Bodrum-Cyclades Islands 15 Day 14 Night Blue Cruise

Bodrum is the ideal starting point for sailing the Aegean coast of Turkey. The Gökova Gulf is acknowledged to be one of the best cruising areas in Europe. With abundant sunshine, crystal clear waters, continuous blue skies, good anchorages and friendly people, this coast offers many diversities. There are many unspoiled areas rich in natural beauty and in costal settlements and villages.Bodrum is a port city in Muğla Province, in the southwestern Aegean Region of Turkey. It is located on the southern coast of Bodrum Peninsula, at a point that checks the entry into the Gulf of Gökova. The city was called Halicarnassus of Caria in ancient times and was famous for housing the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bodrum Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 15th century, overlooks the harbour and the marina. The castle grounds include a Museum of Underwater Archeology and hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year. Kos Island is really well worth visiting. Kos is the island that gave the world Hippocrates, the father of medicine. The third largest island of the Dodecanese, it is a very green island with an excellent infrastructure and large roads lined up with palm trees. During your visit to Kos Island, you must certainly visit the ancient ruins of the city that are numerous and remarkable, the ruins of ‘Asklipios”, the ‘Castle of the Knights’and the huge tree of Hippocrates (trunk diameter is 11,5 meters!). On Kos you will find some of the finest beaches in the Dodecanese islands of Greece. With many archaeological sites in and around the town, Kos is the ideal place for walking or cycling.

We will cruise to Pserimos Island early in the morning. Pserimos is an islet located between Kos and Kalymnos, about six nautical miles north of Kos and close to the Turkish coast. The total area is only about 15sq km and there is only a handful of permanent residents, around 100 who rely on fishing and tourism.The island is a popular destination for tourists who arrive from Kos or Kalymnos on small excursion boats or pirate-type tourist ships that arrive daily throughout the summer. Pserimos is a good day out for those wishing to avoid organised beaches of Kos or Kalymnos but the beach, though large, can get crowded once all the day trip boats arrive.The beach is wide, deep, very sandy with shallow waters well sheltered in the deep bay and lined with beachside tavernas and cafes that catch the daily trade. There is a small harbour for boat mooring. There’s not much to see beside the single sandy beach though tracks lead over the rocky treeless hills to small coves. Leros is an island with a very healthy climate ideal for a quiet holiday. Evergreen, with many inviting coves and beautiful sandy beaches, Leros relaxes the visitor with its tranquil landscape. Not very touristy, the main port of Lakki is one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in Greece. It was designed by Mussolini’s architects in 1923 and although in defiance of the dictator’s wishes, the capital was subsequently moved above the village of Platanos. The rest of the island is green with stunning beaches and large bays. Leros is the ideal home base for sailing trips to the coast of Turkey and the other Dodecanese islands.

Lipsi is a tiny island covered with white washed houses and little churches with blue domes. It is an island where cars are almost non-existent and where most of the local life takes place at the island’s port. Lipsi is a very beautiful and authentic island of the Dodecanese where during the day you can watch the fishermen beat octopuses on the quays that will be served later that night in one of the many cafes set on the tiny port.

Known as the Jerusalem of the Aegean, Patmos island is the holy island of Christians, where the Apocalypse of St. John was written. Visitors of this Dodecanese island today are split into two groups, the first half that still come to the island because of its religious significance and the second half comes here to enjoy the lovely beaches, the serenity and the unique character of the island and its people. Patmos is a quiet island at night, but a busy stop by day for the many cruise ships that have made it a port of call. Patmos is a spectacular island with great beaches and a unique landscape, an island where tourism until recently was low-key but has been growing steadily. Don’t miss the unique Easter celebrations (Greek Orthodox Easter) where you will have the chance to see a staging of Christ’s Last Supper. Also, take an evening stroll through the narrow streets of Hora or Chora and watch the sunset from Kastelli hill.

