Blue Cruises, and Gulets in Turkey
Blue Cruises, and Gulets in Turkey
This article was written by One Star Gulet
One of the joys of walking along the many harbours and marinas in Turkey is to admire the wonderful array of boats and yachts and to marvel at some of the beautiful wooden gulets gracing the quayside. The gulet (from the French word “golette”, which means schooner) comes in various guises, from small and neat 15 metre (50 foot) vessels right up to some magnificent and luxurious 40 metre (132 foot) vessels.
The little wooden vessels were often used as fishing boats but nowadays the gulet is used mostly for the benefit of tourism and over the years this traditionally built vessel has become more and more popular providing the opportunity to explore the fabulous Turkish coast, visiting spectacular bays which would otherwise remain hidden since many are unreachable by motor vehicle.
The two-masted vessels are built mostly in the South Western region of Turkey and can now be found all around the Eastern Mediterranean Seas. Primarily powered by diesel engines the gulets also use sails to provide additional power, meaning that when the wind allows, the gulet can sail silently across the waters, but rely on the powerful diesel engines as primary power in strong winds. Gulets are especially good as pleasure sailing vessels with broad beams giving spacious cabins below decks.
The stern deck area is fitted with wide, cushioned seating areas making them perfect for relaxation purposes and is often shaded by awnings to protect from the strong midday sun. For the sun lovers who prefer to lay out in comfort, the foredeck is usually where the comfortable sun beds can be enjoyed. The bigger and more luxurious gulets often house a bar and seating area for relaxing with drinks, playing games or to enjoy a relaxed meal. A gulet may have several cabins for sleeping with some of the larger vessels capable of sleeping up to 12 passengers very comfortably. Fixtures and fitting vary and can be pine and stainless steel or rich mahogany, teak and burnished brass.
Article Contents:
- Introduction
- Origins of the "Blue Cruise" gulet experience in Turkey.
- Routes
- Locations:
- More Information
- The ONE STAR Blue Cruise experience
Origins of the "Blue Cruise" gulet experience in Turkey.
Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı (born 17 April 1890, Crete - 13 October 1973, Izmir) (birth name Musa Cevat Şakir; who used a pen name exclusively in his writings.
This popular sea adventure began quite by mistake
around 65 years ago. Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı ,who was a
political writer, was exiled to Bodrum for publishing a story about army
fugitives. Fortunately for Cevat the judges who passed sentence of a number of
years in exile at this once very remote port, had no idea of its hidden charms
which turned out to be rather fortuitous for the unfortunate writer. He soon
settled and later became known locally as "Fisherman of
Halicarnassus" and went on to write stories based on the area and the
inhabitants.
He frequently went out with the local fishermen and, in time, discovered a multitude of magical bays and hidden coves in the surrounding areas of the gulf of Gökova. He later invited several intellectuals from Istanbul to visit him and took great delight in introducing them to his new way of life. Together they developed a theory of culture and the tours of the Gulf of Gökova became famous having been given the name "Mavi Yolculuk" which translates to "Blue Voyage"
It is generally recognised that the two intellectuals he inspired the most were Azra Erhat,( A Turkish authoress born in Istanbul in 1915 who was also an archaeologist, academian and a translator) and Sabahattin Eyüboğlu (a well known writer, art critic and excellent translator and also one of the first documentary film produces in his country) who was born in 1908 on the Black Sea coast town of Akcaabat near Trabzon. In 1945, at Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı's invitation, he took part in a trip along the coasts of the Aegean and the Mediterranean Sea in search of the Anatolian civilisations and named this The Blue Cruise.
It's not difficult to see why the Blue Cruises along the Turkish Coast are generally regarded with such affection when one considers the spectacular coastline, pine covered mountains, crystal clear turquoise waters, quaint little villages steeped in history and reminders of the forefathers of this amazing country.
Blue Cruise can be anything you want it to be whether that means exploring the hundreds of picturesque bays ( many unreachable by road) and sun drenched beaches, taking in the wealth of archaeological remains of ancient civilizations, lazing on deck with a book, a cool drink and soaking up the sun, exploring quaint villages and buying local produce or souvenirs. Swimming, snorkelling or fishing in the crystal waters, or simply watching the world go by, being on a gulet cruise is an amazing experience.
Spectacular sunsets and night skies shimmering with stars or magical sunrises of gold peeking up through fragrant pine trees covering the mountains which provide a stunning backdrop, Turkey is a photographer's dream destination with a myriad of opportunities to keep all those memories of a lifetime.
