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Day 1 Bodrum
Situated 20 minutes from its new international airport, Bodrum is
a perfect embarkation or disembarkation port. It has a
sophisticated marina to one side of the main harbour overlooking
the imposing Crusader castle built by the Knights of St. John. The
same castle houses the best underwater archaeological museum in
the Mediterranean and is well worth a visit. Bodrum is the
undisputed 'hot spot' of the Aegean coast and boasts an abundance
of good restaurants, bars and clubs including the world-famous
Halicarnassus discoteque.
Day 2 Mersincik
En route to Mersencik, we anchor at Knidos for lunch and
exploration of the ancient Carian city of Knidos. Famous as a
centre of art and culture in the fourth century B.C., Knidos had
two harbours, one in the Aegean and one in the Mediterranean. The
remains of the temple of Aphrodite overlook these harbours and
there are countless other archaeological remains to feast one's
eyes on. We then sail on to Mersencik, where we anchor in a
usually deserted narrow bay, providing a perfect setting for a
barbeque on board.
Day 3 Hayit Buku
A lovely little bay with good shelter from the Meltemi and with a
hamlet ashore. The setting, with the montains in the background,
is majestic. On the waterfront, Ogun's restaurant has provided
many memorable evenings for hundreds of yachtsmen over the years
and is always a favourite. There are many interesting walks in the
area.
Day 4 Bozukbuku (Loryma)
A large land-locked bay on the Turkishcoast opposite the Greek
island of Rhodes. In the old days this bay was heavily fortified
and the well-preserved citadel and fortifications of Hellenic
origin are proof of the areas past. Today the bay provides a
spectacular setting for watersports and has a couple of small
restaurants on her shores.
Day 5 Ekincik (For Caunus and Dalyan)
A stunning bay overlooked by an excellent restaurant providing
superb meals in a memorable setting. From here a local boat and
guide can be hired in order to travel up the Dalyan delta (where
the 'African Queen' was filmed) and visit the ancient city of the
river trip one should catch sight of some of the many turtles,
herons and kingfishers that abound in this area.
Day 6 Coldwater Bay
Before arriving at Coldwater Bay, we anchore for lunch off Gemiler
Island, where there are the ruins of what must have been a
sizeable Byzantine community. An exploration of the island is well
worth the effort and the ruins include those of several churches,
a covered walkway and many houses, shops, water cisterns etc. A
short sail then takes us to Coldwater Bay (so-named because of the
cold fresh water springs entering the sea here), where there is a
delightful rustic restaurant ashore and the opportunity to take a
very enjoyable hike (45 mins) to the old Greek village of Kaya,
deserted since the 1920's when the population exchange took place.
Day 7 Kalkan (for Xanthos and Patara)
Another village along this coast affected by the population
exchange of 1922, Kalkan nestles in the crease of ahill at the
foot of which is the attractive harbour. It is a scub diving
centre and the ideal port from which to visit the ancient cities
of Xanthos and Patara. Flowers spill from the balconies in Kalkan
and there are numerous restaurants and bars to choose from.
Day 8 Kastellorizon
This delightful Greek Island a short distance from the Turkish
coast is an absolute 'must' to visit. After lunching and spending
the afternoon in the gorgeous anchorage with gin-clear water, we
moor stern-to the quay in the typically Greek village, where one
can visit the local museum and dine at the various waterside
restaurants. A walk up the path to the top of the precipitous
mountain behind the village rewards one with spectacular vistas of
the surrounding islands and the Turkish mainland. Before leaving
the island, we sail down its eastern coast and visit the beautiful
Blu Grotto (said to be better than the one on Capri), which we
enter by dinghy, leaving the yacht outside.
Day 9 Kekova
A beautiful area protected from the sea by Kekova Island and
abundant in the ruins of a Lycian civilisation, some of which are
now under water as the result of a devastating earthquake. The
battlements of a magnificent Crusader fortress stand dramatically
over the village and the views from the castle is magnificent.
Within the castle there is a small theatre and the surounding
slopes are dotted with sarcophagi. A true perspective of the
sunken city can be perceived from this perfect vantage point.
Day 10 Gokkaya
A magnificently remote anchorage amongst a multitude of islands
and inlets with a variety of ancient ruins and a small restaurant
ahsore. A perfect setting for watersports of all kinds.
Day 11 Finike
This town is in the heart of a market gerdening area and is
surrounded by citrus groves. It has a harbour and marina and is a
good base from which to visit the sites at Demre and Myra, where
many splendidly carved rock tombs overlook the magnificent Roman
theatre.
Day 12 Cavus
This large bay surrounded by sandy beaches is a great spot for
watersports and one can also explore the incredible sea caves on
the northern shore. It is a short distance from the ancient city
of Olympus and there are several good restaurants ashore.
Day 13 Kemer
En route to Kemer we stop for lunch at Tekirova, where we anchor
in what used to be one of the harbours of ancient Phaselis. Here,
a few metres from the yacht, are the well preserved ruins of
aqueducts, agoras, baths, a theatre, Hadrian's Gate and an
acropolis. The sheltered bay surrounded by sandy beaches, pine
forests and shaded ruins makes this an unforgettable stopover. At
Kemer we moor in the well equipped marina, which is centrally
placed to all the shops and restaurants.
Day 14 Antalya
Antalya is a large attractive city with shady, palm-lined
boulevards and a modern marina. The old part of the city surrounds
the old harbour and has narrow, winding streets and old wooden
houses about the ancient city walls. The harbour is surrounded by
friendly cafes and restaurants and the many shops in the area sell
everything from antique silverware to carpets. Antalya has two
very good museums and an international airport and is a perfect
place from which to visit the many attractions found close to the
city. These include several national parks, some amazing
waterfalls in different localities, ancient caves (one of which is
the site of the oldest settlement in Turkey) and the ruins of the
ancient city of Termessos, set in a national park on a 3,000ft
high plateau - a wild and splendid landscape.
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