Ikaria island is situated in the north-eastern Aegean Sea, between the islands of Samos and Patmos. According to the Greek Mythology, Icarus, a mythical figure with wax wings, fell into the sea and was drowned, while flying close to the sun. The island was thus named after him. Ikaria island has rich past, which can be seen in the Byzantine and Roman archeological remains.The Castle of Koskina built in the 11th century A.D, during the Byzantine rule, is found on top of a mountain peak. Inside the castle is the church of Saint George. Drakano Fortress is another fine example of the island’s military past. It was built by the Athenians, during the time of Alexander the Great. This 44 foot high limestone military fortification served as observation point for traffic in the Aegean Sea. The tourists can also find the remains of a Byzantine Odeon (small theatre) in Kampos village, used by noblemen in ancient times for musical and theatrical events.The Roman baths of Therma also deserve a visit. During the Roman times, hot spring water with curative properties flowed out and people cured themselves of their diseases by bathing in it. After an earthquake, the Therma springs of Ikaria island stopped working and the city slid under the sea. The remains are visible with snorkeling in the region. Nearby, along the tourists can follow a paved path that leads them to an active hot water spring, from which the hot water with healing properties flows out into the sea. They can bath in it to cure themselves, of any rheumatic or skin disease. In Nas, visitors can also explore the remains of an ancient temple of Goddess Artemis built around the 6th century B.C.For nature lovers, the island is a paradise. It is covered with Pine and Oaks forests. Tourists can hike through the beautiful countryside, on stony and earthen paths to enjoy the natural splendors. Ikaria island is one of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean region. The mountains, lakes, rivers and lush green forests of Ikaria island form a unique natural beauty.

One of the reasons of the extreme popularity of Mykonos island is the many sandy beaches and their crystal-clear waters. The most popular beaches are the one located in the southern coast of the island; they are all fully organised and some of them (Paradise, Super Paradise, Elia, Platis Gialos, Psarou, Agios Ioannis, Agrari, Paranga, Kalo Livadi, Ftelia and others) are considered as some of the best in Greece. Night life on the island of Mykonos is famous worldwide and it is the main reason of the islands huge popularity and high level of tourism. The whitewashed capital Chora or Town has hundreds of crowded bars and clubs and the famous beach resorts offer huge night clubs and lively beach bars. Party and fun is lasting all night long. It is also known as being one of the best gay and lesbians spots in Europe.

One of the reason of the popularity of the island of Paros is the exquisite beaches it offers: authentic or organised beaches with sun beds and umbrellas, beaches for the practice of windsurfing or party beaches, all is there for you, just waiting to be visited The most famous are: Golden Beach, Kolimbithres, Parasporos, Santa Maria, Pounda and more…Paros Island also has charming villages. The island’s capital, Parikia, is a charming town with many activities concentrated there. The second most important village of the island is Naoussa which is known for its cosmopolitan life and as one of the most beautiful of Greece.Paros is famous for it’s nightlife, coming third in the Cyclades, in terms of entertainment, after Mykonos and Ios. Plenty of bars and night clubs can be found in Parikia, and in Naoussa.

Naxos is a mountainous island. It has many lovely and picturesque villages with whitewashed houses, narrow bright coloured windows and doors and slate or tile roofs like: Apiranthos, Apollonas, Halki, Potamia, Koronos, Tripodes and others. The capital of the island, Hora, is a big and unique village in Greece. It has a well-preserved Venetian castle and it is full of beautiful whitewashed houses with small windows, surrounded by stone-paved narrow alleys.More than 98 kilometres of fine golden sandy beaches are surrounding the beautiful island of Naxos in Greece. All beaches have superb crystal-clear turquoise waters which are glimmering under the bright Mediterranean sun. Umbrellas, sun beds and water sports facilities can be found in some of those paradise-like beaches as well as many accommodations. Here are some of the most famous: Agios Prokopios, Plaka, Agia Anna, Mikri Vigla, Sahara, Saint Georgios… Some of the beaches offer perfect wind conditions for the practice of windsurfing and kite surfing. Some other are paradise for snorkeling.

Iraklia has two villages: Panagia, located in the centre of the island, and Agios Georgios, which serves as the main port. Both these villages have traditional architecture but Agios Georgios is more touristically developed, as it offers some rooms to rent and a couple of nice taverns.Iraklia has many beautiful beaches around its coastline. Some of these beaches can be accessed on foot, while others are more remote, so visitors will need to take the excursion boat from the port to go and enjoy some privacy. The most famous and impressive beach on Iraklia is Livadi, a long sandy beach with crystal water on the eastern side of the island. However, the beach of Agios Georgios gets more popular due to its closeness to the port.

