Turkey

Turkey is one of the most impressive cruising grounds in the Eastern Mediterranean. The aqua-green waters are crystal- clear, the ports are filled with exotic shopping bazaars, and the coastline is home to the ruins of ancient civilization.

Charters can include walking amid amphitheaters that are thousands of years old on the same day that you swim in a private cove and sample a dinner featuring local raki and kebobs. Even better, because Turkey remains an up-and- coming charter destination, the value that you can get for your yacht vacation investment is truly outstanding.

*As a reminder-sample itinerary listed below is intended to give you a general idea of what to expect. Your actual itinerary will be based on your specific preferences and weather conditions for the time of your charter.

Day 1: Göcek to Fethiye

• 14 nautical miles
• About an hour and a half aboard a yacht that cruises at 10 knots
• A little more than two hours aboard a sailing yacht that cruises at 6 knots

Göcek

Fethiye Gemiler Island

Xanthos

Kalkan

• In the Bay of Fethiye, your charter yacht can anchor in a secluded spot for lunch with beautiful views of the shoreline and surrounding mountains. Spend the after- noon napping, sunbathing, or snorkeling before dinner under the stars.

Day 2: Fethiye to Gemiler Island

• 10 nautical miles
• One hour aboard a yacht that cruises at 10 knots
• Just shy of two hours aboard a sailing yacht that cruises at 6 knots
• Depart Gemiler Island in your yacht’s tender to meet a private car and tour guide ashore. Travel to the historic ruins at Xanthos, where you can walk in an excavated amphitheater as if you were a gladiator from pre-Roman times. Return to the shoreline at Kalkan and meet your charter yacht’s tender in time for dinner.

Day 3: Kalkan

• 0 nautical miles
• Awake with plenty of time to explore Kalkan, where mass tourism has yet to arrive. Me- ander the narrow stone streets amid painted-white stone homes that date to the Greek and Ottoman cultures. Bargain for a handmade rug or wooden backgammon set.

• 10 nautical miles

Days 4 and 5: Kalkan to Kekova Island, Myra, and Kaleköy

• One hour aboard a yacht that cruises at 10 knots
• Just shy of two hours aboard a sailing yacht that cruises at 6 knots
• Snorkel over the remains of the Lycian civilization, stepping past impres- sive sarcophagi and stone archways as you make your way into the water. Visit the church where Saint Nicholas once preached during his years as a bishop. Climb stone steps to the top of an ancient fortress.

Day 6: Kekova Island to Kas

• 11 nautical miles
• About an hour aboard a yacht that cruises at 10 knots
• Just shy of two hours aboard a sailing yacht that cruises at 6 knots
• Haggle for unique souvenirs in Kas, a small but cosmopolitan town that caters to upscale tourists. Find handmade clothing, one-of-a-kind rugs, and pil- lowcases. Stop at the local spice market for fistfuls of Turkish saffron and pistachios.

Day 7: Kas to Gemiler Island

• 20 nautical miles
• Two hours aboard a yacht that cruises at 10 knots
• About three and a half hours aboard a sailing yacht that cruises at 6 knots
• Climb in the footsteps of Saint Nicholas, who lived on GemilerIsland for a time. Walk through the remains of stone archways and tunnels, and learn how Saint Nicholas once tossed bags of coins atop the rooftops of poor people (no reindeer involved).

Day 8: Gemiler Island to Gocek

• 30 nautical miles
• About three hours aboard a yacht that cruises at 10 knots
• About five hours aboard a sailing yacht that cruises at 6 knots
• Spend the day swimming and snorkeling at anchor, or go ashore for last-minute souvenirs. It’s only a 20-minute drive to the airport for your flight to Istanbul.