The tranquillity of the past on a modern gulet cruise

Modern life often gets very busy, between careers and family life, holidays are now more important than ever. When picking vacations they should be relaxing, have great weather, and offer enjoyment that is unforgettable.

Many countries try to offer these however not many can blend these qualities, all while offering a vast amount of historical significance. In the past, this region of Turkey has been home to different civilisations. The Lycians inhabited the region from the Bronze Age until they eventually were absorbed by the Ottoman empire. While they ultimately joined the Ottoman empire, they had been under the rule of other nations such as the Persian empire. All of these different influences have added their own changes to the style of the Lycian designs.

Alaturka Cruises offers a holiday experience that demonstrates the beauty of the Turquoise coast and the Aegean Sea. A route that allows for a glimpse into the past of the region is from the Turkish city of Bodrum to the Greek Island of Rhodes. The harbour town of Bodrum is a popular starting point for many gulet cruises, as it has a picturesque harbour with clear views, this is attributed to the building height limitation. While maintaining a traditional build style and charm, it also boasts the largest outdoor nightlife along the Mediterranean.

Bodrum

After time spent at Bodrum, this cruise heads out to the Greek Island of Kos. Kos has a unique heritage even when comparing it to that of Greek and Turkish history. In mythology, the island of Kos is where the giants were defeated during the war of the Gods. In nonfiction history, the island of Kos is home to the Asklepieion, the leading medical centre during ancient times. This medical centre was where the original Hippocratic Oath was created, inspired by Hippocrates who studied at this centre and then went on to travel the world and learn new techniques and debunk charlatans.  Not only is this island a historical landmark but it also has some beautiful sandy beaches that have unparalleled views of the Aegean Sea.

Symi

The island of Symi is another Greek island on this tour. The history of this island does not have the significance of Kos but has a few points that are a must see. The Monastery of Archangel Michael that is on the harbour is one of the most popular attractions. This highly decorated place of worship was named for the Archangel and is still visited today by people asking the angel for favours and locals leaving a handmade traditional broom as gratitude. The islands houses have been restored in recent years, as the island was a strategic point during WWII and many of the houses were destroyed. These houses have been restored to their former glory and kept in with the original style to keep the charm of the town. The houses are brightly coloured and have kept the old characteristics like the square at the top of the hill which is reminiscent of ancient Greek living style.

Rhodes

After Symi the cruise heads to the island of Rhodes. This is the largest island in the Dodecanese chain. This island was famous in ancient times for the Colossus of Rhodes, which is one of the seven ancient wonders. This statue was destroyed by an earthquake as was not restored because at the time the town was in major disrepair. When the statue was destroyed it was said to have been so impressive even in its ruined state that it attracted visitors to the island. Later the remaining parts were melted down by an Arab force for use as payments. The town of Rhodes is  the capital of the island, and is also the largest town on the island. This city is ‘split’ into old and new with the old city having been restored and maintained in the medieval style it was originally built. After all of these efforts by the Rhodes government, the old city is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

This part of the world has been visited throughout history. With all of the remnants of the cultures that came before, a visit to these places allows for an unforgettable time.