Bodrum, Turkey – Cruise and Resort (Deluxe – 14 days)

What’s included: 

  • 4 or 5 star luxury seaside all inclusive resort for 7 days
  • 7 night luxury Bodrum cruise
  • Transfers to and from the airport
  • All meals
  • All drinks during your resort stay

What’s not included:

  • International flights to and from tour.  Contact us for the best prices from your city
  • Additional meals and drinks not indicated in Itinerary.
  • Any internal country fees, taxes or permits
  • Taxes, fees and charges not included in the itinerary.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Gratuities

8 DAYS LUXURY CRUISE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water. These can be purchased from the bar onboard
Optional land tours and entrance fees to historical places and museums
Individual port taxes on arrival and departure in Turkey and Greece

Day 1 – Day 7: Arrive in Bodrum, Turkey and transfer to your luxury (4 or 5 star) seaside all inclusive resort.
While your luxury resort is truly enough to have a memorable vacation, we have added the following tours to your stay to make it even more enjoyable.

Day 3: EPHESUS TOUR FROM BODRUM ITINERARY:
Magnificent, inspiring, gorgeous, amazing, extra-ordinary…
These are only a few words that may describe Ephesus. However no one could adequately describe Ephesus with words; one has to see Ephesus to appreciate it. A visit to Ephesus, one of the largest and best-preserved ancient cities in the world, is a must for those who are interested in archaeology and culture.

Ephesus was inhabited by the Ionians in the XI. Century BC. In a short time, together with the native population, they created a brilliant civilization there. It was during that time that Ephesians started the construction of the great temple dedicated to Artemis, the main goddess of the city. The temple was so beautiful that it became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Lydians and the Persians ruled the city until Alexander the Great took control of it. After Alexander’s death, the city became part of the Pergamum Kingdom. Soon, it became the main trade centre in Anatolia, the ancient name for the Asian part of Turkey.

Ephesus was bequeathed to the Roman Empire in the 2nd century BC. The Roman Period was a “golden age” for the city.

The people were rich and with a population of 250,000; Ephesus was the second most crowded city in the Roman Empire. It was during that time that Christianity started to spread into Anatolia for the first time. Ephesus was the city to which Mary the Mother and St Joan fled following the death of Christ. (Today, the Church of St. Mary stands close by the main thoroughfare of the city and it is well worth seeing). St John and St Paul also visited Ephesus so it became a religious centre for Christians.

When the Roman Empire was divided into two in 394, the city came under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. This was not a bright period for Ephesus, the city was a sacred place for Christians but it was not a trade centre anymore. The Meander River silted up the area and the harbour became a marshy land. Many people died of malaria and this brought an end to the inhabitation of the city by the 10th century.

Ephesus has been excavated since 1935. As you wander through the site, the Celsus Library, the Amphitheatre, Hadrian Temple, Scholastikia Baths, the Parliamentary Building, the Town Hall, Domitian Temple, Trajan Fountain, Terrace Houses, the Love House will be the major excavated ruins of the city which are for public viewing.

Ephesus Museum
This museum, where you will find nice pieces such as the Colossal Statue of Artemis, the Fresco of Socrates, the Roman sarcophagus, the Statue of Dionysus, Eros and the Dolphin, Statue of Priapos, the God of Fertility and the Head of Zeus, is one of the richest museums in Turkey.

Ephesus is 185 kilometres away from Bodrum. An approximately three hours journey through the cotton fields will bring you to this unique ancient site.

07:00am Departures for Ephesus
11:00am Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus
01:00pm Have a very tasty lunch at the best restaurant of the area
03:00pm Visit Ephesus Museum
04:00pm Leave for Bodrum

EPHESUS TOUR FROM BODRUM INCLUDES:

  • Pick up transfer from your hotel in Bodrum at approx. 7:00am
  • Lunch
  • All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
  • Transportation in a fully air-conditioned coach
  • Professional English-speaking tour guide
  • Return transfer to your hotel at approx. 7:00pm

Day 4: PAMUKKALE TOUR FROM BODRUM
A great mixture of some of the wonders of man and one of Mother Nature’s most amazing gifts.

Pamukkale, cotton castle in English, is totally unique in the world. It is the site of a wonderful phenomenon and it is one of the items on the “Must See List” for Turkey.

The dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established Ihe thermal spa of Hierapolis.It is registered as cultural and natural heritage on the list of World Heritage of UNESCO.

The ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site.

Deriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Castle) an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins.

The terraces were formed by running warm spring water containing calcium bicarbonate, at a temperature of 35C.

