Bodrum Cup sailing holiday in Turkey

Environment
To help protect the environment, if we discover litter and detritus on a beach, path, etc. we pick it up, and then dispose of it properly. We regularly organise litter picking parties to tidy up a beach we are moored by and so help keep the coasts of Turkey and Greece and the Mediterranean beautiful, free from detritus, and safer for native animals. This is very much a sailing holiday – we will endeavour to harnass the wind and sail as much as we possibly can, thereby limiting the amount of time we will need to be motoring by engine, and so using minimal fuel throughout the whole trip.

Since we are travelling by boat, the amount of water available is limited and needs to be used sparingly. Only showers are provided, not baths, and we advise customers to reduce their use of water by taking short showers, and avoiding leaving the tap running for long periods. As a result the amount of water used during our cruises is significantly less than if travellers were staying in a typical large resort hotel.

From an office perspective, we use green electricity and aim to use as little as possible. We reuse and recycle materials (such as paper, cardboard, glass, tins and food waste) whenever feasible. We try to keep our paper waste to a minimum, and all our printing is done using recycled paper and/or on paper approved by the FSC, the Forestry Stewardship Council.

Community
We have been using the same gulet for the majority of our trips ever since we started organising tours in Turkey. We charter the gulet for almost the entire season, providing important employment and income to the boat’s crew and owner. As well as the boat, we have used the same locally owned ground-handling agent, employing Turkish staff, since 1996. This ensures that money goes directly into the pockets of local people, so it is the local community that benefits.

We try to provide tours that are above all educational tours - holidays with a cultural purpose. We believe that our tours in Turkey are a positive force, enlightening our customers about Turkey’s culture and above all its history. In stark contrast to most packages where tourists are rushed through ancient sites in order to get them into shops so guides can earn a sales’ commission, our whole focus is on exploring the historic sites.

Almost all the archaeological sites we visit on this trip are on the coast, so we can walk to them on foot. When we do head inland to explore an ancient city, we use a small local minibus that is owner operated. We think meeting and spending time with local people helps foster cultural exchange, interaction, and mutual understanding, promoting a better understanding of different worlds and culture. We provide much needed business to local cafes and shops in these places, thereby supporting local families, artisans, and village crafts.