Endless days of sunshine and warmth beckon in the Eastern Mediterranean even as we head into winter, but you can start planning your next spring or summer holiday and take your friends and family to Turkey on a beautiful luxury gulet adventure in 2021.
Gulets are traditional wooden-hulled vessels that are locally built and offer ambient surroundings great for celebrations: Many are used for weddings and birthdays but generally, Gulets offer a fantastic option for vacations for friends and family. The stunning Turkish Riviera, also known as the Turquoise Coast, is filled with beautiful wonders such as the Lycian Tombs which can become the scenic backdrop to your festivities. Pack the hours with golden sand beaches, crystal clear snorkelling and Scuba diving sites, and plenty of history and culture in Bodrum and beyond.
Highly coveted luxury yachts – whether brand new or with established reputations – come with an abundance of space onboard for the size of your group, a large and varied selection of water toys, generous cabins with TV entertainment, a well-stocked bar to accompany all those delicious meals, and a talented crew which might include a Dive Master, masseuse or even a Michelin-trained chef.
Luxury gulet HIC SALTA offers timeless surroundings in rich mahogany with every space efficiently used aboard this 43m/141ft vessel. Dine alfresco in the shade and cool down with fruity cocktails and desserts that will disappear the moment they arrive at the table. The sunbeds covering the foredeck will see much use from all 10 guests, and the air-conditioned interior offers one last place for a nightcap before bed. Another exceptional choice for celebrations is NURTEN A, designed with an outdoor bar close to large alfresco dining areas, and plenty of plush seating and sunbeds to make the most of each sunny day.
For those who prefer more modern surroundings, KAPTAN KADIR and UBI BENE both have a deceptively traditional exterior that gives way to a burst of contemporary colour and textures both outside and within, and other luxury gulets such as PERLA DEL MAR II, OGUZBEY and ELARA 1 have a Jacuzzi to unwind together over cocktails and the scenery. NAUTILUS not only has a Jacuzzi but a fireplace for added ambience, and a voluminous Master suite ideal for a bride and groom, while aptly named LOVE BOAT has accommodation for up to 32 guests across 16 en-suite cabins – significantly more than the usual 12 guests.
Water sports enthusiasts will want a vessel similar to CANER IV or DIDI, both of which have a fantastic selection of water toys ranging from jet skis to fishing equipment and towable toys to suit thrill-seekers as well as those who want to stay high and dry on board.
Kaş is a sensational destination for Scuba diving because of the wreck dives, caves and relics within the area. These natural sites are alive with colourful corals and fish of all shapes and sizes that create a mesmerizing sight for visitors of all ages. Guests heading ashore for culture will find Fethiye replete with offerings and landmarks such as the Hadrian Castle Gate into the historic Old Town, the Düden Waterfalls and the Antalya Museum. Shopping opportunities abound with shopping centres and markets for top-end gifts and authentic souvenirs. Bodrum, meanwhile, is home to one of the Wonders of the Ancient World – the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
After a full day in these busy metropolises, sail away to a quiet anchorage to listen to the sounds of nature under clear starry skies. Sailing yachts ATALANTE and DEA DEL MARE are two smaller gulets ideal for accessing these shallower places, and the modern amenities onboard complement the traditional surroundings for an inviting and homely environment with everything guests could ever want.
Trina Howes is a Director of CharterWorld America. CharterWorld is a luxury private yacht charter company that creates outstanding vacations with excellent yachts at amazing prices – worldwide.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Trina Howes is a Director of CharterWorld America. CharterWorld America is a luxury private yacht charter company that creates outstanding vacations with excellent yachts at amazing prices – worldwide. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
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6 Comments
40 years ago, as we were about to leave university and one of my friends got hold of a brochure for a Turkish gulet holiday. Even though it was fairly basic, nothing like the luxury vessels of today, none of us could afford it.
By coincidence we got together recently and got talking about that gulet idea. Four decades on and none of us had experienced a gulet.
Now that we’ve all got a few more pennies in our pocket it might finally be the time to have that adventure.
Gulets are a wonderful way to discover Turkey or even Greece and the rest of the Eastern Mediterranean, and definitely a great choice for vacations with friends. They can be both luxurious but at the same time offer a relaxed ambience onboard.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for a gratuitous quote… happy to offer more info.
I’ve got to admit to being really surprised by the quality of the soft furnishings. The level of finish looks much higher than what you’d even get in a stateroom on many cruises. I think I could be very comfortable on a gulet like that.