The southwest coast of Koufonisia has the village of Chora. Here one finds gorgeous beaches, good food, good people and so much natural beauty that one cannot help but fall in love with the place. Since fishing is the mainstay of the island, you will get to enjoy a lot of fish and other seafood varities here.The beaches of Koufonisia Greece are famous for their incredible beauty, their crystal clear aqua colored water and their unique landscape made of impressive rock formations and caves. Many of the beaches can only be reached on foot, by using various paths. It is an ideal place to get back in tune with nature and oneself. Some of them are: Fanos, Finikas, Gala, Nero and more.Koufonisia are ideal for those looking for peace and tranquillity. However, the island does have some attractively cozy bars. You may find the nightlife choices a little limited on this idyllic island. In Chora, there is a number of restaurants for you to sample traditional Greek fare besides the usual pizzas and pastas. The taverns have some of the best nightspots of Greece.

The most interesting of the villages of Amorgos Island is Chora, the capital of the island, which is situated at an altitude of 400 metres above the sea. It is a charming village with a unique atmosphere created by the whitewashed houses and windmills, the Venetian castle, the churches, the labyrinth flourished paved alleys.Amorgos Greece is world famous for the incredible colours of its beaches. It is the reason why the french filmmaker Luc Besson chose the area for the principal scenes of his movie, “The Big Blue” which took place in this island of Greece. The island offers desert amazing cricks and sandy beaches.Amorgos has an active nightlife. It mostly consists of cozy little bars, restaurants and a dance club or two. It is concentrated in Amorgos Town and the port Karavostasi.

Astypalea is one of those secret islands that receive few foreign visitors but is popular with Greeks. On this gorgeous island of Astypalea of the Dodecanese, where local traditions are still alive, your holidays will consist of eating lots of fish (imposed by the many fish taverns of the island), and lots of swimming on beautiful deserted bays (yes, they still exist!). When on Astypalea island, do not miss a visit to the capital of Astypalaia, Chora, with its beautiful white washed houses and a Venetian castle crowning it, and a visit to the windmills, as well as the small port of Maltezana, especially between 7 and 9 p.m. when fishermen return and sell fish and crayfish straight from their boats (get a taste of the traditional life).

Kalymnos Island is best known as the island of some of the world’s finest sponge divers. Although Kalymnos is a developing tourist centre, you can still see the sponge fishermen at work even today and you can still experience the islanders’ traditional way of life.On this beautiful island of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese, you can take nice walks, swim in beautiful caves, and discover lovely beaches and unspoiled scenery, an example of which is the authentic village of Vathi hidden in a beautiful green valley. Due to its mountainous landscape, Kalymnos is also one of the best places to practice mountain climbing!Also, most of the beaches of Kalymnos are equipped with water sport facilities. The wonderful sunsets over the tiny island Telendos are not to be missed – they are on par with those of Santorini!

Turgutreis, on Turkey’s southern coast, is one of the major players in the Bodrum peninsula’s seaside portfolio. Set amid mountains, islands and citrus groves, this western-facing spot is famous for its sunsets. And it comes with a lively spread of shops, bars and restaurants, not to mention a contemporary marina with modern boutiques and waterfront eating places. The beaches are within a impressive beauty. The long strip of coarse sand dips gently into shallow waters, so it’s perfect for children. Karaincir is a 500 metre stretch of soft golden sand which is great for all the family. The tranquil blue water is invitingly calm, and also offers a number of watersports from banana boats to pedaloes. You can also soak up the relaxed ambience around the beach from one of the many sun loungers made available, whilst sipping on a refreshing drink from one of the venders.

Bodrum is the ideal starting point for sailing the Aegean coast of Turkey. The Gökova Gulf is acknowledged to be one of the best cruising areas in Europe. With abundant sunshine, crystal clear waters, continuous blue skies, good anchorages and friendly people, this coast offers many diversities. There are many unspoiled areas rich in natural beauty and in costal settlements and villages.Bodrum is a port city in Muğla Province, in the southwestern Aegean Region of Turkey. It is located on the southern coast of Bodrum Peninsula, at a point that checks the entry into the Gulf of Gökova. The city was called Halicarnassus of Caria in ancient times and was famous for housing the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bodrum Castle, built by the Crusaders in the 15th century, overlooks the harbour and the marina. The castle grounds include a Museum of Underwater Archeology and hosts several cultural festivals throughout the year.