Turkey
TURKEY HAS A FASCINATING HISTORY AND IS AT THE CROSSROADS OF MAJOR ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS. BORDERED BY THE BLACK SEA, THE AEGEAN AND MEDITERRANEAN SEAS, TURKEY IS A FABULOUS YACHT CHARTER DESTINATION ▪▪▪
Partly lying between Eastern Europe and Asia, Turkey has always been at the crossroads of major ancient civilizations.
Neolitic sites dating back to 8.500 years ago have been discovered in Western Anatolia. The Hittites, the Frygians, the Persians, the Greek, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans have all left their mark on a rich and complex cultural heritage.
Turkey’s fascinating history, geographical diversity and beauty attract visitors from all over the world – a modern country deeply attached to its traditions in a very unique way.
Traveling to Turkey is easy. The new Istanbul Airport was officially inaugurated in October 2019 and is a global aviation hub connecting all regions of Turkey. It is spectacular in terms of capacity, architecture and design.
Formerly Bizantium, then Constaninople, Istanbul has been the capital of three empires and is one of the most fascinating cities on the planet.
It has inspired various novels such as Joseph Kanon’s Istanbul Passage, The Sultan’s seal by Jenny Whites, Baudolino by Umberto Eco, The Sultan of Byzantium by Selcuk Altun and The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk.
Istanbul is also featured in Agatha Christie’s novel and movie Murder on the Orient Express, three James Bond’s films (Skyfall, The world is not enough, From Russia with love), in Tassos Boulmetis’ A touch of spice (Politiki Kouzina).
Among Istanbul’s highlights not to be missed: Aghia Sophia (a 6th century Byzantine basilic that became an Ottoman mosque in 1453, and is a museum nowadays), the Topkaki Ottoman Sultans palace, the Süleymaniye mosque and the Sultanhamet mosque. The Sultan Hamet mosque is situated on top of a hill, next to Haghia Sophia. It was built between 1609 and 1616 by Architect Mehmet Agä ; its remarkable architecture is a mixture of Arabic architecture with byzantine elements. It has five main domes, eight secondary domes and six minarets and is known as the Blue Mosque because of the hand-painted blue tiles adorning its interior. The Dolmabahce, Beylerbeyi, Yildiz Palaces located on the shores of the Bosphorous are also worth visiting as well as the Istanbul Mosaic Museum, the Istanbul Archeology Museum, the Istanbul Carpet Museum and Modern Art museum.
Istanbul, a legendary stopover on the Silk Road, is famous for having one of the oldest (built 1455-1456) and largest covered markets in the world: the Grand Bazaar, landmark of the city with over 4,000 shops where you can find almost anything from spices and food, to carpet, glasswere, pottery, leather, fabrics, gold, stones, jewelry…
In Taksim, you will find lots of cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants. Its vibrant atmosphere makes it a great place for nightlife.
Istanbul has a population of over 15 million inhabitants.
Since 2005, it hosts a Formula 1 race, the Turkish Grand Prix held at the Istanbul Park circuit, approximately 45 km Southwest of the city.
A sunset Bosphorous cruise is a quintessential experience to grasp the charm of this mesmerizing metropolis stretching over two continents.
Situated at the entrance of the Bosphorous strait that connects to the Black Sea, Istanbul has a strategic location on the Sea of Marmara (an inland sea completely landlocked by Turkey) linked to the Aegean sea via the Dardanelles Strait.
Unsurprisingly, Turkey has a long maritime tradition which it has enjoyed throughout the centuries and now is experiencing a flourishing boat industry.
The Turkish traditional for two or three-masted wooden sailing yachts, called gulets, have reached an unprecedented level of comfort and luxury to meet the requirements of a demanding charter industry.
Indeed, Turkey is today the world third largest builder of superyachts with prestigious shipyards like Turquoise Yachts / Proteksan, Akyachts, Bilgin Yachts, RMK Marine.
CRUISING IN TURKEY
The Turkish peninsula is bordered by the black sea on the north, the Aegean Sea to the west with 2.805 km coastline and by the Mediterranean Sea to the south with 1.695km coastline.
Thinking of a yacht charter in Turkey, please contact Blue-Trend: The Yachting Specialist ▪▪▪
THE TURKISH RIVIERA
The Turkish Riviera or Turquoise Coast spans from Cesme to Alanya.
