Wondering if anyone has done one of these on the Lycean coast of Turkey?

WT has a great write up in their blog and there is a thread on the Rest of the World board, but that's about it. I did ask a question there, but not sure how many people check out that board.

So any info, suggestions etc that anyone can offer would be appreciated. There are a ton of websites with prices that fluctuate all over the place so not sure what criteria to look for when chosing one of these.

I posted here to start because I thought more people might see it, but if it should be moved, maybe to The Rest of Europe (??) board, that's OK.

Thanks,
Linda.

Hi Linda, I'm not a MOD, but I do agree with you that The Rest of Europe is the best place to post your discussions of Turkey.
And I for one will be following your planning with interest!

I haven't actually been on a cruise on one; but when we were in Marmaris and Bodrum a few years ago, we asked the boat staff at the docks if we could have a look at the cabins, galley,etc., on a couple of boats.
They all looked spotless, and lots of deck space.
It would certainly appeal!!!

I'm anxious to read the respones -- very interested.

It is a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it. We were in Turkey in the high season, but still found it very easy to book things as we went. It IS hard to make a choice online, so we waited until we got to Fethiye and booked it there. That way we could go on the boat and scope it and the captain out in person.

Everything and everyone is connected in Turkey, so it is VERY easy to do independent travel. It really has the epitome of service and ANY and every need will be met. You get sooo spoiled by the service there that every place else looks lesser than ( not to mention the great prices).

We just asked our hotel people about a gulet. One hotel will set you up for your next and so on.

The only problem with the gulet is you will be with the same people in a small space for 4 days. The boat, captain , crew, food, locations were stupendous..but we did have a few stinkers on board. It could have been worse, some people end up with party boats where everyone is drunk the whole trip.

We like to do our own thing and if I had to do it again, I would spend the extra money to get a private boat just for my family. There is soooooo much beauty there and history and this way you could do exactly as you pleased, as you would be calling all the shots.

It can be hot in all the cabins at night ( even the ones with air conditioning), so it is tradition to sleep on top in the open air. Slumber party with strangers is a little more intimate than what I like, but it would have been fun with just my family.

The Turquoise Coast is spectacular and pristine. Yes, it is turquoise! So I would go the route from Fethiye to Olympus ( or the other way). You will not regret it and it was a highlight for us on our RTW trip!

Hi WT, great to hear from you! And thanks so much for the info.

Unfortunately we really don't have the luxury of just booking when we get there, due to time constraints for us, I'd like to have something organized when we arrive, so the search is on for a reliable company offering these cruises.

Can you tell us what company you used? I requested information from 3 so far and only received brochures/info from one of them, which is a bit disappointing. Rather puts me off the others now. There are many more and I'll keeping requesting more, but with such limited info/recommendations it's tough. Lots of reviews on the websites, but........

Although I've read nothing but great stuff about them. Ah well...research is half the fun!

Thanks again....you have a great blog! I enjoyed reading about your wonderful trip.

Linda.

Hi Linda,

Sorry, I do not remember the name of our company, but it was quite small. I wish I had their name because they were wonderful people, but there was a real rush at the end and I did not get it.

There is one called Olympia or something like that which I looked into because I heard good reviews about them.

It is too bad that you have to book ahead, because it is nice to make sure you have what you want before booking. I suppose many do it like this though and most seem happy with their choice. It is really easy to book there as there are more boats than people taking them even in high season and it gives you the best bargaining power.

Glad you enjoy the blog!

Thanks WT, we'll keep researching. I am more and more enthusiastic about this trip every time a I read something else.

I will request more brochures to browse through which will be easier to peruse than the internet when we get together with our group of friends next month for some advance planning.

If I find anything exciting I will report back for anyone interested in more details.

Thanks.
Linda.

Rhodes,

I took a seven day trip on one, three years ago and I had a wonderful time. It was part of a larger tour that included Instanbul Ephesus and Capadochia (Sp?). It turned out that there was only one couple, the tour guide and myself, plus the boat crew. The trip was arranged by Classic Journeys. We did make mention that after a week of stopping at small coastal villages, we felt "ruined out". I understand tht they have since cut it down to three days. I remember that we had to take our shoews off before we entered the main cabin and that was because the boat was the captain's home. We did pull into some beautiful coves and anchored there for the night. Once, we floated over the foundations of old houses that were built when the Med was at a different water level. I was there in May and although we went swimming a few times, the water was so cold that it was not enjoyable for me. Sea urchins covered the rocks along the shore. One day, the couple and the guide spent the day exploring some old ruins, so I grabbed my sketch pad and tried to draw in some of the surrounding scenery. The boat would usually weigh anchor just about daybreak and I would go up on deckand watch the scenery go by, with a cup of hot coffee in hand. Meals were outstanding. The captain caught some squid and we had calamari two days later. Picked up fresh fish at the villages. Also bought some hand embroidered scarves for some of my lady friends back in the States and I wound up haggling with the teenaged girl so much that I thought I was going to end up married to her. If you can do it, I say go!

Lynn

Thanks for the info Lynn. It does sound like a great trip!! I'll check into Classic Journeys!

There seems to be sooooo many to chose from, so all the suggestions are much appreciated.

Do you think a week felt to long simply because there were only a few people on your boat? Not enough diversity?

We're getting together next weekend with friends to plan this and hoping to get commitments from at least 3 couples, hopefully 5, then we could charter the entire gulet.

Thanks

Linda.

Having wandered that coast also, but not in a gulet, and having talked to boat captians at a number of ports, I would be comfortable with waiting to rent at the dock. There appeared to be many boats always available and most would probably sail at a moments notice. Plus my friend Lisa is correct, you should put an eyeball on the vessel prior to booking.

Good luck on what ever you decide.

See our turkey bolog pages below.

Hey WT, hope to see ya again this year.