Sailing in Turkey means cruising along the many gulfs and bays of the much indented Turkish coastline. It is also a journey back in time, with a plethora of archaeological sites, castles and temples that reflect its importance in ancient and medieval times. Especially the south-west coast - roughly speaking the stretch of coastline from Izmir via Kusadaşi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kaş to Antalya - is an ideal cruising ground.
This stretch of Turkish coastline is usually divided into four different yacht charter areas:
- The Ionian Coast: Izmir - Kusadasi - Güllük - Bodrum, a coastline which claims the to have the best climate and which shores brought forth the rich culture of the Ionians and their great philosophers.
- The Carian Coast: Bodrum - Marmaris, the most popular sailing ground which includes the two largest yacht charter bases in Turkey: Bodrum and Marmaris.
- The west Lycian Coast: Marmaris - Fethiye, the pirate coast with its wild, mountainous shores and hundreds of hidden coves.
- The east Lycian Coast: Fethiye - Kas - Finike - Antalya, rock tombs and solid stone sarcophagi.
If you wish to charter a yacht and would like independent advice on reliable charter companies in Turkey, please see my yacht charter or gulet charter pages.
Turkey abounds with archaeological ruins dating from the dawn of civilization, inhabited by various Anatolian tribes, conquered, and occupied by Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Ottoman Turks, and finally establishing independence in the 1920's under Ataturk.
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Besides the rock tombs and sarcophagi, most relics are of Greek and Roman origin. Many of the ruins are just part of the landscape, not fenced off.
Besides marvellous options for bare-boating, many sailors will appreciate the luxury Gulet cruises or Blue Voyages. Although these sailing holidays lack the privacy of a bare boat, you will be pampered and nurtured by your own captain, chef cook and hostess. And so it should be on your luxury crewed charter!
These gulet holidays known as Blue Voyages or Blue cruises originate from the time that Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli - a political writer- was exiled erroneously to Bodrum.
The judges who sentenced Cevat Sakir to a number of years in the remote port, knew nothing of local life, which as Sakir discovered, was heaven on earth. He settled down and started writing stories about the town and its locals - in particular, the fishermen.
On his regular outings with fishermen, he gradually got to know the various coves and bays near Bodrum and introduced this rich fisherman's life to visiting writers, scolars and artists from Istanbul. Sakir's tours became famous and were given the name "Blue Cruise"...
These gulet holidays known as Blue Voyages or Blue cruises originate from the time that Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli - a political writer- was exiled erroneously to Bodrum.
The judges who sentenced Cevat Sakir to a number of years in the remote port, knew nothing of local life, which as Sakir discovered, was heaven on earth. He settled down and started writing stories about the town and its locals - in particular, the fishermen.
On his regular outings with fishermen, he gradually got to know the various coves and bays near Bodrum and introduced this rich fisherman's life to visiting writers, scolars and artists from Istanbul. Sakir's tours became famous and were given the name "Blue Cruise"...
Information was taken from website: www.sailingissues.com
