MARMARIS - DATCA - KNIDOS - BODRUM
Day 1
Marmaris is a port city and tourist resort on the Mediterranean coast, located in Mugla Province, southwest Turkey. Tour members will depart at 4:00 pm. from Marmaris. It is surrounded by the beautiful turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, and there is plenty to see and do in this part of the country, including visiting Marmaris Old Town, which is located near the popular nightlife hotspot of Bar Street. We will guide you through the popular sites, historical attractions, shopping venues, and relaxing destinations. The route will also include pleasing swimming spots and beaches that are located within the area, all home to crystal-clear waters and perfect natural landscapes for all to admire.
Marmaris
Marmaris is a holiday paradise with its magnificent sea, pristine coves, and ruins from past civilizations. Visitors can explore the past of Marmaris and feel the traces of history by visiting historical spots such as Marmaris Castle and Archeology Museum. Also known for its vibrant and diverse nightlife, this town entertains its visitors day and night with Marmaris Bar Street, the center of nightlife.
Day 2
Today will be a day of relaxation and refreshing swimming spots. We will start our day in the quiet farming village of Kumlubuk. This lovely location has a sandy and fine gravel beach as well as calm turquoise waters. This secluded paradise is well known for its upper-class restaurant establishments and water sports activities. After enjoying the waters and picturesque bay, we will continue our journey to Kadirga Bay, which is naturally sheltered and home to a fine gravel beach. For our members who enjoy adrenaline-fueled activities, the steep rocks on the south-east part of the bay provide an impressive platform for cliff jumping.
Kumlubuk
Kumlubuk Bay is a fabulous cove surrounded by green mountains with a clear sea that changes color from pale green to bright blue. Here guests will find peace, delicious fish dishes, and exploration of ancient ruins.
Kadirga Bay
Located in one of Marmaris’s many secluded areas, Kadirga Bay is surrounded by dense forests and rocky cliffs. The cove has crystal clear water, and hosts a scuba diving photography contest.
Day 3
he day will start with a visit to Serce Port, where glass objects were once excavated from an 11th-century Byzantine wreck. It is surrounded by steep rocks and cool, clean waters, perfect for a refreshing swim. The next part of our journey for today will guide us to Bozukkale, which is located in the southwest of Marmaris. It has an important place in history because it has witnessed many wars in the past. The water is crystal clear, and there are numerous fish species in the area, making it ideal for snorkeling. Our final stop for today will be Loryma Ancient City, a historical location that is popular for overnight stays due to its sheltered position. Loryma's ancient city ruins are at the entrance point, on the hill overlooking the bay. The castle is the most important ruin that has survived through time. It is well preserved and was built to protect the entrance of the bay, which has been fortified over time.
Serce Port
Known for its narrow entrance between two high cliffs, Serce Port is a sheltered bay with warm turquoise waters. Visitors can relax on board the boat as well as take a dip in the calm bay where aquatic life can be seen.
Bozukkale
With the advantage of its location, Bozukkale Bay has been a warm shelter for its visitors for many years. The clearest state of the Mediterranean's clear waters to be seen in the region which also boasts fascinating views of local ruins.
Loryma
The ancient town of Loryma is a fascinating site within the ancient city of Caira. The fortified citadel ruins situated on the high cliffs, captures the atmosphere of the once great city.
Day 4
Our tour today will start by exploring Bozburun, a small seaside town situated on the coast of the Bozburun peninsula. It's well known for tourism, fishing, sponge diving, and the production of honey. It has a small yet lovely area full of natural beauties, spectacular vegetation, and a pristine sea that is surrounded by coves. Our second stop for today will be the Bozburun Byzantine Shipwreck, which once sank in the 6th century. Many objects, such as coins, have been found during the archaeological digs. It lies on a sloping, sandy sea bottom and offers perfect opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Dirsekbuku, a lovely, sheltered bay unspoiled by tourism, with the smells of fresh bread cooking on open fires from the local restaurant, is our final stop for the day.
Bozburun
Bozburun awaits its guests in Marmaris and is one of the holiday resorts loved by Blue Cruisers. With its thousands of years of history, there are ruins from many ancient cities such as Hydas and Phoenix in the region. Coves with turquoise clear seas such as Uc Tas and Bozukkale are ideal for swimming and diving.
Bozburun Byzantine Shipwreck
The Bozburun Byzantine Shipwreck is a historic find beneath the azure waters of Marmaris. The retrieved remains are displayed to the public in the city of Bodrum, at the world renowned Museum of Underwater Archaeology.
Dirsekbuku
Located southwest of Hisaronu Bay, Dirsekbuku has very little sign of human presence on land. The bay is sheltered from winds and is perfect for a calm, relaxing experience.
Day 5
First on the agenda today will be exploring Selmiye and its surroundings. This area is one of the world's oldest civilizations, with many ruins from the Carian period. Tour members can discover its long history and explore the ancient Selimiye Castle. We will then move to Orhaniye, which is in the Hisaronu Gulf and is one of the most well-known tourist spots in the region. There are various beautiful beach and pine tree areas to admire, along with crystal-clear swimming waters. Emel Sayin Bay, also known as Bencik Bay, is a quiet and peaceful spot perfect for relaxing and admiring the pretty natural scenery, and it will provide our guests with the perfect atmosphere to end the day.
