Depending upon the length of your vacation and your interests, we will work with you to design an Azure Odyssey that satisfies your needs. Turkey's southwestern coast is home to some of the finest reconstructed Greek and Roman cities in the world. Blessed with long summer days of endless sunshine, there are enormous opportunities for exploring historical sites, natural wonders and charming Turkish towns and villages. We recommend that you begin in Bodrum, the home of the 'Blue Voyage' and the prettiest resort on the southern Aegean. The nearby Bodrum/Milas airport makes it relatively easy to get here. Before you begin your Azure Odyssey, consider spending a few days exploring inland sites in Anatolia:

Pamukkale -- The cascading white travertine pools on this hillside were formed by calcium deposits from cooling calcium-laden spring water. This area was first visited by the ancient Romans, who founded a cure center around 190 BC. In ancient times, this was an oracle: Wisdom was found in a nearby spring that continues to emit poisonous vapours today. The ruins of Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Asia, are nearby .

Aphrodisias -- This city was dedicated to Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. In the 1st century AD, this was a significant center for religion, arts and literature. Many believe this was home to a sculpture school during Roman times. The nearby mountain range provides an ample supply of marble and magnificent sculptures from Aphrodisias can be found in museums across Turkey and Europe. Other evidence suggests that human settlement began here somewhere between 2800-2200 BC.

Selcuk -- Close to Ephesus, Selcuk is home to the Ephesus Museum. The Basilica of St. John is also here, built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. It's believed that John accompanied the Virgin Mary back to this region and was buried here in 100. Little remains of the Temple of Artemis that was built here, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world..

Ephesus -- This is one of the grandest reconstructed ancient sites in the world. Wander the streets of Ephesus and find yourself transported back in time. The Delphi oracle led Ionian Greeks to this site in the 11th century B.C. Ephesus was the sacred center for the cult of Cybele (Anatolian fertility goddess), who eventually became Artemis (the virgin goddess of the hunt and the moon) and was finally transformed by the Romans into Diana. The Temple of Diana was considered one of the seven wonders of the World. Although it eventually became Christian, this Roman city was where silversmiths drove St. Paul out of town. The city's stadium could hold 70,000 spectators and the theater, which was completed in the 2nd century AD, could hold 25,000. The House of the Virgin Mary is nearby, where St. John took Mary after the crucifixion.

Priene -- The siting of this ancient city is stunning: atop a steep hill, against a sheer rocky mountain face, and overlooking what used to be the ocean but is now the floodplain for the 'meanders' river. This city dates from 350 BC and was where the League of Ionian cities held its Congresses and festivals. Its Temple of Athena is considered the epitome of an Ionian temple.

Miletus -- This city was considered one of the greatest commercial centers of the Greek world. The first settlers were Minoan Greeks from Crete who arrived between 1,400 and 1,200 BC. Considered an intellectual center, Miletus reigned as an important commercial and government center from about 700 BC to 700 AD.

Didyma -- This was the location of the spectacular Temple of Apollo, an oracle that rivaled the one at Delphi. The temple had 124 massive columns -- many can still be seen today. The temple was started in 300 BC and was under construction for 500 years. It was never completed but construction stopped when Christianity became the state religion of the Byzantines.

You could also take relaxing day-trips to beaches and villages scattered along the shores of the Bodrum penninsula: Gumbet, Yalikavak, Gumusluk and Torba are delightful.

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We think the best place to start an Azure Odyssey is Bodrum, but you could also begin in Marmaris or in Gocek. Both are easily accessible from the Dalaman airport -- let us know what works best for you. We'll make sure you visit all the places you wish to explore.

BODRUM

Our yachts were built in Bodrum and this is their home. Boat building is an ancient tradition in this city and the original 'blue voyage' began here in the 1930's and 40's. Founded in 1000 BC and representing one of the first Greek colonies in Asia, Bodrum was once know as 'Halicarnassus'. A temple to King Mausolus was built here, considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the basis for the word 'mausoleum'. The city stretches along the shore of two crescent-shaped bays and the Castle of St. Peter sits between them, overlooking the azure waters of the Aegean. One of the great showpieces of late-medieval military architecture, this massive structure is the first thing you see upon arrival in Bodrum. The castle also contains the Museum of Underwater Archaeology with treasures recovered from historic shipwrecks discovered off Turkey's coasts. Turks have been vacationing here for decades and this tiny town is filled with delightful restaurants and shops. Depart from Bodrum and sit back as your Azure Odyssey unfolds.

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If you only have a few days and want strictly to relax, consider spending your odyssey cruising the azure waters of Gokova Bay. Relatively undeveloped and bordered by dense pine forests, the bay contains numerous warm, placid bays. You can start the morning in one cove, move to another delightful spot for lunch, and then anchor for the evening in yet another bay. This routine can be sustained for days. If you have more time, your Azure Odyssey can take you south to the point where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean and then eastward. Turkey's southwestern Mediterranean coast remains relatively undeveloped with a succession of small settlements punctuating the rocky shoreline and occasional beaches. Cleopatra and Mark Anthony spent years exploring and indulging in the beauty of this coastline. Here are some sites to choose from for your adventure:

Knidos -- This city was founded by the Dorian Greeks in the 7th century BC. Located on a windswept headland, the city had one harbor on the Aegean and another on the Mediterranean and was strategically located on shipping routes between Egypt, Rhodes, Ephesus, the Greek homeland and other cities around the Mediterranean. Since the winds change as you round the penninsula, ships were obliged to wait for good winds before continuing their journey. A temple to Aphrodite was built here, which contained a spectacular 4th century statue of the goddess.

Continue past Loryma, a hilltop crowned with a citadel dating from Hellenistic times. Visit Datca, a small resort town with charm, a pleasant harbor and quaint shops.

Marmaris -- This city has a natural harbor that was the base from which Suleyman the Magnificent launched his assault on Rhodes in 1522 and British Admiral Horatio Nelson set forth to defeat Napolean Bonaparte in 1798. Marmaris is Turkey's busiest yacht-chartering port.

Continue eastward until you reach the Bay of Fethiye. Visit the tiny village of Gocek, another place from which you can begin or end your Azure Odyssey. You can spend relaxing days exploring Fethiye Bay -- there are 11 islands, numerous coves and many beaches.

Fethiye -- This city was known in antiquity as Telmessos and was the principal port of Lycia from the Roman period onward. Around 400 BC, impressive rock tombs were carved in the cliff that looms above the town. An earthquake leveled the city in 1958, but the tombs still keep silent watch over the rebuilt city. Lycian sarcophagi are scattered around the town.

The next stop should be Olu Deniz, an azure lagoon rimmed by white sand and pebble beaches. This is a national park, and one can sit on the beach and watch hang gliders launch themselves from the top of nearby mountains peaks. Gemiler Island is nearby, where Lycian tombs from the 2nd century BC can be found in the midst of Byzantine ruins from the 7th to 9th centuries.

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