A blue cruise is a Turkish-style, boating holiday where you get to stretch out, relax with your book and do very little. The schedule of each day aboard varies according to your chosen itinerary and involves seeing different parts of the Turkish coast — or indeed other locations in the Eastern Mediterranean, including Greece and Croatia — while indulging in all those self-pampering activities that one enjoys on holiday: eating, sleeping, sunbathing ….reading magazines, playing cards, listening to music …. waterskiing, wake boarding, canoeing …..swimming, snorkelling, beach combing … taking trips ashore to meet the locals and do some shopping and of course, finding hot nightspots in which to dance ‘till the wee small hours.

The Blue Cruise could be summed up as one of the most leisurely approaches to cruising imaginable. Turkey is in a beautiful part of the world, and the gulet, a traditional wooden yacht, is a beautiful vessel. The waters of the Turquoise coast are a stunning shade of blue, and coastal towns are inhabited by friendly people selling some very unique handcrafts. Days are fine and sunny and the sea is warm and inviting. There is such a huge variety of flavours on offer as you sit down to breakfast, lunch and dinner that you will likely put on an extra kilo (this is fine!).

But it’s much more than this. A Blue Cruise is recommended for anyone who wishes to slow their hectic daily pace way, way down — and completely relax in the process. It’s a time to take off watches and gauge the passing of time by how hungry one feels. It’s a time to do as little as you please, all the while knowing that your crew is there at your beck and call. It’s a time to try new and exciting tastes and sample some interesting local wines. No doubt you will see some of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites - either up close or from the comfort of the gullet’s forward deck. It’s a time to move a little out of your comfort zone and try new games, such as backgammon — or perhaps a strong Turkish coffee with masses of dark ground coffee greeting you at the bottom of the cup. If you are fit, you can try your hand at any type of water sport. And if you love of the sun, gulets offer plenty of super-comfortable sun mattresses for you stretch out on … mindful that the sea is just a short hop away and perfect for an after-sun treatment.

Life on board a gulet is like one long pampering session. How you spend your days will be completely up to you.