Aegean Islands Escape 8 Days | Starts/Ends: Bodrum

TRIP NOTES

SAILING HOLIDAY: From the What's Included Boarding of your Gulet begins from 15:30 from Bodrum Harbour. Once you've checked buzzing port of Bodrum in Turkey • Breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 7 dinners in you will have free time to visit the town’s to the perfect paradise island of • 7 nights aboard an air-conditioned gulet highlights. Your boat will remain anchored in Patmos, discover the beautiful in a shared cabin with WC (equivalent to a Bodrum for dinner and your overnight stay. 3 star plus standard of accommodation) North Dodecanese islands of Overnight - Gulet (Bodrum) (D) • Greece on this 7 night sailing trip. Welcome drink • Services of the gulet captain and crew Swim in turquoise waters, explore Day 2 : Island of Kos • All relevant port taxes idyllic island villages and relax under the warm Mediterranean sky. What's Not Included • International flights and visa HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS • Airport arrival and departure transfers • Drinks. With the exception of tea and Trip Highlights coffee offered at breakfast • Optional excursions and tipping. We • Greece - Sail around the North recommend you allow a tip for your gulet Dodecanese Islands crew of USD$5 - $10 per traveller per day. • Kos Island - A popular Greek holiday Tipping is an entirely personal gesture After your breakfast you will be informed island about the cruise itinerary and boat. When the • Leros - An island steeped in history and customs formalities are completed, we will Italian influence DETAILED ITINERARY cruise to Kos Island. Dinner and overnight stay • Patmos - Discover the Island that was the will be at Kos harbor. You may wish to join our place of exile for St John Day 1 : Bodrum optional Asclepion & Zia Village tours or you • Lipsi - Bask in the turquoise waters that may also explore the city by yourself. can be found in one of the many bays Overnight - Gulet (Kos) (B, L, D) around the island • Kalymnos - Learn about the ancient history of sponge diving on this rocky island • Aquarium Bay - Take a dip in the crystal clear waters as an array of colourful fish swim beneath you

Aegean Islands Escape - 8 Days updated on 28-09-2021 07:46:37 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES

Aegean Islands Escape

Day 3 : Xirokampos Bay islands around it. On Lipsi Island there are Therefore on the day you will need to call beautiful sandy beaches, like Platis and Giolos Mr Gokçe Kemerli +90 544 699 99 78 or Mr with their crystal green waters. Dinner and Ahmet Bektas +90 549 401 00 02, who will overnight stay will be in Lipsi. Overnight - provide instructions on how to locate your Gulet (Lipsi) (B, L, D) gulet at the port. If you are unable to contact them we also have 24 hour emergency Day 6 : Kalymnos contact numbers that you can phone, which you will find on your Tour Voucher.

Transfers to Bodrum Port from Bodrum Airport or your accommodation in Bodrum We will start to cruise early in the morning (if applicable) are not included but can be to Leros Islands’ famous bay Xirokampos for booked upon request, please contact us for breakfast and lunch. Leros is a mountainous, rates. The benefit of booking a transfer is green island with high cliffs and many small that you will be escorted to your gulet and bays and villages. We will anchor in Panteli, therefore you will not need to call and locate located in the East, for dinner and our the gulet yourself. overnight stay. Overnight - Gulet (Leros) (B, We will take a swimming break in a beautiful L, D) bay around Kalymnos Island and we are going Sailing arrangements to enter Pothia, the main harbor. The islanders Our Aegean Islands Escape sailing program Day 4 : Patmos Island ensured their livelihood with sponge diving is independent in style. ie sightseeing for centuries. There are nice beaches such information is not offered by the captain or as Massouri, Mirties and Vlychadia around the crew and there is not a tour leader on board. island. Overnight - Gulet (Kalymnos) (B, L, D) We suggest you bring along a good guide book for referencing places that you visit Day 7 : Return to Bodrum en route. Activities and excursions can be Returning to Turkey, we will have a swimming undertaken locally at your leisure and at your break at the beautiful waters of Akvaryum own personal cost. (Aquarium) bay where you can see the fish swimming below you. We will be staying The gulets are not operated by On The at Bodrum Harbor for dinner and our final Go Tours and there will be passengers on We will cruise to Patmos Island early in the overnight stay. board who have booked through other travel morning. We will have a swimming break in Overnight - Gulet (Bodrum) (B, L, D) companies. Your fellow travellers may come a bay around the island. Patmos is not a big from all walks of life, be of different ages and island, but it is one of the best known due Day 8 : Bodrum nationalities, but you will all have one thing in to the exile of St. John. You may join an Today marks the end of your journey through common - an interest in wanting to explore the optional St. John Monastery and Apocalypse some of the most picturesque islands Greece Med! Cave tour. Dinner and overnight stay will be in has to offer. After breakfast tour arrangements Patmos Harbour. Overnight - Gulet (Patmos) draw to a close and you'll disembark the boat Gulets (B, L, D) at 10.30am.(B) Turkish gulets are traditionally two or three masted wooden sailing vessels from the south Day 5 : Lipsi Island Our partners western coast of Turkey, which were used for This tour is operated in conjunction with our trading. Nowadays gulets have been adapted trusted partner and you will join travellers for recreational use, many of them aren't who booked through different operators, properly rigged for sailing and an onboard not solely On The Go. motor is used.

