The Turkish Riviera (also known as "The Turquoise Coast") is a popular term used to define an area of southwest Turkey encompassing Antalya, Mugla and to a lesser extent Aydın and İzmir provinces. The combination of a favorable climate, warm sea, and abundant natural and archeological points of interest makes this stretch of Turkey’s coastline a popular tourist destination.
The region is known for pleasant climate conditions, including more than a thousand kilometers of shoreline along the Mediterranean Sea, and a host of archaeological and natural riches. The Turkish Riviera is strewn with ancient cities and harbors, memorial tombs and beaches and is laced with many small coves, lush forests and streams which make it frequent destination for Blue Voyages.
Throughout history, this unique landscape attracted numerous warriors, kings, and heroes. Mark Anthony of the Roman Empire chose Turkish Riviera as the most beautiful wedding gift for his beloved Cleopatra of Egypt. The Turkish Riviera is the birth place of some of the most important figures of history.
St. Nicholas, later known as Santa Claus, was born in Demre (ancient Myra), a small town close to Antalya. Herodotus, accepted as the father of history, was born in Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) in ca. 484 BC. In the mountains to the west of Antalya is the Chimera the firebreathing monster that the hero Bellerophon slew. Behind Antalya are the bay trees of the gardens of Daphne where the nymph was turned into a bay tree by Zeus to escape the amorous advances of Apollo.
In the mountains to the west of Antalya is the Chimera the firebreathing monster that the hero Bellerophon slew. Behind Antalya are the bay trees of the gardens of Daphne where the nymph was turned into a bay tree by Zeus to escape the amorous advances of Apollo.
Also two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are located in the Turkish Riviera. The ruins of the Mausoleum of Maussollos in Halicarnassus and the columns of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus can still be seen today.
Blue Cruise a.k.a. Blue Voyage ("Mavi Yolculuk" in Turkish) is a term used for recreational boating tours along Turkey's southwestern coasts, with connotations in tourism and literature. The term is used by Turkey's tourism industry. It was derived from the title of a 1957 book by Azra Erhat.
The term was first introduced into the Turkish literature by a handful of Turkish writers. These writers were Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı -alias The Fisherman of Halicarnassus, Sabahattin Eyüboğlu as well as his circle of family and friends, especially artists, Azra Erhat, the translator into Turkish of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and others united around the literary revue "Yeni Ufuklar" (New Horizons) in the 1950s and especially the 1960s.
A Gulet is a traditional design of a two-masted wooden sailing vessel from the south-west coast of Turkey, although frequently found all around the eastern Mediterranean. Today this type of vessel, varying in size from 14 to 40 metres, is now very popular for tourist charters although, for considerations of crew economy, diesel power is now almost universally used and many are not properly rigged for sailing.
With over 8,333 kilometres of coastline and four seas, Turkey is a real treasure chest of coves, inlets, bays and beaches.
Unlike cruises on large ocean liners, on a Turkish gulet you can explore the secluded and often deserted bays, coves and islands of the spectacular Turkish coastline. You will see a hidden Turkey, beautiful beyond belief, and most of it completely unseen by the average tourist!
A Blue Cruise combines sun, sea, history and hikes at various cruise destinations. You can either relax in your swimming suit all day long, enjoy the good food and the sunshine, or you can experience more exciting activities like snorkelling, fishing, water skiing, banana rides or exploring the natural and historical sites.
Sailing in Turkey allows you to experience a truly enriching cultural exchange with the hospitable and gracious people of the coastal villages and towns. The small harbours and settlements offer an intimate view of coastal life which large ships cannot replicate authentically. In many ways a gulet is like a full-service hotel where every room has a sea view and the scenery changes constantly.
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