Peter Sommer Travels invites travelers to explore the ancient civilizations that once flourished along Türkiye’s southwest coast on the new Turkish Odyssey cruise. This intimate 15-day voyage, limited to 14 guests, departs Sept. 15 from Bodrum and follows a scenic route around the Datça and Bozburun Peninsulas, into the Gulf of Fethiye, and concludes in Göcek.
© Peter Sommer Travels
The cruise combines cultural discovery with relaxed coastal cruising. Guests visit little-known archaeological sites, wander a colorful local market, and meet a traditional carpet weaver. Tasting experiences include regional wines, honey and olive oil. The itinerary also allows ample time for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and lounging on deck, making this an immersive journey through both the cultural and natural highlights of the region.
Standout experiences include a lunch featuring classic Turkish dishes and a demonstration of traditional carpet-making in Etrim; market shopping in Milas; visits to two wineries—one near Bodrum and another on Datça—for guided tastings; and an introduction to olive-oil production at a historic mill in the village of Bayir.
Stratonikeia © Peter Sommer Travels
Archaeological highlights along the route reveal millennia of history. The journey includes visits to Stratonikeia, an ancient site with ongoing excavations that date back some 4,000 years; the Greek and Roman city of Knidos with terraces and temples commanding Aegean views; and an underwater excavation site at Serçe Limani, where a millennium-old shipwreck yielded fragile glass artifacts. Guests can also drive through the remote citadel of Phoenix, noted for its pyramidal stone structures, and explore the walls and towers of the 2,300-year-old fortress of Loryma. The ruins at Kaunos offer rock-cut tombs, grand public buildings, a theater, a castle and an ancient church, providing a vivid sense of the region’s layered past.
© Peter Sommer Travels
Pricing for the Turkish Odyssey starts at approximately $6,521 per person, based on double occupancy. The price covers accommodations and meals, guided excursions with expert leaders, entrance fees and gratuities on land, and airport transfers on arrival and departure days.