Sail Week and Cappadocia

We will sail to Aquarium Bay early morning, known for its clear waters and peaceful natural beauty. Next, we will head to Hidayet Bay; here, you will have optional Scuba Diving available, Turkey's best diving region.

Kas Night-Out: We will visit Kas tonight for a night out and to see the city. Kas has a rich history dating back to the Lycian era; it offers a blend of historical charm and contemporary allure and a beautiful ancient village full of cafes, souvenir shops, and good nightlife. 

Sights:

Aquarium Bay, Hidayet Bay, Antiphellos in Kas, Kas

Highlights/Activities:

Scuba Diving in Kas 90 €, Party in Kas

Today, Sail to the ruins of the Sunken City, once part of the village across from us but destroyed in an earthquake in the 2nd century. You'll see submerged houses and the town underwater. Next, we will head to Simena Castle and hike to the top, which has indescribably awe-inspiring panoramic views, hospitable Turkish villagers, a heart-pumping workout, and Byzantine-era ruins to create an authentic experience and the best homemade ice creams.

Then, we will head to Burc Bay, a stunning bay perfect for paddle-boarding, and visit the ruins after a small hike.

Sights:

Sunken City, Simena Castle, Burc Bay

Highlights/Activities:

Trying Homemade Dried Fig Ice Cream at Simena Castle

Extra Fees (Museum Card Covers):

Simena Castle 4 €

After enjoying breakfast, we will head to Karemlik Turtles Bay for Breakfast, where you can swim with the Turtles! Then head to Demre port.

Guided Bus Tour: Once we arrive at the port, you will continue your Journey by bus to St. Nicholas Church in the city centre of Demre, where you will have free time for lunch (lunch is not included today). Then we head to the Ancient city of Myra, one of the 6 big cities of the Lycian League, dating back to 2.500 years. Myra is especially famous for its Lycian-Era rock tombs.

Smugglers Island Night-out: In the late afternoon, we will head to Gokkaya Bay for the night, a magnificent bay surrounded by multiple tiny isles. We will meet our other gulets tonight at Island of Smugglers Inn, a unique rustic nightclub in the middle of nowhere.

Sights:

Karemlik Bay Turtles Bay, Myra, St. Nicholas Church, Demre, Gokkaya, Smugglers Inn

Highlights/Activities:

Swim With Turtles, Bus Tour, Myra, St. Nicholas Church Tour, Party at Smugglers Inn

Extra Fees (Museum Card Covers):

Myra 13 €, St. Nicholas Church 17 €

Aperlai Lost City Hike: This morning, you will have the chance to go hiking to the Aperlai ruins. It is a great flat walk, and in the end, fascinating sites and views will make you feel like you have discovered a lost city. We will walk through Lycian ruins, including numerous tombs that all fell or were wrecked after several earthquakes and are still relatively untouched and unrestored.

Later, you will cruise on to Heybeli Island, a Turkish island next to Castereliszo (Meis), for a swim break, then on to Firnaz Aquarium Bay, where you will anchor down for the afternoon and evening, allowing plenty of time for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxation.

Sights:

Aperlai ruins, Heybeli Island, Firnaz Bay

Highlights/Activities:

Hiking to Aperlai

We will cruise early, and you will wake up to breathtaking views of Butterfly Valley for breakfast, swim, and hike up to the waterfall. Butterfly Valley is a spectacular gorge surrounded by cliff faces. A large, multi-tiered waterfall flows down the steep limestone cliff into the back of the valley. The bay spans 86,000 sqm and is reputedly home to over 100 species of butterflies. Butterfly Valley Cove is surrounded by cliffs reaching 350m high, with a waterfall pouring down the back canyon wall.

Guided Bus Tour: After Butterfly Valley, we will take a bus to Gemiler Beach, where we will continue our journey to Kayakoy Village, also known as the Ghost Town. This abandoned Greek village is now a breathtaking open-air museum featuring about 500 preserved houses and three churches, all remarkable examples of Gothic architecture, with only the bare walls remaining.

