The way well-traveled families and groups explore the Mediterranean is quietly shifting. Fixed itineraries, crowded ports, and rigid schedules are giving way to something more personal — a week-long voyage planned around the people on board, not the other way around. Three coastlines, in particular, sit at the center of this shift: Turkey, Greece, and Croatia. Together, they form what seasoned travelers now call the Eastern Mediterranean Trilogy — three distinct regions, each with its own character, best explored at your own pace from the water.
Turkey's southwestern shoreline is where the gulet tradition began. Hand-built wooden sailing yachts have been carrying travelers along these waters since the 1950s, when the writer Cevat Şakir popularized the concept of a slow coastal journey through turquoise bays. That tradition is very much alive today.
The appeal is easy to understand. Göcek offers sheltered, almost lake-like waters surrounded by pine-covered hills. Fethiye sits at the heart of the original Blue Voyage route, where Lycian rock tombs rise directly from the waterline. Bodrum brings a more cosmopolitan energy, with refined marinas and access to the calm Gökova Gulf.
At Blue More Yachting, we believe a luxury gulet charter in Turkey should unfold as a seamless story. Mornings begin in a quiet cove — breakfast on deck, a swim before the day warms up. By midday, the captain moves to a new anchorage. Afternoons are for exploring ashore or simply staying on the water. The onboard chef works with ingredients sourced from local markets, and the route adapts daily to the weather and the group's rhythm. It is a format that works particularly well for multi-generational families and friend groups who want shared time without a rigid plan.
A short crossing from Turkey's Aegean coast opens up an entirely different world. The Greek islands — the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the Saronic Gulf — have their own gravitational pull. Santorini's caldera anchorage at sunset, the quieter coves of Naxos, the whitewashed simplicity of Paros — each island rewards those who arrive by sea rather than by ferry.
What makes a private yacht holiday in Greece compelling is the freedom it provides. Our team at Blue More Yachting often designs itineraries for families with younger children who favor the calmer eastern shores and smaller islands, while groups of friends gravitate toward the livelier harbors of Mykonos or Paros. In every case, the itinerary is built around the group — not the other way around.
Greece also pairs naturally with Turkey. A voyage that begins along the Turkish coast and crosses to the Dodecanese — perhaps stopping at Kos or Symi before heading into the Cyclades — is one of the most rewarding routes in the Eastern Mediterranean. The cultural shift between the two coastlines is part of the appeal: Ottoman stone villages one day, whitewashed Greek chapels the next.
Further north, Croatia's Dalmatian Coast introduces a different character entirely. Where Turkey offers pine-fringed bays and ancient ruins, Croatia brings a blend of medieval architecture, pristine national parks, and a coastline defined by over a thousand islands.
Dubrovnik, approached from the sea, is a sight that stays with you — the terracotta rooftops and stone walls framed by the deep blue of the Adriatic. From there, the route moves north through Mljet, the greenest island in the chain, and on to Korčula, often called "Little Dubrovnik" for its medieval core. Hvar provides a more contemporary energy, with its renowned sunshine and a growing reputation for local wine and cuisine.
A yacht charter along the Dalmatian Coast suits groups looking for a blend of culture, nature, and a slightly cooler sailing climate than the Eastern Aegean. The distances between anchorages are short, the waters are well-sheltered, and the shoreside experiences add layers to each day. For larger families and corporate retreats, the intimacy of Croatia's smaller harbors creates a sense of togetherness that we at Blue More Yachting meticulously plan for every guest.
What connects these three destinations is a shared philosophy: the best way to experience the Eastern Mediterranean is with time, privacy, and a plan shaped by the people on board. A week in Turkey feels fundamentally different from a week in Croatia, and that is precisely the point.
At Blue More Yachting, this is what we have focused on for over 20 years. Our planning begins well before departure: understanding your group's size, the ages and preferences involved, and the kind of week you are looking for. Whether that means selecting the right gulet for a multi-generational family in Turkey, designing a cross-border route from Bodrum to the Greek islands, or coordinating a corporate retreat along the Croatian coast, every detail is considered and discussed openly.
Turkey, Greece, and Croatia each stand on their own merit. Together, they offer the full range of what the Eastern Mediterranean has to offer — from the slow warmth of a Blue Voyage gulet to the cosmopolitan rhythm of the Cyclades to the cultural richness of the Adriatic. The common thread is simple: a week on the water, planned with care by the Blue More Yachting experts, shared with the people who matter most.
If any of these coastlines resonate with you, we invite you to share your preferences. We will take it from there.
