina, one of the best for wintering and maintaining
yachts, which make this cosmopolitan resort an excellent starting
point for a Blue Voyage. At Ekincik, a delightful
yacht-mooring, you can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of this
area and the friendly hospitality of its people. From Delikli
Island, which lies right off the coast, southeast
of Ekincik you can take an excursion to Dalyan
on a smaller boat. Göcek is a charming
resort, favoured by yachtsmen, with some lovely seafront restaurants.
Dotted with islands and indented with many coves, the land
and seascapes of the Gulf of Göcek are irresistible.
On Tersane Island stand Byzantine ruins including
those of the ancient shipyards from which it takes it name.
Fethiye, a traditional market town boasts
a natural harbour and beautiful mountain scenery. Kekova
is the name of a group of picturesque islands with numerous
bays and ancient cities. Along the northern shore of Kekova
Island, at Apollonia, earthquakes once disturbed the land
causing some of the ancient houses to sink under the clear
water, creating the sunken city which is so enchanting today.
Kaleköy Castle (ancient Simena) offers a bird’s-eye
view of the bay’s inlets, islands and colourful yachts
sailing peacefully on the glassy water. At Demre
(Kale), the ancientMyra (25 kms west of Finike), many splendid
carved Lycian rock tombs overlook the magnificent Roman theatre.
St Nicholas, the real Father Christmas, was the Bishop of
this Mediterranean city during the fourth century. Olympos,
on the southern side of Mount TahtalÝ (Mt. Olympos), is surrounded
by oleander and laurel bushes. Nearby, high on the hillside
at Yanartas¸ (literally ‘burning stone’),
themythological Lycian hero Bellerophon mounted his winged
horse Pegasus and slew the fire-breathing Chimaera. Kemer,
a resort town carefully designed to blend in with the surrounding
scenery, where the fully equipped Park Kemer Marina has good
facilities. April is the month of the colourful Kemer Carnival.
Also in the spring there are yacht races between Kemer and
Girne (Kyrenia), in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Antalya, Turkey’s largest Mediterranean
city has a backdrop of the towering Taurus Mountains. Here
the ancient city of Attaleia, named after King Attalus II
of Pergamum, was founded in the 2nd century BC. Today, palm-lined
boulevards, beautiful parks, historical buildings, monuments,
museums and the picturesque old quarter of Kaleiçi
(with the Kaleiçi Turban Marina) blend together to
create a perfect holiday atmosphere.
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