The charter activity starts in April and finishes in October.
A yacht charter in Southern Turkey is a unique combination of turquoise waters, sandy beaches, secluded bays, pine forests, luxuriant nature, scenic fishing villages, traditional markets and bazaars, flavours and fragrances, ancient sites, modern and luxury resorts, well-equipped marinas, terraced waterfronts, oriental and contemporary music, vibrant night life.
From Dalaman airport, It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Göcek, a natural harbour lying at the head of the Gulf of Fethiye, originally a small seaside village for fishermen and orchards surrounded by the Taurus mountains pine forests.
With six luxury marinas, some of which can accommodate superyachts, Göcek has become a favourite destination for yachtsmen and celebrities alike.
Göcek looks over a series of islands and hidden bays, which makes it a very interesting cruising area.Verdant hills and mountains descend steeply to rock-strewn and pebbled shores. Tiny coves, picturesque anchorages and narrow inlets are ideal for yachts to shelter.
A few nautical miles off Göcek lie the Yassica archipelago, formed of 5 small uninhabited islands covered with pine and olive trees, separated from each other by unique narrow straits. These islands used to be connected, as can be seen from submerged ruins.
The Yassica archipelago islands are great for snorkeling, diving and water sports.
The largest island has a lagoon and sandy beaches that small children will love.
Another popular place to visit is Hammam Bay, opposite Tersane island which is the largest island in the bay of Fethyie. This cove surrounded by pine trees is also known as Cleopatra Bath due to remaining ruins of a bath house.
Even though the Western shores of the Bay of Fethiye have more to offer in terms of scenic anchorages, it may be worth going east to discover Ölüdeniz – dea sea in Turkish – known for its blue lagoon with calm and crystalline waters and for being a paragliding paradise.
NATURAL BEAUTIES AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
Other natural beauties await you ashore.
From Ölüdeniz, Fethiye or Göcek, it is possible to take a private tour inland to Salda Lake and Pamukkale.
Salda Lake is known as the Turkish Maldives for its tropical-like atmosphere with hundred shades of turquoise blue and white ; its water rich in minerals and magnesium is considered to have healing virtues.
Pamukkale – cotton castle in Turkish – also known as Cleopatra’s pool was listed a Unesco World Site Heritage along with the nearby ancient city of Hierapolis. Pamukkale’s remarkable terrace landscape of hot thermal pools is considered to be thousands years old.
In the 2nd century BC the kings of Pergamon established Hierapolis – the sacred city. Under Roman rule, Hierapolis became a thriving thermal city.
In the 2nd and 3rd century A.D., visitors flocked from all over the Empire to bathe in the hot thermal waters of Hierapolis to benefit from their healing properties. Some chose Hierapolis as their final resting place as testified by a necropolis of over 1000 stone coffins.
Hierapolis was destroyed by an earthquake in 60 A.D.
The ruins of the baths that could accommodate up to 1000 people, the temple of Apollo, the necropolis and the theater with a capacity of over 8.000 people are a testimony of this glorious past.
West of Hierapolis, is another major archeological site: Aphrodisias named after the Hellenic goddess of love and beauty Aphrodite.
The cult of Aphrodite aggregated that of an archaic Anatolian fertility goddess and was the most important in this cosmopolitan city located near grey and white marble quarries and renowned for its School of Sculpture.
The perfection and beauty of portrait busts and statues from Aphrodiasias were highly valued in the whole of the Roman empire.
Aphrodisias was inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage Centre List in 2017.
The site comprises the temple of Aphrodite, the marble quarries, the theater, the agora, an auditorium, the public baths, the stadium and a museum.
THE DATCA PENINSULA – THE BAY OF EKINCIK – THE DALYAN DELTA
Following these shore excursions, a relaxing evening swim and moonlight dinner in the bay of Ekincik is delightful.
Ekincik is close to Iztuzu beach, which forms a natural barrier between the Mediterranean and the Dalyan delta – a major nesting site for the carretta turtles. A private river boat can take you up the Dalyan river to admire the 400 BC old Lycian cliff rock tombs with colonnaded portals, visit the ancient city of Kaunos and swim in the Koucegiz lake.
35nm west of Ekincik is the protected bay of Loryma, ideal for watersports, swimming and snorkelling.