When the water loses its carbon dioxide it leaves limestone deposits. During your visit to Hierapolis, an open air museum, you will see of the largest ancient graveyard containing over 1200 sarcophagi, many of which are as big as a small house.

The Great Theatre, the tomb of St.Philip, the Roman Baths, the gymnasium that is used as a museum and Apollo Temple are the other attractive ruins.

Pamukkale is 285 kilometres away from Bodrum. Approximately four and a half hours journey through forests and country villages will take you to this beautiful place.

7:00am Leave for Pamukkale
9:00am Stop for a traditional Turkish breakfast
11:30am Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis
2:00pm Try some delicious samples of the Turkish cuisine
3:00pm Leave for Bodrum

Day 5 – Turkish night tour
If this is your first time in Turkey and never been to a Turkish Night, this is a must do! Belly Dancers, Turkish folkdance, Turkish food and wine, a lot of laugh and audience participation. The program usually starts at 8:30pm and goes on until midnight.

Great Turkish style entertainment for everyone. Join us for evening of eastern promise; sample the local cuisine, local meze and drinks. You will be amazed the folk dances from all over the country and be entranced by the belly dancers in addition traditional Turkish hospitality.

For the people who have a taste of living, the importance of the atmosphere is great. There are some places that you love… you miss and you want to share with friends Join us for a Traditional Turkish Night.

MEAL MENU
Cold Starters: Shrimps Cocktail – Cold and Smoked Meat Plate – Best Selected Cheese Board – Ottoman Style Meze Plate
Between Special Sultan Spring Roll – Exotic Medallion
Main Dishes: Grilled Filled Steak or – Lean Young Lambs Shish Kebab or Tornedo Chateau with Mushroom Sauce or – Grilled Spring Chicken Breast or – Filled Sea bass Pane or – Chief Recommended
From our Garden: Seasonal Salad – Orient House Salad Delicious Dessert and Fruit: Selected Turkish Desert or -Seasonal Fresh Fruits or – Fresh Fruit Salad
Cheers: Included in the price 1/2 Bottle of wine or – 1/2 Bottle of Gin, Raki or – Vodka 35 CL or – 2 Bottles of Beer or – 2 Bottles of Soft Drinks

We transfer you from your hotel, a lovely evening and We have a dinner at a first class restaurant-with half a bottle of wine or a soft drink included, watching spectacular, FLOORSHOW of famous BELLY DANCERS, typical ANATOLIAN FOLKLORE GROUPS featuring popular musical instruments and Turkish Singer. Show starts from at 8:30pm up to 12:00pm.

Been in an Oriental atmosphere, enjoy the “Kanun”, a typical musical instrument; discover the delights of a typical “Fasil” orchestra; then a programme extravaganza to experience the flavour of words and customs of our folklore and belly dancing. Have Turkish Coffee in a Turkish home furnished with lacework all around. And as a finale, enjoy a nostalgic journey into the very heart of entertainment. A unique environment, good taste and first class service – just for you. End of the entertainment at about midnight 12:00pm, your transfer to hotel where you accommodate in.

Day 7 – Transfer to the port to board your Bodrum gullet
Boarding starts at 3:30pm from Bodrum Harbour. On the first day, our boat will remain anchored in Bodrum Port for dinner and an overnight stay. Bodrum has a history that goes back to the 12th century B.C. The city was called Halicarnassus and it was the birthplace of Herodotus; the Father of History who lived in the 5th century B.C. The Mausoleum of King Mausolus (350 B.C.), one of the Seven Wonders of the World is in this city. The only structure that survived from the Classical Era is the Amphitheatre. It is one of the oldest theatres in Anatolia with a capacity of 13.000 guests and it is still hosting many shows and concerts for the art-lovers of Bodrum. Another place that you should visit when you arrive in Bodrum is the landmark of the city, the Castle of Saint Peter. It is one of the best preserved pieces of architecture with a history dating back to the Middle Ages. Myndos Gate through which Alexander the Great entered Halicarnassus is another place that you should not miss.

Day 8 – Knidos – Inceburun – Bencik
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We will depart early in the morning for Cnidus. Cnidus was a developed city in science, art and architecture. Eudoxos, a very popular astronomer and maths professor; Dr. Euryphon; Polygontos, a popular artist; Skopas and Bryaksis of Faros, the most famous sculptors of the era; Sostrates, the architect of Alexandrian light house -one of the seven wonders of the World- and Ktesias the doctor, who saved the life of a Persian king from a disaster, lived on this island. Dr. Euryphon and his students founded the second biggest medical science school in Cnidus. The island also hosts the largest sun clock of its time which was erected by Eudoksos. Knidos was the home for Aphrodites monument and in those times the city was famous for brothels and became popular for sailors and Arabic tradesmen. You may also take a walk on the shore to see the ruins. A nice swimming break will be available here.

