Holly Chase Middle Eastern Travel

The Turkish cruising season runs from early May through the end of October. The most pleasant months afloat are May & June and September & October.

A Classic Turkish Gulet

The preferred courses follow Turkey’s southwestern coastline between Bodrum and Antalya. Scores of archaeological sites, some accessible only by sea, and small sheltered inlets make this route a favorite with yachtsmen. Because it would take 12-15 days to cover that entire stretch, most voyagers choose to sail between, say, Bodrum and Fethiye or between Gocek and Antalya.

Bodrum, Marmaris, Gocek, Fethiye, and Antalya are Turkey’s main yachting centers. While the boats we charter are spread among these ports, we begin most of our charters in Bodrum and Gocek, which are served by nearby airports.

Gulets, traditional wooden-hulled motor sailers (double-masted ketches), are the favored boats. Generally, our gulets range from 60 to 110 feet. Many of the boats are skippered by their owners. The spirit of the crew and attention to maintenance are never better than when the boss is aboard!

Each boat has at least 3 crew members (captain, first mate, & cook, who have their own quarters) and 6—8 double guest cabins, each with its own shower & toilet. The cabins are “double,” with either twin or double beds. For the ultimate luxury, some of our clients like to allot one full cabin to each adult even though a cabin will comfortably accommodate two people.

Longer craft or those with more cabins are not necessarily more luxurious. Our priorities in choosing boats for our clients are the professionalism and hospitality of a crew and the maintenance, safety, and appointments of the boat itself. All our boats have air-conditioning, attractively furnished interiors, and excellent crews with wonderful cooks. We personally inspect each vessel and interview owners and crew.

Estimated daily charter rates have a wide range, depending on the season and features of the individual yachts. Currency fluctuations and fuel prices may also effect rates. Sample 2008 prices below are for an entire yacht (not per person).

Our gulets fall into roughly three categories: Good Value, Deluxe, and Superior Deluxe. (These do not include VAT, which will be lower in 2008)

A Typical Good Value Yacht

May & Oct: $1500-1800 US per day
June & September: $1800 - $2100 per day
July-Aug: $2300-2500 per day

A Typical Deluxe Yacht

May & Oct: $1800-2000 US per day
June & September: $2100 - $2500 per day
July-Aug: $3300-3800 per day

A Typical Superior Deluxe Yacht

These Superior Deluxe yachts are the equivalent of the five-star hotel penthouse. More than we need, they are nonetheless tastefully appointed and just right for the sybarites among us who want to celebrate something significant.

On board all of our yachts, we figure roughly $50—$60 per person per day for three lavish meals of local specialties (including soft drinks, bottled waters, and beer). Our cooks also enjoy baking; they serve lovely tea-time spreads. At the end of a voyage, a gratuity to the crew (5-10% of the charter’s cost) is customary.

Many of you have asked about smaller, 3 or 4-cabin boats. Although they are available, there is greater choice among 6-8 cabin boats, which tend to be newer and more stylishly furnished. The price difference between the smaller and larger boats is small (sometimes as little as $100 per day). Smaller boats have much less deck space, and since most of your time is spent topside, any sacrifice of deck-space should be carefully considered.

I encourage clients to assemble their own parties, but in certain instances, I will try to help singles and smaller groups link up with prospective fellow travellers willing to share a boat. Our Asia Minor Tours website offers two scheduled tours for 2008:

Classical Turkey Land and Sea
Cruising the Turquoise Coast

Each includes gulet voyages. I can also recommend a few other companies offering single gulet cabins on their organized tours.

If you’re a sailor yourself, more interested in bareboating, I can steer you in the appropriate direction. Charters of very luxurious, larger vessels (both sail and motor) are also possible.