Selimiye
The small village of Selimiye in the Turkish Riviera is a quiet retreat known for its incredible bays, beaches, and islands where visitors can explore by boat or simply relax on the shores. There is prime hiking on the Carian way where guests can discover nature’s beauties as well as a few historic ruins.
Selimiye Castle
The castle of Selimiye has hundreds of years of history dating back to Byzantine times. Its unique views of the city and the sea makes it one of the highlights of Selimiye.
Orhaniye
A popular though small town in the Marmaris region, Orhaniye boasts a beautiful central bay with one fascinating feature. The Kiz Kumu structure is a 600-meter pathway that nearly bisects the bay upon which it is possible to walk. The town is beloved by boaters for its stunning locales and rich local seafood scene.
Bencik Bay
The exceptionally pristine Bencik Bay is surrounded by a large, pine-scented forest. The calm and inviting seas are perfect for unwinding or admiring the beautiful scenery.
Day 6
We will start our day by enjoying the wonderful sights of the port town of Datca, situated on the narrow Datca Peninsula on the Aegean Sea. Here we will discover many attractions, such as an old neighborhood with stone roads and bougainvillea-covered walls, along with quaint cafes and restaurants. Our next stop for today will be Palamutbuku Beach, which lies in a heavenly corner of Turkey, 25 kilometers from Datca. The beach is known for its long, pebbled coastline and pristine waters. Described as a garden of Eden with its unique green and blue color tones, it is the perfect destination for tour members to go swimming and snorkeling along with enjoying the assortment of beautiful tea gardens and restaurants.
Datca
Datca is a rocky peninsula on the Aegean Sea with countless beautiful bays surrounded by pine and almond trees. Visitors can stroll through the photogenic streets of the charming villages or in the ancient city of Knidos where historical monuments such as temples, churches, and theaters are abundant. Combining the beauty of the sea with live music venues on the coast, many harbors provide a magnificent nightlife.
Palamutbuku
Palamutbuku is one of the most beautiful towns of the Datca peninsula located far from the main tourism centers, so it's a great place for a laid-back beach vacation. It is particularly loved for its beaches with clear turquoise waters and many incredible bay and island destinations that can be reached only by boat.
Day 7
Tour members can today discover Knidos Harbor, a beautiful natural harbor that was once used by the ancient Greeks and served as a trading hub during the Roman and Byzantine periods. The site includes an amphitheater, a temple to the goddess Aphrodite, and a 4th-century B.C. sundial. It has amazing scenery of the remains of ancient Greek ruins, including an amphitheater that is situated next to the bay. We will continue with our historical journey, which will guide us to the 2,600-year-old Knidos Ancient City, which is a rare historical gem and is often referred to as the "gate of the Aegean." Tour members can witness magnificent structures, a port street lined with columns, an agora, two ancient theaters, and two ancient ports. Our final stop for today will be at the Adabogazi Aquarium Bay. With its beautiful sea and spectacular marine life, it is a frequent stop for Blue Cruise boats in the Bodrum Region. There is an inner island just across from the bay, where a hut houses ducks and geese.
Knidos Port
Knidos Harbour is home to several stunning bays, each offering a unique experience for visitors. From crystal-clear water to stunning natural scenery, these bays are perfect for all types of travelers.
Knidos
Knidos has stunning seaside views and exceptional ancient ruins on the site. The attractive excavations of the ancient city of Knidos are a well-liked tourist destination.
Ada Bogazi
Known as the Bodrum Aquarium Bay, Ada Bogazi is one of the pristine jewels of Bodrum, Mugla. Sail here to get a truly invaluable experience swimming in glassy turquoise water accompanied by docked cruise boats, magnificent views, and local wildlife.
Day 8
On the final day of the tour, we will depart from Bodrum at 9:00 a.m. Bodrum is one of thirteen districts within Mugla and is known for being an important tourism center due to its many unique features. Today we will guide you through the popular historical attractions and cultural hotspots. Our next stop will be the Halicarnassus Mausoleum. It is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and was the greatest achievement of Carian King Mausolus, who moved his capital from Mylasa to Halicarnassus. Tour members can explore the remains of pre-Mausoleum stairways and tombs, the narrow entry to Mausolus' tomb chamber, the original drainage systems, and the large fluted marble column drums. The final stop of our tour is Bodrum Castle and the Underwater Archeology Museum, which was established in Bodrum Castle in 1964. There are 14 exhibition halls, most of which include underwater artifacts and shipwrecks.
Bodrum
Boating around the Bodrum Peninsula offers visitors one of the most delightful places to explore around the Aegean coast of Turkey. With its well-preserved history, friendly culture, spectacular landscapes, world-class cuisines, and cosmopolitan atmosphere, Bodrum is regarded as one of the top sailing destinations and holiday hotspots for travellers from all over the world.
Halicarnassus Mausoleum
Halicarnassus Mausoleum is undoubtedly one of the most important tombs in ancient history. It was beautifully designed with a mix of intricately designed sculptures, bas-reliefs, and captivating depictions of humans, creatures, and more.
Bodrum Castle and Underwater Archeology Museum
Relive the interesting history of Bodrum Castle and the Aegean Sea by visiting its Underwater Archeology Museum. From rare medieval artifacts to marvelous architecture, the castle and the museum make a historic impression.