Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a Gulet?
  2. Will I like Turkish food?
  3. What is it like travelling in Turkey?
  4. When is the best time of year to visit Turkey?
  5. What should I bring with me?
  6. How will I get to the boat from the local airport?
  7. How do I get to Turkey?

What is a Gulet?

A traditional wood motor/sail boat. Imagine wooden boats thousands of years ago carrying cargoes of wine and copper across the Aegean on the wind, to trade with ancient civilizations, or fishing boats earning a living from the Mediterranean. Such boats were built along the Aegean coast of Turkey. Many of the skills and designs have been passed down to today's boat builders.

The modern Turkish gulet is very similar in design but with all the conveniences you would expect on a modern yacht. They vary in size and standard, with most now including air conditioning. Some of the Gulets have been designed to sail as well as motor.

Will I like Turkish food?

Turkish food is a great delight and very varied. On the boats you are able to sample Turkish home cooking at its best. They use a lot of fresh vegetables both in their mezzes (hors d'oeuvres) salads and general cooking (ideal for vegetarians). They cook beef, lamb or chicken with herbs and spices, grilled on skewers or baked in a variety of sauces. Turkish rice and bulgar are so tasty you can eat them on their own, and pasta is as popular here as in Italy. Fish is excellent and always fresh.

The Turks have a very sweet tooth, and like pastries drenched in honey and nuts (Baklava). Fresh fruit is always served after a meal, followed by a thick cup of strong Turkish coffee. There are excellent local wines. Good local beer is available, as are imported spirits, mixers and fruit juices. Raki is the local Turkish aniseed spirit.

You will definitely want to take a cookery book home with you.

What is it like travelling in Turkey?

Turkish people are very warm and friendly and they love to show off their country to foreign visitors. Many Turks will speak English and/or German. The Turkish and Mediterranean coastline in particular has been popular with visitors from around the world over the last 15-20 years. All the main ports have modern private marina facilities in addition to the town harbours. Supermarkets at these ports stock the same produce as you would find at home with a few local variations. The area of Turkey where caution is still necessary is the inland area of South Eastern Turkey. Any traveller visiting this area should refer to the relevant authority before travelling.

When is the best time of year to visit Turkey?

If you want to explore ancient sites and travel inland, then April, May and October would be the best months when temperatures are warm but not unbearable. March/April are the best time for Spring flowers. If you like it hot, opt for June/September or sizzle in July and August.

What should I bring with me?

We provide detailed briefing notes for all our travellers which are sent out well in advance of the departure date. Informality on board all boats is the order of the day. On medical issues, consult your own doctor on any inoculations and remedies for insect bites.

How will I get to the boat from the local airport?

We organise private transfers between all the regional airports and the boats in air-conditioned local mini-buses, or larger vehicle if appropriate to the size of group. The cost of this transport is included in our prices.

How do I get to Turkey?

There are numerous direct charter flights from British airports to Istanbul, Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya. There are also daily scheduled services with Turkish Airlines to Istanbul with connecting services to all regional airports. These internal flights can be linked with a variety of National airlines from other countries which fly into Istanbul. Turkish Airlines international services also fly a wide variety of routes from capital cities around the world. UK based clients can book their flights through DayDreams and have their entire holiday covered by our Atol 9006 while other nationals are advised to check with travel agents local to them.