Hints & Tips
Blue Guide Hints & Tips
What alternatives exist in Blue Voyage?
For the type of Blue Voyage we offer, you
don't have to hold a skipper's license, nor do
you need to be an avid sailor. We provide you
with a traditional wooden yacht which you
charter with crew. If you cannot get a group
together so as to take your own yacht, you still
have the opportunity to join one of our weekly
cabin charter cruises. You might even like to go
for something racier, like a standard-sized
bareboat with an English-speaking skipper.
Which season is best for Blue Voyage?
The Turkish western Mediterranean region is
known worldwide for its near-perfect sailing
conditions--the water is always warm and there
are plenty of beautiful islands to visit. Many
people travel via yacht each year to the Med to
take part in annual races or simply enjoy the
sailing season.
Of course everyone is different and is looking
for different things from a holiday. Children,
your work commitments and age (!) all affect
when you are able to go on holiday.
The months of May and October offer excellent
sailing conditions and the opportunity to go
trekking or fishing. And here is a special offer
for those of you who want to have an early start
to the summer 2006. Click here for more
information.
The months of June, September and October is the
best time to explore the western coast islands
and bays of southern Turkey. Rain is rare. It is
the most pleasant time of the year. It is also
before / past the high season for the region's
tourism industry, which reaches its peak during
July and August. September and October offer
good winds, although variable, and summertime
temperatures during the day with pleasant
nights. You can swim through the middle to end
of October comfortably.
Between end of July and August, Turkey is extra
busy with the height of summer bringing
thousands to the coastal regions. July and
August days are long and hot, and the nights are
warm.
What to take on a Blue Voyage?
Most of the time will be spent in a bathing
suit, so it is a good idea to bring at least
two! For land trips, a pair of long, light
trousers and a shirt are advisable. Evenings may
be cool, certainly during the earlier and later
months of the year, so you are best to bring a
pullover and a windbreaker. We also suggest you
pack your beach towel (not provided on board),
plenty of suncream, snorkels/flippers/goggles if
you plan on doing lots of snorkelling and a
sleeping bag if you are planning to sleep on
deck.
Bed linen and towels for use in the cabins are
provided and you should expect a set of sheets
during the hot summer months and a bottom sheet
and a pique (thick cotton sheet) during the
spring and autumn months.
Your Turkish crew may not have a thorough
knowledge of English, so you might be advised to
take a small traveller's dictionary along with
you for the voyage. Besides being understood
more easily, it is also a great way of picking
up a few words of Turkish.
We suggest you bring your belongings in a
collapsible bag, rather than a suitcase, as bags
are much easier to stow away, and also serve to
limit how much you pack! You may like to bring a
light day pack for excursions ashore.
If you're on a prescribed medicine take them
with you; you may not find the same medicine in
Turkey.
One final word of advice
Normal street shoes are definitely not
acceptable on board a yacht, we suggest you to
bring soft-soled shoes for getting around on
deck.
Is Sailing possible on Gulet?
Gulets are motorsailers
Equipped with motors and with sails. Their
top speed is just a very leisurely 8-10 knots.
Generally, gulets will rarely sail, which means
no participating in the actual sailing or
manoeuvring of the yacht, so sailing instruction
is not an option, yet some gulets (due to a
different construction) sail really well. On
smaller charters (standard sailing yachts) you
will often sail the yacht together, which
enhances team spirit and gives you the change to
learn how to sail.
What itinerary should I choose?
It is rare that a day goes by without
someone asking, where is the best place to
charter? Admittedly we are biased towards the
eastern Mediterranean. Most of all we recommend
the cruising ground in the south eastern coast
of Turkey stretching from Marmaris to Fethiye.
There is so much to see and do that it pays to
have at least a tentative itinerary. And for
most people it takes years to really explore
everything this area offers. There are islands
that are awaiting exploration throughout this
cruising area whether you begin your trip from
Marmaris or from Fethiye. You will find hundreds
of harbors and islands to explore. One-way
charters are also available between the ports of
call.
What about Scuba Diving?
The diving area around Fethiye and Marmaris
offer some of the best preserved dive sites in
the Mediterranean. Scuba Diving in Turkish
waters is permitted only under the guidance and
supervision of a licensed dive guide. In keeping
with these and other government regulations, we
can organize your diving days during the voyage
lead by experienced dive masters, all of whom
hold licenses endorsed by Turkish and
international authorities. There are two main
dive bases in Marmaris and Fethiye from which we
arrange scuba diving. Both bases offer
everything one would expect from and
international dive center. All equipment is in
excellent condition and 10 or 12 litre Scuba
tanks and DIN / INT connection parts are in good
supply. In order to participate as a diver,
guests must have a recognized diving license and
a current medical report. It is possible to both
hire equipment from the base or bring your own.
Tipping
Tips are not included in the price of your tour.
Customarily, participants wish to tip the
minibus driver, guide, and yacht crew if they
did a very good job. These gratuities are
completely at your discretion. Guidelines based
on past experience suggest $2 per guest per day
for your driver, $10 per guest per day for your
guide(s) and $10 per guest per day as a pooled
tip for the yacht crew. Tips should be in cash.