A typical gulet will take anything up to Arrival information a year to build. The gulets are 15 - 30 On day 1 you will need to make your own way meters in length and usually accommodate to Bodrum Port. Embarkation commences between 8 - 20 people. Gulets have a dining from 3:30pm. Unfortunately, as the Port area and a spacious deck for relaxing and We will set sail to Lipsi Island and will have Authority locates the ships in a different berth admiring the beautiful views. A dinghy with a swimming break in one of the many small each day, we cannot provide a dock number. outboard motor, a ship-to-shore radio and

Aegean Islands Escape mobile telephone are all on board, as well as Greece Visas different flights to your travelling companions life jackets for every person. UK, AUS, NZ, USA and CAN passport holders a supplement will apply. do not require a visa at present to enter As life on board is spent mainly on the deck Greece for touristic purposes, for a stay of up Climate above, your cabin will simply be a place to 90 days in any 180-day period. Summer in Greece to lay your head, so although it contains a The climate in Greece is typical of the double bed and en suite facilities, it will be For passport holders of other Mediterranean climate with two seasons - compact. You will need to use a large holdall nationalities not included here, please a warm and dry summer, and a mild and or rucksack rather than a suitcase due to check the http://www.projectvisa.com/ wet winter. Summer is a long season with limited space in the cabins. visainformation/Greece website for more temperatures climbing to a pleasant degree information. as early as late February. March and even You will need to pack a towel x 2 (beach/ April can be somewhat unpredictable months shower) because they are not provided. South African Residents with the occasional rain shower and windy Greece is part of the borderless region known Please be aware that bringing your own drinks conditions though at this time of year the as the Schengen Area and South African onto the gulet is not permitted but you can landscapes are decorated with beautiful wild passport holders require a Schengen visa in either opt to have all drinks included for a flowers. order to enter Greece. A passport valid for supplement, or buy drinks on board. at least three months from your departure is The shoulder months between May and PLEASE NOTE: The information provided on required and a visa will only be issued if blank June still offer lovely weather conditions but the scheduled sailing route and stops at pages are available. without the crowds. It's warm on the islands points of interest are offered as guidance only. and the waters are nice enough for a swim. Requirements for the procurement of It is at the captain’s discretion to change the Peak tourist season doesn't start until mid- a visa are subject to change but route, stops at points of interest or overnight June and lasts until early September. During application requirements include round-trip stays due to the weather, sea conditions or to this time the islands are buzzing with people, travel itinerary specifying entry and exit dates ensure the boat stays on schedule. both travellers and locals alike. If you're from the Schengen state and proof of funds visiting during this time it's best to book hotels, to support yourself during your stay, ask your Visas - Greece flights and local ferries as far as in advance as bank for this, it should include your name too. Please note visas advice for Greece is below: possible to avoid disappointment and secure R600 per person per day is required with a better prices. Australian, British, Irish, New Zealand and minimum of R3600 United States passport holders do not require Between September and mid-October the You’ll need to contact the consulate general a visa to enter Greece. soft light and delicate colours are particularly in Johannesburg directly for inquiries and suited to photography. The sea water retains questions regarding visa regulations and South African passport holders are required the heat of the mid-summer months so passport requirement at http://www.mfa.gr/ to obtain a visa in advance from the Greek swimming is definitely still on the cards. Consulate prior to travel. Visas cost €60 and johannesburg. applications must include 2 x recent passport Winter in Greece photos and cofirmation of travel. Proof of Greece Hotel Tax By late-October many parts of Greece begin funds may also be required (usually €40 a From January 2018, a new “overnight stay” tax to experience stormy conditions with more day). has been imposed by the Greek government. frequent cloud cover and rain showers. The This tax amounts to €1.50 per room per night tourist season comes to an end and prices Please ensure that your passport is valid for 3 star hotels, €3.00 per room per night for drop off considerably. Few international for at least 6 months from your date 4 star hotels and €4.00 per room per night for travellers visit the Greek islands between of arrival to Greece. Please re-confirm all 5 star. This tax cannot be included in our tour November and February so crowds are thin. visa requirements with the Greece embassy price and you will need to pay this upon check at least one month before travel. Visa in at each hotel so please budget accordingly. Time & Voltage procurement is subject to change and Greece lies in the Eastern European Time remains the responsibility of the traveller and Airport Transfers Zone, which is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich not that of On The Go Tours. An arrival transfer is included on day 1 and Mean Time (GMT +2). a departure transfer on the final day of your KNOW BEFORE YOU GO tour. Please note that only one complimentary During summer, daylight-saving is observed transfer is offered per booking so if you are on in Greece, where the time is shifted forward Greece Country Guide by 1 hour so it becomes 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +3). After

