The Turquoise Coast

Sunny skies, a warm, translucent turquoise sea, a magical yacht, great hikes each day, and the glorious treasures of the Greek, Byzantine, and Roman worlds—this idyllic journey has it all! Join us for the ultimate experience of Turkey’s exquisite coast as we hike to remote ruins, visit tiny seaside villages, savor Turkey’s renowned cuisine, lunch with a farm family in a beautiful valley, and swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, with a classic wooden yacht as our delightful home base. Traveling by traditional Turkish gulet is a heavenly way to soak up the beauty of the Turquoise Coast, and we’ve honed this enchanting itinerary to perfection. Our journey is flawlessly paced, and our Turkish Trip Leaders are engaging, energetic, and knowledgeable traveling companions who introduce us to the best hiking trails and bring the world of the ancients to life. Our journey begins and ends in fabulous Istanbul, fabled capital of Byzantium and home to the Topkapi Palace, for four centuries the bejeweled residence of the sultans.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Istanbul (Eastbound)

In Istanbul, heart of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires, we visit treasures like the magnificent Haghia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Basilica Cisterns, with lunch at the wonderful Topkapi Palace overlooking the Bosphorus. One evening we enjoy a sunset cruise on a private boat along the European and Asiatic shores of the Bosphorus to see the famed silhouette of Istanbul’s skyline.

Days 3-5
Ephesus / Marmaris / Kaunos / Ekincik Bay

Ephesus is the remarkably well-preserved Roman city where Marc Antony romanced Cleopatra and St. Paul preached. Here we stroll the marble-paved Arcadian Way and feel transported to the glory days of Roman times before boarding our comfortable, elegant gulet in Marmaris. Setting off on our voyage along the coast, we thread the reedy inlets of the Dalyan River to Kaunos, where we explore this ancient harbor city of Greek temples, Roman baths, and even a Byzantine church.

Days 6-7
Lydae / Fethiye

From a secluded cove, we hike across a peninsula to the hidden Roman ruins of Lydae, accessible only on foot. Cruising to the bay of Batik Hamam, we enjoy an afternoon swim among half-sunken ruins called “Cleopatra’s Sunken Baths.” At Fethiye, we hike among Lycian rock tombs that were carved into a cliff face in the 4th century BC.

Days 8-10
Kaya Koy / Kalkan / Xanthos / Patara / Kas

Our yacht brings us to Gemiler Island, where we hike up to the striking Byzantine ruins tucked amid the olive trees. We have time to swim, snorkel, and kayak along the island before a hike to the eerie Greek ghost town of Kaya Koy, abandoned in 1924. Later, we meet local farmers in a lovely rural valley, explore the Lycian ruins at Xanthos, visit Patara, birthplace of St. Nicholas, and stroll around the lively harbor and fishing village of Kas, with its Roman amphitheater and countless kilims on display.

Days 11-16
Aperlae / Myra / Chimaera / Antalya / Termessos / Istanbul

At Aperlae we snorkel above ruins long buried by the sea, explore the rock-cut tombs at ancient Myra, hike to the legendary eternal flames of Chimaera, and visit the ruins of Olympos, surrounded by a forest of bay laurel trees, and the ancient city of Phaselis. From Antalya, we explore haunting Termessos, an immense acropolis set in the mountains. Depart Istanbul on Day 16. Join our Cappadocia or Inside Istanbul Extension either before or after the trip.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 2+, Easy to Moderate. It is a relaxed cruising adventure, with hikes that should be “easy-to-moderate” for the average active traveler. The hikes are a focus of the trip, often bringing us to small villages or off-the-beaten-path ruins accessible only on foot. All hikes are optional, should you prefer to relax on board the yacht. We usually have seven hikes during the trip, 2 to 4 hours each, all with some uphill and downhill walking. Several hikes are of moderate difficultly, following coastal paths that can be steep and rocky. Even if you choose not to participate in the optional hikes, most visits to archaeological sites require walking or hiking on sometimes rocky, uneven paths. For your enjoyment of the trip, you should be a fit walker and bring lightweight hiking boots. Being able to swim is important on any boating trip, and the warm waters make this an ideal trip for those who like to swim and snorkel. To ensure an enjoyable adventure in Turkey, you should make a special effort to be in good physical condition by engaging in a regular exercise regimen before the trip.

The yachts we use for our Turquoise Coast program are the finest in Turkey. Traditional wooden motor-sailers called gulets (pronounced “GOO-lets”), they are typically 90 feet in length with a 21-foot beam, which makes them wonderfully stable and comfortable for cruising. They are twin masted, with teak hulls and decks and mahogany interiors. There are six two-person cabins, each with private toilet and shower. Sheets and a small towel are provided, but bring your own personal towel for swimming. To maximize time for exploration, we normally proceed under motor power. When conditions permit, and at the captain’s discretion, sails will be raised. Air conditioning is generally not used all night, even though the boats are equipped with it. It’s noisy, runs off the generator, and is usually inefficient. Air conditioning will be run for 3-4 hours at night. Many trip members enjoy sleeping out on the deck under the stars for fresh air. This is not a luxury cruise aboard a big cruise ship, but it’s easy to adjust to yacht life, and we think you’ll find this to be one of the most pleasant and relaxing journeys imaginable.

On board, you’ll probably spend most of your time on deck, as the deck is quite spacious and comfortable. There is a sun awning covering the outdoor dining area. Another awning can be put up over the foredeck to shade the sun mattresses. To get on and off the boat, there is a gradual 45-degree incline on the suspended sea ladder that allows easy access. The dinghy can take up to five guests at a time and has an outboard engine. For recreation, a sea kayak and some snorkeling and fishing gear are on board.

Cabins are assigned on board on a lottery basis, so requests for double cabins or for fore or aft cabins cannot be confirmed ahead of time.

Each gulet varies a bit in design, but a typical cabin size is 8 by 12 feet. Two of the cabins have double beds and four have twin beds. All cabins have en suite facilities, including a shower stall, and there are marine windows that open. Sheets and a small towel are provided, but bring your own personal towel for swimming and a washcloth if you use one. The bedding is changed once during the cruise.

There are 220-volt electrical outlets in the bedroom and bathroom (you will need a plug adaptor with two round prongs), plus an outlet in the salon that supplies power around the clock for charging batteries; it’s a useful source when the generators are not on. A laundry tub, warm water, and soap are provided for hand-washing laundry on board. It’s a good idea to bring lightweight clothing, such as the new synthetic “travel” fabrics that dry quickly.

Explanation of Trip Levels