Sail & Swim: Turkey

Your new reality = swimming in bluer-than-blue waters. Strolling around stunning ancient towns. Snacking on yummy AF Turkish treats (hello, baklava). Grab your sunnies and swimmers, and meet us in Fethiye. You’ll have a chance to say hi to your crewmates – with a cheeky welcome cocktail – before we hoist up the anchors. Spend the rest of the afternoon horizontal on the ship’s sun-soaked deck as we glide across to Samanlik Bay. Tonight, cue all the feels as we tuck into our first chef-prepped meal of the trip as the sun sets over the ocean. This? This is what you came for.

Early morning swim or lazy sleep in? It’s totally up to you. After stuffing your face with brekkie, we’ll set sail for Aga Limani Bay. Its duo of beaches are S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G – and you’ve got alllll day to enjoy them. Practice your belly flops (soz, we mean world-class diving) leaping off the boat. Snap on a snorkel and keep your eyes peeled for turtles. Or go ashore and join an optional guided hike to the ancient Roman ruins of Lydae. Tonight, we’ll be staying put in the bay. Hungry? Dig into mouthwatering eats cooked to perfection by your on-board chef.

Rise and shine, sailors! Today, we’ll be up with the sun (okay, not quite) to cruise across to Ekincik Bay –our next overnight stop. It’s nestled at the top of the Dalyan Delta: an area famed for its golden beaches, rock-carved tombs and sulfur-rich mud baths. Activate explorer mode during an optional boat trip upriver to the ancient city Kaunos. This ancient city was supposedly founded by the grandson of Apollo, the God of Music and Dance. Sounds like our kinda guy. Then it’s time to get your spa on with a dunk in Dalyan’s so-called ‘beauty mud’. And this afternoon? Float your troubles away with a swim at Iztuzu Beach where you might just glimpse a loggerhead turtle.

Today, we’ll be soaking up more BREATHtaking riviera views as we journey west to Marmaris. First: a scenic AF swim stop at the aptly-named Paradise Island. Dry off in the sun on deck and tuck into another yummy included lunch. Then, onwards to Marmaris. Its marina is home to a lot of boats (and we mean A LOT). Hop off yours and get your bearings during an orientation walk with our expert Trip Leader. Then: it’s time to explore the city’s treasure trove of attractions. Lose yourself in the maze-like Grand Bazaar. Take a stroll along Marmaris Beach. Or check out the magnificent Marmaris Castle. Tonight: head to Marmaris Bar Street for drinks, belly dancing and good vibes. Memories = made.

Shake off last night’s antics with a few more I-N-C-R-E-D-I-B-L-E swim stops around the Fethiye Gulf. With its strings of paradise islands, this place is pretty spesh. Next, we’ll drop anchor in a bay that was once used as a shipyard by the Lycians. Once you’ve perfected your backflips (or more of those bellyflops...), we’ll move onto Monastery Bay. Expect: awesome ancient ruins and seriously calm water ideal for snorkelling. Tonight, there’s another DE-lish dinner with your crew on the cards. All in favour? Say aye, aye!

What’s that? You want another day of refreshing swims and snoozing in the sunshine? You got it. Grab a spot at the bow (front) of the boat and savour your last glimpse of Monastery Bay. Our next destination? The gorgeous Gocek Bays. This handful of STUNNING coves are going to blow. your. mind. We’ll zigzag between Sarsala Bay, Boynuzbükü and Bedri Rahmi Bay before anchoring near Gocek town for the night. After another amazing chef-prepared dins, gather the crew and crack open a pack of playing cards – Go Fish, anyone?

Land ahoy! Today’s the final day of our adventure (*sobs*), so we’ll be setting a course for Fethiye. En route, we’ll enjoy a few final swims stops and some more droolworthy food up on deck. When we reach the marina, we’ve got a walking tour to get to. Hit alll the hot spots with our savvy Trip Leader. After: you'll have the whole afternoon to explore. Roam around the cobbled alleyways of Fethiye’s Old Town. Check out the awesome rock tombs carved into the surrounding cliffs. Or pick up some last-minute souvenirs for the fam at a bustling bazaar. There’s also an optional paragliding adventure in nearby Babadağ on the cards for any thrill-seekers. Tonight, gather the gang for one last dinner onboard the boat. Want to give this epic adventure the send-off it deserves? Venture back into Fethiye after dark and prepare to party like a pirate.

After brekkie, it’s time to abandon ship. Hug your fellow scallywags goodbye and don’t forget to swap those Insta handles for next year’s reunion trip. Not ready for the adventure to end? Istanbul’s just a short hop north and the starting point of our Delve Deep: Turkey trip (FYI a few dates match up perfectly).