Our recent two week holiday with Captain Cevat, Hassan & Bulent onboard Yildizhanlar 11 with 3 other couples from Australia, I would describe as a wonderful life experience that was thoroughly enjoyable with lovely memories!

Where to start? The scenery from Bodrum to Gocek was incredible, the swimming in such clear tranqual waters amazing.

The food Bulent cooked was absolutely devine, always varied and obviously lots of preparation and thought put into each meal, we ate like kings and queens! The chips in the morning omelette, the fresh fish and chicken dishes were a real hit!

Captain Cevat was a delight, his knowledge of the areas we travelled, his expertise sailing and handling his gulet was obvious and reassuring, we felt very safe and looked after. We appreciated that Captain Cevat took the time to accompany us on some of our excursions, we obviously learnt more about the surroundings by having him with us to ask any questions and knowing where to go to get the best view.

But the real hidden treasure onboard Yildizhanlar 11 was Hassan, his gentle, obliging manner to our every whim was just amazing. Hassan made a point to remember what each of us liked to drink upon waking, he would have a lovely cup of turkish tea, coffee or apple tea ready for us. All throughout the day, Hassan made sure we were comfortable, well fed and watered (including the best “knock your socks off” gin and tonics!) he took care of “all” our domestic duties. Hassan did this in a very unobtrusive and professional manner, it was an absolute delight to of met him. (His smile is priceless!)

I could not fault our trip, it was just what we were looking for, lots of relaxing, reading, eating, relaxing, sleeping, eating, drinking, sleeping!

I hope other Australians take advantage of this wonderful adventure and have a wonderful trip on a gulet like us.

Russell Harrison
Australia
harro[at]omninet.net.au

We would like to thank you for the most amazing week on board the Jasmin 1.

We had the most wonderful relaxed and stress free family holiday ever. The sea was warm and so beautiful and we spend many happy hours swimming and snorkelling.

The boat was beautiful and the crew was so accommodating and friendly, always striving to make us happy. Our captain always docked in the best spots in the most beautiful little bays and our chef put together some wonderful meals, including some lovely desserts. We were even spoilt with baked cake with afternoon tea. Our captain did the barbecuing or braaing as we know it in South Africa. He was an absolute champ at cooking on the open fire on the deck. Burak, the third crew member assisted in all areas. He was an absolute character and kept my family entertained. His new name being 007.

Thank you to the entire crew for making our boating week so special. A holiday that my family will remember with very special memories for a very long time.Turkey is a very special place to visit. We loved exploring the coast on the boat. Bodrum was absolutely charming and our second visit to Istanbul was as amazing as our first. The people of Turkey are kind, giving, friendly and honourable. My family will definitely return to Turkey.

Take care and greetings to you all.

From the Kearns Family,
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa
Erika[at]kearnsfamily.co.za

Andy Philpott
New Zealand
a.philpott[at]auckland.ac.nz