How to do a Cruise along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast

Turkey Sailing and Cruising: From Istanbul to the Turquoise Coast Summer is fast approaching here in Vermont, which makes for the perfect time for thinking about taking to the water. Yes, we have our beautiful Lake Champlain which offers some nice boating opportunities, but I’m thinking of something much grander in scale – cruising Turkey’s famous Turquoise Coast. The Turkish Riviera (also known popularly as the Turquoise Coast) is a term used to define an area of southwest Turkey encompassing Antalya, Muğla and to a lesser extent the provinces of Aydın, southern İzmir and western Mersin. The combination of a favorable climate, warm sea, more than a thousand kilometers of shoreline along the Aegean and Mediterranean waters, and abundant natural and archeological points of interest makes this stretch of Turkey’s coastline a popular national and international tourist destination. Among the archeological points of interest are two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the ruins of the Mausoleum of Maussollos in Halicarnassus and the remains of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, which can still be seen today. The Riviera is also the home for the internationally-known Blue Voyage, which allows guests to enjoy a weeklong trip on Gulets to ancient cities, harbors, tombs, mausolea and intimate beaches in the numerous small coves, lush forests and streams that lace the Turquoise Coast. The coastline is further regarded as a cultural trove that provides a fascinating mixture of factual and mythological individuals, conflicts and events, and has frequently been referred to in the folklore of various cultures throughout history. As such, it is regarded as the home of scholars, saints, warriors, kings, and heroes, as well as the site of numerous well-known myths. Mark Anthony of the Roman Empire is said to have picked the Turkish Riviera as the most beautiful wedding gift for his beloved Cleopatra of Egypt. St. Nicholas, later known as Santa Claus, was born in Demre (ancient Myra), a small town close to present-day Antalya. Herodotus, accepted as the father of History, was born in Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) in ca. 484 BC. The volcanic mountains to the west of Antalya, near Dalyan, are believed to have been the inspiration for the mythical Chimera – the firebreathing monster that Bellerophon slew. A little inland are the trees of the gardens of Daphne, where the nymph was believed to have been turned into a laurel by her father Peneus to escape the amorous advances of Apollo. Care to cruise the Turquoise Coast? Here’s a short video (1.5 minutes) that will give you a better idea of the experience. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAgQhgPjjeE There is nothing like travel to revitalize your spirit and renew your wonder in a world where there is still much to discover. Enjoy the diversity of this unique country – cruising on a gorgeous teak yacht, exploring beautiful coves and hidden villages, visiting dramatic ruins and volcanic landscape, and indulge in delightful cuisine. We’ll look forward to meeting you on a Boundless Journeys adventure, and hopefully you will join us in Turkey for a cruise along the Turquoise Coast, this September 8-20!