ARCHEOLOGHY THEMED TOURS

First Day:  Bodrum

Your welcome drinks will be waiting for you 40 km away from the airport, at the Bodrum Harbour where our boat is docked. Before you enjoy your dinner, we discover the settlement identified with Halicarnassos and the father of history “Heredotus” with our guide.

Bodrum is the ideal starting point for sailing the Aegean coast of Turkey. The city was called “Halicarnassus of Caria” in ancient times and was famous with Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bodrum Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 15th century, overlooks the harbour and the marina. The castle grounds include the Museum of Underwater Archeology and hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year.

The construction of Bodrum Castle began in 1402 by the Knights of Rhodes and was completed in 1522. The castle, covers 30.000 square meters, has 5 towers known as the English tower, the French tower, the German tower, the Italian tower and the Snake tower. When Ottomans captured the castle, it was turned into a mosque by additional minaret and also a small hamam (Turkish bath) was installed. In II. Abdülhamit period castle was used as a prison. After being bombarded by a French warship in 1915, it was deserted.

Bodrum Mausoleum Open-Air Museum hosts Caria King Mausolos’s tomb and named as monument. Queen II. Artemisia commisioned the kingdom’s most famous architects to build the monument in 353 BC.

Lately restorated Bodrum Myndos Gate was built in 4 BC and it is the best protected constuction among the period’s 7 km ruins.

Second Day:  Palamutbükü

After breakfast, we leave Bodrum Harbour and head towards Palamutbükü.

Palamutbuku is reputed for having the best beaches in the Datca peninsula. The beaches are small but very beautiful. Surrounded by mountains and spotted with gardens, these beaches are known for their tranquility and fresh sea air that together present the perfect backdrop for a rejuvenating getaway.

We will discover Kumyer Castle, an important ancient settlement few kilometers away from Palamutbükü, with our guide. Castle, our guide will inform us about the environment when we visit the castle, well and water springs that founded in ancient times. 

Third Day:  Datça

Right after the Aegean breakfast at Palamutbükü, we head towards Datça.

Datca was founded by the Dorians settled in the Aegean islands and the southern coast ofIonia. This peninsula is located between the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. At the end of the peninsula, at a distance of about 38 kms is the ancient Carian city of Knidos, which was described by Strabo as the ‘city built for the most beautiful goddess, Aphrodite, on the most beautiful peninsula”. After we have sea bath and meal, our captain will anchor in a favorable point and you will discover old Datça with our guide. We will return to gulet for meal and carry on with pleasure of sea. We will spend the night at this peninsula. 

Fourth Day:  Dirsekbükü and Bozburun

Dirsekbuku is located between the Gulf in the Aegean Sea and the Gulf of Hisaronu. There are many tourists travelling from Bodrum to Marmaris who stop here to rest, which is why this region is replete with several sheltered bays. In addition, Dirsekbuku offers a great cruising experience, especially if you are exiting the different islands and sailing around Hisaronu in the morning.

After that we set sail for Bozburun. Bozburun is renowned for the thriving sponge business and gullet yacht construction industry. Some of the best wood and craftsmen for building strong and beautiful gullet boats are to be found in this region, which is why leading names in the business employ Bozburun’s boat makers. Owing to its gullet and yacht manufacturing industries, Bozburun has become a central attraction, visited by tourists from all across the World. In fact Bozburun was discovered by Anatolian people many many moons ago...

One of the oldest settlement in our country. “Karya” is a book about the history of this settlement written by talented researcher Bilge Umar, according to whom Bozburun has a history of 4000 years...

According to Umar the history of this unique fishing village extends until BC 2000. Carian people named this site Larymna and people "sand nation"... Next to town, in the inner end of Bozburun Bay, has a wide beach formed by alluvium carried by a stream. The city known as “Poseidonion” is surrounded by castle and grave ruins. Some of the walls of a rectangular plan Leleg types of towers built amazingly strong with lattice kykop workmanship and still stand in the escarpment looking at the sea of the hill, called “Castle” by local people.