Aegean Islands Escape summer the time in Greece is shifted back transport will only set you back about USD Greek cuisine is simple but incredibly varied. by 1 hour to Eastern European Time. In 2017, $1.65. In terms of popular dishes, you will find daylight savings takes place between 26th moussaka (aubergine & lamb casserole), March and 29th October. Shopping souvlaki (spit-roasted meat), and dolmades Greece is a cultural haven, and you will find (vine leaves stuffed with meat & herbs) in Standard voltage is 220-240 volts. Primary a wide range of arts and crafts wherever you many tavernas and restaurants, sometimes sockets generally require European plugs of go. Locally hand-crafted ceramics, textiles, with regional variations. Meat-free options the two round-pin variety. We recommend wood carvings, and jewellery make for include briam (roasted vegetables in tomato that you pack a universal travel adaptor. wonderful souvenirs, especially from the sauce), and of course, Greek salad with olives You will need a voltage converter and plug Greek islands. Many destinations pride & feta cheese. For indulging your sweet adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances. themselves on specific products – for tooth, pastry shops serve delicacies such as instance, the monasteries at Meteora are Health Requirements Turkish-inspired baklava (filo pastry layered famed for hand-painted religious icons. If you with honey and chopped nuts). Ice cream and You should seek medical advice from your are shopping for antiques, do beware of fakes honey with yogurt are also common sweet local health practitioner before travelling to and stick to reputable traders. snacks. Greece and ensure that you receive all of the appropriate vaccinations. Just make In Athens, the ancient tradition of the Drinks are a major part of the traditional dining sure you’re up to date for recommended agora (public forum) continues today in experience. Ouzo, an anise-flavoured spirit vaccinations for your home country, including spaces such as the Monastiraki market, distilled from pressed grapes, is Greece’s measles, mumps and polio. Other vaccines where you will find souvenirs for all tastes, most popular alcohol, usually served as an to consider are Tetanus and Tick-borne ranging from tailor-made leather sandals to aperitif with iced water and some small Encephalitis. Visit the NHS Fit to Travel page mass-produced Parthenon replicas. Another appetizers. Be careful not to drain your glass or the CDC Traveler’s Health Page for more popular shopping option nearby is Ermou too quickly – it is a strong drink, meant to be information. Street, which offers a wide selection of enjoyed over a period of time. local and international brands. The island of Currency & Holiday Money Thessaloniki also caters to shoppers with its Drinking Water The official currency in Greece is the Euro. boutique–filled main square and a variety of In the major cities, it’s generally safe Check OANDA for latest exchange rates. malls near the city centre. to drink water from taps and also from drinking fountains. However, it is strongly British Pounds, US Dollars and other major If you are looking to bring a taste of recommended to stick to bottled water on currencies can be easily exchanged locally in Greece home with you, olive oil from the most islands and in rural areas. banks or bureau de change prior to departure. Peloponnese, honey from Attica, and wines Credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard from Santorini are excellent products to look Tipping are widely accepted in most major hotels, out for. Tipping customs in Greece vary widely. restaurants and shops, but keep some cash Service charge may be included in the bill, but Is bargaining acceptable in Greece? on hand, especially on the islands and in tipping remains a common practice, especially Bargaining is generally not accepted in smaller towns. Use of American Express is not in popular tourist destinations. Your tip should Greece - in most shops there will be a fixed as common. reflect the service so if it was excellent, 10% price for goods on sale. In the flea markets is an added bonus. At some restaurants, a Traveller's Cheques are not recommended as and with street vendors, a bit of bargaining small mandatory ‘cover charge’ for bread & they're often difficult to exchange and incur may be more appropriate. high fees water is also included in the bill (usually about Greek Cuisine one Euro per person). Taxi drivers usually Although Greece has become a hugely Greek food has a venerable history dating expect tips and it is also standard to tip hotel popular tourist destination in recent years, it back to antiquity. Although the country’s rocky porters and local tour guides. If the concierge remains relatively affordable. We recommend terrain limits its agricultural output, cooking is particularly helpful, people often tip 1 to 2 if you are on a budget that you avoid the and cuisine are essential to its culture. Olives, Euros. often overpriced restaurants and cafes that cheese, and wheat are integral parts of the line the main squares and chose places to eat local diet, appearing in salads, stews, and Turkey Country Guide a few streets back. A meal in an inexpensive breads. Seafood at restaurants – often squid, restaurant with drinks will cost around USD octopus, mussels, and fish - is likely to come Visas and passports $12, and a pint of domestic beer costs about fresh from the Mediterranean, especially on Visa requirements are subject to change and USD $4.10, while a one way ticket on public the Greek islands. visa procurement is the responsibility of the traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also

