Exploring Turkey: From Ancient Wonders to Coastal Beauty
We traveled to Turkey in September 2025 with the help of Travel Central and their in-country partner Sea Song Travel. Together they created an excellent itinerary with several tours and experiences, and also some exploration time on our own.
We started in Istanbul, staying in one of Sea Song’s star hotels, the Ciragan Palace Kempinski on the banks of the Bosphorus; just a great hotel, first class in every way, especially the views of the water.
It’s just a ten minute walk to the ferry dock and nighttime energy in the youthful Beşiktaş district.
The proximity to ferries is key; traffic is usually snarled and the ferries take you to key parts of town quickly, with great views along the way. We found it easy to use the ticket machines that also cover trams, trollies and furniculars(!).
A basic walk begins at the massive Eminönü ferry dock with a full view of the old city’s Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and Blue Mosque as you arrive at the foot of the famed Galata Bridge.
From Karaköy, take the funicular up to the Beyoğlu district and from there stroll the mile or so along the broad, pedestrian shopping street Istiklal Caddesi. The tram down the middle is largely for show, but it provides a perfect snapshot of the city’s remarkable transit system. Narrow lanes with cool bars and live-music filled cafes also connect this main shopping street to the swank Pera area and its famous restaurants and hotels.
From Istanbul, we took the quick flight to Dalaman Airport near the Mediterranean coast and the even quicker land transfer to the boating center at Gocek - an up-and-coming starting point for gulet and yacht charters, with a quaint, friendly harborside retail zone in support. Irish whiskey? Check.
Sea Song had arranged a one-week charter on the Primadonna, with three cabins holding up to six guests, and a crew of three. It was delightful. Our itinerary focused on quiet nights in secluded bays, where we could swim the afternoon away and enjoy superb evening meals on the comfortable deck. There were traditional Turkish mezzes, always fresh fruit and cheeses, salads, grains, lots of fresh fish and grilled lamb. Breakfast and lunch were also included and just as good.
Midday we often stopped in towns along the water, places of historical importance from Hittite, Lycean, Greek, Roman and Ottoman times, from Christian, Jewish and Islamic texts. There was quaint Kas, the busy harbor at Kalkan, Simena Castle and the rustic little hillside harbor village that surrounds it, the sunken city at Kekova, and booming Fethiye - where the ultra-luxury resorts are just an ultra-luxury yacht ride away.
After our return to Gocek, we took a turn by land west and north, to the Aegean Sea coast cities of Marmaris, Bodrum, and Izmir.
Marmaris is the brash younger brother to Bodrum, anchored by Turkey’s flashiest marina on one end and Irish pubs for sunburned Brits on the other. Between them, the old town and old marina area make a great place to stroll, drink, and dine late into the evening. Beautiful people abound. Our hotel, the Tui Grand Azur, was a great value with extraordinary customer service.
Bodrum is a fever-dream fairytale of a city, a warren of streets filled with gleaming store fronts and sea view open-air cafes - a surprise around every ancient corner. The natural harbor, surrounded by hills, is the town center. Yachts, gulets, snorkeling day-trippers, fishing charters, ferries… you name it, if it floats, it’s available. The gorgeous villas at the Mett Hotel had sweeping views of it all. Bodrum gets in your blood; it’s difficult to leave.
Nonetheless, Ephesus is essential and easy to visit on the road from Bodrum to Izmir. Too much has been written about Ephesus for me to add anything. Just make sure you visit. It amazes.
Finally, we spent two days and nights in surprising Izmir, politically Turkey’s most westward-facing city, where diplomacy and big business meet on one side of town, while the people stroll through the evening and into the night through open air shopping and entertainment districts on the other. The Swissotel Buyuk Efes was luxurious and expertly well run, arranged beautifully by Sea Song and Travel Central as with all accommodations and transfers. Flawless!