Group Size: 20-40 guests
Price: $9,990 per adult (18+) double occupancy / $8,990 per child (7-17) double occupancy / $12,990 single occupancy / $400 discount for the 3rd person in triple accommodations (hotels only—there is no triple occupancy on the gulets)
Trip Overview
From its importance as the western terminus of the great Silk Road to its key political and cultural influence in the Eastern Mediterranean from the time of the Ottoman’s and Byzantine world, Türkiye continues to be an important player at the crossroads of civilizations. Examine the country’s ancient and modern treasures, from the magnificent Blue Mosque in Istanbul to the Greco-Roman site of Ephesus, to its exciting cosmopolitan art enclaves. Then cruise the Mediterranean’s Turquoise Coast in privately chartered gulet yachts for five nights—with swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and a full youth program on board.*
Travelers will also have the option of a four-night post-trip extension in Cappadocia and Ankara.
*The youth program will be determined by actual ages of registered guests and may include such activities as: keeping a journey log, knot-tying lessons, felt making, ancient and modern history, sea songs, and backgammon (a favorite table game in Türkiye)
Schedule by Day
Pricing
- $9,990 per adult double occupancy
- $8,990 per child 7 - 17 double occupancy
- $12,990 per person single occupancy
- $400 discount for the 3rd person in a triple occupancy hotel room (no triple cabins on the gulets)
Accommodations
- Three nights at the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus (or similar)
- Five nights aboard a private gulet (traditional wooden sailboat): This traditional motorized Turkish schooner has cabins with two-person capacity, a private bathroom and a hot water shower. You will stay on one of three gulets chartered for our group during the five night cruise. These teak boats have 8 cabins with a maximum of sixteen persons per gulet and are beautifully decorated with mahogany paneling throughout. Amenities include a dining area complete with a long table and chairs, cushioned foredeck for comfortable lounging, TV, CD player and refrigerator. With a friendly crew (usually four) to pamper you throughout and a chef who prepares delicious meals, your family will feel well taken care of as you cruise along the Turquoise Coast. Though a traditional sailboat, the gulet uses a motor to travel through waters on this itinerary.
- One night at the Elvino Hotel in Bodrum (or similar)
- Two nights at the Elite World Hotel Kusadasi (or similar)
Extensions
Optional Post-Tour Extension to Cappadocia & Ankara (July 6 - 10, 2025)
- $3,690 per person double occupancy
- $850 single supplement
What to Expect
This is a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy. The schedule will include some long days, with early wake-ups and activities scheduled throughout the day and into the evening. Participants should be fit and in active good health. Walking tours can last as long as three hours, covering up to two miles on some days, often in the warm sun with intermittent shade. Much of the walking will take place at archaeological sites, often on hilly and uneven terrain, and in older quarters, where streets are often cobblestoned. Some buildings do not have elevators, and you may occasionally encounter stairways without handrails. Travel will be by modern air-conditioned motorcoach with a couple of longer bus rides of up to 2 ½ hours on the main tour and one 4 ½ hour bus ride on the Cappadocia and Ankara extension.
On the gulet cruise, there are daily shore excursions lasting two to three hours. On some days the shore excursions can require up to two hours of walking, often over loose rocks and uneven terrain where stairs are unavailable or do not have handrails, and standing, often in the warm sun. Travel from the ship to the landing sites will be in small skiffs. For these shore excursions, travelers, with assistance from the ship’s crew, must be able to step from the ship to the skiff and vice versa, and the water can sometimes be choppy. There will be wet landings where you step off the skiff into the water and walk a short distance through shallow water to shore. During the shore excursions there will be opportunities to hike, kayak, swim, and snorkel. The degree of difficulty will be described in daily briefings, and all activities are optional, so each traveler may choose the activity level that best suits his or her ability. In the evening the gulets will anchor near each other and when conditions permit they will be tied up to each other so that it is possible to go from one gulet to another. There is air conditioning in the gulet cabins but it is only turned on in the evenings when the gulets are anchored.
This promises to be a memorable journey, but as with all travel, a spirit of adventure, a flexible attitude, and a willingness to explore new areas will enhance your enjoyment of this program. You do not have to participate in all the scheduled activities, except when traveling to the next destination. We are sure you will be pleased with the exciting educational program provided; however, it is important that you understand the pace and activity level in advance.