Aegean Islands Escape ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 Foreign travel is definitely not suitable for this by monitoring all shopping experiences months from your planned date of departure people who expect everything to go exactly offered. from Turkey. as planned, as things can and do change in foreign countries. The people, customs, creed All shopping experiences on your tour After booking your holiday, please provide and languages are different from one region have been noted in the itinerary and they us with your passport details as soon to the next. been carefully selected based upon positive as possible so that we can proceed to feedback from On The Go travellers. You book all services. Please be advised visa Please visit www.onthegotours.com/Turkey/ are under no obligation to partake in a requirements are subject to change, therefore Travel-tips-and-useful-info for local customs, listed shopping experience and you are it is essential that you check current currency, WiFi and other helpful information to most welcome to wait inside or outside the visa requirements with the embassy before prepare you for an enjoyable holiday. premises. travel. For information about visas, head to www.onthegotours.com/Turkey/Visas Shopping Although we only visit reputable retailers, Turkey is a virtual Aladdin’s Cave. The please note that we cannot explicitly Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is cavernous guarantee the quality of their products. All Turkey health requirements and full of unusual and everyday objects. purchases made whilst on holiday with us are and water Known locally as Kapali Carsi – the at your own discretion. Please make sure that You should seek medical advice before Grand Bazaar in Istanbul’s Old City is a you are completely happy with your purchase. travelling to Turkey from your local health massive conglomeration of shops (some On The Go cannot be held responsible for practitioner and ensure that you receive all 4000) divided into areas specialising in any items that you buy if they fail to meet the appropriate vaccinations. The tap water in gold, carpets, leather, souvenirs and clothing. expectation, or any shipping arrangements. Turkey is generally considered safe to drink, Turkish handicrafts include a rich variety of Proceed with caution. but as a precaution against stomach upsets textiles and embroideries, articles of copper, you may want to drink bottled mineral water, onyx and tile, mother-of-pearl, inlaid articles, What to expect and Ramadan which is readily available from shops, hotels leather and suede products. Jewellery, Ramazan dates: 13 April - 12 May 2021 and restaurants. carpets and kilims represent top buys at the (approx). The month of Ramazan (Ramadan), bazaar. Opening hours: Mon to Sat 0900 – the ninth of the Islamic calendar, is a great Essential packing 1900hrs (closed Sunday). time to travel in the region as you get a real Please check local temperatures so insight into the Muslim faith. It is a time for you can pack accordingly. Visit Carpet Buying spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds www.worldclimate.com Turkey is justly famous for its carpets and and spending time with family and friends. kilims (a napless woven rug) and you’ll be The fasting is intended to help teach Muslims • A small daypack for your day-to-day needs spoilt for choice. To ensure you get a good self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. • Tour