For those who like nature, it is a real enjoyment to cruise along the unspoilt forested coastline of the Bozborun and of the Datça penisula.
Do not miss the small fishing village of Selimiye in the golf of Hisarönü, the old village of Datça with its cobbled streets, stoned houses covered with bright bougainvillae and stroll around Kumluk Yolu seashore cafes and restaurants. Also renowned for its fine honey and a unique endemic variety of almonds, Datca also has a vineyard and winery,
Located at the tip of the Datca peninsula where the Mediterranean meets with the Aegean, lies the 2,600-year-old city of Knidos known in the antiquity for its art, science, culture and school of doctors, as well as for its Aphroditis statue, one of the first life-sized representation of a nude female statue in Greek history.
A yacht charter can finish, or start in Bodrum, one of the most elegant european style resorts in Turkey.
Home to one of the seven wonders of the world (the Mausaleum of Halicarnissus), Bodrum is also famous for the Castle of St Peter that hosts the Museum of Underwater Archeology. Approximately 160 km from Bodrum, lies another of the seven wonders of the world: the temple of Artemis in the ancient city of Ephesus, a Unesco World Heritage Centre, since 2015. Even though little remains of the Artemisium sacred temple, there is a lot to see in the ancient port city of Ephesus: the Celsus Library, the temple of Adrian, the terraces houses, the scholastica baths, the marble street, … the Ephesus museum.
The port city of Bodrum is a popular seaside summer destination with a charming old town, terraced waterfront, beaches, marinas, a picturesque vegetable and food market, a fish market, museum and monuments, coffee shops, restaurants, night clubs.
The Bodrum peninsula, the gem of the Turkish Riviera boasts over 20 bays, each with its own towns and villages which are full of character, a true paradise for yachtsmen.
The brand new sophisticated Yalikavak marina, the exclusive Turkbükü bay area with its beach clubs, fine restaurants and boutique hotels attract the well-to-do Turks, movie stars and wealthy foreign visitors. It is therefore known as the Turkish St Tropez.
A yacht charter in the Bodrum peninsula combines crystal clear waters, beautiful anchorages, beach clubs, fine restaurants, exclusive resorts, history, traditions, exquisite lifestyle and a vibrant night life.
Flavours and Tastes of Turkey
As Turkey has been at the crossroads of different civilizations, Istanbul being a major stop in the Silk Road for caravans heading east and west, Turkish cuisine has not only integrated various culinary cultures but is nowadays revisited and reinterpreted by a generation of young talented chefs.
Turkey’s rich culinary heritage may be summurized as follows:
Ottoman Palace food, Istanbul mix Armenian / Greek food, Anatolian food and Black sea food.
When on a yacht charter on the Turkish riviera, try some of the traditional Turkish dishes:
Turkish Kebabs & Meats (Iskender Kebab, Sis Kebab, Doner…), Manti (Turkish Mini Ravioli), Mezes (Turkish Appetizers), Pide & Lahmacun (Turkish Style Pizza), Dolma (Traditional Vegetarian Delicacy), Fresh Fishes & Sea Foods
It goes without saying that you should try a Turkish coffee with cardamon and Turkish apple tea and taste the delicious Baklava and Kunefe cakes and Turkish Delights.
Wines and liqueurs
Raki, an alcoholic drink made of grapes and anise is a traditional drink that goes with meze.
In addition, as evidenced by archeological findings, Turkey also has a long wine history to the delight of fine wine connoisseurs.
Renowned Turkish wines include Nero d’Avolo Urla Karasi (red), Vinolus Syra (red), Anfora Kalecik Karasi (red), Mon Rêve Chardonnay-Chenin Blanc (white).There even are some rosé wines produced in the Izmir area, such as the Pasaeli made of Çalkarasi grapes.
On top of archeological private tours, why not enjoy a wine tasting experience along your charter itinerary:
Izmir : Pasaeli, Urla, Sevilen Izaby, Arkas
Bodrum : Karnas
Datça : Datça vineyard and winery
Kusadasi : Bilgeler
Istanbul : Barbare, Château Kalpak, Tekirdag, Covus, Bozcaada
If Turkey is your next charter destination… feel free to contact Blue-Trend, your yachting specialist ▪▪▪
We will be delighted to send you a selection of the best charter yachts cruising in Turkey for your dates.