You've heard about them, and you've made it all the way to Turkey to see them for yourselves…now go for it! You would not have had a holiday if you didn't jump on-board one for a few days. Andrew Bailey took to the beaches of the turquoise coast to get the low down on what all the fuss is about!

What do you consider to be the ideal holiday? Lazing by the beach soaking up some rays? Lying by the pool ordering a nice cold beer in the midday sun? Swimming or paddling in the lake? It seems all of these have one thing in common…water! It is a proven fact that 90% of people feel more relaxed on holiday when they are near water of some description, and it is also proven that of those 90%, 95% actually come in contact with water, whether it is sea, ocean or a swimming pool.

Turkey boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and plays host to Europe's most beautiful beach of 1995, Oludeniz. Most vary, depending on region. For instance, along the Black Sea Coast of Turkey, the sand is coarse or beach lined with pebbles, but the waves can reach up to 5 foot. Along the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines, most beaches are sandy but have mirror-like surfaces. The Mediterranean offers some of the clearest waters in the world to swim, ski, snorkel and dive in, and to be able to access hidden beaches, caves, ancient roman baths and ruins would no doubt make for the trip of a lifetime. Gulets (Turkish yachts) have become one of the highlights on the trail of a traveller coming to Turkey. 

Turkish gulets were originally built for use by fishermen and sponge divers. Today they are luxuriously designed yachts for chartered holidays. Their large uncluttered decks are ideal for sunbathing and diving. These gracious elegant motor sailers, built of wood in traditional style range from 22 to 24 metres in length and can accommodate up to 16 people in spacious double berthed cabins.

A typical day on a gulet would generally consist of waking between 9 & 10 am from your fully equipped cabin and making your way to the deck for a hearty Turkish breakfast. The morning would see you swimming or snorkeling in some of the clearest waters in the world as well as sunbathing, and maybe sneaking into a few cold beverages. The captain would sail, or cruise to a hidden location, perhaps one of the 12 nearby islands off Fethiye marina where you would swim again, and visit a Roman Bath which was once used by the likes of Cleopatra and/or Alexander the Great. After a cooked lunch, there would be opportunities to water ski, swim (yet again) and possibly windsurf, if conditions permit. As the captain and his crew prepare dinner for everyone onboard, you may wish to observe the magical sunset over the mystical Mediterranean. The late afternoon and early evening would involve eating, drinking and more swimming until the early hours of the next morning. The following day would be very similar to the previous and so would the following day.

Due to the popularity of partaking in such a cruise, there are numerous companies to choose from. The best and most reliable operators are based in Marmaris, Fethiye and Olympos. This type of activity will definitely not blow your budget and the most common cruise is generally 3-4 days in length. If you have time on your hands and a bit of extra cash lying around, you may wish to charter your own yacht with a skipper and take advantage of the Mediterranean for as long as you like.

On-board will be a captain, usually two crew members as well as a range of water sports to suit all types of travellers wishing to seek adventure such as water skiing, banana boating, knee-boarding, windsurfing and snorkeling, Three meals a day is also included in the price, and some are equipped with bar facilities, whereas others may ask you to bring your own drinks on-board.

A gulet cruise will also allow you to visit places such as St. Nicks Island (the birthplace of Mr Claus), Butterfly Valley (only home to the Jersey Tiger butterfly), the Sunken city of Kekova just off the coastal fishing village of Kas and/or the Kings Tombs and sulphur pools near Dalyan.

Cruising along on a gulet gives you the opportunity to relax and unwind from the 'rigours' of site seeing by allowing you that much needed chilling time. These cruises are what dreams are made of, fantastic times teamed with meeting some great people from all walks of life with one common goal - to have one helluva good time! For those of you who are partial to a spot of twilight entertainment, there is always time for a boogie on deck.