Just completed my whistlestop tour of Datça and Marmaris peninsulas and have the following report.

CH took me up the hill (oo-er) behind Datça Think he was disappointed not to find his friend Billy Goat Gruff. But I was some what amazed to find a tortoise somewhere near the summit of aforementioned hill (mountain) . I get the feeling he must have started 30 years ago and was just on his way back down

Datça is indeed a splendid place if you wish to undertake the 2/3 hour journey from Dalaman on a sometimes impassable road Miles of empty beaches along the peninsula and pretty much idiot free in the summer months.Just Turkish tourists tend to double the population and overtake the holiday villas in the summer months. Friendly people and well worth the visit.

Although CH has turned into a gibbering wreck since his escape from Istanbul only 2 months ago. He can hardly string a sentence together.Maybe too much sun, fresh air and good healthy living (or a goat virus)

Also managed to bump into Chelseaboy on my return leg back in Hisaronu. He hasnt changed since last time. Still enjoying his life and his woolly companion on the side.Still has an awful sartorial taste (Chelski shirt )

Actually, I'm jealous These guys have got a great life!!!

Hmmm, Goat curry

We chartered a yacht around there last summer and are definitely intending going back this year. Lovely part of Turkey once you're away from the bucket and spade brigade in Marmaris.

My summer house is in Datca and I love it ! The beach is so tranquil none of the hussle and bussle of Bodrum

[quote user="simonb" post="43319"]We chartered a yacht around there last summer and are definitely intending going back this year. Lovely part of Turkey once you're away from the bucket and spade brigade in Marmaris.[/quote]
You gonna manage as far down as Gocek or Fethiye this year?

JF

Thanks for the update M! I would love to see the Turkish coast this summer. I'd love to have the opportunity to join a chartered bat trip and would happily pay my share, single occupied cabin if possible. Is someone doing this in the summer around the first or second week in August? I'm actually interested in checking out antiquity as well. Thanks.

[quote user="AlSF" post="43365"]Thanks for the update M! I would love to see the Turkish coast this summer. I'd love to have the opportunity to join a chartered bat trip and would happily pay my share, single occupied cabin if possible. Is someone doing this in the summer around the first or second week in August? I'm actually interested in checking out antiquity as well. Thanks.[/quote]

'BAT TRIP'????

I'm actually gonna be there for the 2nd 2 weeks in August. Would be nice to see you there

Yes Maymunn, the bloodsucking kind sweetie!

Are you? Are you going to charter a boat? I want to see it from the water, hopefully for a week.

EiT boat charter? sounds dangerous.

Who'd be sober enough to make sure everyone doesn't fall overboard?

[quote user="Monsta" post="43405"]Who'd be sober enough to make sure everyone doesn't fall overboard?[/quote]

NOBODY!!!

I'm not going by boat (well,I wasnt planning to), but its an option. My family of 6 are coming over for 2 weeks.So I thought we'd do a beach holiday as they have been to Istanbul 3 times already. I cant wait !!!!!

[quote user="JohnF" post="43350"]You gonna manage as far down as Gocek or Fethiye this year?

JF[/quote]

That's certainly the intention. First trip is in June for 1 week and then another in September for 1 or hopefully 2 weeks if I can persuade the crew. At the moment we're planning on using the same charter company as last year which, as it is based in Marmaris, makes a perfect base to go either way. Last year in September we spent the first week up around Datcha and the second around Gocek. You're around there right?

I'd be interested to know which company you used Simon B. I tried to get on a chartered boat myself last year but there was no room for me for the week I wanted and the itinerary was also cancelled (Gulf of Gulluk to Ephesus) so I didn't get to go last year.

I know it's really ideal to go in June and/or September when it's not crazy busy but I have to leave by the end of August or sooner...Have fun anyway you guys going by land or sea.

The company we used is called Yuksel Yachting. Turkish owned and run but with a lot of Brit employees (and Royal Yachting Association certification). They have a sideline in teaching sailing and are just about the only reputable company doing that in Turkey outside of holiday companies like Sunsail, Neilson..

In terms of yacht charter there are two main options, bareboat (meaning the yacht, you and that's it) and crewed (a paid skipper onboard) but both require you to take on the cost of the entire vessel for the week. I haven't seen any options for joining a mixed crew and sharing the cost but you may be able to negotiate this. Berths will be private but heads will be shared.

One other possibility is to take a sailing course. Now I know this doesn't sound very holiday oriented but you'd be surprised. We've (Em and I) both sailed and raced boats all our lives but EU regs. will soon require that we have a piece of paper to prove our competency, hence our first week last year was to take a skippers course. Basically you go cruising for a week with a professional (in the case of Yuksel, British) skipper and mixed crew. The skipper teaches you the ropes (no pun) and you get to enjoy a weeks sailing with plenty of time for sunbathing, swimming, drinking etc. (ours was a very wet boat!) You don't need any prior experience for this as there are lower levels than skipper. I'd honestly recommend this. Okay, the boat wasn't the newest (as it's a training yacht) but was perfectly sound and the skipper knew all the best spots as he'd spent years cruising the area.

Otherwise, have you considered a Gulet? Most of these (and there are hundreds) are like floating hotels - at least in the way they accept any guests for any period of time. I understand some of the bigger ones are quite palatial inside with all private cabins and heads. Certainly they whizz around all the best bays and often have jetskis/other toys onboard. This could be the perfect option if you're just wanting to chill in floating luxury. I think Beki (Ceylan) can recommend a good company if you're interested?

If you do want to yacht and Yuksel haven't got what you want, pm me and I'll give you some other links.

Thanks Simon. I suppose what I'm looking for is a crewed gulet. I have made inquiries with some companies operating out of Bodrum. I'll PM you if I need a recommendation from operators out of Marmaris. I have not been there but I hear it's beautiful. I've heard so much about Gocek too. I'm really interested in a voyage going on the Gulf of Gulluk which sails from Bodrum to Kusadasi but it is rare. I suppose it's not a very popluar itinerary and may have something to do with the wind conditions at that time also, I don't really know.

I also looked at companies that offer (although on a last-minute basis) a cabin for hire just in case they don't reach full capacity for a sailing. That is not my ideal arrangement though since I won't know the rest of the people I'll be going with. I will inquire for this summer though and see what's available. Thank you again.