Voucher and a copy of your travel buy, spend time visiting several shops to It also reminds them of the suffering of insurance policy, spare passport photos and a compare price, pattern-type and quality. A the poor, who may rarely get to eat well. photocopy of your passport good quality, long-lasting carpet should be During the day, people must refrain from • Universal travel adaptor 100% wool. Check the quality of the weave for eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity, • Spare camera batteries/memory card so you possible holes. A wool carpet will have fine, so if you encounter someone who is a bit can go snap happy frizzy fibres if you turn the carpet on its back. grumpy please be understanding, flexible and • Take out some Turkish Lira from the ATM Cheaper carpets are made of cotton and most sympathetic. As tourists you will be generally facilities at the airport upon arrival often the fringe will be too. If you want a wool unaffected although some places may close • Buy a phrasebook and practice locally carpet and the fringe is of cotton, it’s likely the early, but your tour leader will do their best • Keep a supply of small Turkish Lira notes for carpet won’t be a woollen one! The lies can be to plan around this. Most hotels bars and local transactions bigger than the fall of Ottoman Empire. Don’t tourist restaurants will remain open. In the make the mistake of buying a cotton carpet evening you will experience a celebratory It's not like home at the price of a wool one! Many carpets are atmosphere at iftar, when people break their made to look like antiques at prices to match. fast. To witness Ramazan is a real highlight Travelling to far–flung corners of the earth making your tour in the region that bit more often involves encountering lifestyles and In the tourism industry it’s common practice interesting. Each year it begins roughly ten conditions that are very different from for commission to be offered in exchange for days earlier than the year before, according to what you are used to back home. As recommending particular shops or suppliers. the Gregorian calendar. such it is important to come prepared for This can become an issue when clients feel unusual situations, local inadequacies and obliged to purchase. We do our best to avoid Please visit www.onthegotours.com/Turkey/ unpredictable events as and when they occur. Travel-tips-and-useful-info for local customs,

Aegean Islands Escape currency, WiFi and other helpful information to prepare you for an enjoyable holiday. Turkey site opening times Popular sightseeing spot in Istanbul are closed on specific days. Please plan your visit accordingly. • Topkapi Palace - Closed Tuesdays • Grand Bazaar - Closed Sundays • Blue Mosque - Closed during all prayer times and Friday’s until 3pm • All museums in Turkey will open at 1pm, on the 13th of May and 20th of July 2021 • The Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar are closed as follows: 2020: 1, 2, 3 Aug / 29 Oct 2021: 1 Jan / 13, 14, 15 May / 20, 21, 22, 23 Jul / 29 Oct

Blue Mosque renovations The Blue Mosque (also known as Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish) is currently undergoing renovations and for the foreseeable future there will be scaffolding erected inside and other construction works will be taking place. Whilst we will visit the inside of the Blue Mosque when included on a tour, please be aware that some parts of the Mosque may be off limits to tourists.