Bodrum to Fethiye
A Sea Journey by Gulet
20th September – 2nd October 2026
Twelve days exploring ancient Caria and Lycia in a gulet, a traditional Turkish schooner as comfortable as she is romantic, in the company of veteran Turkey hands travel writer Jeremy Seal and archaeologist Yunus Özdemir.
From the Bronze Age to the Byzantines the southwest Turkish regions of Caria and Lycia were at the heart of the ancient world. Here lived Herodotus and Homer, here the Carians and Lycians, the Hellenistic Kings and the Romans built an unparalleled abundance of ports and cities, complete with theatres and rock tombs, sanctuary temples and fortresses. At many sites ongoing excavations are uncovering fresh wonders at every turn.
Jeremy and Yunus have devoted much of their working lives to exploring Turkey; they retain a rare passion for the country. They are experienced and attentive guides as well as good companions, boasting an unrivalled knowledge of this coast’s history, culture, topography, ancient ruins – and places for lunch. Gulet captain Alettin, with whom Jeremy and Yunus have worked for years, knows the best swimming spots and the most secluded anchorages better than anybody.
Add excellent food both onboard and onshore, little-visited ancient sites, expert guides and informed talks, and there is no better way to explore the Turkish Mediterranean.
Site gradings (capitalised) indicate how uneven and/or steep the going will be underfoot; A-C are generally manageable, D may well be an issue for some, and E, should you ever come across the designation, is exclusively for goats.
Day 1/ Sunday 20 September 2026: Guests are met at Bodrum Airport for the half-hour transfer to the gulet where dinner and a glass of wine await.
Day 2/ Monday 21 September 2026: After breakfast and a brief look at one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus (A) – we set sail. We head east into the Gulf of Gökova, making for our overnight anchorage at Cökertme. We put ashore that evening for a walk around the little-visited port of Ören (A/B) where ancient stones – Carian sarcophaguses, Roman portals – are casually scattered at every corner.
Day 3/ Tuesday 22 September 2026: We put ashore to board our minibus for the splendid Hellenistic city site of Stratonikeia (B), and Lagina (A), a lovely temple sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Hecate. We return to our gulet in the afternoon to overnight at Mazi Bay.
Day 4/ Wednesday 23 September 2026: We cross the Gulf of Gökova to Knidos where our spectacular overnight anchorage is the ancient harbour. In the afternoon we put ashore to explore this fabled Roman port city (B).
Day 5/ Thursday 24 September 2026: We head east along the Datca Peninsula to the little port of Datca where we lunch. We overnight at nearby Kargi.
Day 6/ Friday 25 September 2026: We head southeast, passing Greek Symi, to reach our overnight anchorage at Loryma (B/C). We put ashore to visit the 4th-century BC fortress in the late afternoon.
Day 7/ Saturday 26 September 2026: We leave early for Ekincik where we swim and breakfast before boarding a local caique which carries us up the Dalyan River to the ancient city of Kaunos (B/C). After lunch in the riverbank town of Dalyan we return to the gulet in the afternoon.
Day 8/ Sunday 27 September 2026: We head to Aglimani for a morning walk to the ancient city site at Lydae (B/C). In the afternoon we cross the Bay of Fethiye to anchor and overnight at St Nicholas’ Island, a 6th-century monastic settlement (C).
Day 9/ Monday 28 September 2026: We leave early for Firnaz and a shore visit to ancient Patara (A), not least to admire the newly restored Roman lighthouse and the Parliament Building of the Lycians. We lunch in the village, superbly, before rejoining the gulet near Kaş where we overnight in a quiet bay.
Day 10/ Tuesday 29 September 2026: We head east to Aperlae, where there is fine snorkeling, weather conditions permitting, over the ancient underwater remains of this remote and lovely late-Roman port. After lunch we motor past Kekova’s famed sunken city before putting ashore to visit the pretty shoreside village, with its Ottoman citadel, at Simena (B/C).
Day 11/ Wednesday 30 September 2026: We put ashore where a minibus awaits to transfer us to little-visited Limyra (A), attractively set in water meadows and boasting an exceptional Roman bridge. After lunch we return to the gulet to overnight in a quiet cove at Gökkaya.
Day 12/ Thursday 1 October 2026: We put ashore for ancient Myra (A), with its splendid theatre and rock tombs, and the Church of St Nicholas (A), home and original resting place of the seafarers’ patron saint, aka Santa Claus.
Day 13/ Friday 2 October 2026: We leave the gulet at Demre for departures from Dalaman or Antalya Airport
For a map of the itinerary please click here.
Our tours are designed and run by us. We make it our business to be there every time you descend a ladder into a dinghy, clamber onto a jetty, wander through an ancient site or along a footpath. But we cannot always be your eyes; it pays to be aware that the ground is often uneven, not to say steep, with no shortage of rocky protuberances, in Turkey. You will need a reasonable level of mobility, balance and fitness. We grade the sites we visit to the best of our ability, but cannot be absolutely sure that all outings and activities will be within the capabilities of all guests. We expect you to follow our advice if we feel that an outing, or an element of an outing, is beyond you. If you are the least uncertain as to your suitability to join a tour, we’d urge you to consult us.
Cost: £4900 per person sharing cabins, £6600 per person in sole occupancy of a cabin. If you are travelling singly but happy to share a twin cabin, please advise and we will do what we can to pair you off. Price includes all meals, onboard wine, beer and spirits, guiding, entry fees and talks, airport transfers, outings and tips. Does not include your flights, any necessary visas or onshore alcohol.
Your holiday is fully bonded and administered by Heritage Group Travel (www.grouptravel.co.uk) in Bath. For a small charge Heritage can also assist with your flights.
The trip will only run with sufficient numbers; early indications of interest are much appreciated.
Enquiries to jeremy@somewherewonderful.com or text/call Jeremy on 07757 703604.