GÖKOVA, CARIA AND GREEK SYMI 2017.
14 NIGHTS ON THE DORUK REIS, BOARDING BODRUM (BODRUM AIRPORT) SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23, LEAVING FETHIYE (DALAMAN AIRPORT) SATURDAY OCTOBER 7.
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Site gradings in bold indicate how uneven and/or steep the going will be underfoot; A-C are generally manageable, D may be an issue for some, and E is only for goats. Walking is generally restricted to on-site exploring, though additional strolls are easily arranged upon request.
The tour is in the company of two leader-guides: travel writer Jeremy Seal, and archaeologist Yunus Özdemır or the equally excellent Altay Özcan. Jeremy, Yunus and Altay are old friends who share a passion for Turkey’s culture and landscapes. The tour mixes archaeology and land-scape, swimming and Anatolian rural culture, all backed by exceptional onboard cuisine, informed talks and idyllic overnight anchorages.
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Day 1/Sat September 23: Guests are met at Bodrum Airport for the half-hour transfer to Bodrum where our gulet and a light dinner awaits.
Day 2/Sun September 24: After breakfast we spend a leisurely morning in Bodrum visiting the storied Mausoleum (A), one of the Seven Wonders, and Castle (A). Back on the gulet, we leave for a pre-lunch swim in a secluded bay before continuing to Hurma Bay where we overnight.
Day 3/Mon September 25: A leisurely sail brings us to Ören for an afternoon walk around Ancient Keramos (B). We then sail on to anchor and overnight in the beautiful bay at Akbük.
Day 4/Tues September 26: A minibus takes us inland through striking mountain scenery to visit the superb and shamefully ignored sites of Stratonikeia (A) and Lagina (A). We lunch nearby before rejoining the gulet at Akbük where we overnight.
Day 5/Wed September 27: We sail to Sedir Ada to visit the ancient island ruins at Cedreae (B). Later in the afternoon we continue along the southern shores of the Gulf of Gökova before overnighting in one of the numerous bays near Ingiliz Lımanı (English Harbour).
Day 6/Thurs September 28: A long sail brings us to the spectacularly sited ancient port at Knidos (C), though the more energetic may prefer to arrive via a guided walk along a short section of the Carian Trail, the long-distance walking route founded by our guides Yunus and Altay. We overnight beside the shore-side theatre in Knidos’ marvellous harbour.
Day 7/Fri September 29: After further time exploring Knidos, we sail on to overnight in the attractive little port of Datça.
Day 8/Sat September 30: An early sail brings to Selimiye where we breakfast before putting ashore to visit a striking Monumental Tomb (D) and then enjoying refreshments beneath the ancient plane tree in the middle of Bayir Village. After lunch onboard we continue down the coast to overnight in the bustling little harbour town of Bozburun.
Day 9/Sun October 1: We clear customs at Bozburun to visit the Greek island of Symi (B), with its beautiful neo-classical harbour. In the afternoon we walk the port town’s delightful lanes. We overnight at Symi.
Day 10/Mon October 2: We return to Turkey, swimming and lunching at anchor among the bays and islets around Soğut. In the after-noon we sail to Loryma (C), a remote and impressive harbour with a magnificent 4th century BC castle. We overnight at Loryma.
Day 11/Tues October 3: An early sail brings us to Ekincik where we lunch before taking to a local caique for a trip into the Dalyan River delta and a visit to Kaunos (B). We overnight at Ekincik.
Day 12/Wed October 4: An early start for Ağlımanı where a Roman track leads after 45 minutes to Lydae (C), a wonderful atmospheric old city site now inhabited by a handful of shepherds’ families. After lunch we sail to Gemiler for a late-afternoon visit to St Nicholas Island (C), a remarkable Byzantine monastic settlement. Overnight Gemiler.
Day 13/Thurs October 5: We put ashore to visit Kayaköy, a haunted place rich in echoes of its former inhabitants deported to Greece in the 1920s. We lunch in a village café beneath mulberry trees before rejoining the gulet. Overnight in a quiet bay near Fethiye.
Day 14/Fri October 6: We put ashore for the minibus journey to Tlos. The city, among the most extensive and complete sites in Lycia, is where our guide Yunus worked for several years. We continue to Fethiye in time for some shopping and sightseeing before spending our last night at a secluded anchorage in Fethiye Bay.
Day 15/Sat October 7: We transfer from Fethiye to Dalaman Airport for homeward flights.
COST: £3,330 per person. Does not include flights, visas or onshore alcohol. Includes all meals, onboard alcohol, guiding and talks, outings, tips and airport transfers. Accommodation is in double or twin cabins. There is provision for up to 4 single occupancies, but at a 30% premium. Singles may prefer to pair up, in which case they will be given priority to the twin cabins.
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.
All initial enquiries, or for printable copies of this itinerary, to Jeremy Seal. (jeremy@somewherewonderful.com; 07757 703604, or 01225 329269).