Navigating the open seas from the Mediterranean to the Aegean coastlines of southwest Turkey on a blue cruise is one of the most exciting ways to explore this exotic country. Due to the many amazing stops on a cruise from Alanya to Izmir, and every where in between, it can be difficult to chose what blue cruise is right for you. The experienced staff at Alaturka Cruises is happy to help you plan the holiday of a lifetime. Be sure to read Blue Cruise Turkey review for comments from global travelers and learn more about their experiences.
Why Choose Alaturka Cruises
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With over 13 years of experience, the people who make up Alaturka Cruises have broad experience of yachting, travel and hospitality services. Local guides and gulet captains have vast knowledge of the environment, local cuisine and culture.
There are many gulets, Turkish yachts, to choose from ranging from a standard gulet to a luxury yacht with a Jacuzzi on the upper deck. The standard gulet is far from standard, for it offers personal cabins with ensuite bathrooms, a bar and kitchen, sunbeds on the front deck and a shaded dining area to drink cold beer and play backgammon among many other amenities.
Around 7,000 people join blue cruises and tours throughout Turkey each year with Alaturka Cruises. Holiday travelers from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, the UK and other European countries join local visitors exploring the depths of the Aegean and Mediterranean regions.
Although blue cruises are the most desired excursion during a summer holiday, Alaturka Cruises offers sea to land tours in other parts of the country as well. There are bus tours to unique locations, such as Cappadocia, Istanbul, Gallipoli, Selcuk-Ephesus, and Pamukkale. These destinations are seeping with history, culture and traditional Turkish cuisine.
Blue cruises and private yacht charters begin at the end of April and run until the end of October as weather permits. During the summer, there are daily departures from the popular cities Fethiye, Marmaris and Olympos. There are cruise departures from other ports including Kas, Bodrum, Antalya and Demre, but schedules vary.
Top Destinations
There are many, many treasures to find in the way of ancient ruins, organic and locally produced food, pristine nature, and nightlife that goes until sunrise when joining a blue cruise. The bays, coves, and villages surrounding the big cities are numerous, but let’s have a look at the major port cities.
Fethiye
Fethiye is home to the some of the best places for eating, trekking and convening with nature.
Oludeniz is a stretch of beach with some of the calmest waters in the region, hence the name “Dead Sea”. The city center hosts restaurants serving local and international cuisine from fresh, locally caught seafood to traditional British fish and chips shops. Take a stroll through the fish market in Paspatur and choose your own marine delicacies. Then have one of the surrounding restaurants prepare it in whatever way will satiate your appetite.
Hike through Butterfly Valley and camp in a tent or sleep in a rustic bungalow. The Valley is a nature preserve, so don’t expect to see 5-star hotels. Walking through the fresh spring waterfalls flowing through the canyon then floating in the warm sea water will give you the feeling of being in utopia.
Kas
Known as a diver’s heaven, Kas is a small city with a big heart. The marina is lined with boutique artisan shops and bars, pubs and restaurants catering to all tastes.
After a day of deep sea diving, refresh at your guesthouse of choice then go out for a night of delicious seafood, regional wine, or specialty cocktails.
Olympos
Similar to Butterfly Valley, but with more crowds, Olympos is the ideal destination for those looking to live amongst pine forests that spill into the deep blue Mediterranean.
The majority of pensions offer bungalow style accommodation set within the vast forests. The pebbled beach is a short walk through Lycian, Greek and Roman ruins, so take time to view the rock tombs and remnants of walls and buildings that are a sign of the past.
Antalya
This world famous city is full of all-inclusive resorts that will put you in the lap of luxury. The resorts have enough swimming pools, choices of food items and humorous entertainment for the kids to make every member of the family happy.
History abounds here as well, with the best preserved Greco-Roman amphitheater in the region located in Aspendos.
The accommodating crew at Alaturka Cruises will help you plan the summer holiday of your dreams. Guests on cruises and tours range from 7 to 70-years-old, and all can find delights along the way.