Lunch will be served at the bay of Inceburun. Here the water is superb and you again will have the opportunity to swim in these crystal waters. Today, our last stop will be at Bencik Bay; which has a very narrow entrance but a unique view once you get inside. Bencik is located at the narrowest part of the peninsula that divides the Hisaronu Gulf from the Gokova Gulf but it is located on Hisaronu side. In 550s B.C. the Cnidus people wanted to dig a tunnel in the narrowest land piece of the peninsula between the Hisaronu Gulf and the Gokova Gulf as a defence line against the Persians. In that way, they would make two peninsulas one island and the defence would be easier. They started with diligence and put in a lot of effort; however, in the end they could not manage and the city was conquered by the Persians. For dinner and an overnight stay, we will anchor at Bencik Bay.

Day 9 – Dirsekbuku – Bozburun
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
After the breakfast we will anchor at Dirsekbuku for lunch and a swimming break. Today, our last stop will be at Bozburun. Bozburun is a small fishing town. This area was popular and suitable for sponge-diving but nowadays the people of the island are no longer interested in sponge-diving as it is not financially beneficial and is dangerous. In the recent years sponge-diving has been replaced by gulet tourism.

Day 10 – Rhodes
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We will cruise to Rhodes early in the morning. Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands.
The island is quite a popular holiday destination as it has one of the best-preserved and the largest European Medieval cities and has warm weather for 300 days of the year. Rhodes has been the cradle of many civilizations; starting with the knights of St. John in the Middle Ages, then Ottomans and Italians. Thus, the island has a unique historical harmony and beauty. Here you can join our optional old city tour. The main port of Rhodes is Rhodes City which bears the same name as the island. The other very touristic areas of Rhodes island are; Lindos and Kamiros. This city, which is still surrounded by a 12 meter thick city-wall which gives you the feeling of travelling back to Medieval times especially when you walk around its narrow, stone-paved roads. After dinner, we highly recommend you to enjoy in Rhodes Town night out.

Day 11 – Symi
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We will set sail to Symi Island and anchor at a near bay to Symi Harbour for lunch and a swimming break. We will anchor at Symi Port late in the afternoon. You can see the shoreline with its neo-classical houses and the peripheral districts. You are going to adore Symi Island for its pine and oak forests and unique bays. You can join our optional tour to go to the Monastery of Panormitis located in a well-protected bay at the southern part of Symi.

Day 12 – Nisyros – Kos
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Early in the morning we will cruise to Nisyros Island and will have a swimming break. The volcano on Nisyros Island erupted in 1422 and is still active. Nikea village is located on the side of the crater is constituted with white streets and a mosaic-style square. You can take an optional bus tour to the crater (volcano) which is still active and you will see the gases coming from underground. Then we will cruise to Kos Island. Asclepion, known to be the birth place of Hippocrates, who is the Father of Medical Sciences, is located here. All the people from the eastern Mediterranean with health problems were treated in Kos. Kos is the second largest island of the 12 islands (Dodecanese islands) and has a very mild climate and very fertile lands. The island houses a 560-year-old tree, a 211-year-old fountain and a 290 km long beach. You may take a quick swim in Lambi Beach which is very close to Kos Harbour. Kos is one of the islands with the best night life. Nafklirou, a street full of bars, is always crowded, colourful, and full of life.

Day 13 – Black Island (Poyraz Harbour – Meteor Bay) – Bodrum
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
We will cruise to Bodrum for the customs formalities. Afterwards swimming break will take place and lunch will be served at Poyraz Bay which is located on the northern side of Karaada (Black Island). This is such a nice bay with its turquoise-blue waters. We will be anchoring at Meteor Bay for tea time which is located on the southern side of the island. There is a meteor hole here and this is how the bay got its name. Here you may jump over the platform into the deep water. You may also take a walk through the underwater caves which are very near to Meteor Bay for a small local fee. We will dock in Bodrum Harbour for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 14 – Bodrum
(Breakfast included)
After breakfast your blue cruise concludes at 10:30am. Transfer to the airport.

Prices start from $2,751.00 US dollars per person, based on double occupancy.

 

© 2024 CWVacations. All Rights Reserved. All images, information, materials and otherwise is property of CWVacations and/or their respective owners. Website development and maintenance by altmedia
CWVacations facebook CWVacations pinterest CWVacations youtube
altmedia