The delights of chartering a luxury yacht in Turkey

Endless days of sunshine and warmth beckon in the Eastern Mediterranean even as we head into winter, but you can start planning your next spring or summer holiday and take your friends and family to Turkey on a beautiful luxury gulet adventure in 2021. Now is the time to book one for this summer.

Gulets are traditional wooden-hulled vessels that are locally built and offer ambient surroundings great for celebrations: Many are used for weddings and birthdays but generally, Gulets offer a fantastic option for vacations for friends and family. The stunning Turkish Riviera, also known as the Turquoise Coast, is filled with beautiful wonders such as the Lycian Tombs which can become the scenic backdrop to your festivities. Pack the hours with golden sand beaches, crystal clear snorkelling and Scuba diving sites, and plenty of history and culture in Bodrum and beyond.

Highly coveted luxury yachts – whether brand new or with established reputations – come with an abundance of space onboard for the size of your group, a large and varied selection of water toys, generous cabins with TV entertainment, a well-stocked bar to accompany all those delicious meals, and a talented crew which might include a Dive Master, masseuse or even a Michelin-trained chef.

Luxury gulet HIC SALTA offers timeless surroundings in rich mahogany with every space efficiently used aboard this 43m/141ft vessel. Dine alfresco in the shade and cool down with fruity cocktails and desserts that will disappear the moment they arrive at the table. The sunbeds covering the foredeck will see much use from all 10 guests, and the air-conditioned interior offers one last place for a nightcap before bed. Another exceptional choice for celebrations is NURTEN A, designed with an outdoor bar close to large alfresco dining areas, and plenty of plush seating and sunbeds to make the most of each sunny day.

For those who prefer more modern surroundings, KAPTAN KADIR and UBI BENE both have a deceptively traditional exterior that gives way to a burst of contemporary colour and textures both outside and within, and other luxury gulets such as PERLA DEL MAR II, OGUZBEY and ELARA 1 have a Jacuzzi to unwind together over cocktails and the scenery. NAUTILUS not only has a Jacuzzi but a fireplace for added ambience, and a voluminous Master suite ideal for a bride and groom, while aptly named LOVE BOAT has accommodation for up to 32 guests across 16 en-suite cabins – significantly more than the usual 12 guests.

Water sports enthusiasts will want a vessel similar to CANER IV or DIDI, both of which have a fantastic selection of water toys ranging from jet skis to fishing equipment and towable toys to suit thrill-seekers as well as those who want to stay high and dry on board.

Kaş is a sensational destination for Scuba diving because of the wreck dives, caves and relics within the area. These natural sites are alive with colourful corals and fish of all shapes and sizes that create a mesmerizing sight for visitors of all ages. Guests heading ashore for culture will find Fethiye replete with offerings and landmarks such as the Hadrian Castle Gate into the historic Old Town, the Düden Waterfalls and the Antalya Museum. Shopping opportunities abound with shopping centres and markets for top-end gifts and authentic souvenirs. Bodrum, meanwhile, is home to one of the Wonders of the Ancient World – the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.

After a full day in these busy metropolises, sail away to a quiet anchorage to listen to the sounds of nature under clear starry skies. Sailing yachts ATALANTE and DEA DEL MARE are two smaller gulets ideal for accessing these shallower places, and the modern amenities onboard complement the traditional surroundings for an inviting and homely environment with everything guests could ever want.

By Trina Howes