Melida

Turkey, which approximately has 71,000,000 inhabitants, is located both in Asia and Europe. The country is bordered by Bulgaria and Greece in the northwest region, Iraq in the southeast, Iran and Armenia in the east, and Syria in the south. Its capital city is Ankara but the largest is Istanbul. You can enjoy the best sailing charter Turkey in the south and west of the country's 80 provinces.

The country is very rich in culture and tradition. Its history is very colorful and dynamic, but full of rage, conflict, and wars. It was managed by many empires. During the ancient times, particularly in 1800 BC, most of the country was inhabited by the Hittites. In 8th century BC, the Greeks occupied the country. After two centuries (6th century BC), Turkey became part of the Persian Empire. However, the Persians did not last long. Soon after, it was invaded by Rome in 395 AD and was administered as a province. Still, the country was invaded by the Ottoman Turks in the 13th century AD.

Cruising a sailing yacht in Turkey means sailing along the many gulfs and bays of the much indented Turkish coast. It is also a journey back in time, with a plethora of archaeological sites, castles and temples that reflects its importance in ancient and medieval times.

The Turkish waters is usually separated into three different cruising areas:

-The Lycian Coast: a wild and rugged landscape with an grandiose display of mountains, cliffs and ravines.

-The Carian Coast: this is the most popular sailing area and includes the two largest yacht charter bases; Bodrum and Marmaris.

-The Ionian Coast: a coastline starting in Izmir in the north and streches all the way to Bodrum in the south. Here you will find the best climate in the whole of Turkey and a lot of culture.

The coast of Lycia is an ideal place for sailing. This place has many ports and harbors. The waters of Lycia can reach as far as Gocek. The portion of the so-called "East Lycian Coast" covers Antalya, Kas, and Fethiye. These places are ideal for cruising because of its several attractions such as its coves, beaches, cliffs, and mountains. However, these areas are sometimes regarded by many ancient sailors as a dangerous sailing ground because of its tempered waters. Nevertheless, all its harbors are safe and protected.

One of the country's most renowned tourist activities is sailing along its calm, relaxing, and stunning sea waters. In particular, most tourist yachties go to the coasts of the Mediterranean and the Aegean. Aside from yachting, Turkey can also offer its historical and archaeological sites. You can find a handful of the country's ancient architectures in Istanbul (the largest and the former capital city). You can visit the world-famous Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Pera Palas, Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower, and the Dolmabahce Palace. If you are not into old buildings, you can have a stopover to Istanbul's modern shopping malls, which are among the largest shopping centers in the world.

D. Browall writes for http://www.sboats.com - The Worlds Largest, Most Comprehensive Directory of Companies Offering Sailing Charters. Find more information on Marmaris yacht charter