During August/September 2015 we enjoyed a sailing holiday in Turkey and Greece which we started planning in November 2014. Quite a few friends showed an interest and we had to find a yacht for bare boat charter which answered our specific requirements for a two week period at the right time to suit 7 couples and at the right price. I sent out several inquiries to a number of charter companies found on the internet and Necmi from Boating Turkey was prompt in responding with a number of options for us to consider. It also was the only response which fully answered all our requirements.
This was our first sail in Turkish waters, in an area we know little of and also the first time crossing international borders sailing. These, together with the idea that I am dealing with a company of which the reputation can only be gauged through previous reviews, raised many questions. Although all of these were promptly and efficiently answered by Necmi during the months long planning stage of the trip, I was still a little apprehensive about what we would encounter once we got there.
On arrival in Bodrum, we received clear directions to the marina in Turgutreis where all the formalities were handled in a very friendly, yet professional manner by SHY, allowing us to depart on an unforgettable holiday experience. Additional information on custom agents on the Greek islands were accurate, but at the same time could not match the excellent service we received from all the officials and the charter company throughout the trip. Everybody really went out of their way to ensure we felt welcome and without any need to worry about anything. Any problems encountered with the boat were dealt with efficiently and we were refunded for any interim expenditure to get us going again.
Thank you Necmi, for your patience with all our questions and for organising the ideal boat! I am not sure what your involvement was with the organisation of the perfect weather we experienced, but thank you for that too! Also pass on our gratitude to Cigdem Ulu from SHY for her assistance and efforts in making sure that their services were tailored to our needs. Also to Vassilis Kapadakis from the Kalymna Yachting Club and Dimitris Kastis from Greek Yacht Services on Leros, for their assistance with moorings, supplies, custom clearance, immigration and general advice.
From the entire crew of Carmen, thank you all for making our holiday a very special experience. We certainly hope we will be able to do this again in the not too distant future.
Sincere regards
Henk Lourens
South Africa
henk[at]glarch.co.za
Our charter from was 24/5 until 7/6 2014 from Marmaris for two weeks. We were group of ten, from Australia and New Zealand. I started to communicate with Necmi from Boating Turkey some months before the charter and found him to be most helpful from the start. Organising a trip like this for a group is disconcerting to say the least but Necmi helped to make it much easier by responding immediately to any questions I had. His helpful suggestions including wonderful Turkish wines were most welcome.
Our charter was onboard the “Azra Deniz” a 26 meter gulet complete with a crew of 3. She was not a five star but very comfortable in every way. The crew were sensational, the skipper, the chef and our ever smiling deckhand were always helpful and our itinerary included some of the wonderful villages, coves and historic sites of Turquoise Coast. We also has a visit to Simi in Greece which we all enjoyed. The weather was very kind to us, so there was plenty of swimming, canoeing and sunbathing, lots of time for relaxation as well. Each night we would decide on where we would go the next day and what we would do but most of the time we followed our skipper’s suggestions, he really ensured we has quite diverse experiences both in scenery and activities.
Our chef constantly prepared the most amazing meals, to good in fact as the waistlines slowly expanded! We were just amazed at his skills.
Our group had the most wonderful holiday, our crew certainly made a major contribution to this. The coast of Turkey is exquisite and its people are so warm and friendly and the food and wine superb.
Necmi came to meet us when we arrived on the boat in Marmaris and we appreciated that he did. He drove down from Bodrum. He really knows his bussiness and that is so important when you are organising travel plans from so far away.
Thank you so much for your help Necmi.
We all had an amazing time one one will remember for a long time to come.
Jane Burgess
27 Flooded Gum Place
Black Mountain
Cooroy
Queensland 4563
Australia
27 June 2014
drumsara[at]me.com
We are very pleased with the services of Boating Turkey - from the planning stage in early spring, the booking process and all the arrangement around the cruise itself. Boating Turkey's agents generally and Mr Necmi Artar in particular were attentive and service-minded. In the vast ocean of the many gulet charter agencies on the internet, we found Boating Turkey to offer a comprehensive and wide range of gulets and to be reliable and trustworty. It is rare not to have anything to complain about, but on this occasion our high expectations have been met in every way. The one week cruise on M/S Kobra in the Gökova Bay was magical and we were very well looked after by Captain Hamza and his crew. We would love to do this again.
The Björkman family
Stockholm, Sweden
fredrik.bjorkman[at]seb.se
The most satisfying thing about booking through you was that everything we had hoped would happen, did. Transfers, food orders, the boat, cousel on where to explore, the whole package worked beautifully. Turkey itself was beautiful, friendly people and lovely food, plus the mix of ancient and contemporary both amazed and intrigued myself and my family. Our only issue was that 1 week was not enough next year, were booking for two!