Routes
Anything is possible and the Blue Cruise experience will never be forgotten.
From Marmaris, heading in a westerly direction sample the delights of picturesque villages and bays around Bozburun, Selimiye, Orhaniye, Datça, Knidos, Gökova Bay and Bodrum.
Or head east from Marmaris and prepare to be astounded at the sights of Ekincik,( take a river taxi to Dalyan) Göcek Islands, Fethiye, Kalkan, Kaş and Kekova.
Because the stunning Turkish Coast is also close to the Greek Coast, it is also possible to visit some of the Dodecanese Islands of Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Nisyros, Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Lipsi and Patmos.
The possibilities are endless and it's easy to see that the Gulet Cruise can be as "laid back" and relaxing or as stimulating as you wish.
Locations
Marmaris
Gulet holidays can be enjoyed by everyone and can be booked as organised cruises through many tour operators or privately booked direct with gulet owners or through agencies. The cheapest option for those who don't mind holidaying with people they don't really know is to book an organised cruise. Of course there are advantages and disadvantages and whilst there are many people who relish the opportunity to travel with a group of strangers and, hopefully, make new friends, many people like to be amongst friends and family they are already familiar with. For those who prefer to have more say in how their gulet holiday is planned a private charter is an exceptional choice. This gives the client the opportunity to set their own itinerary and, together with the gulet captain's advice and experience, tailor the cruise to ensure that the whole Blue Cruise adventure is a holiday which will never be forgotten.
Turkey is blessed with a spectacular coastline and perfect weather to ensure a gulet holiday of a lifetime with something to lift the spirit of all who are ready to embrace the hidden jewels this magnificent country has to offer:
Marmaris (originally named Physkos):
According to the historian Herodotus, there has been a castle in Marmaris since 3000 BC although it is not certain exactly when Marmaris was founded.
Physkos became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1425 and the present day castle was built in 1522 AD for use in a planned assault on Rhodes when Suleyman the Magnificent set out for his campaign against the Knight's of St John on Rhodes. When the Sultan found the castle to be too small he ordered his architect to enlarge it before he returned from his campaign. A fleet of over 300 ships and 200,000 men was assembled in the bay and the Ottomans took over control of Rhodes for the next 400 years.
Following his return the Sultan found the newly expanded castle unsatisfactory and ordered his men to "mimari" which literally meant "hang the architect". It is claimed that Marmaris is a derivative of this word although another claim is that Marmaris was originally a Greek word meaning "glittering" and "shining" which, if true, is still an apt description for modern day Marmaris.
Modern and vibrant, Marmaris is home to one of the finest Marina's in Turkey. Netsel Yacht marina is the main base for most yacht charter organizations operating on the Turquoise coast. Take a walk along the clean and well maintained harbour teeming with an excellent choice of restaurants and bars and admire the beautiful gulets moored alongside. A stroll through the back streets takes you to the bazaar area where hundreds of small shopkeepers hope to entice visitors with local souvenirs, spices and shoes, clothes and leather goods. (Expect to receive a very warm welcome and copious amounts of apple tea!)
One of the liveliest resorts, Marmaris has something for everyone and is a perfectly situated location from which to begin an exciting Blue Cruise.
Orhaniye:
Is a beautiful bay with just a small number of little pensions and several small cafes. Local legend has it that a local beauty filled her skirts with sand and attempted to escape from raiding pirates by dropping the sand creating a causeway across the waters. Once she had run out of sand in the middle of the bay, she drowned herself rather than submit her virtue to the pursuers . The visible sandstrip is known locally as Kizkumlu, which means "maiden's sand".
Visitors can be seen following the raised sandstrip across
the bay giving the onlooker the vision of people appearing to walk on water.
Selimiye:
A pretty bay overlooked by a small Ottoman fort and with some quaint quayside restaurants serving locally caught fresh fish and traditional Turkish meze and meals. You can still see small local boatbuilder's yards and evidence of the traditions of wooden gulet building.
Bozburun:
Another pretty town with very strong nautical orientation with bigger boatyards and a fascinating insight into the art of gulet building. Many examples of gulet construction and rebuilding of these magnificent vessels can be observed and many of the beautiful examples of the completed gulet can be seen moored up along Turkey's coastlines.
A small, clean quayside and a variety of small shops and restaurants line the picturesque bay.
