Day 1
Bodrum
Situated 20 minutes from its new international airport,
Bodrum is a perfect embarkation or disembarkation port. It
has a sophisticated marina to one side of the main harbour
overlooking the imposing Crusader castle built by the
Knights of St. John. The same castle houses the best
underwater archaeological museum in the Mediterranean and
is well worth a visit. Bodrum is the undisputed 'hot spot'
of the Aegean coast and boasts an abundance of good
restaurants, bars and clubs including the world-famous
Halicarnassus discoteque.
Day 2 Mersincik
En route to Mersencik, we anchor at Knidos for lunch and
exploration of the ancient Carian city of Knidos. Famous
as a centre of art and culture in the fourth century B.C.,
Knidos had two harbours, one in the Aegean and one in the
Mediterranean. The remains of the temple of Aphrodite
overlook these harbours and there are countless other
archaeological remains to feast one's eyes on. We then
sail on to Mersencik, where we anchor in a usually
deserted narrow bay, providing a perfect setting for a
barbeque on board.
Day 3 Hayit Buku
A lovely little bay with good shelter from the Meltemi and
with a hamlet ashore. The setting, with the montains in
the background, is majestic. On the waterfront, Ogun's
restaurant has provided many memorable evenings for
hundreds of yachtsmen over the years and is always a
favourite. There are many interesting walks in the area.
Day 4 Bozukbuku (Loryma)
A large land-locked bay on the Turkishcoast opposite the
Greek island of Rhodes. In the old days this bay was
heavily fortified and the well-preserved citadel and
fortifications of Hellenic origin are proof of the areas
past. Today the bay provides a spectacular setting for
watersports and has a couple of small restaurants on her
shores.
Day 5 Ekincik (For Caunus and Dalyan)
A stunning bay overlooked by an excellent restaurant
providing superb meals in a memorable setting. From here a
local boat and guide can be hired in order to travel up
the Dalyan delta (where the 'African Queen' was filmed)
and visit the ancient city of the river trip one should
catch sight of some of the many turtles, herons and
kingfishers that abound in this area.
Day 6 Coldwater Bay
Before arriving at Coldwater Bay, we anchore for lunch off
Gemiler Island, where there are the ruins of what must
have been a sizeable Byzantine community. An exploration
of the island is well worth the effort and the ruins
include those of several churches, a covered walkway and
many houses, shops, water cisterns etc. A short sail then
takes us to Coldwater Bay (so-named because of the cold
fresh water springs entering the sea here), where there is
a delightful rustic restaurant ashore and the opportunity
to take a very enjoyable hike (45 mins) to the old Greek
village of Kaya, deserted since the 1920's when the
population exchange took place.
Day 7 Kalkan (for Xanthos and Patara)
Another village along this coast affected by the
population exchange of 1922, Kalkan nestles in the crease
of ahill at the foot of which is the attractive harbour.
It is a scub diving centre and the ideal port from which
to visit the ancient cities of Xanthos and Patara. Flowers
spill from the balconies in Kalkan and there are numerous
restaurants and bars to choose from.
Day 8 Kastellorizon
This delightful Greek Island a short distance from the
Turkish coast is an absolute 'must' to visit. After
lunching and spending the afternoon in the gorgeous
anchorage with gin-clear water, we moor stern-to the quay
in the typically Greek village, where one can visit the
local museum and dine at the various waterside restaurants.
A walk up the path to the top of the precipitous mountain
behind the village rewards one with spectacular vistas of
the surrounding islands and the Turkish mainland. Before
leaving the island, we sail down its eastern coast and
visit the beautiful Blu Grotto (said to be better than the
one on Capri), which we enter by dinghy, leaving the yacht
outside.
Day 9 Kekova
A beautiful area protected from the sea by Kekova Island
and abundant in the ruins of a Lycian civilisation, some
of which are now under water as the result of a
devastating earthquake. The battlements of a magnificent
Crusader fortress stand dramatically over the village and
the views from the castle is magnificent. Within the
castle there is a small theatre and the surounding slopes
are dotted with sarcophagi. A true perspective of the
sunken city can be perceived from this perfect vantage
point.
Day 10 Gokkaya
A magnificently remote anchorage amongst a multitude of
islands and inlets with a variety of ancient ruins and a
small restaurant ahsore. A perfect setting for watersports
of all kinds.
Day 11 Finike
This town is in the heart of a market gerdening area and
is surrounded by citrus groves. It has a harbour and
marina and is a good base from which to visit the sites at
Demre and Myra, where many splendidly carved rock tombs
overlook the magnificent Roman theatre.
Day 12 Cavus
This large bay surrounded by sandy beaches is a great spot
for watersports and one can also explore the incredible
sea caves on the northern shore. It is a short distance
from the ancient city of Olympus and there are several
good restaurants ashore.
Day 13 Kemer
En route to Kemer we stop for lunch at Tekirova, where we
anchor in what used to be one of the harbours of ancient
Phaselis. Here, a few metres from the yacht, are the well
preserved ruins of aqueducts, agoras, baths, a theatre,
Hadrian's Gate and an acropolis. The sheltered bay
surrounded by sandy beaches, pine forests and shaded ruins
makes this an unforgettable stopover. At Kemer we moor in
the well equipped marina, which is centrally placed to all
the shops and restaurants.
Day 14 Antalya
Antalya is a large attractive city with shady, palm-lined
boulevards and a modern marina. The old part of the city
surrounds the old harbour and has narrow, winding streets
and old wooden houses about the ancient city walls. The
harbour is surrounded by friendly cafes and restaurants
and the many shops in the area sell everything from
antique silverware to carpets. Antalya has two very good
museums and an international airport and is a perfect
place from which to visit the many attractions found close
to the city. These include several national parks, some
amazing waterfalls in different localities, ancient caves
(one of which is the site of the oldest settlement in
Turkey) and the ruins of the ancient city of Termessos,
set in a national park on a 3,000ft high plateau - a wild
and splendid landscape.
