One of the most private, peaceful, and romantic ways to enjoy a Mediterranean holiday is on a gulet cruise.
A gulet is a two-masted wooded sailing ship that originated along the southwest coast of Turkey. Gulet is a Turkish word borrowed from the French for “schooner”. These traditional sailing vessels can be from 14 to 35 metres and may accommodate anywhere from 4 to 20 people.
Today, these old-fashioned boats are built with the charter business in mind. All of the fittings and equipment on board are geared towards the comfort of the guests. The wood used to build these boats is typically pine. There is a roomy aft deck where meals are served and can also be used for lounging out of the sun. Most boats provide a sunning area on the forward deck. The crew normally consists of the Captain, one or two deck hands, and a cook, depending on the size of the gulet.
The closeness of a Gulet Cruise promotes friendships
Because the gulets are small compared to the normal cruise ship, this style of cruising is ideal for couples, friends and families, or for small groups who may wish to charter the entire boat. If you choose to book a single cabin, the intimate setting is the perfect way to make new friends. The closeness on board gulet holidays promotes friendships among the passengers and typically the interactions between the guests and the crew are casual.
These cruises that normally sail from the Lycian Coast of Turkey, the Greek Islands, or the coast of Croatia offer the tranquility of the beautiful and unspoiled coastlines of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. If the wind allows for it, the boats will hoist their sails, but more time is spent motoring along the cruise route.
The size of these yachts used for a gulet cruise makes it possible to motor into deserted bays and coves for some private swimming and exploration, something you can’t experience with a gigantic cruise liner. In fact, it is likely that three to four hours a day only may be spent cruising and the rest of the time is allotted to snorkeling, swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing, or even fishing.
If you want, the ship may anchor and you can go ashore to walk through the coastal villages and get a taste of the native culture of the people there. There are many historic sites to be seen from ancient civilisations in these small villages or anywhere along the coastline. Some of the possible stops along the way may include:
· Bodrum – This is located on picturesque peninsula along the Turkish coast and was the home of Herodotus, the Greek historian. Bodrum is a very popular holiday resort with idyllic sandy beaches perfect for water sports.
· The Gulf of Gokova – This gulf begins at Bodrum and is famous for is densely wooded coastline and the deep blue of the waters. The village of Akbuk is a perfect place to stop for delicious meal after a vigorous day of diving or snorkeling.
· Caunos – The original village here was settled in 3000 BC. Ancient archeological sites are spread over a broad slope and include the Acropolis and its surrounding walls, four temples, a church, baths, and a theater.
The only difficult thing about planning a gulet cruise for your next holiday is choosing between all the options. Where should I start my cruise? What size gulet do I want? Where do I want to go? What do I want see? No matter what decision you make, it will be the right one.
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