Turkey is one of my dream destinations and was planning one this year or 2021. Sadly, had to postpone making any travel plans at all this year and maybe until the second half of 2021. I’ve never thought of a cruise in Turkey though. This is the first time I’ve read something about it. Normally, I’d expect cruises in the Caribbean, Greek, Italian coast destinations. Guess I’ve been living under a rock or something. I guess these smaller chartered sailings are safer than big cruise ships nowadays since you’ll have very few people with you in the vessel. I’m always thinking of these things now whenever I plan on going somewhere. I guess it’s the “new normal” way of thinking.
I am Happy to see Turkish Gulet’s being mentioned with luxury travel tag. Also realize it is still very little known and under rated. Honestly being a travel agent in Turkey, I have been marketing & talking about a gulet cruise every travel agent I met at travel fairs and to all our guests traveled Turkey for culture & leisure trips, some come back and experienced a week gulet cruise. All were super excited and fully satisfied. From my personal experiences, last 15 years I been taking gulet cruise for family and friends vacations.Always enjoyed and satisfied.We used to go a week and now extended to 2 weeks since a while. I also experienced a cruise ship vacation at US-Canada route. A gulet cruise has nothing to compare to a ship cruise. Only common point is you are on the water with either vessels; but nothing compares to a gulet cruise even with a gulet not as luxurious as those mentioned. Itself a gulet cruise is freedom, joy, getting most out of the waters traveled, and most relaxing. I can not compare a gulet cruise to any other vacation as it is the best over best of any. On almost any gulet the food is amazing and would not exchange it to any restaurant food being Michelin starred or not. Every disembarkation is the start of dreaming of next embarkation. Thanks for sharing this article mentioning and promoting gulet vacations in Turkey.
Hello Murat, thank you for your kind and wonderful comment. We fully agree! Cruising aboard a Turkish gulet is truly a wonderful experience and one that many, many charterers come back to, again and again. As you say, the liberty, the relaxed yet deluxe atmosphere, amazing service on board and mouthwatering food cannot compare to any onshore or cruise line vacation.
Gulets are traditional wooden-hulled vessels that are locally built and offer ambient surroundings great for celebrations: Many are used for weddings and birthdays but generally, Gulets offer a fantastic option for vacations for friends and family. The stunning Turkish Riviera, also known as the Turquoise Coast, is filled with beautiful wonders such as the Lycian Tombs which can become the scenic backdrop to your festivities. Pack the hours with golden sand beaches, crystal clear snorkelling and Scuba diving sites, and plenty of history and culture in Bodrum and beyond.
Gulets are traditional wooden-hulled vessels that are locally built and offer ambient surroundings great for celebrations: Many are used for weddings and birthdays but generally, Gulets offer a fantastic option for vacations for friends and family. The stunning Turkish Riviera, also known as the Turquoise Coast, is filled with beautiful wonders such as the Lycian Tombs which can become the scenic backdrop to your festivities. Pack the hours with golden sand beaches, crystal clear snorkelling and Scuba diving sites, and plenty of history and culture in Bodrum and beyond.
Highly coveted luxury yachts – whether brand new or with established reputations – come with an abundance of space onboard for the size of your group, a large and varied selection of water toys, generous cabins with TV entertainment, a well-stocked bar to accompany all those delicious meals, and a talented crew which might include a Dive Master, masseuse or even a Michelin-trained chef.
Luxury gulet HIC SALTA offers timeless surroundings in rich mahogany with every space efficiently used aboard this 43m/141ft vessel. Dine alfresco in the shade and cool down with fruity cocktails and desserts that will disappear the moment they arrive at the table. The sunbeds covering the foredeck will see much use from all 10 guests, and the air-conditioned interior offers one last place for a nightcap before bed. Another exceptional choice for celebrations is NURTEN A, designed with an outdoor bar close to large alfresco dining areas, and plenty of plush seating and sunbeds to make the most of each sunny day.
For those who prefer more modern surroundings, KAPTAN KADIR and UBI BENE both have a deceptively traditional exterior that gives way to a burst of contemporary colour and textures both outside and within, and other luxury gulets such as PERLA DEL MAR II, OGUZBEY and ELARA 1 have a Jacuzzi to unwind together over cocktails and the scenery. NAUTILUS not only has a Jacuzzi but a fireplace for added ambience, and a voluminous Master suite ideal for a bride and groom, while aptly named LOVE BOAT has accommodation for up to 32 guests across 16 en-suite cabins – significantly more than the usual 12 guests.
