For those wanting a taste of two cultures in one trip, a Turkey to Greece Blue Cruise across the Aegean sea could be a perfect choice. There are many routes departing from the popular coastal town of Bodrum to the Greek Dodecanese Islands with options to visit the Southern Greek Islands, the Northern Islands, as well as options for one-way trips to the island of Rhodes or Kos.
Bodrum
The gateway town of Bodrum fills up during the summer months with tourists who flock to its stunning twin beaches and gather to enjoy the dynamic nightlife. Nearby beach towns and coastal resorts such as Yalikavak, with a sandy beach and stunning sunsets, Gumusluk, known for its seaside fish restaurants and Kadikalesi, popular with windsurfers, can be visited by bus from Bodrum and there is a daily Bodrum to Kos Ferry.
Meanwhile, within the city, Bodrum offers its guests quaint streets, traditional Turkish architecture, an Underwater Museum of Archaeology, featuring artifacts found in shipwrecks, and a 4th-century medieval fortress constructed using stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the ancient site sits at the edge of the harbor.
Bodrum is a prominent location for watersports and one of the main departure points for Blue and Gulet cruises to Greece or east along the Turquoise coast.
Read why else you should visit Bodrum here.
Gulf of Gokova
Lying between the Bodrum and the Datca Peninsular with the Greek Island of Kos situated at the entrance, the picturesque Gulf of Gokova takes its name from the Ancient city Ceramus.
There are many sites of interest within this narrow stretch of the Aegean sea, charming villages, pretty bays and excellent swimming and snorkeling spots, many of which will be visited on a Blue Cruise itinerary including:
Orak Island: Located close to Bodrum, Orak Island is fantastic for both shallow and deep water diving, rated one of the best diving areas in Turkey with an 80-meter deep vertical reef wall and an interesting cave at 34 meters below sea level. The crystal waters are also ideal for swimming and snorkeling. It is possible to see sea bass, lobsters, thornback rays and maybe even sea turtles. The Island itself is home to many hiking trails which run between the hills and olive orchards to the ruins of a Byzantine village.
The Seven Islands: Between the capes of Taneli Burnu and Teke Burnu lay a cluster of seven islands, the spaces between them provide perfect swimming spots while the uninhabited islands can be explored on foot. Trails run through forests of pine and strawberry trees to quiet sandy beaches.
English Harbour: Now a graveyard to sunken British battleships, the English Harbour was previously used to hide torpedo boats during the Second World War. It is an interesting spot for snorkeling or diving above the ruined boats.
Karacasogut Village: A quaint village, 25 Kilometers from the seaside town of Marmaris, in Karacasogut you can visit some stunning waterfalls that drop 25 meters to a natural freshwater swimming pool. Also home to an extensive cave, 421 meters at its longest point and 15.5 meters deep, with two underground lakes.
Kos
Leaving the Gulf of Gokova behind a Blue Cruise can take you to Kos, the closest Greek Island to Turkey.
Kos boasts a thriving tourist infrastructure as well as golden beaches and sparkling waters. The main town, Kardamena, offers an array of restaurants, bars and clubs to cater for the party goers but overall the town still retains its diverse cultural heritage and examples of Venetian and Ottoman architecture can be seen throughout the town.
History buffs may be interested in Roman Odeon, Ancient Agora, Medieval Castle which sits above the harbor and the ancient healing center at Asklepieion. The local cuisine is also worth a try as most fruits and vegetables including, olives, tomatoes, figs, and grapes, are produced on the island itself and served in elegant restaurants in the towns.
Rhodes
The largest of the Dodecanese Islands and once host to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes.
The charming Old Town dates back to Medieval times, noted as one of the best preserved in Europe, it maintains it UNESCO World Heritage status and is a pleasant place to take a stroll. The cobbled stone streets have been dominated by Byzantines, Venetians, Greeks, Romans, Persians and the Knights of Jerusalem so the history is inarguably diverse.
Rhodes is also popular with sunbathers as many fine beaches can be found around the island and nightlife is also lively. Outdoors lovers can go for a hike to the Petaloudes Valley where, in the summertime, you can find Tiger Moths.
Symi
A smaller island and one of the less visited of the Dodecanese. Symi is known for its small coves, pretty beaches, and rocky coastline as well as being famous for its annual music festival and attractive harbor, lined with multi color neoclassical houses which are protected by the Greek Archaeological Service.
Symi is best visited by boat to able to fully appreciate the beautiful coastline of this mountainous island coated in pine and oak forest. Alaturka Turkey provides fantastic Gulet Cruises, departing from Bodrum and calling at Kos, Nisyros, and Symi before continuing to Rhodes, Dacta and Inceburun on the return trip to Bodrum.
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