Sights:

Butterfly Valley, Gemiler Beach, Kayakoy Village (Ghost Town)

Highlights/Activities:

Strolling Through Butterfly Valley, Bus Tour, Hiking in Kayakoy Ghost Town

Extra Fees ( Museum Card Covers):

Kayakoy Village 3 €

After breakfast, we will sail to Samanlik Bay for swimming before heading back to Fethiye Harbour. Around noon, we will disembark in Fethiye and be transferred to the hotel. Then, for the rest of the day, you will have time for leisure.

Sights:

Samanlik Bay

Highlights/Activities:

Swimming in Samanlik Bay

Today, we will continue to visit the Saklikent Gorge Canyon. The gorge is one of the longest and most impressive in Turkey. Cold water flows into the canyon, while the imposing mountains create a spectacular atmosphere. You can walk into the gorge and uncover its secrets during your exploration. If you're looking for some excitement, consider trying river tubing in the refreshing waters of the canyon. Additionally, if you are interested, you can swim in the cold water of the canyon to refresh yourself. We will then continue to Pamukkale, where we will be staying overnight.

Sights:

Saklikent Gorge

Highlights/Activities:

Canyoning in Saklikent Gorge, River Tubing

Extra Fees (Museum Card Covers):

Saklikent Gorge 40 TL

Today, we are scheduled to visit Pamukkale, also known as the "cotton castle" in Turkish. Pamukkale is a natural site renowned for its hot springs and travertine terraces formed by carbonate minerals deposited by flowing water. Visitors have the opportunity to indulge in the rejuvenating experience of bathing in its pools or explore the distinctive natural landscape. Following our visit to Pamukkale, we will proceed to Cappadocia, where we will have the chance to immerse ourselves in the breathtaking Turkish scenery and traverse through charming small towns and villages. Upon our arrival, we will complete the check-in process at the hotel and have some leisure time to unwind before embarking on our exploration of Cappadocia the following day.

Sights:

Pamukkale (hot springs, travertine terraces)

Highlights/Activities:

Bathing in Pamukkale Hot Springs

Extra Fees (Museum Card Covers):

Pamukkale 30 €

Get ready for an early start as we have the option to enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the beautiful landscapes and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Alternatively, if you prefer a more relaxed morning, you can start your day with a leisurely breakfast. 

We will embark on a journey to explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Goreme and visit significant landmarks, including the Goreme Museum, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar, and Cavusin. In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to visit local handicraft manufacturers and gain insight into traditional art forms. Additionally, you are invited to attend an optional Turkish night event this evening, providing an opportunity for cultural immersion and entertainment.

Sights:

Goreme Museum, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar, Cavusin

Highlights/Activities:

Birdwatching in Pigeon Valley, Exploring the Fairy Chimnyes

Extra Fees (Museum Card Covers):

Goreme Museum 20 €

In the morning, we will explore Derinkuyu Underground City, an extraordinary subterranean complex encompassing a church, wells, food stores, and stables, all situated 60 meters below ground. Next, we will continue our journey to Salt Lake, or Tuz Golu, a white/pink (depending on the time of year) salt kale that you may have seen on Instagram posts; situated in central Turkey and is renowned for its vast salt deposits and unique ecosystems. It is an essential habitat for various bird species, particularly during migration. The lake's striking white landscape and pink hues from salt-loving microorganisms make it a popular spot for photography and tourism. Following this visit, we will proceed to Istanbul, with an expected late evening arrival.

Sights:

Derinkuyu Underground City, Salt Lake

Highlights/Activities:

Exploring Derinkuyu Underground City, Sightseeing in Salt Lake

Extra Fees (Museum Card Covers):

Derinkuyu Underground City 13 €

Breakfast and check out. Sadly, it's the end of the tour. Today is the time to say farewell to your new friends with lifetime memories.