Water sports enthusiasts will want a vessel similar to CANER IV or DIDI, both of which have a fantastic selection of water toys ranging from jet skis to fishing equipment and towable toys to suit thrill-seekers as well as those who want to stay high and dry on board.
Kaş is a sensational destination for Scuba diving because of the wreck dives, caves and relics within the area. These natural sites are alive with colourful corals and fish of all shapes and sizes that create a mesmerizing sight for visitors of all ages. Guests heading ashore for culture will find Fethiye replete with offerings and landmarks such as the Hadrian Castle Gate into the historic Old Town, the Düden Waterfalls and the Antalya Museum. Shopping opportunities abound with shopping centres and markets for top-end gifts and authentic souvenirs. Bodrum, meanwhile, is home to one of the Wonders of the Ancient World – the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.
After a full day in these busy metropolises, sail away to a quiet anchorage to listen to the sounds of nature under clear starry skies. Sailing yachts ATALANTE and DEA DEL MARE are two smaller gulets ideal for accessing these shallower places, and the modern amenities onboard complement the traditional surroundings for an inviting and homely environment with everything guests could ever want.
Trina Howes is a Director of CharterWorld America. CharterWorld is a luxury private yacht charter company that creates outstanding vacations with excellent yachts at amazing prices – worldwide.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
40 years ago, as we were about to leave university and one of my friends got hold of a brochure for a Turkish gulet holiday. Even though it was fairly basic, nothing like the luxury vessels of today, none of us could afford it.
By coincidence we got together recently and got talking about that gulet idea. Four decades on and none of us had experienced a gulet.
Now that we’ve all got a few more pennies in our pocket it might finally be the time to have that adventure.
Hi Roger,
Gulets are a wonderful way to discover Turkey or even Greece and the rest of the Eastern Mediterranean, and definitely a great choice for vacations with friends. They can be both luxurious but at the same time offer a relaxed ambience onboard.
Don’t hesitate to contact us for a gratuitous quote… happy to offer more info.
I’ve got to admit to being really surprised by the quality of the soft furnishings. The level of finish looks much higher than what you’d even get in a stateroom on many cruises. I think I could be very comfortable on a gulet like that.
Turkey is one of my dream destinations and was planning one this year or 2021. Sadly, had to postpone making any travel plans at all this year and maybe until the second half of 2021. I’ve never thought of a cruise in Turkey though. This is the first time I’ve read something about it. Normally, I’d expect cruises in the Caribbean, Greek, Italian coast destinations. Guess I’ve been living under a rock or something. I guess these smaller chartered sailings are safer than big cruise ships nowadays since you’ll have very few people with you in the vessel. I’m always thinking of these things now whenever I plan on going somewhere. I guess it’s the “new normal” way of thinking.
I am Happy to see Turkish Gulet’s being mentioned with luxury travel tag. Also realize it is still very little known and under rated. Honestly being a travel agent in Turkey, I have been marketing & talking about a gulet cruise every travel agent I met at travel fairs and to all our guests traveled Turkey for culture & leisure trips, some come back and experienced a week gulet cruise. All were super excited and fully satisfied. From my personal experiences, last 15 years I been taking gulet cruise for family and friends vacations.Always enjoyed and satisfied.We used to go a week and now extended to 2 weeks since a while. I also experienced a cruise ship vacation at US-Canada route. A gulet cruise has nothing to compare to a ship cruise. Only common point is you are on the water with either vessels; but nothing compares to a gulet cruise even with a gulet not as luxurious as those mentioned. Itself a gulet cruise is freedom, joy, getting most out of the waters traveled, and most relaxing. I can not compare a gulet cruise to any other vacation as it is the best over best of any. On almost any gulet the food is amazing and would not exchange it to any restaurant food being Michelin starred or not. Every disembarkation is the start of dreaming of next embarkation. Thanks for sharing this article mentioning and promoting gulet vacations in Turkey.
Hello Murat, thank you for your kind and wonderful comment. We fully agree! Cruising aboard a Turkish gulet is truly a wonderful experience and one that many, many charterers come back to, again and again. As you say, the liberty, the relaxed yet deluxe atmosphere, amazing service on board and mouthwatering food cannot compare to any onshore or cruise line vacation.