GULET S DOGU

What our clients say!

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

Dear Necmi

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

I would just like to thank Necmi Artar and all at Boating Turkey for their honesty and integrity. We chartered and paid for our yacht in May of this year but unfortunately at the last minute, due to illness, we were unable to take our holiday. We emailed Boating Turkey and told them and also that we understood that no refund could be paid as we cancelled just two weeks before the charter date. However, Boating Turkey managed to late charter the yacht that we had originally chartered for part of the charter term and immediately emailed me to say that there would be a refund sent to the value of the late charter fee within a couple of weeks, which I duly received. They did not have to do this (as we would never have known) and I would again thank them for their honesty and also for all their prior help with arranging the holiday in the first instance. We will certainly be chartering with them in 2015!

Belinda Thornton
England
belinda.thornton@btinternet.com

We've been back in Australia for 2 weeks now. It's winter here and the hot sunny days in Turkey seem like another world. We all had a wonderful week on the catamaran, 'Sweet Kitty' . The friends who sailed with us thoroughly enjoyed it and have thanked me for making the booking. The wind was a little elusive and we had to motor more often than we had hoped but she sailed well when we were able to. We found good moorings and enjoyed the local cuisine as well as visiting local shops and cooking on board other nights. The clear sea was a pleasure to swim and snorkel in.
The transport to and from the airport worked out well, as did the accommodation you booked for us for 2 nights after returning the boat. One couple left by hire car, booked through you, and that arrived as requested too. You have eight very satisfied clients. Thank you.

Anita Clayton
Australia
anitaclayton[at]bigpond.com