Datça:
A favourite with yachters and now an official port of entry to Turkey, Datça has developed a character of it's own in recent years. Easy to spend a while wandering along the harbour and admiring the boats and paying a visit to some quaint local shops admiring some local handicrafts and sipping a cool drink at the quayside restaurants. Some nice places to eat and enjoy the cool breeze on a hot summer's evening. Look for the Datça windmills still dotted around the peninsular.
Datça Peninsula is a prized location for tourists visiting Turkey especially by sea, because of the beauty of its many small coves and larger bays, which are popular ports of call for those undertaking the celebrated Blue Cruise along the spectacular SW Coast of Turkey. Boats (usually gulets) depart either from Marmaris or Bodrum, or from Datça itself for these tours.
Knidos:
Hard to believe now, but the ancient site of Knidos, situated at the tip of the Datça peninsular, was one of the most prosperous cities of antiquity. There is little remaining of the former city which is most noted for the statue of Aphrodite and the famous cult and brothels but it used to be home to around 70,000 inhabitants and was an important trade centre. Also famed for the many intellectuals such as the mathematician Eudoxus, who built an observatory to study the heavens and the architect Sostratus, who built the lighthouse in Alexandria in Egypt which was noted as one of the seven wonders of the world.
Knidos was also famed for a large medical school rivalling the Hippocratic clinic which was situated in Rhodes.
Much of Knidos is still awaiting excavation. Currently it appears a windswept although rather dramatic setting which is best approached by boat since the road access is somewhat unforgiving to most modern day vehicles.
Gökova Bay:
Stunning is probably the best word to describe the Gokova bay and islands. Dramatic coastline of lush greenery,pretty whitewashed villas and villages set amongst the pine trees, mountains and crystal clear turquoise water.
Bodrum:
Was originally known as Halikarnassus colonized by the Dorians from the Peloponnese during the 11th Century BC. Bodrum's centrepiece is the Castle of St.Peter which was built by the Knights of St John over the smaller Selcuk fortress and the older battlements they had found on the site. It was finished in 1522 when Suleyman's capture of the Knights headquarters in Rhodes made their presence untenable and they fled.
The castle was mostly neglected until in the 19th Century shells from a French battleship damaged various of it's towers and destroyed the minaret. It was repaired by the Italians during a brief post war occupation and was then properly renovated during the 1960's when it was converted into a museum. It is well worth a visit as the castle now houses many artefacts, a glass collection (mostly Roman and early Islamic) and a Byzantine shipwreck and cargo discovered in 1973,but dating from 1025 and is now displayed in a climate controlled environment. (Partly original and partly restored to simulate the original)
Bodrum is a very lively and cosmopolitan town with something to attract everyone from those who want an exciting nightlife in noisy bars and clubs, dining al fresco in one of the many restaurants lining the streets and shopping area or enjoying a quieter meal in some of the more upmarket restaurants. Many well known shops have outlets in Bodrum and there are lots of boutique type shops around as well as a thriving market. Bodrum has a very international flavour and the famous Halikarnassus Disco is very popular amongst the younger generation for a wild night out. It is also considered a very desirable place for some of the more affluent Turkish business families as a Summer retreat.
Ekincink:
For Blue Cruise clients that wish to explore the coast East of Marmaris, Ekincink is an excellent place for a stopover. A quiet, sleepy and quite beautiful bay it's an ideal place for Cruisers to get a river boat up to Dalyan and enjoy the peace and natural surroundings of the delta and discover the renowned Lycian rock tombs, visit Iztuzu beach ( a conservation site for the breeding ground of the loggerhead turtle (carretta, carretta) or the ancient ruins of Kaunos, downriver from Dalyan.
Göcek and the islands around Göcek:
A delightful village in a bay at the foot of the mountains where the boat fraternity like to relax and soak up the fantastic scenery. It's a haven for the luxury yachts and gulets and is well served with some excellent restaurants and trendy small shops as well as the more traditional local shops.
The islands are simply beautiful and the sea is crystal clear for swimming and snorkelling.
Fethiye:
The inner bay is a natural harbour which is very protected. The town occupies the site of the ancient Lycian city of Telmessos and an easy stroll from the town centre rewards visitors with impressive rock tombs and a recently excavated amphitheatre.
Fethiye is excellently situated for Blue Cruise clients to visit the beautiful and probably most famous beach of Olu Deniz, with the National Park protected lagoon and warm, crystal clear waters. Simply stunning!
Also worth visiting is the ghost village of Kaya Köyü, a former Greek settlement which was abandoned after the population exchanges in 1923.
Fethiye has numerous lively bars, clubs and restaurants ranging from simple snack food to excellent local fish restaurants for holidaymakers to enjoy and a thriving market selling extensive local produce.
