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Sailing Turkeys Blue Coast

8 Day Escorted Tour

Turkey, Europe
20 Meals Included
4 Excursions
Easygoing Pace

Sail Turkey's unspoilt coastline on a traditional wooden gulet, taking in secluded bays, hidden coves, uninhabited islands and pine-clad mountains on this eight-day cruise. Departing Marmaris, wind your way eastwards through the Gulf of Fethiye, visiting the picturesque islands of Yassica, Gocek and Tersane whilst enjoying ample breaks to swim and sunbathe on powder-soft beaches.

Highlights

  • Discover the picturesque Gulf of Fethiye
  • Explore the waters of the Yassica Islands
  • Visit scenic Bedri Rahmi Bay
  • Pass Turunc Bay and Paradise Island, with swimming breaks
  • Dine al fresco meals cooked by your on-board chef

Map Key

Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Number of nights

Itinerary

Day 1
UK to Marmaris

Dinner

Depart on your flight to Dalaman. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the city's yacht marina. Board your traditional wooden Turkish 'gulet', remaining docked until you set sail the following morning. Enjoy some free time before tonight's dinner on board with your fellow passengers.

Day 2
Marmaris to Ekincik

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, the Rota Yacht Guide will brief the group on your route along Turkey's spectacular Blue Coast before you weigh anchor and sail toward Ekincik. On arrival at the tree-lined coastline of the bay, relax on board or take a dip in the azure waters. Alternatively, take an optional excursion (at a fee) to the Dalyan Mud Baths and cover yourself in the rejuvenating mud which occurs naturally in the area before a photo stop at Dalyan's ancient royal tombs, intricately carved into a cliff face. The Gulet will have an opportunity for a break for photos as well as receiving an insight to the tombs. Make your way back to your gulet, stopping to visit Iztuzu beach, a breeding ground for the Caretta Caretta turtle. Anchor in Ekincik Bay for the night.

Day 3
Ekincik to Kizilda

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Set off early this morning and reach the dazzling Gulf of Fethiye, passing picturesque bays and quaint seaside towns before arriving at Tersane Island. Enjoy breakfast amongst the ruins of this once-inhabited island then sail through the day, taking in fantastic vistas before arriving at Kizilda for your overnight stay.

Day 4
Kizilda to Fethiye

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Arriving at Fethiye Marina in the morning, you'll have the option to take a day excursion by jeep safari or bus to a secret canyon, where striking rock formations offer some of Turkey's most breath-taking scenery. Return in the afternoon for dinner on board and your overnight stay at Fethiye Marina.

Day 5
Fethiye to Yassica Islands

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, depart Fethiye and make your way towards to the Gocek Islands. Sailing among these impressive islands, the boat will stop for numerous swimming breaks in the sparkling, emerald waters. Continue to the Yassica Islands, an area offering outstanding views, where you will anchor for the night.

Day 6
Yassica Islands to Aga Limani

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Sail to Bedri Rahmi Bay, named after the Turkish painter Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu who was one of the first people to experience the now classic Blue Voyage. Look out for his work painted onto one of the cliff-side boulders. Continue through these crystal-clear waters to the cove of Sarsala before reaching beautiful Aga Limani in the afternoon, where you will moor overnight.

Day 7
Aga Limani to Marmaris

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

In the morning, sail to Kadirga Bay, stopping to swim in the tranquil bays along the way. Take in scenic Turunc Bay and Paradise Island as you sail by, arriving back in Marmaris Marina in the early evening for your final night on board.

Day 8
Marmaris to UK

Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK or continue on to your chosen extension.

View Full Itinerary

Accommodation

The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 10 days before you travel
Turkey Gulet
7 nights
Turkey Cruise, Turkey
More details

Extend Your Tour

Sailing Turkeys Blue Coast with Marmaris Beach Stay

4 Day Extension

Important Information

The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times.

If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

British Citizens travelling to Turkey for tourist or business purposes are able to travel without a visa for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. We recommend you check with your destination's tourist board or embassy prior to departure for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity.

Please note that final flight details, including terminal, airline and baggage allowance, will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport and boarding pass to the staff at the desk.

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves climbing of steep stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

The currency in Turkey is Turkish Lira, however, we recommend that you take GBP (Euros are also accepted), Cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency.

As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry, any drinks and snacks. Approximately £300-£400 per person will be sufficient for the duration of the tour.

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 2. If in the unlikely event there are less than 2 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

English-speaking crew members will be on board your boat with you for any queries that you may have, starting on day 1 in Marmaris and ending back in Marmaris on day 8. They will not accompany you on land - this time will be free to explore each city at your leisure. Airport transfers will be led by an English-speaking driver. Your cruise and excursions are not exclusive to Mercury Holidays and will be shared with other travellers.

Your boat is a gulet - a Turkish wooden sailing boat traditionally used as a fishing and cargo vessel. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs. There is no triple cabin option on this boat.

All meals each day will be served around a large table on the shaded aft deck of the boat. Breakfast served on the boat is continental with lunch and dinner

On your arrival in Dalaman you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Libero who will arrange your transfer and be holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/ Libero representative will show you to your transfer vehicle.

If you need to contact Libero during your stay:

Emergency contact number: +90541 455 86 83

If you need to contact Rota Yachting regarding your cruise during your stay:

Mr Koray Apak - Contact number: 0090 530 970 3825