Day 1 - Istanbul
Arrival at Istanbul airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. A short briefing and Welcome Cocktail in the evening. (D)

Day 2 - Istanbul
Following breakfast, we drive to the 'Old City' where we will visit the Hippodrome, The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, the Blue Mosque, famous for its delicate blue ceramic tiles and Saint Sophia. This church - turned mosque - turned museum takes the breath away with the sheer architectural size of its interior and magnificent dome and next we will visit the spectacular Topkapi Palace. Built on one of the seven hills of Istanbul, this huge complex commands views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It was the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire for many centuries (1453-1852) and we will see the extravagant Treasury, the priceless Chinese porcelain. Following our return to the hotel for a quick rest and a change, we will proceed to welcome the evening with dinner at an Istanbul night spot with live music and Belly Dancing. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - Istanbul
Our morning starts with a visit to the aromatic Spice Bazaar, where the smells of cinnamon, cloves and thyme, rise from hundreds of colourful muslin bags at every store-front. We then board our ferry boat for a relaxing cruise along the shores of the legendary Bosphorus, the natural gateway that divides Asia and Europe. As you sit back and enjoy Turkish coffee or well-brewed tea from traditional small cups, numerous summer palaces and palatial homes will pass by on either side. Disembarking at the northern end of the Strait, we proceed to a restaurant for a tasty meal of local fish. Following lunch we will travel by coach to the Suleymaniye Mosque built by master architect Sinan during the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, the Lawgiver. The last stop will be Grand Bazaar which is a most attractive shopping centre and the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops of antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets and leatherwear. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Canakkale (Troy)
After an early breakfast, we will begin our scenic drive down to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles during WW1. Following lunch, we will board a car ferry and cross into Asia at Canakkale and proceed to Troy. Referred to in Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey", Troy has in fact nine cities superimposed one upon another. Troy Vl pertains to the famous Trojan War of Homer where the legendary heroes included Agamemnon, Achilles, Ulysses and Nestor on the Greek side and Priam, Hector and Paris on the Trojan side. We will check-in to our hotel in Canakkale for the evening. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Izmir
On our journey to Izmir we will stop by the hauntingly beautiful Pergamon. Among the impressive structures of this city, dating from 399 BC, we will see the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the 200,000 volume library which was surpassed only by that found in Alexandria at the time. The Asclepieum of Pergamon was a famous health centre where methods of treatment included blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation. Leaving Pergamon behind us we settle at our hotel in Izmir. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Kusadasi
Following an early breakfast we will proceed to the old section of Izmir called Kadife Kale, which was a bastion, built by Alexander the Great when he moved the city to this commanding location over the Bay of Izmir. Heading further south, we will arrive at the ancient city of Ephesus and first visit the Basilica of St. John, who came here with the Virgin Mary and wrote his Gospel. To the southwest of the Basilica stands the Isa Bey Mosque and further in the same direction is the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the world. Ephesus was undoubtedly one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. Impressive structures we will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theatre and Odeon. We will also visit the Museum of Seljuk. Close by is the House of the Virgin Mary where she is believed to have spent her last years. On August 18th, 1961, Pope John XXll proclaimed the House of Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred. You will have a chance to take a phial of Holy Water from the Sacred Spring. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Kusadasi
We will leave early and journey to Priene which is an example of a truly ancient city, whose history dates back to the 10th century B.C. Highlights include the Temple of Athena Polias, the Ecclesiasterium and the Agora. We next visit Miletus where the Philosopher Thales was born. He coined the phrase "Know Thyself". We will inspect the Delphinion, Baths of Faustina and the Council Chamber. Our last visit is to Didyma which served as a religious sanctuary to the god Apollo. The oracular inscriptions date as far back as 600 BC. Among the highlights are the Temple of Apollo and the Stadium. We then return to Kusadasi for the night. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Bodrum (Halicarnassus)

