Exploring Ancient Turkey by Sea with Peter Sommer Travels

#expeditioncruising



Archaeological tour specialist Peter Sommer Travels is set to explore some of the most remarkable ancient sites of the Mediterranean this September on a series of spectacular yacht expeditions in Turkey.

Four upcoming itineraries will travel through magnificent coastal scenery aboard traditional gulets, wooden schooners, visiting picturesque villages, unspoilt coves and fascinating ancient ruins.

Each expedition caters to small groups of no more than 16 guests, travelling at a lazy pace along Turkey’s south-west coast. Hosted by expert guides with academic backgrounds in history, art and archaeology, they combine the remarkable past of the ancient lands with an idyllic journey and a chance to sample the region’s superb food and wine.

The eight-day expeditions cost £2125 per person twin share (approx A$3870) and include:

Cruising to Ephesus - beginning in Bodrum, this cruise heads north to the stunning ruins of Ephesus, one of the best preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean. En route it visits sites including the ancient harbour of Iasos, the sanctuary to Zeus at Labraunda and the great oracular temple at Didyma. August 30 to September 6, 2014. Max 14 pax.

Cruising the Carian Coast – from Mediterranean to Aegean – sailing west from Göcek to Bodrum, this cruise offers a mix of fantastic ancient sites like the monumental wonders of Knidos and Kaunos, plus spectacular landscapes on one of Turkey’s least-developed stretches of turquoise coast. September 6 to 3, 2014. Max 16 pax.

Cruising Western Lycia – exploring a superb mountainous coast and its extraordinary culture, with plenty of opportunities to swim in crystal waters. Discover the world’s best preserved Roman lighthouse at Patara, the stunning ancient site at Xanthos, and the beautiful villages and ruins at Kekova. September 13 to 20, 2014. Max 14 pax.

Cruising the Carian Coast – Aegean to Mediterranean - heading east from Bodrum to Göcek, visiting the rock-cut temple tombs of Kaunos and the beautifully preserved marble city of Knidos. This itinerary offers a perfect combination of magnificent ancient sites, quiet coves, beautiful walks and glorious swimming. September 20 to 27, 2014. Max 14 pax

Specialising in small-group expeditions, Peter Sommer Travels offers more than 20 different expert-led land tours and gulet cruises among the ancient sites of Turkey, Greece and Italy.

The company is headed by archaeologist and documentary maker Peter Sommer, who in 1994 walked 3,200km across Turkey retracing the route of Alexander the Great. He later worked on a BBC documentary, In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great, and created a 19-day tour of the same name, cited as one of the world’s ten best educational holidays by National Geographic Traveller.

For full details and bookings contact Peter Sommer Travels in the UK on 0011 44 1600 888 220, email info@petersommer.com or visit www.petersommer.com.

*Tour prices include transport, accommodation, most meals, crew and guide services, and all entrance fees and tips on excursions. Excludes airfares.

Special Offer on Mediterranean Gulet Sailing

Sailing the Turkish coast with Peter Sommer Travels

Archaeological tour specialist Peter Sommer Travels has announced a 20 per cent saving on a spectacular two-week Mediterranean sailing expedition.

Beginning Saturday August 31, 2013, the 15-day itinerary Cruising the Carian Coast explores some of the most magnificent scenery along the Turquoise Coast, and has been reduced by more than $1200 per person.

Travelling aboard a traditional wooden gulet, the expedition combines the glorious Greek islands of Rhodes, Symi and Halki with some of the greatest archaeological gems of Turkey's Carian coast.

Hosted by British historian Dr Graham Oliver, it begins in the picturesque Turkish port of Göcek and sails west to Bodrum, the site of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

In between it visits Kaunos with its exquisite rock-cut temple tombs, and the beautifully preserved marbled city Knidos, arranged around a double harbour. Other sites include ancient towns like Phoenix and Lydae, set in remote and beautiful locations.

Along the way guests will have time to explore quiet coves, take scenic walks, swim in crystal waters and enjoy delicious Turkish and Greek food.

Gulet cabin

Gulets range in size from 24m to 40m, catering for 8 to 24 people in a mix of different cabin sizes – master bedrooms, doubles or twins. These two-masted wooden vessels, usually made from local pine, were long used for transport and fishing along the southern coasts of Turkey. Typically designed with a sharp bow, broad beam and rounded aft, these days they are designed and fitted with comfort and not trade in mind. Service is a prime consideration and we boast experienced captains and excellent cooks to make your adventure simply unforgettable. Mealtime panoramas range from secluded coves to picturesque old fishing villages. All food is prepared in the gulet’s galley by the onboard cook, who conjures up a variety of fresh local delicacies. On most itineraries gulets cruise for an average of three hours a day. There are plenty of opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.

