Day 1 USA – Istanbul

Depart the States on your flight bound for Istanbul.

You are met upon your arrival in the world’s only city built on two continents and brought by private car to your hotel, the Four Seasons, with the best location in the city – a short distance from the Haghia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace. Your accommodation exudes culture, history and charm. A renovated early 19th century Ottoman building, the original tiles and columns remain, as well as a Byzantine wall that borders the grounds. The plush interior is decorated with 19th century furnishings.

You depart today on your flight to the south of Turkey, to Dalaman, where you are met and driven to the Mediterranean fishing village of Gocek. The M/Y Halas is waiting for you. The spacious common areas include a dining room, a lounge, two bars, a video room, a game room, a beauty salon, and a large sun deck. Once you have had a chance to settle into your private cabin, relax on deck with refreshments before your delicious dinner on board. (B,D)

Shortly after breakfast this morning, you cruise in the Gulf of Fethiye. The Halas anchors off the shore of Yassica Island, and you spend the morning swimming and strolling on the beach. After lunch, there is ample time to explore Krya and take the climb up to the Lycian rock tombs that were built into the cliffs. If you prefer, you can relax on the beach with a good book before you return to the ship for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Your cruise begins early this morning as you continue outside the Fethiye Gulf, past Iblis Point, along the Mediterranean, to Gemili Island in the Bay of Belcegiz. It is unclear who founded the settlement on the island. The ruins on the slope descend to the water’s edge. A large church from the Christian and Byzantine period, mosaics on the ground, remains of a gutter system running down the slope, and the ruins of cisterns in the sea are quite interesting.

After lunch, if you like, you can go to Olu Deniz (Blue Lagoon) and take a swim in the calm, crystal-clear water of "Paradise Beach" – a long white pebble beach stretching below huge pine trees set on the high slopes above. Or you can take a chair on the sun deck on board and read or simply daydream. At the end of the day, you have a savory dinner served as you watch the sun set across the water and spend another wonderful quiet night lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of the sea. (B,L,D)

After your breakfast, you drive from Olu Deniz to Xanthos – the oldest and largest city of the mountain province of Lycia, nestled in the valley of the Xanthos River. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. By the middle of the 1st  century AD, Xanthos was part of a Roman province. However, the area was devastated by a series of earthquakes, and Arab raids in the 8th century completed the destruction. With such a history, it is no wonder Xanthos became known as the "city of disasters". The ruins here include the Lycian acropolis as well as the Roman acropolis, the Roman Theater, and the 6th century BC Harpy Monument that is a family sarcophagus.

Just a few miles to the southwest, you visit the ancient ruins of Letoon, which was closely linked with Xanthos. It is known to have been a very important religious center of Lycia during the period between the 7th century BC and 6th century AD. You see a triad of temples to Leto, Apollo and Artemis, as well as a community hall and a large semi-circular pool. There are inscriptions in Lycian, Greek and Aramaic found on the Leton Temple, which scholars hope will help in deciphering the Lycian language. A well-preserved Greek-style theater rises above the little village that surrounds the site. After your sightseeing, you drive back to Gocek to meet the Halas.

If you prefer, you can elect to stay aboard the Halas today; relax on the sun deck and stop to enjoy a swim as you cruise back to Gocek. This evening, you are served another romantic dinner featuring fresh fish, vegetables and fruit and enjoy the tranquility of overnight on board. (B,L,D)

This morning, after your breakfast on board, you have the opportunity to visit the ancient site of Patara, probably as famous for its vast sandy beach as for its imposing ruins set on a series of seaside hills. The site was once set along a harbor, which over the centuries has filled in with silt. You see a spectacular triple arch gateway, built around 100 AD, a necropolis with many sarcophagi, and the very impressive Hadrianic Granary. The painted ceramics found in the acropolis indicate the city existed as long ago as the 5th century BC. Along the path to the sea, you see the remains of Roman baths, a Christian basilica, and a theater.

After your lunch, you drive a short distance along the coast to Kalkan – a typical Turkish fishing village. A graceful stone breakwater protects the harbor, and simple stone houses with wooden balconies overlook the marina. You stroll through this lovely town’s narrow winding streets to browse in shops and boutiques offering clothing (including baggy Turkish pants called shalvars), ceramics, carpets, and souvenirs.

In the late afternoon, you return by car to Gocek, and you sip a cool drink on deck as the Halas cruises along the Gulf to Sarsila Bay for your overnight anchorage. A sumptuous dinner is served as you watch the sun set over the water. (B,L,D)

This morning, you can swim after breakfast in Sarsila before returning to Gocek for the short drive to the village of Dalyan. Here you make the 30-minute trip by boat up river along a stretch of lush, green marsh to the ruins of the ancient Carian harbor- city of Caunos. From the boat, be sure to look up at the cliff above to glimpse the rock tombs built in the 4th century BC. This former port suffered the same fate as many others in the area when the water line receded and the harbors silted in. You see the acropolis of Caunos and remarkably well preserved defensive walls. There is an impressive view from the Roman theater of the entire site and distant beach. A fountain and several temples lie along the ancient harbor.

After lunch, you have an opportunity to visit the nearby pools for a mud facial or bath – long considered beneficial for your skin. Upon your return to Gocek, board the Halas and cruise to Domuz Island for a delicious dinner and relaxing overnight onboard. (B,L,D)

You swim off Domuz Island this morning before going ashore to visit the town of Fethiye. The ancient Lycian city of Telmessos originally occupied this site in 400 BC; and it was known for the astrologists, mystics, palm readers, and oracles who lived here. You visit the tomb of Amyntas, the most famous of all the Lycian tombs, which sits grandly on the slope overlooking the bay. Amyntas is thought to have been a king or governor of Telmessos during the Hellenistic period. Much of the city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1957, but the rock tombs here are considered to be some of the most interesting in the region. Returning to the Halas this afternoon, you can swim and sit back on the deck as you cruise across the bay to Gocek. You have a light dinner before driving to Dalaman Airport for your flight to Istanbul. You overnight at the Four Seasons Hotel. (B,L,D)

Your idyllic journey comes to an end as you are escorted to the airport for you return flight to the USA. (B)