Aya Nikola

Turkey › Cruising the Turquoise Coast

It is hard to imagine a more totally relaxing holiday than one aboard a traditional Turkish gulet as it sails or motors along the heart-stoppingly beautiful Turquoise coast. Days are spent in unashamed indolence and indulgence as the crew take care of the sailing and navigation and present you with three delicious meals and as many drinks as you care to order each day from the reasonably priced bar. The major daily decisions are whether to swim, snorkel or windsurf, go ashore and visit an inviting archaeological site or pretty beachside village or just drift and dream on your comfortable deck mattress.

Our gulet, the Aya Nicola, is exceptionally spacious with seven air-conditioned cabins, six doubles and one master cabin, each with en suite facilities; there is a comfortable saloon to relax in when you need respite from the sun, an attractive dining area on deck and plenty of mattresses to doze on. To cater for the more energetic in the party there is a canoe and windsurfer and the crew can chauffeur you ashore in the motorised dinghy.

The Aya Nicola can be chartered by families or groups of friends of four to twelve people. The cruises are for one week and start at either Fethiye or Gocek. The suggested itineraries below may be adapted to suit your particular interests and requirements but the Captain of course has full discretion according to weather conditions and prevailing winds. We will ask you before you travel if you have any special dietary requirements or favourite tipples to ensure that nothing is left to chance.

What to expect and what to bring?

Life on board a gulet is relaxed to the extreme. The crew are there to look after both the boat and its passengers, leaving you free to enjoy the experience. The routes we have planned may vary slightly according to the time of year that you wish to travel and those booking early will have a better choice of route. Wherever possible we will vary the routes to comply with any special wishes but the captain will have the final discretion, depending on weather conditions. All your meals are prepared and served by the crew, with the exception of one dinner per week on their night off (the final night of the week). The crew also operate a well stocked and reasonably priced bar on board and it is usual for guests to use this facility rather than rely totally on their own limited duty frees. Please remember to advise us of both your dietary and liquid requirements well in advance and we will do our best to ensure that you are properly catered for. As storage space on board is limited it is advisable to bring as little luggage as possible, packed in soft bags. Dress is casual in the extreme and swimwear and shorts are generally the order of the day, although in the cooler months you may wish to pack a sweater for the evenings. If you are spending part of your holiday on land we suggest that you pack two bags and we will store one safely for you whilst you are cruising.

Technical Data

Type: Ketch - Length: 24.40m - Beam: 6.50m - Generator: 15Kw - Engine: 440HP - Water: 6000lt. - Fuel: 2000lt.

Equipment

Dinghy, Outboard Engine, VHF, Canoe Windsurfer, Sails, 2 Freezers, 1 Refrigerator

Accommodation

Six double cabins and one master cabin, all with en-suite shower and WC. Air-conditioning. Teak deck

Suggested Itineraries:

Gocek - Caunos - Fethiye (1 week)

Monday: Transfer to Gocek and overnight on board in Gocek Harbour.

Tuesday: Sail or cruise to Tersane Island, and then onto Wall Bay. Exquisite setting with plenty of Byzantine ruins.

Wednesday: Sail or cruise to Ekincik. From here you can hire a fishing boat to take you up the Dalyan river to the ancient ruins of Caunos and the mud baths.

Thursday: Aga Limani. Good for snorkelling and fishing. Half an hour's walk to some Lycian ruins.

Friday: Gemiler Bay. Also known as Saint Nicholas island. Plenty of Byzantine ruins.

Saturday: Butterfly Valley. Good for snorkelling and fishing. Also good for exploring the nearby village on foot.

Sunday: Sail or cruise to Fethiye for some shopping and a sophisticated night out on the town.

Monday: Transfer back to the UK.

Fethiye to Gocek (1 week)

Monday: Transfer to Fethiye and overnight on board in Fethiye Marina.

Tuesday: Sail to Saint Nicholas Island. Extensive ruins of what must have been a sizeable Byzantine community. Good for snorkelling and watersports.

Wednesday: Sail or cruise to Oludeniz. The enclosed lagoon with its sandy beach and high mountains behind is a place of some considerable beauty.

Thursday: Butterfly Valley. Swimming and snorkelling facing sheer mountains. Night in Karacaoren Bay.

Friday: Sail to Aga Limani. Walk half an hour to Lycian ruins or fish or snorkel.

Saturday: Cleopatra's Bath. Explore the ruins around the tiny Cleopatra's Bay.

Sunday: Yassicalar Islands and Tersane Island. Many Byzantine ruins and good for snorkelling. Afternoon sail to Gocek Harbour.

Monday: Transfer back to the UK.