Passport & Visa
All U.S. and most European citizens, even
infants, need a valid passport to enter Turkey
for stays of up to 90 days. U.S. citizens also
need to purchase a visa, which can be done at
the official point of entry for $20 USD (as of
01 April 2004), UK citizens purchase visa for 10
GBP, most European nationals purchase visa for
10 Euro.
Canadian citizens need only a valid passport to
enter Turkey for stays of up to 90 days.
Children under 16 may be included on a parent's
passport but must have their own to travel
alone.
Citizens of the United Kingdom need a valid
passport to enter Turkey for stays of up to 90
days. Children under 16 may travel on an
accompanying parent's passport. U.K. citizens
also need to purchase a visa, which can be done
at the point of entry for £10.
Duty Free
Arrival
You are allowed to bring in 400 cigarettes, 50
cigars, 200 grams of tobacco, 1 1/2 kilograms of
instant coffee, 500 grams of tea, and 2 1/2
liters of alcohol. Register all valuable
personal items in your passport at your embassy
on entry. Items in the duty-free shops in
Turkish airports, for international arrivals,
are usually less expensive here than in European
airports or in flight.
Departure
Same as arrival you are allowed to take same
quantity of goods with you (as eu duty free
agreement).
As a foreign visitor, you can claim back the tax
you pay on your purchases and receive immediate
cash refund on departure at most international
ports of Turkey.
For more information visit www.globalrefund.com
Time
Turkish standard time is 2 hours ahead Greenwich
Mean Time, 1 hour ahead of Central European
Time, and 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard
Time.
Transportation
The intercity buses in Turkey are usually of
very high standard (Mercedes model coaches, and
all air-conditioned), but if you travel on a
smaller bus, it might not have air-conditioning.
Drinking water is always served on midibuses and
large buses free of charge. Also an attendant
will offer Lemon cologne or tissue for
refreshment, it is very typical in Turkey.
The largest bus companies like Ulusoy, Pamukkale,
Varan and Kamil Koc are serving most of the
routes. You can buy the tickets from the bus
station or one of the bus companies offices in
Marmaris, most of which are located in Tansas
supermarket area.
Local 'Dolmus' minibus runs to the center of
every resort in Turkey, fee is approximately 25
- 45 pence. There are bus stops along the route,
as of 2001 the minibuses stop only at those
stops.
Taxis are recognized by their yellow colour. The
fare shown on the
meter reads according to the distance travelled.
Better take a dolmus still - taxi is expensive
in resorts!
Money
In resorts there are ATM machines near every
bank and large supermarkets like Tansas and
Migros, also in most places you will be able to
pay by credit card, be it a shop or a
restaurant. Most Turkish banks charge commission
on cash back and cash advances so may be asked
to cover this cost. Also most places accept
foreign currency for payments. You can cash your
Travellers cheques at any exchange bureau,
however check the commission rates, as the
exchange rate displayed outside is usually the
Selling rate. You can also check the daily rate
of TL on our website.
Banks
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 09.00- 12.00 and
13.30 17.00
Certain Banks open on Saturdays half day and
during lunch hours.
Exchange Offices are open everyday until around
11.00pm.
Foreign Currency, Travellers Cheques, and Credit
Cards are accepted in Turkey except the Scottish
Pound and torn or damaged notes.
Communication & Phone System
Turkey has international direct-dial
telephones, telegraphs, telex, facsimile, and
express mail. You can place international calls
quickly and easily from your hotel. As hotels
sometimes add service fees to telephone charges,
it is wise to ask about cost before you call.
City newsstands carry most international
publications.
Public telephones are conveniently located
throughout the country. Pay phones are available
operated with telephone cards, recognized by the
green color and Turk Telecom sign on them. The
telephone cards of 30, 60, 100 and 120 units are
sold at the post offices, small markets, book
stores.
Electrical Appliances
The voltage is 220 Volts AC in all parts of
the country.
Sun Protection
The temperatures rise to a high of 45oC in
August so high factor suntan lotion is
essential. Keeping hydrated with water only is a
must!
Children should be well covered with hats and
hydrated.
Medicine & Health Services
In the resorts there are private and state
hospitals and many private clinics.
Medical facilities are up-to-date and equipped
to cope with the majority of medical problems.
There are multilingual doctors and dentists all
around the resorts open during weekly business
hours. For emergency medical care, you may
contact our office or your captain to request a
doctor's visit in port. If you're on a
prescribed medicine take them with you; you may
not find the same medicine in Turkey.
Shopping
Turkey is known by many as a shopper's
paradise with rich variety of the craft mean
that it is impossible to resist buying. Main
shopping resorts are Fethiye, Bodrum, Marmaris,
Antalya, Alanya, and Istanbul Grand Bazaar.
Unlike a European country there is a great range
of places in which to shop in Turkey, from
modern boutiques to colourful bazaars and
bustling markets.
In virtually every instance, carpets, fine
leather, precious jewelry, gold in particular
are a better buy here in Turkey than they are in
other parts of Europe.
Language
Most of the Turks you will meet -- crew
members, hotel and restaurant staff,
shop-keepers will speak at least some English,
and many will be fluent. German and French are
also widely spoken in Turkey.
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