 

Cruising the Carian Coast is now priced from £2900 per person twin share (approx A$4840) including all accommodation and meals aboard a traditional gulet, all crew services, entrance fees, archaeological excursions, expert guide and airport transfers. Price excludes flights (begins Dalaman, ends Bodrum).

For full details and bookings contact Peter Sommer Travels in the UK on 0011 44 1600 888 220, email info@petersommer.com or visit www.petersommer.com. 

Sail Italy's Spectacular Amalfi Coast

Typical Turkish-style Gulet, Almira

The tour visits some of the best-known destinations in the area including the isle of Capri, the ruins of Pompeii and breath-taking Amalfi, as well as lesser-known sites such as the ancient underwater city at Baia and the outstanding Roman frescoes of the Villa Oplontis.

The sparkling seas and ancient sites of Italy's famous Amalfi Coast can be explored aboard a magnificent wooden sailing boat this northern summer thanks to cultural tour specialist Peter Sommer Travels.

Led by author and archaeologist Dr Michael Metcalfe, the eight-day tour Cruising the Amalfi Coast takes in the most spectacular scenery of the Bay of Naples, cruising aboard a traditional gulet with no more than 10 guests.


Departing from Naples on June 9 and again on September 15, 2012, the tour costs from £3595 per person twin share (approx A$5576) including transfers, seven nights aboard the gulet, all meals, all entrance fees and expert guiding. Price excludes flights.

click to enlarge map

For full details and bookings contact Peter Sommer Travels in the UK on 0011 44 1600 888 220, email info@petersommer.com or visit www.petersommer.com.

New Cultural Adventures in the Ancient Mediterranean

Cultural and archaeological tour specialist Peter Sommer Travels will introduce four new itineraries in 2012, offering extraordinary journeys among the historic sites and spectacular landscapes of the Mediterranean.

Led by expert guides including archaeologists, historians and travel writers, the tours explore the great wonders of past civilisations while enjoying the food, culture and history of each region.

The four new itineraries are among 19 different tours and gulet cruises offered in Turkey, Greece and Italy, catering for small groups of no more than 18 people.  Showcased in the newly released Peter Sommer Travels 2012 brochure, they include 10 sailing itineraries aboard traditional wooden gulets, plying the azure waters of the Mediterranean between ancient sites and secluded coves while enjoying fine food served by a private on-board chef.

New tours offered by Peter Sommer Travels in 2012 include:

Cruising to the Cyclades (May 19-June 2) – A quintessential Greek island experience, sailing clear blue waters to more than a dozen Aegean islands in the Dodecanese and Cyclades archipelagos. Led by archaeologist Heinrich Hall, the itinerary includes glorious Santorini, laid-back Kos and mountainous Naxos.  Fifteen days, £3675* per person twin share (approx A$5549*).

Cruising the Carian Coast (July 21-28) – A special family sailing led by archaeologist Peter Sommer, visiting Turkey's south-west coast where ancient sites are scattered among beautiful towns and spectacular coastline, with plenty of opportunity for families to enjoy swimming and walking. Eight days, £2175* per person twin share (approx A$3284*) or £2050* per child up to age 12 (approx A$3095*).

Exploring Cappadocia (September 3-8) ­– An adventure among the remarkable geological formations and ancient cave dwellings of Cappadocia, hosted by historian Dr Michael Metcalfe and featuring an early morning balloon flight over Turkey's most celebrated landscape.  Six days, £1375* per person twin share (approx A$2076*).

A Carian Odyssey (September 8-22) – a gulet cruise along the magnificent Carian coastline of Turkey led by archaeologist Heinrich Hall, visiting spectacular sites like the marbled harbour city of Knidos and the cliff-face tombs of Kaunos, with time to enjoy quiet coves, scenic walks and fine food. Fifteen days, £3425* per person twin share (approx A$5171*). 

Among popular itineraries returning in 2012 is Peter Sommer's signature tour In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great: the Conquest of Asia Minor, a 20-day journey through Turkey chosen by National Geographic Traveller magazine as one of the world's ten best educational holidays in 2008.  A complimenting 20-day tour, In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great: from Boy to King, explores the ruler's early life in Greece through the ancient sites of Macedonia.

The new brochure also features Italian itineraries including the eight-day Cruising the Amalfi Coast and the eight-day A Gastronomic Tour of Eastern Sicily, as well as profiling a selection of magnificent timber gulets available for private sailing charters in Italy, Turkey and Greece.

*Tour prices include all meals and accommodation aboard gulets, road transfers, all crew and guide services, and all entrance fees and tips on excursions. Excludes airfares.

For full details and bookings contact Peter Sommer Travels in the UK on 0011 44 1600 888 220, email info@petersommer.com or visit www.petersommer.com.