Sail the Med Coast of Turkey on traditional Gulet

by Trevor Joyce on 20 Oct 2006 Sailing is not everyone’s cup of tea but lazing around on an enormous sun deck on board a stunning traditional Turkish motor yacht eating peeled grapes surely is!

The word gulet is used to describe the modern incarnation of the vessels that used to carry cargo along the Turkish coast. These days the business of carrying passengers has become more lucrative and there are huge gulet fleets based in Bodrum, Marmaris and Gocek on the Mediterranean coast. There are big quality differences from one yacht to the next, however, and only a few offer first class accommodation, catering and service.

It is important to know the individual yacht, the captain and more importantly the cook if you want the right outcome from a cruise on a gulet. Be very wary of bargain basement prices – cheap gulets are cheap for a reason.

Accommodation on gulets is in large double or twin bedded cabins, each with private en-suite facilities and typically up to 16 passengers on board. The traditional furnishings, fittings and fixtures make the surroundings very oriental and the Turkish crew will ensure that the experience is really authentic. No packing, check in, unpacking, packing, check out etc. – you just cruise along and your accommodation cruises with you!

Having a Turkish chef on board means you get to experience real Turkish cuisine without having to lift a finger. Superb salads, (tomatoes will never taste the same again), spicy vegetable, meat and seafood dishes and terrific summer fruits are all prepared on board and served under the stars on the after deck. Turkish wine is not bad either, which will possibly surprise you given that the country is Muslim.

In the late spring of 2007 (before the heat and the tourist peak) Sydney based Mariner Boating Holidays will operate a one-off gulet rally between Bodrum and Gocek, following the wind and the coast for 10 days. Four gulets will join the rally so lively social interaction between the crews is certain. The skippers will undoubtedly indulge in a little spirited competition to add to the banter.

Spring in southern Turkey means maximum temperatures in the mid to high
20’s C, lots of sunshine and light westerly breezes. At this time the wild flowers are still to be burnt off by the fierce summer sun and most of the Europeans are still in Europe. The gulets at this time are fresh and clean from spring preparation and the locals are especially eager to please following their winter hibernation.

The itinerary for the cruise will include Knidos, Datca, Bozburun, Sogut, Bozuk Buku, Serce, Ekincik, Fetihye and the bays and anchorages in the Gulf of Fetihye south of the disembarkation port of Gocek. Some of these places are tiny seaside hamlets; others are busy ports with a lively night-time scene ashore. Anyone and everyone who ever had an army has marched along these shores so there are remains of Greek, Roman, Carian, Lycian and Ottoman civilizations to scramble over.

The rally will be escorted by a professional Turkish guide who will tell the story, handle the language interface and disseminate local knowledge to enrich the experience. Mariner Boating Holidays will also have an escort with the trip to ensure the smooth delivery of the experience. Passage on the rally can be booked by the cabin but if you have the numbers you can take a whole yacht.

Set to connect with the start of the rally is a 7 night land trip, which starts with three nights in amazing Istanbul and then includes a visit to ANZAC Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsular, Assos, Pergamon, Ephesus near Kusadasi and Millett on the way to Bodrum. After the rally there is an optional trip to Cappadochia in central Anatolia.

We have a special on the 17 day trip - 7 on land and 10 on the yacht - $5,999 for bookings confirmed before December 22 a saving of $500 per person.

Details of the trip are available on the Mariner Boating Holidays website www.marinerboating.com.au , or by calling Libby on 02 9966 1244