The sailing paradise of Turkey is also home to the Mavi Yolculuk, or Blue Voyage, an idyllic cruise that travels to the private beach of Cleopatra, the eternal fires of Mount Olimpos and the remains of thousands of ancient civilizations. This idyllic cruise means sailing with the winds, into coves and over the seas rather than from the land.

Blue Cruise a.k.a. Blue Voyage ("Mavi Yolculuk" in Turkish) is a term used for recreational boating tours along Turkey's southwestern coasts, with connotations in tourism and literature. The term is used by Turkey's tourism industry.

A full Blue Cruise generally starts in Didim, or Kuşadası, although the tours often depart from Bodrum. They usually terminate in the port of Antalya. The term may also be used to refer to shorter tours along the southwestern Turkey shore.

For lovers of the active life, sailing in clear waters provide great opportunities for swimming, fishing, skiing, surfing and diving. Sailing in Turkey also allows visitors to experience the hospitality of the people in the coastal villages and towns. The tempered winds blowing from west and northwest make the long summers ideal for yachting, and seem to encourage an appreciation of nature. From some of the turquoise coast's unspoilt and sheltered bays you can see mountain peaks rising to almost 3000 meters above the sea level.

The pleasure of yachting in Turkey will temp you to come back again and again, to explore yet another stretch of coast and to relive the luxurious ease of life on the sea.

Deciding on the length and itinerary of the cruise is up to the initiative of the yacht owner. A minimum of three weeks is de rigueur for a comprehensive tour of the area between Bodrum and Fethiye. Routes conductive to three-day tours include: Antalya-Kaş,-Marmaris-Fethiye,-Marmaris-Datça, Bodrum-Marmaris, Bodrum Gokova, and Bodrum-Gulluk. Those who prefer to depart from Marmaris rather than Bodrum can choose one of two routes: Bozburun and the Datça peninsula, or the Bay of Fethiye. Datça tours visit Datça and Knidos as well as the small islands and coves scattered between Hisarönü, Kızkumu, Orhaniye Selimiye and Bozukkale On the Fethiye route, one day is set aside to tour Dalyan and the ancient city of Kaunos, the other days for exploring the natural and historical riches of the Bay of Fethiye. The Kaş route originating from Antalya is another one of the most beautiful stretches on the Turkish Riviera. But whichever route you choose, on the sea you live only the moment. ...and the blue to surfeit, in a thousand-and-one hues.