Beautiful private Aegean Coast destination desired
 

My husband and I will be in Madrid next month(July) and can carve out 6 days for a holiday. We'd like to go to Turkey. Knowing that we have a seriously limited time, does anyone have a recommendation on a destination on the Aegean Coast to which we could visit after spending 2 or 3 days in Istanbul? It has been recommended to us that intead of driving, we rent a private gulet for transportation to the region. Anyone have input on that possibility and if so, recommendations for gulet company appreciated. Looking for natural , beautiful location.. prefer private, luxury accomodations accessible to ruins and hopefully beach. Don't care about nightlife. Any guidance appreciated. Thank you!

Just so happens "Diving into the Agean" from the July/August <u>Departures</u> magazine (American Express publication) has this information as I was reading about sailing the Turkish Riviera.

Here are the agencies they provided in the article:

Agnes Howard @ Camper & Nicholsons
cnyachts.com

bluefunyachting.com

veladare.com

boatbookings.com

caneryachting.com

I have no experience with them but hopefully this can get you what you are looking for.

You already have some responses on TA, but either they or i misunderstood one of your questions:

you cannot rent a gulet from Istanbul and go to the South |Aegean. This would take just too long and i doubt that gulets are available in Istanbul. However, there will be some boats for private charter in istanbul which can take you to the two Turkish islands, Gokceada and Bozcaada, and to Assos and Ayvalik, just Southeast of the Dardanelles, across from lesvos.

July is much better for the Northern aegean. We are currently at Lila motel at Ayvacik/Kucukkuyu (see my review on Trip Advisor) which is not luxury but is very private with a great garden and a nice beach and with the most friendly staff you can imagine. Four of the rooms are large enough, the bathroom is large also but with only shower, the beds have hard mattresses but do not sag and have been comfortable enough for sound sleep. The pillows are soft polyester, but the grounds, the food and the staff make up for the rooms. Lots of olive trees, hammocks, secluded corners, nice bar. And do not forget that even at full capacity there will not be more than 15-18 guests.

there are lovely assos ruins 20 k away and Pergamom about 90 k and Troy about 45 k.

You would need a car once you land, which your travel agent can provide for you.

Check with Burak at www.allaboutturkey.com or a large company, Fest Travel, or Antonina Turizm.

You can read my currently running trip report on the Fodor's lounge.

I will just chime in and say that the area that Chelebi is speaking about is absolutely stunning! We drove there from Istanbul but that is not necessary. We adored the small seaport of Foca, staying here and using it as a base for visiting Bergama. This small hotel is the epitome of charming; the beach is across the street:


http://www.focantiquehotel.com/english/index.html

Some comments about Assos here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...onpart-one.cfm

Kas is a really nice small fishing port that we spent a night at, and I would go back asap. There are boat trips from the harbour to Lycean ruins (underwater city,etc..).

May not be exaclty what you want, but it is one of my favs.

I would go with OC's recommendation... he is the best here.

thank you for your input, guys! I have looked at the Foca area and like the fact that it seemed to be a little less busy and touristy than some of the other destinations. I'n going to look into the Lila motel as well.
Nars Otel Ilica was recommended to us...can anyone chime in on this hotel and this are? thanks again