13 Day Unforgettable Turkey & Gulet Cruise
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
A gulet is a wooden yacht usually built in Bodrum or Marmaris in Turkey that measures 20 to 30 metres in length on average. Handcrafted from mahogany, pine and teak, the gulets follow a design developed for these waters in Byzantine times, with a sharp bow, broad beam and rounded aft. They are stylish, graceful, fitted for comfort and full of character. We cruise in style along the spectacular coastline of Turkey for three days on a journey that promises Kodak moments at every turn.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ Incredible sightseeing including Istanbul's historic monuments, the underground cities of Cappadocia, sail the Turkish Riviera on board a traditional gulet, visit Troy and the cliffs of Gallipoli
✓ Small group experience with no more than 16 guests
✓ 9 nights in central 3 to 5-star accommodation accommodation and boutique hotels
✓ 3 nights sailing on a traditional Turkish gulet
✓ Daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 5 dinners
✓ Visit a local vineyard and sample their award-winning range of wine
✓ Fully escorted by an expert tour leader
✓ In-depth sightseeing as per the itinerary
✓ Dedicated air-conditioned transportation
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Your small group tour through Turkey awaits! Prepare to be spellbound by this continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all called home.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.
After breakfast, enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome.
We follow in the footsteps of the city’s most famous ruler, Sultan Ahmed, and head to the district of Sultanahmet, within Istanbul's old city. The historic centre of Istanbul, here you'll explore the legacy of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
One of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, today we visit the WW1 Battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, original trenches and tunnels. We'll spend a moment in quiet contemplation, looking down upon the rough hills and gullies that became the graveyard for so many thousands of young men from both sides. We’ll tour the former battlefields and find remnants of trenches used by the Turkish soldiers. Afterwards, we continue on to Canakkale.
Step back in time today as we visit Troy and its famed Trojan Horse. Learn about the groundbreaking archaeological digs and how the site has baffled historians.
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines.
Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
Tonight, we will visit a local vineyard and learn about the local production. You will taste 3 local wines from the region at the garden of the vineyard and return back our hotel.
PLEASE NOTE - These traditional gulets boats are simple yet they are cozy and very comfortable. All cabins have double beds (maximum size of the bed is 180 cm) and the cabins are nicely appointed with private ensuites. Note there is limited space on the boat and the size of the bathrooms are quite small. Most of your time will be spent on deck enjoying the view. Gulets are traditional Turkish boats and do not have aircon. As they are wooden boats, they allow for much more air circulation and you have the advantage of the ocean breeze. Sailing on a gulet is a unique and memorable way to spend three nights!
IMPORTANT: Electricity supply is very limited. The electricity of most yachts runs at 12 V/24 V. Please consider this if you wish to bring battery-operated equipments. Electrical appliances may only be connected while the yacht is tied up to land.
After breakfast we depart for Cleopatra's Baths (Hamam Bay). Enjoy a swim in the ancient ruins of these Roman Baths. We then cruise to Sarsala Bay, a striking pine-surrounded bay. It is also a convenient starting point for a 45-minute hike to ancient Lissa, notable mostly for inscribed walls dating from the 3rd century BC rule of two of Cleopatra's Ptolemy forebears.
Bedri Rahmi Bay is our next stop, named after one of the first 'Blue Cruisers' who painted here in 1973 a fish on the rocks. Jump in the clear water or explore the island.
Today we cruise to the Yassica Islands. These tiny little islands don't have individual names. They are so small that no one has named them. The biggest one has a sandy beach and there is a small pool cape off the lagoon. We will then cruise to the tranquil area of Gocek Islands where we can swim, snorkel or just soak up some sun and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Enjoy a last swim at Red Island before we overnight in Fethiye Harbour.
After an early departure from the gulet, we'll head to magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic Powers.
After an early departure from the Pamukkale, we'll head to magnificent Cappadocia. En route, we will stop at the Mevlana Museum in Konya and Sultanhani Caravansary. On arrival in Cappadocia, spend the evening at leisure.
This morning, find yourself a roof top cafe and enjoy the spectacle of the plethora of hot air balloons rising into the morning sky.
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, and explore the many levels of an underground city. You'll see fascinating rock formations such as cones, peaks and fairy chimneys made from tuff – a light, porous rock formed by consolidated volcanic ash – as well as man-made cave chapels from early Christian times.
Optional Tour: Hot Air Ballooning
Early birds have the option of taking a hot air balloon over the surreal Cappadocian landscape. The scene at sunrise is sure to take your breath away. Please note, this activity can only be booked locally. Please speak to your tour leader on day one to organise this.
We depart early this morning for the nation's capital, Ankara.
Here we visit Anitkabir, the mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before returning to Istanbul for our final evening in Turkey.
As they say, all good things must come to an end. Today marks the end of your incredible tour through Turkey.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost.
Inspiring Taste
Inspiring Stays
PLEASE NOTE - These traditional gulets boats are simple yet they are cozy and very comfortable. All cabins have double beds (maximum size of the bed is 180 cm) and the cabins are nicely appointed with private ensuites. Note there is limited space on the boat and the size of the bathrooms are quite small.
Most of your time will be spent on deck enjoying the view. Gulets are traditional Turkish boats and do not have aircon. As they are wooden boats, they allow for much more air circulation and you have the advantage of the ocean breeze. Sailing on a gulet is a unique and memorable way to spend three nights!
Electricity supply is very limited. The electricity of most yachts runs at 12 V/24 V. Please consider this if you wish to bring battery-operated equipments. Electrical appliances may only be connected while the yacht is tied up to land.
No drinks are included as part of our package, however drinks may be purchased on board. Some Gulets provide drinks packages however, each gulet is privately owned so options provided will differ from ship to ship. Please enquire with your guide on tour.
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you are happy with the services provided, a tip is an appropriate way to thank them. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels and inspires excellent service.
Over the years we have found that many of our travellers find the need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if they don’t have the correct small change. To overcome this, your leader might raise the idea of a group tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then your tour leader pays the tips as you go. The leader will keep a running record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour returned to group members. This amount is usually €2-4 (AUD$3-6) per person per day. This kitty does not include tips for your leader and crew.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline of €2-4 (AUD$3-6) per person per day can be used. Of course, you are free to tip as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,245.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from your intended date of return.
All Australian passport holders will require a visa to enter Turkey. The visa must be issued prior to departing Australia.
How: Turkey has an e-visa system which can be applied for online by clicking HERE.
Cost: USD $60 per person (subject to change)
Visa Type: Tourist Visa / Single Entry
When to apply: 30 days prior to departure
Please note: Do NOT apply for your visa until you receive your tour documentation from Inspiring Vacations 30 days prior to your departure.
Group Size
Minimum 2, maximum 16.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Turkey.
Entrance fees are not included in the tour price. Whilst we do our utmost to keep these entrance fees up to date, they do change often and so the entrance fees below should be treated as a guideline. All prices are per person:
16 May 2023
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