Kalkan:
A former Greek village set on a steep hill overlooking turquoise waters and very pretty, quiet and peaceful. A good base to explore the extensive sandy beach of Patara or just to take in the ambience and sit back with a glass of chilled wine or a cold beer and breathe in the serenity.
Kaş:
Beautifully situated Kaş nestles in a curved bay with a steep backdrop of cliffs with the odd rock tomb. Once a sleepy fishing village, it is now favoured by the more affluent Turks and is a popular place for the Blue Cruise itineraries. Plenty of craft and designer clothes shops and also many local crafters selling local designs and hand woven fabrics.
Kekova:
Another beautifully situated village with sparkling clear water lapping around shallow coves. Worth mention is Batik Sehir (Sunken city) which, to date, has yet to be identified with any ancient city but it's clear to see the underwater remains of house walls, steps and pavement areas through the crystal waters.
The Greek Islands:
Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands with a landscape which can vary from dry and arid to lush and heavily forested. Rhodes town is the capital and has an interesting castle, medieval walled surround and numerous interesting alleyways and back streets to get lost in before finding a pretty and pleasant garden restaurant to sit and relax in with a cool drink.
Symi:
A picturesque island with pretty coloured houses dotted around, a beautiful harbour and spectacular little bays which are perfect for cooling off in. Very unspoilt and idyllic and arguably the prettiest of the Greek islands.
Kos:
The second largest island and very close to the Turkish peninsular of Bodrum. There are no bays for mooring-the main port is Kos Town. A pleasant place to stay overnight although Kos is the more touristy of the Dodecanese Islands.
More Information
Hopefully this article will give an insight into the fantastic opportunities available for holidaymakers who have maybe wondered about venturing on the world renowned Blue Cruises available in Turkey. It is, without doubt, one of the most amazing experiences you will enjoy.
For those of you who would like the opportunity to explore the unrivalled Turkish coastline on the beautiful luxury gulet, ONE STAR which is based in Marmaris and is featured thoughout this article, please contact the owner:
Tricia Holman
email address:
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Telephone/fax +90 (0) 252 4190257
Mobile +90 (0) 537 2462104
www.onestar-gulet.com
(NB. Please state you are a Bodrum Bulletin subscriber to qualify for a substantial discount to our published prices)
The ONE STAR Blue Cruise experience
The ONE STAR experience is brought to you by Umit Sener, a master boat builder and Captain with over 20 years experience and Tricia Holman, previously a Sales and Marketing manager in the UK and now dedicated to offering the ultimate gulet cruising experience around the spectacular bays of Turkey.
Length (Over All) |
30 Metres |
VHF radio - telephone |
Beam (Width) |
8 Metres |
Tender boat & 10 HP motor |
Year of Construction |
2003 |
Refrigerator & deep freeze |
Engine |
MANN 2 X 440 HP |
TV / DVD player |
Generator |
Kubota |
Music system/CD player |
Fuel tanks |
3000 litres |
Fishing and snorkelling gear |
Water |
8000 litres |
Large sundeck |
Cruising Speed |
14-16 knots |
Outdoor/inside dining |
Hot & cold water pressure water system |
||
Built in 2003 to an extremely high standard with a mahogany hull, teak decks, chrome railings and stylish fixtures and fittings.
At 30 metres long and 8 metres wide, ONE STAR has unusually generous outdoor space providing to the front an extensive deck, raised sunbathing area and two large dining tables with ample seating. At the rear there is plenty of comfortable shaded seating and alternative dining area.
ONE STAR has a superb salon with varnished mahogany floors, leather seating, local
Turkish ceramics and kilims, coffee tables, television, CD, DVD Player and a well stocked bar with ice machine.
The well equipped kitchen enables our experienced Chef to delight you with three delicious meals a day to include beef, lamb, chicken, fresh fish and seafood with mouth-watering sauces, an array of the freshest vegetables and salads, rice or pasta, an abundance of fresh fruit and barbecues.
There are three double and two twin air conditioned mahogany clad cabins, all spacious and with ample wardrobes and drawer space. All linen and bathroom towels are provided. Each cabin has its own en-suite with a large shower cubicle, hand basin, flush toilet and 24 hour hot water. Cabin service is available for drinks.
There is also a magnificent Master Suite with a king size bed, leather seating area and en-suite.
For your recreation there is a windsurfer, twin canoe, snorkels, masks and fins-also a dinghy boat with outboard motor and all regulation safety equipment.