offshore breeze

Join Janet Horslen on a leisurely cruise along Turkey's breathtaking Turquoise Coast

Day 1

At last I'm back for another sailing trip aboard Cevri Hasan III. My fourth to be exact, and this time I'm joined by a group of nine other British travellers. This is a new route for me, starting at , a genteel harbour nestling amongst the forested mountains of south west Turkey, and eventually finishing in the Gulf of Hisaronu. It's like meeting old friends when I spot Captain Mustafa and Ali, the cook. The pampering starts immediately as our bags are carried on board. My cabin mate, Anne-Marie, and I unpack before 'welcome aboard' drinks and our first dinner on deck beneath the stars. It feels great to be back!

Day 2

Next morning we glide out of the pretty harbour at , heading for Tersane Island. A huge breakfast of eggs, cheeses, olives, tomatoes, yogurt and fruit doesn't hold us back from our first swim as soon as we arrive. The sea is crystal clear and the warm sun perfect for lazing around on deck. Before we look round it is time for lunch: tasty green beans cooked with tomatoes, bulgur wheat, salads and fruit. The scenery is stunning everywhere we look with rugged, pine-clad mountains dropping sheer to the waves.

Day 3

We drop anchor in a lovely spot known as Family Bay - on account of several friendly, local families who live there. Apart from them it is deserted and we start relaxing into the simple on-board routine - eating, sunbathing and, for the energetic amongst us, some watersports. Norah, the group's canoeing enthusiast, paddles off towards the horizon, while I enjoy a gin and tonic, brought to my side! After tea we all head up the cliff side to inspect some Lycian tombs. Hard to believe they were chiselled two millenia ago. On the return, some of the group stop for a drink with the resident Turkish family, but I decide to swim back to the boat in an effort to work off some calories.

Day 4

Our first chance to raise the sails this morning, as we head across the Gulf of ,with its dramatic backdrop of distant mountains. There is a rush for the cameras as the crew hoist the white sails, billowing and flapping in the warm breeze. Once moored in, the town's old market draws us like a magnet. There's a stunning array of fruit and vegetables, but we home in on a stall selling Turkish Delight! We also buy herbs gathered in the mountains and freshly roasted nuts. Our last stop is a lovely carpet shop where we listen to an interesting talk on carpet-making while sipping sweet apple tea. I've been here before: the carpet I bought last year has pride of place in my diningroom!