Bodrum North Aegean (Greek) Islands

Day 1: BODRUM

Our boat opens its doors to an unforgettable week at 03.30 pm. If you come to Bodrum before boarding time, you can leave your belongings to our office with peace of mind. Our boat will stay anchored in the port for the first night so that you and your guests can explore the historical city of Bodrum both before and after dinner. Bodrum, also known as Halicarnassus, has been a remarkable and important city throughout human history; Bodrum is also the birthplace of the historian Herodotus, the author of the Iliad & Odysseia epics.

Here are the must-see symbols of the city:

• Halicarnassus Mausoleum (350 BC), one of the Seven Wonders of the World,
• The iconic St. Peter’s Castle built in the 14th century by the Knights of Rhodes,
• Bodrum Underwater Archeology Museum, the world’s largest underwater archeology museum,
• Amphitheater with a capacity of 13,000 visitors, which still hosts concerts!

With its white houses decorated with bougainvillea and colorful gift shops, Bodrum is a paradise on the Aegean coast! Getting a MuseumCard before you start your trip will make it easier to visit the ruins. It can be obtained from the entrance of the castle.

Day 2: KOS

On the second day, during breakfast, a general information about Bodrum’s Northern Islands route will be given by the captain. Before starting your week in the Greek Islands, the paperwork at customs will be completed and we will set out for Kos, the first stop of our route. Kos is the third largest of the Dodecanase Islands after Rhodes and Karpathos and covers an area of 283 km2.

Kos Island is also known as “Hospital Island”. The reason for this is that Hippocrates, an important name in medical science, was born here. In fact, it is rumored that the old plane tree in the middle of the island was planted by Hippocrates, and you will often hear its name in the souvenir shops that you will come across step by step. Other places to visit are; Defterdar Mosque, Paraskevi Church, the Casa Romana region, which shows the wealth of the people of Kos in the Roman period, and the ancient-Agora District, where you can see the ruins from the historical Hellenic period to the middle ages. There is also an airport on the island. The delicious appetizer restaurants in the Old Marina are quite famous.

Day 3: LEROS

Leros differs from Kos with its calm and distant nature. The frequency of boutiques and gift shops is decreasing, leaving their place to silence and tranquility. It is possible to see both Ottoman and Italian traces on the island. In the streets of Agia Marina, the charming Aegean town on the island, you can have a pleasant time drinking frappe, the famous cold coffee of Greece, or go to the Panagia Castle, which dates back to the 11th century, to watch the island from a panoramic view. In the Alinda region, Agios Isidoros Chapel, built on a rock, is very popular due to its location. Pandeli is among the regions to visit with its restaurants and unforgettable sunset views. We especially recommend the octopus and shrimp meal in Leros.

Day 4: PATMOS

Patmos is also known as the most sacred of the Dodecanese. It received the nickname "Jerusalem of the Aegean". According to the belief, it is very important for the Orthodox and Catholic community as the Revelations part of the Bible is written here. In the Revelations, Patmos is accepted as the place where Jesus appeared to Saint John. The main city of the island is Chora and the port city is Skala. The Monastery of St. John and the Doomsday Cave in Chora was included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 1999 and became one of the important pilgrimage destinations for Christians. While music was not allowed on the island until the 70’s due to its religious importance, today a religious music festival is held at the end of every August. With the increase in tourism, the conservatism on the island has largely disappeared and it has undergone a complete transformation with its beach parties, bars and live music. There are plenty of cafeterias, souvenir shops and restaurants in the center of Skala.

Day 5: LIPSI

Another reputation of Lipsi has spread as "Island of Lovers". According to legend, the English and Italian ladies who came to the island decided to live here, falling in love with the men of the island, and this is how the island became famous. It is possible to see many Italian communities and boutiques on the island. Lipsi is a nostalgic island where time stands still. While wandering around its streets, you may come across elderly people traveling on donkeys and goat herds. Many people continue the tradition of winemaking, the Wine Festival is held every year in August. Almost everything that grows on the island is certified and organic, and restaurant owners use the products of their own fields. Grouper soup, gummy ice cream, cheese pie and pouggi dessert are among the most famous dishes; but the island cuisine is based on fish in general. Bread is also sent to nearby islands such as Patmos, and 14 types of flour are used.

Lipsi has a very special place among the islands with a few bay alternatives, quiet and peaceful nature, gourmet flavors, sparkling sea and beaches of various structures.

Day 6: KALYMNOS

Kalymnos, the fourth largest of the Twelve Islands, has a mountainous structure apart from two fertile valleys. For this reason, mountaineering activities and sponge diving are done intensively on the island. In fact, a Greek (or Ottoman citizen Greek) who immigrated to America in the early 1900s went to Tarpon Springs in Florida and spread Kalymnos’ sponge fishing here. Today, Tarpon Springs is the sponge capital of the world and 70% of the total production is made here. With the island men spending half a year at sea, a matriarchal society was formed on the island, and women are always cherished. Masouri, Panormos, Emporeios and Arginonta beaches are more satisfying in terms of service and well organized. Mirties beach is perfect for watching the sunset. The island is also a suitable destination for those who want to dive.

There are plenty of Byzantine and Roman ruins on the island. Tourist attractions to see; The Castle of the Knights, Pera Castro (castle), Hario, famous for its white houses, which was the center of Kalymons until 150 years ago, and the Cave of the Seven Virgins, where seven young girls who escaped from pirates were lost. Aya Savvas Monastery located on the hill overlooking Pothia. The rich and colorful murals in the monastery tell the story of the life of the clergyman Aya Savvas, who lived in the 1800s and is rumored to have performed miracles.

Day 7: TURGUTREIS & KARAINCIR & BODRUM

On the seventh day, the boat will set off to return to Turkey through Turgutreis Port. On the way back to Bodrum, there will be a swimming break in Karaincir. Karaincir is known as the warmest and cleanest of the bays on the Bodrum Peninsula, with a very sandy bottom. The boat will anchor in Bodrum Port for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 8: BODRUM

After the breakfast the trip will end, around 09:30.

The route mentioned above is not fixed, the group can decide where to stay, where to swim and where to go; or the route may be changed according to the weather circumstances. We wish everyone a relaxing and adventurous holiday.