Fifth Day:  Söğüt and Bozukkale (Loryma)

Söğüt Village is located at the very end of the Bozburun Peninsula. While the village is a little bit out of the way, it stays outside of the tourism traffic. However village market is very alive and villagers are very helpful with tourism consciousness. Village sits inland from the sea. 3km away is the gateway opening to the sea from the village known as the Saranda Cove, can only be reached from land. A spectacular landscape of Sömbeki Gulf, green Saranda and the Greek Island of Sömbeki (Simi) behind the fog welcomes you while climbing down. Watching sunset here is a bucket list moment. 

In southwest of Söğüt Village, a small mound behind the ruins of the school, the village Thyssanos is located. A few wall remains to be excavated, the site includes slopes behind the foundation and wall signs. Kiran Lake is located in the southwest of Marmaris, next to ancient Loryma in south. Sea transportation is not possible to settlement, next to dry lake, 30m in diameter. The ruins here can be reached by two hours climb from Bozukkale Harbour.

Bozukkale (Loryma) is an ancient city that dates back to 10 BC. There are nine towers of the castle walls extending in a mutually rectangular pattern. The castle and towers are very well preserved and appear in a solid state. ‘Kale’ means 'corrupted'. Therefore, the name of the place may be attributed to the fact that one side of the castle is missing.

Bozukkale used to serve as a bay cruise stretch for British naval ships and is now considered as a shipyard on the shore. It was used as a place to watch all the yachts in the Aegean. Its’ strategic geographical location and narrow port was also used by the ships sailing from the port of Athens. In 395 BC, the Athenian commander, Karori, is known to have come here. Before the Cnidus War of 305 BC, Demetrios, son of Antigonos chose this port for preparations before attacking Rhodes.

Sixth Day:  Knidos

Our captain weigh anchor after breakfast and sail towards Knidos, known as Kap Krio in ancient times. Knidos was the most important city with its marvelous location in Deveboynu at its period.

You will be in the end of the peninsula, when you arrive to Knidos, 40 km away from Datça. This peninsula is located between the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Knidos, one of the most rich and famous ancient cities in Anatolia, was not only a strategic location for the ships in Mediterranean Sea, and also a cosmopolit city that was advanced in science, architecture and art.

Knidos is one of the most magnificent ancient cities in Anatolia that you should visit. As the first settlement in the east of the Datca peninsula, Knidos has splendid ruins and a unique beauty. There is a theater is located right next to the harbor of the ancient city of Knidos. A short walk towards the harbor will take you to the remains of two churches built during the Byzantine period. Knidos ancient city has been a site of archaeological excavations since 1960. The Statue of Demeter discovered here and the lion statues that protected the harbor in ancient times now adorn the halls of the British Museum. The sacred temple of the goddess Aphrodite is a major center of attraction. The city with a huge necropolis, a double harbor and the magnificent acropolis with the temple of Aphrodite truly impresses all visitors.

After the meal, we get on land with our guide to see the ancient city. We spend the night at Knidos inlet.

Seventh Day:  Orak Island and Kissebükü

Orak Island, where yachts and gulets on Gokova Tours do not pass without stopping, stretches opposite of Kargicik Inlet and has indented shores covered with olive trees in the lower slopes of the hills. There is no settlement on the island but in the north and in the east there are sheltered coves to anchor, where the sea is like an aquarium, ideal for swimming.

Kissebükü is a small inlet, that is surrounded by ancient monastery ruins. Hamam, cistern and church ruins are placed on the small hill right after shore. After a short walk, we return to our gulet and spend the night at Orak Island. 

Eighth Day:  Bodrum

Right after early breakfast we will set sail about 2,5 hours and arrive Bodrum Harbour. We wish you have a pleasant and unforgettable blue voyage and hope to meet you again in an another program.