City, Coast & Open Water — Istanbul, Fethiye Blue Cruise & Antalya in 9 Days

Before the gulet, before the open water, before the Mediterranean coastline — there is Istanbul. A private driver picks you up at the airport and brings you to your centrally located hotel, where the only decision tonight is how to spend a free evening in one of the world’s great cities. Walk the Sultanahmet waterfront as the sun drops behind the Marmara, or find a rooftop spot with a view worth sitting with. Your guide reaches out to set the plan for tomorrow.

You pick the version of Istanbul that interests you most:

Option A — Sultanahmet & the Old City Walk through the Hagia Sophia, where Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman calligraphy share the same walls. Cross to the Blue Mosque — 20,000 handmade Iznik tiles line the interior. Continue to the Hippodrome, once the site of chariot races for 100,000 spectators, then navigate the Grand Bazaar’s 4,000-plus shops.

Optional add-on: Topkapi Palace — 400 years of Ottoman rule, the Prophet’s relics, and Bosphorus views from the Fourth Courtyard

Option B — Bosphorus & Beyond Descend into the Basilica Cistern — 336 marble columns supporting a Byzantine underground reservoir. Browse the Spice Bazaar’s stacked pyramids of saffron and sumac, then board a 1.5-hour Bosphorus cruise past waterfront mansions and the Rumeli Fortress. Finish at the Galata Tower for a 360-degree view across both continents.

Optional add-on: Dolmabahce Palace — 14 tons of gold leaf and the largest Bohemian crystal chandelier in the world

Your morning is free — last-minute shopping in Kadikoy, a final Turkish breakfast on a terrace, whatever suits you. In the afternoon, you’ll fly to Dalaman and transfer to Fethiye, where your gulet is moored and waiting. You’ll settle into your shared cabin, meet the crew, and have dinner on deck as the marina lights come up.

The gulet leaves Fethiye Marina in the morning and the coastline opens up fast. Your first stop is Butterfly Valley — a narrow gorge where waterfalls drop into a secluded beach accessible only by sea. From there, you’ll sail to the Blue Lagoon at Oludeniz, where the water shifts between five shades of turquoise depending on the light and depth.

The afternoon brings you to St Nicholas Island (Gemiler), a Byzantine-era island covered in ruined churches and mosaic floors. Most of the structures date to the 5th and 6th centuries — there is a covered walkway connecting the churches that still partially stands. Swim off the back of the boat as the sun drops.

Today’s route takes you east along the Lycian coast to Kekova, where the ruins of an ancient city sit partially submerged beneath clear, shallow water. You’ll see staircases, walls, and harbor structures just below the surface — the result of 2nd-century earthquakes that sank the settlement.

The gulet anchors near Simena (Kalekoy), a village reachable only by boat. Climb to the Byzantine-era castle at the top for views across the islands and coastline. The rest of the afternoon is yours — swimming, snorkeling in sheltered coves, reading on deck. The crew handles all meals on board.

One last swim off the gulet before breakfast. You’ll disembark and transfer overland through the Demre and Olympos corridor — the ancient Lycian heartland — arriving in Antalya by midday. Check into your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring. The old harbor district of Kaleici is walkable from most central hotels, and the sunset over the marina is worth the short stroll.

A full day with no schedule. Walk the cobblestone streets of Kaleici, visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum (one of Turkey’s best collections of Roman-era sculpture), or head to Konyaalti Beach. If you want something more structured, we can arrange a half-day trip to the Duden Waterfalls or the ancient ruins at Perge — just say the word.

Late morning transfer to Antalya airport for your return flight to Istanbul. The rest of the day is free in the city — a good chance to revisit a neighborhood you liked or pick up anything you missed on the first round.

Breakfast at your hotel, then a straightforward airport transfer timed to your international flight. Your driver picks you up 3-4 hours before departure — no rushing, no logistics to manage.