Turkey

Gulet Cruises – a Friendship Houseparty

Sun, sea and swimming. Snoozing on deck while the turquoise sea whispers under the ship’s keel… this may just be the most relaxing Mediterranean holiday ever.

And for 2010 we are working exclusively with two refurbished boats in Turkey, each able to accommodate up to 11 Friendship Travel guests, so that we can create a floating Friendship Houseparty!

The boats are modern, but built in traditional style.  Life on-board is laid-back: the friendly crew does all the hard work, moving the gulet from cove to cove looking for the best swimming spots, preparing three good meals a day and keeping the cabins ‘ship shape’.

Each gulet has plenty of room to provide different relaxing areas – on deck you’ll find sun-beds in the bow, a shaded seating area in the stern and a comfortable dining area.  In the middle of the ship is the indoor lounge and the all-important bar!

The gulets have reliable engines for easy cruising no matter what way the wind is blowing. But we know how much fun it is to put up the sails and hear the water race under the keel, so the captain will ‘sail’ the gulet on at least two days in the week (conditions permitting).

Below decks are the air-conditioned cabins, each with its own porthole, tiny shower and wc. The 7 double-bedded cabins are for sole occupancy and there are 2 twin-bedded cabins for those willing to share (at a lower cost).

This means that each gulet can welcome up to 11 Friendship guests so there will be a real houseparty atmosphere: people to chat to over dinner or explore ashore with when the opportunity arises.  But as each gulet would usually hold up to 9 couples (18 people), you can see that Friendship’s exclusive use of the ship means there is room to relax and space to find a quiet corner if you wish!

One gulet sails out of Fethiye – ideal for combining with a week at the Hotel Era in Olu Deniz . The other gulet offers two different routes out of Bodrum – again a perfect option for a two-centre holiday, with one week at the 4Reasons Hotel . Of course, you can simply enjoy a week afloat on a cruise-only holiday.

Click here to see our Gulet Video - This is the boat used in Fethyie.

Gulet Richmond IV, based at Bodrum

Route 1 is from Bodrum and is described in full on the previous page – Friendship Travel Afloat. It includes Orak island, Kusrebuk Bay, Karacosogut, Cokertme, Yaliciftlik and back to Bodrum.

Route 2 heads from Bodrum across to the Greek Island of Kos, to Pserimos, Kalimnos, Leros and return, including dropping anchor at Gokova Korfezi before coming home to Bodrum.

Remember we can combine a cruise on the Richmond IV with a week at the 4Reasons boutique hotel for a super two-week, two-centre holiday.

Prices in £ sterling including flights

Gulet Richmond IV, departing from Bodrum

Gulet cruises provide full board, with the emphasis on fresh local food. Breakfast is continental, with cold meat, cheese and olives as well as bread and honeyor jam plus tea and coffee. A simple two-course lunch - eg pasta or moussakka - is followed by fruit and afternoon tea is also served. Dinner is typically fresh fish or chicken with vegetables or salad and couscous as well as a local dessert. Wine is not included with meals, but the bar is reasonably priced (Turkey is not in the €urozone!) and you can settle your drinks bill at the end of the week.

Friendship Travel Afloat

A typical week on a gulet cruise. – Click here for full details.

Gulet Gazi Kaptan, based at Fethiye

The Gazi Kaptan normal route is from Fethiye across Gocek Bay and around the coast past Dalyan (shore stop if requested), towards Marmaris. The coastline is indented with dozens of bays, some hiding little fishing villages, others unreachable except by boat, so that the return journey to Fethiye will be just as much fun. Please note this gulet replaces the Esat Gulet as advertised in our brochure, as it was sold by its owners.

We can combine a cruise on the Gazi Kaptan with a week at the Hotel Era to create an amazing two-week, two-centre holiday.

Prices in £ sterling including flights

Gulet Gazi Kaptan from Fethiye