>> Alternative Yacht Tour

Packing our bags for our voyage by yacht, we leave the hotel after breakfast and journey southward to Halicarnassus. According to Herodotus, the city was founded by the Dorians in the 4th century BC, and contains one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the magnificent Mausoleum. A second highlight of Halicarnassus is the Crusader Castle built by the Knights of St. John, which houses a museum today. We board our yacht at Bodrum and spend the evening relaxing. (Please refer to the Sailing section for details on the boat you have just boarded.) (B, L, D)

Day 9 - Bay of Bitez
We pull anchor mid-morning and leave the Bay of Bodrum for the Bay of Bitez. The afternoon is spent free to enjoy watersports, including swimming, windsurfing, fishing canoeing, snorkelling or just sun-tanning. Goggles, flippers, windsurfs, canoe and fishing gear will be available. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - Mersincik
Our yacht will pull anchor around 5.30am, so request a wake-up call if you want to see the sunrise. First, we sail across the Gokova Bay and stop at Cnidus which has a rich history dating back to 400 B.C. Our layover will be at Mersincik, an enchanting spot 3 hours sailing time from Cnidus. (B, L, D)

Day 11 - Seven Islands
We will arrive at beautiful Seven Islands around noon and spend the rest of the day enjoying watersports, sun tanning or hiking. We may picnic on the shore but the decision will rest with the Captain. (B, L, D)

Day 12 - English Port/Cedreae
After pulling anchor, we will sail to the English Port. Half-hour drive away is the lively city of Marmaris, a well-known summer resort bustling with hotels and entertainment spots. You have a choice of enjoying the peace of your yacht or the bustle of the city for the afternoon. We enjoy an evening meal on deck. (B, L, D)

Day 13 - Tuzla
Before we journey to Tuzla we will anchor at Cedreae, the famous site of Cleopatra's Beach. Mark Anthony dedicated this shore to Queen Cleopatra, but after she complained that it lacked sand, he ordered his ships to Alexandria and return with as much sand as possible. The same sand still remains today. From Cedreae a never-failing perfect breeze will unfurl our sails and carry us to Tuzla where we drop anchor for the night. (B, L, D)

Day 14 - Ciftlik
We will pull anchor early in the morning for the return trip across Gokova Bay and anchor at Ciftlik for a relaxing day. Your sun-tan should be perfect by now! (B, L, D)

Day 15 - Bodrum (Halicarnassus)
We must make sure we are packed in the morning as we will be arriving back in Bodrum by 2pm. After disembarking from our 'Blue Voyage" and saying a sad goodbye to our Captain and crew we drive by coach to Izmir and then to Istanbul by plane. (B, L, D)

Day 16
Transfer and flight home. (B)


Alternative Yacht Tour

Day 8 - Marmaris
We will leave the hotel after breakfast and drive to Marmaris with lunch en route. In the afternoon we embark on our yachts and settle down for a relaxing dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 9 - Yalanci
We sail for the Bay of Yalanci where we will stop for an afternoon of watersports and sunbathing. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - Ekincik
Leaving early in the morning, we first sail to Delikada and following lunch here, go ashore to visit Caunus to see the Lycian Rock Tombs dating back to the 6th century BC We stay overnight at Port of Ekincik. (B, L, D)

Day 11 - Fethiye
Departure for Fethiye and, after four hours of sailing, we arrive at the Bay of Fethiye, an exquisite bay rimmed with pine-tree hills. The famous sunken baths are visited before an enjoyable afternoon of watersports and sunbathing. (B, L, D)

Day 12 - Fethiye
Sailing across the Bay of Fethiye, we anchor near the city proper for some free time wandering around the shops and cafes of this small fishing village. The afternoon is devoted to watersports and the art of relaxing. (B, L, D)

Day 13 - Bay of Aga
Departure for the Bay of Aga where we will anchor for an afternoon of leisure. (B, L, D)

Day 14 - Kadirga
Sailing to Bay of Kadirga and anchoring for a day of total relaxation. Tonight might be a good time to pack your bags if you don't want a last minute rush tomorrow. (B, L, D)

Day 15 - Marmaris
We arrive back in Marmaris in the early afternoon and disembark for our drive to Dalaman for our flight to Istanbul. (B, L, D)

Day 16
Transfer and flight home. (B)