Posts Tagged ‘Turkey’

Easter, for many, is a time of celebration and indulgence. Although while some take a well-deserved break from the humdrum of working life by staying home, others take the time to travel.

A secluded cove on the Turquoise Coast

For those Europeans who jumped a plane to Istanbul, hand luggage only, the weekend break was likely to be a taster of things to come; a cultural aperitif. Visitors from farther afield will not be missing out, however. When they visit, they will take all the time they need to enjoy the main course. Physically, and symbolically, Turkey is the meeting point of west and east – further reason why it has such a strong draw for people looking to experience culture first hand. The continents of Europe and Asia join in Istanbul, without collision, and exchange histories, religions, goods, flavors and aromas. It is rich in every sense.

For a short break, it’s hard to see past the capital’s towering spires and minarets. However, with a little more time to spare, it proves to be a portal to more independent travels. Sun-seekers and beach-dwellers can loose themselves along the appropriately named Turquoise Coast. While exploring inland from secluded coves and beach, they will find themselves deep into national parks and pre-bronze age history – underfoot are paths trodden by the Lycians some 4,000 years ago.

Istanbul is perhaps the showcase for Turkey’s talents. That said, private travels toward the country’s central plateau and Capadocia are more rewarding. Here tourists enjoy a heady mix of history, etched into the rock-scape; a permanent impression of civilizations past. Istanbul, now accepted as the European Capital of Culture 2010, will no doubt draw many more sightseers. But it is those who strive to find more, who will discover the spice of Turkey’s life.

Boundless Journeys‘ Turkey: Istanbul to the Turquoise Coast tour showcases many of the cultural and natural treasures that makes Turkey such a fascinating country to explore; 2010 departures are June 13-25 and September 7-19.

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Recent Boundless Journeys guest, Mary Lil Chappell, shares her experience exploring beautiful coves and hidden villages, and indulging in delightful cuisine, on our September 2009 Turkey: Istanbul to the Turquoise Coast tour.

Wednesday, September 16

A secluded cove on the Turquoise Coast

Spent the night anchored in a cove. I slept on deck which has become my habit now. Great breakfast (as always) this morning: eggs scrambled with fresh tomatoes and cheese, both black and green olives (with every meal – and with pits), different types of cheese in wedges, toasted french bread and butter, fresh preserves (apricot, something dark and seedy, plum, and strawberry), fresh ground salt and pepper, platter of cut up fruit (peaches, their particular type of honeydew, watermelon, huge figs, and grapes), a huge pitcher of fresh squeezed orange juice (every morning), water and Turkish coffee.

Another delicious meal on board

After breakfast, into the dingy (takes two trips for us all) and onto St. Nicholas Island where we hike up to several “churches” left from 7th century – monastaries – the cross carved above the cornerstone of one – amazing to think of the history. We’re the only ones up here it appears. Now we’re “out to sea’ so to speak, but staying pretty close to the coastline, water right up to the cliffs here, some covered with stumpy “broccoli” trees (my term) and rounded bits of smaller, scattered vegetation – other cliffs stark and jagged, their other half it appears carved off centuries (or more) ago – revealing many layers, carved off at a 60 degree angle, some with “shelves” sticking out, as if you could run a knife through the lines and lift some of the top layers off. The Mediterranean today is a little choppy out in the open, away from the placid cove. The captain says we’ll be in the Agean tomorrow.

Mary Lil

Mary Lil immersing herself in the Turkish experience

Don’t miss this incredible experience. Join us in Turkey for a cruise along the Turquoise Coast, June 13-25.

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E-mail is the best way for us to let you know first about new trips, travel tips, special events, and current promotions. Sign up for our e-newsletter, e-mail your name and address to info@boundlessjourneys.com, or give us a call (800-941-8010), and we’ll keep you in the loop! We respect your privacy and will never sell or share your e-mail address with any third party company, and our unsubscribing process is easy and prompt.

New7Wonders, a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving the world’s citizens a voice in choosing the most stunning places on earth, is at it again. In 2007 they organized a global voting platform project to have people from all ends of the world vote on The New Natural Wonders of the World; organic, historical, and architectural awe-inspirers alike that touch the hearts of both travelers and natives. 2011 brings their next vote, and a new set of publicly revered locations.

Boundless Journeys is proud to visit almost half of the recently announced nominees on our 2009-2010 adventures.

Africa: Want to experience the wildlife and vistas of the Kalahari Desert and Okavango Delta? Boundless Journeys brings them both to your fingertips, well, your safari vehicle, on our Botswana: Wilderness Safari and Botswana: Kalahari Desert Extension. Looking to explore the dunes of Erg Chebi a little further north? Join us in the Sahara for our Morocco: Imperial Cities & Desert Oases escape.

Europe: Consider yourself mystified by Cappadocia on our Turkey: Istanbul to the Turquoise Coast adventure, challenged by the rewarding terrain on our France, Italy, & Switzerland: Tour du Mont Blanc circuit, and tickled by the cultural charms surrounding the Cliffs of Moher on our Ireland: Gems of the Emerald Isle itinerary.

The America’s: Lay eyes on the largest river in the world thanks to our Peru: Into the Amazon exploration, and get to know Darwin’s famed archipelago on our Ecuador: The Galapagos Islands cruise and our Ecuador: Explorer’s Galapagos land-based adventure. For scenery not soon forgotten, join us on a pilgrimage to nature’s largest and most beautiful potholes with our Utah & Arizona: The Grand Canyon, Bryce, & Zion trip.

Even if these amazing places don’t make the official list in 2011, they are certainly wonders of our world, and we hope to introduce them to yours as well.

Checked out the full list of nominees here and want to see Boundless Journeys offer even more spectacular places? Let us know via info@boundlessjourneys.com.

Cruising the Turquoise Coast - The Perfect Cure for the Winter Blues

As we brace for another winter storm here along the east coast, our thoughts often turn towards warmer far off adventures. March is the time of year in Vermont when we begin to hope that spring is not too distant, although we always know that it is. With daylight savings time next weekend adding another tease at a hint of spring, but with no real end in sight, we often live vicariously through our guests traveling around the world. In March we will have Boundless Journeys’ guests traveling to many beautifully warm, even hot, destinations such as: Morocco, Tanzania, Bhutan, Indochina, India, Costa Rica, and the deliciously tropical Palau.

This video I recently came across of cruising Turkey’s Turquoise Coast on a traditional sailing gullet provided just the escape I needed after reading the weather forecasts. The Turquoise Coast, at the meeting of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, is dotted with islands and rife with mythological history. The azure waters here invite you to explore with days spent snorkeling, swimming, or discovering the dazzlingly beautiful coves and hidden villages along the coastline.

Perhaps you also need a five minute getaway? Take a quick trip through this video, and then join Boundless Journeys on our Turkey: Istanbul to the Turquoise Coast trip, September 8-20, 2009; or charter a gullet for just you and your friends and family with our Private Collection, Turkey: Istanbul to the Turquoise Coast.

“So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain