|
|
| Tue Jun 12, 2007 |
Posted by : Douglas Morris at 06/12/2007 21:10:52 |
|
| |
| Blue Cruising in Turkey |
|
The last time I was out on a boat, it was being buffeted on the edge of a Caribbean hurricane so badly that even the crew was heaving over the side. Suffice to say, it was with great trepidation that I toddled onboard a gulet sailing boat for a Blue Cruise along the Turkish Coast. After a veritable feast at a local restaurant in the port of Marmaris, and a suitably bacchanalian christening of the vessel afterwards, I weaved my way back to my cabin to await what the fates had in store.
Morning broke, breakfast was served by a capable and crusty old sea salt, Mustafa, bronzed face ever smiling, white hair billowing in the wind, and his trusty young sidekick, Hassan; who throughout the trip was learning the ropes from Mustafa and the brusque but competent captain Askin. After a sumptuous meal of fruit, veggies, eggs, cheese, fresh bread, honey, jam, coffee, tea and more, we were under way on probably the best vacation I have ever had.
The crew was ever attentive, the scenery absolutely stunning, the water calm (not a hurricane in sight), the food plentiful and tasty, and the cocktails flowed copiously. A gulet sailing boat does not go far, just hops around from cove to cove, but the whole point of one of these voyages is not to “get” anywhere, but just to “be” out on the water savoring the peace and tranquility. Certainly you can request in advance that your captain sail for Rhodes or another port of call, but even without a set destination, your trip will be truly memorable.
Nights are spent under anchor in isolated coves and inlets with only the stars for company. Morning ablutions are undertaken with a heady dive off the boat’s side into the blue waters of the Aegean. Days are filled with snorkeling, swimming, more diving, hiking on trails along the pristine coastline, and sailing from one nearby remote cove to another. Some inlets have ancient ruins in them, others the remains of Greek villages abandoned after World War I, but all are far removed from the hustle and bustle of regular life.
The highlight of each day is the appearance of the ice cream boat owned by a local entrepreneur who ingeniously capitalizes on the burgeoning gulet trade along the coast by selling tasty edibles to ships’ passengers. He also delivers the International Herald Tribune by request.
The mornings ease into night, days blend into one another, and the troubles of the world seem far far away. The only real concerns are deciding whether to read or go swimming, have a beer or some water, go snorkeling or wind surfing, or dive from the bow sprit or the high deck. Tough choices all.
In a nutshell, if you really want to get away from it all, ease deep into relaxation, have instant access to all manner of active water sports, while also savoring the luxury of being waited on hand and foot, I can think of no better vacation than a Blue Cruise along the Turkish coast.
How to Book A Blue Cruise
If unsure which small cruise company to work with, contacting a cruise broker that represents a number of different companies is the way to go. One such broker is Windward Islands based out of London (www.windward-islands.net, Tel. 44/20/7373-9900). Contacting a cruise company directly may reduce the cost. One suggestion is Aegean Voyage out of Marmaris (www.AegeanVoyage.com, Tel. 0536/269-3438 or 252/412-1230). They have four boats available. Alternatively, you can contact the captain of a boat and make arrangements with him directly, which may result in even less cost. The captain of our boat, Beril, was Askin (Tel. 0536/267-8597), who speaks English well enough to communicate on the phone.
If you do not have a complement of couples to fill the cabins, you can book trips on boats that are partially full. Though sailing with strangers, you will likely become fast friends before the voyage is done. Also if you only want to go out for a brief foray, in most ports there are signs advertising day trips.
What to Bring on a Blue Cruise
Generally the meals are included in the price, but if food is extra it costs around 25 YTL per person per day. Even full-board is offered, if something special is desired for meals, snacks, or drinks, there are supermarkets and shops in each port where you can pick up most of what you need.
It is also recommended that you bring your own snorkeling and other water sports equipment. Some boats have kayaks available, others have wind surfing equipment, but to make sure you have what you need, whether it is a flotation device or frisbee, you may need to bring your own or buy what you need in port before embarking. Also, depending on the type of cruise booked, you will usually need to bring your own beach towels. Besides water sports, to pass the time do not forget to bring your favorite board games and reading material.
Finally, as a rule, tipping is about 20 YTL (Turkish Lira) per couple per day depending on the level of service received.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Douglas E. Morris has been living in Turkey on and off since November. He is the author of nine books. His travel books can be viewed at www.TheItalyGuide.com. His hard-hitting exposé of the negative impact that suburban sprawl has had on US society can be viewed at www.ItsASprawlWorld.com. |
|
|
| Add Comment |
View Comments (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mirror Lake Inn: An Adirondack Gem! |
|
| This summer we're staying in the US for our August vacation. In fact, we're not even leaving New York State. It's not a staycation at home, though; we're heading north to the high peaks of the Adirond.....More.. |
|
| Some of our Great Reviews! 03/16/2010
|
| The Critics Corner |
|
BIG NEWS: Beginning this week and running for the next six weeks, we'll be feautring short "Best Of" lists from some of our books on a great new travel website called Ruba. This week they're featuring three Best Of lists from Open Road's Best of Costa Rica: one for surfing, one for bird-watching, and one for volcano-trekking. Take a look and let us know what you think.
Open Road's Best of Northern California has just won a Merit Award for Best Travel Guide in the 2008 North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) Awards. Congratulations, Elizabeth Borsting! The book covers San Francisco, Napa and Sonoma, the Central Coast, Santa Cruz, the Mendocino Coast, Yosemite, Lake Tahoe and the High Sierras. This follows her award last year from the same outfit for Runner Up in the Best Travel Guide category for Open Road's Best of Southern California.
The 4th edition of our Eating & Drinking in Paris, just released, received a great mention today in The Wall Street Journal. Author Andy Herbach's unique book, already praised by The New York Times, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, chef Tyler Florence, and many others, was discussed in an article about how it's sometimes difficult to find a great meal in Paris. With Andy's book, however, not only will you find a wonderful place to eat – but you'll have the additional benefit of knowing what you're eating and how to order it in French!
Open Road's Best of Provence " ... useful and insightful... [includes] less-traveled regions, such as the Luberon, with its villages and markets, waterfalls and canals. -- Chicago Tribune
“Open Road's Italy with Kids offers real parent-tried advice.” -- Transitions Abroad
|
|
|
|
