I first cycled in Turkey in 2001 from Bodrum to Antalya self-supported. It was a great adventure and I realized with some strategic shuttles, two-night stays in cool villages, and a yacht between Gocek and Kekova to experience the enchanting islands in that area, that this would be a unique and appealing trip to offer our clients. We ran trips for 20 years staying in Classic level (3 & 4 star) hotels and lots of people enjoyed the itinerary. Through the pandemic we paused offering trips of course and then in October, 2023, I went back to experience the trip again, tweaking some of the rides and including some new hotel stays that hadn’t previously been available. On my return, I was delighted to see that road paving had improved and there were outstanding new restaurants and other improvements.
With the opening of some new 5-star hotels, we decided to create a Luxe version of our trip for 2024, so I went back this past September. Hotels such as Bodrum’s The Marmara; Orhaniye’s Marti Hemithea; Olympos’s Kimera Lounge; and Antalya’s Ruin Adalia are exquisite and make a great trip even better. The other improvement this year was sourcing an e-bike fleet of Orbea Kemen ADV 10 bikes (MSRP of €4,699) for those that want more zip to their ride.
Our local cycling guide was previously the general manager of a 5-star hotel in Istanbul and enjoys cycling; we use a dedicated driver and large sprinter support vehicle that is always with us.
Most people who do this trip plan time in Istanbul; we have a trip Extension in Istanbul that provides a stay in one of our favourite hotels there. It’s a boutique hotel with not many rooms so we keep it a secret, but here is a description: “Located on Istanbul’s European side in a chic bohemian neighbourhood of eclectic antique shops, cafes and designer boutiques… each suite is equipped with a kitchenette, bar, lounge, area, and private balcony. The latter offers captivating views over Istanbul’s picturesque skyline of handsome mosques and ramshackle rooftops, as well as the glistening topaz waters of the Bosphorus”. On our two-night Extension, we include a half-day guided walking tour (on our three-night Extension, we include two half-day walking tours). I have spent many days in Istanbul – this year, I spent three days after the trip – and find it fascinating and thrilling.
Day 1 & 2
Our trip starts in Bodrum (a short flight from Istanbul) and our first ride on your 2nd day is out to Ortakent, where the morning market is a great introduction to the local scene. We also stop at an ancient olive oil mill, now a cool coffee shop owned by a charming woman who speaks English and warmly welcomes us. After lunch we zig zag our way back to the center of Bodrum and it’s an easy first day. There is a bit of traffic in Bodrum, being a resort town, so if anyone isn’t into cycling on this day, there is lots to see and do in town also. Bodrum is full of great restaurants and was described by Conde Naste as the most glamorous hangout in the Mediterranean. Our hotel, the Marmara is described by The Hideaway Report as a “sophisticated contemporary hotel commanding a spectacular vantage point high above Bodrum.”
Day 3
Next morning, we ferry across to Datca, where we cycle a beautiful road along the spine of the peninsula, with ocean views and lunch at a beachside hotel/restaurant with a large pool to cool off at mid-day. Late afternoon we arrive to the luxury hotel Marti Hemithea with a large swimming pool and grounds to enjoy, and dine in their fine restaurant.
Day 4
Next morning, we enjoy a lovely quiet ride around the village of Turgut and then transfer to lunch before riding again down to the village of Kaunos. We then cross by 10-minute ferry to Dalyan, a resort town that faces the rock tombs on the river. Without giving away the surprise, we think you’ll find dinner on this night to be quite amazing; it isn’t in any guidebooks and we’d like to keep it that way!
Day 5
With a 2nd day in Dalyan, we cycle a lovely road with an invigorating climb and then descend to the white sand beaches at Izutu Beach. Here we visit a turtle sanctuary and learn about the loggerhead turtles that saved this precious beach from development. After lunch at one of the beach cantinas, we walk the length of the beach and at the lagoon jetty, board our private boat to cruise to Kaunos to hike and explore the historic ruins here with a local guide. On this night, enjoy dinner on the river at La Boheme, run by an affable woman from the Netherlands and her Turkish partner.
Day 6
Next day, we cycle another quiet route towards Dalaman where you can decide whether to transfer to the charming village of Gocek or continue to ride a more challenging option. Gocek is the ‘St. Tropez’ of Turkey, filled with yachts and high-end shops. We all meet up at the harbour and board our private yacht that will be our home for the next 3 nights. As we cruise away, lunch is served and we marvel at the scenery along the coast. Gullets are wooden yachts that are often quite luxurious and with a crew of 4 for our small group, we definitely feel pampered.
That afternoon, we cruise to St. Nicholas Island with time to hike up to a viewpoint before returning to the comforts of our yacht for an al fresco dinner.
Day 7
Next morning, we cruise into Kalkan after breakfast and cycle the dramatic coastline to Kas, another village that begs discovery and then an add-on loop along the coast peninsula. This ride is my personal favourite of the trip. Our yacht is waiting for us at the harbour, having cruised down the coast as we cycled.
Day 8
We usually make it to the island of Kekova, but on our trip, the weather was such that we stayed just off of Oludeniz Beach, visiting by skiff. Oludeniz is a popular paragliding location and there were hundreds of colourful parachutists flying above these beaches and landing along the beachfront. The 3rd day is usually spent on the water exploring the islands of Kekova and others. Glass of wine anyone? Should we take it upstairs, in the bar, on the foredeck or at the lounge in back? Dinner on the aft deck at 7, ok?
Day 9 & 10
We disembark on the 4th day at a village near Kekova and ride the undulating roads along the coast to Andriake before transferring to Olympos, site of yet another dramatic beach. Our 2024 itinerary added an extra night here so we can enjoy more time at this location which is quite stunning, but also has an important archeological site including an amphitheatre, temples, baths, mosaics and more in the forest cover. In most European countries, ruins this significant would be overrun with visitors but in Turkey, there are so many that they are undiscovered and these, in such a pristine location, are sublime. We stay at Kimera Lounge, a stunning property with lovely grounds, steps from one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey.
Day 11
After two nights in Olympos, we continue south and bike from outside Antalya along the beach boardwalk and up into the historic center of town to what may be our most luxurious hotel of the trip, the 5-star Ruin Adalya.
Why Turkey?
When I finished the trip, as I reflected on the trip’s virtues, I realized it checked just about every box I would have for an outstanding trip: Superb cycling; check. Great hotels; check. Cultural sites; outstanding; Good food for those for whom a Mediterranean diet appeals; check. Friendly locals; for sure. Beautiful scenery; indeed, from forested inland roads through villages to coastline that rivals any in the world. Did we mention the yacht?
Why Great Explorations?
No-one else offers Turkey this way. When our major competitor offered trips here, theirs was 7 days/6 nights, with 2 days in Bodrum at the same hotel we use (Marmara Bodrum) and 3 days on the same yacht class that we use. Our Expedition length trip is 12 days/11 nights (our Escape trip is 9 days/8 nights) and we think you’ll agree that (in addition to seeing Bodrum, Datca, & Orhaniye) exploring Dalyan, Gocek, Kalkan, Kas, Olympos and Anatalya turns this trip into a journey unlike any other. Considering the trip includes 3 days and nights aboard a luxurious yacht, makes the trip unique. Go now before the word gets out.
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P.S. for anyone that doesn’t fancy staying on board a yacht, we now offer a land-stay option, where you’ll still get on the water but stay at beachfront hotels in lieu of the yacht.
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