Your yacht will be awaiting you at 11am in Keci Buku - 30mins drive from the main town of Marmaris. A wonderful contrast to the buzzing metropolis, Keci Buku is described as a "gem" in the Turkish Waters Pilot - and it truly is. A wide, sweeping bay surrounded by pine forests, with a fascinating old fortress perched on the top of an island guarding the entrance - a view which is well worth the scramble up!
After having gotten everyone settled in, we'll set off for our first destination of Dirsek - an even quieter, very pretty little bay, with just one taverna nestled in a corner. Wonderful swimming, great chillout spot; and a shortish sail on the first day to get everyone's sealegs working !
Day Two
Enough of the quiet, relaxing evenings to recover from jetlag - tonight, we are heading for a night of belly-dancing ! We'll be heading for Bozburun; usually very leisurely sail around the corner. Bozburun is a small, very traditional Turkish town; full of gulets (wooden motor sailors), but not many yachts, and certainly not many tourists. A great discovery of last year (2000) for us was a family-run pension/restaurant right on the waterfront, just outside the town; their little wooden jetty seemed purpose-built to fit our yachts, and the family delightfully warm and friendly
It is a shady, tranquil little spot to hang out in - and we even get to borrow their fun kayaks plus a windsurfer or two to go explore the bay in! Most importantly of all is the evening's entertainment - for our groups, they will invite along local friends who play traditional Turkish music - and even a belly-dancer to teach us all how it is done !
Day Three
Sail to Datca - a lively little town. The waterfront is lined little bars and tavernas; one street behind are several interesting craft & jewellery shops. Walking towards the beach, there is a tiny lake, with a surprisingly powerful "mini-waterfall" as it runs into the ocean; a great and very cooling massage experience !! For those wanting to dance the night away, Datca has several lively bars and nightspots - and a "hamam" (Turkish baths) , to ease any aching muscles the next morning !
Day Four
Sail to Ova Buku - a total contrast to the busy, modern ambiance of Datca, this is traditional Turkey as it has been for many years. Our favourite taverna here has the best home-cooked Turkish food imaginable - not the usual tourist fare. The village itself has a great little bay for cooling off; for those looking for a little more privacy, a short hike away is a lovely long and isolated beach; a perfect afternoon retreat.
Day Five
Sail to Knidos - once upon a time, this was a key city/harbour in the ancient world, home to many thousands of people. Now it is just a tranquil and well-sheltered bay - but the remains of these former civilizations still lie scattered around the hills, surrounding the bay on all three sides. There are amphitheatres, stone pillars and carvings, temple remains - all incredibly intact. It is really a time warp experience to wander around these hills and try to imagine the way of life all those thousands of years ago.
Day Six
Sail the next morning to Bodrum - an early start, so as to make the most of all the things to do and see in the "big metropolis"! A complete contrast to many of the little traditional places we have been visiting, Bodrum is very much modern-day Turkey. Winding street bazaars criss-cross the town, beautiful old wooden gulets line the waterfront, as do hundreds of little bars and restaurants. The 10th fortress of St John is a fascinating place to visit, especially the museum inside. And for those who love their nightlife, Bodrum claims the largest outdoor disco - "Halicarnassos" - in Europe !
Day Seven
Disembark Bodrum in the morning; the yacht(s) will be continuing on to Greece for the 2nd week's sailing in the Dodecanese islands.
