Customer Reviews, gulet charter sailing Turkey & Greek islands

Jack said it was like a 5 day massage.
We saw our photos last night and were reminded of a grand experience.
You both have attended to so many details that enhanced our time on the Salamander. The crew was superb....so very well trained. of course, but nice people first. They found just the manner to make us feel attended without hovering. Please extend our greetings and thanks to them. The food was astounding...even a birthday cake with sparklers.
I was grateful for the library as the cord on my Kindle went out and I couldn't access my books. I liked yours better. Didn't finish the Ataturk biography so will need to book again!
Thank you for a memorable time...keep us in mind if such a cancellation happens again and we will scramble and treat our family.
And the water is turquoise!

Regards, Irene Mylan, USA, May 2010

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Morning Peter,
I thought I would write to say what a great holiday we had on Salamander.

I cannot find anything that I could suggest leaves room for improvement. The
whole experience was just a pleasure and run with a quiet professionalism.

From the time we were picked up at our hotel until we were delivered to the
airport a week later nothing was too much trouble.

Although Salamander is a large spacious vessel, it can be difficult living in
a restricted space, but the crew quietly went about their business looking
after us without seeming to be present.

They are a great bunch of lads who willingly entered into the silly 'public
school' banter and pranks that were a feature of the holiday. 
The catering was that of a 5 Star hotel, being well prepared, presented and
varied. Murat soon noticed that Aubergines and salads were not at the top
of my dietry requirements, and kept asking if I needed chips with everything.

You should be commended on the whole Salamader experience and we
will definately be joining you again in the future, and I will not hesitate to make
recommendations on your behalf.

Best Wishes,
Nigel Clarke, UK, June 2010

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Peter - it was just heaven - not only just being in Turkey in that glorious weather but NO cooking. And how nice the food was despite the olives for breakfast!! The crew did a brilliant job, so friendly and we were beautifully looked after. Everything was just what we expected to be if not more. My only suggestion is perhaps some cooling ice jackets to put on the copious bottles of wine we drank to perhaps keep it colder!
Many thanks again, love Rosie.

Rosie & Nick Cardoe, France, June 2010

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I just wanted to let you know that the cruise aboard Salamander was outstanding. The Captain and each of the crew went out of their way to provide us a vacation that none of us will ever forget. The food was excellent and the cook is to be commended. Everything was always fresh, and it seemed that each meal provided a new surprise. I was, as you know, concerned about our ability to sail, but we were not to be disappointed….with the full cooperation of the Captain, crew and the weather, we had both light air and good wind sailing,…winds to perhaps a little above 20kts….Though I had a fisherman on my ketch, a rare sail in the US, I don’t think that it contributed nearly as well as the one on Salamander. Thanks again to you, Gohan and the Captain and crew of Salalmander….

Jack Keltner, USA, June 2010

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Hi Peter,
We thought we should send you a quick message before too much time goes by after leaving Salamander and while we (D&D) are still in Bodrum.

Here is what we (the group) wrote in the Visitors’ Book:
“Oh what a joyous cruise! We couldn’t have asked for a better crew. Our captain Mehmet kept us happy, well-informed and safe. Our first mate Mustafa kept a careful eye on us, “I am ready for you. Just tell me what you want.” Our cook Murat, wow! Such delicious food, such diversity, even giving us our favourite cake, borek and rice pudding. And our trip would not have been the same without the quiet achiever, Erkan. Always there offering food, drink, assistance, and also a very conscientious sailor. We leave Salamander with regret in our hearts, and look forward to our next Salamander holiday. Thank you Mehmet, Mustafa, Murat, Erkan, Gokhan and Peter – this has been a holiday to remember forever.”

You will also find the first Chinese character comments provided by Daniel. Even if you can’t read them, rest assured that they are equally complimentary!

Amongst the group, we have hundreds of pictures and gigabytes of video! Sometime down the track we’ll select a few highlights and send them to you for including on the website if you wish. In the meantime, we’ve attached our (D&D) electronic “postcards” sent to friends and family.

We would be happy for you to supply our email contact details (twodees@iinet.net.au) to prospective clients, particularly those like us, living a long way from the UK.

Regards,
David Errington, Sydney, July 2010

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If you're looking for a week of fun with a group of mates then Salamander has it all. Beautiful weather, sports activities and comfortable accommodation (though I'd recommend sleeping on deck, much more authentic!). Sing & dance long into the night and spend the day swimming in clear blue water with an excellent crew to look after you. Highly recommended!
DOMINIC TIGHE, Award winning Classical Supergroup 'BLAKE'
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"I have four times enjoyed the magic of Salamander. She has a friendly professional crew, which offers all the services you need. I will certainly come back". 
IONA, Dowager Duchess of Argyll
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The result of accepting an invitation from Peter Cooke to join his friends aboard ‘Salamander’ proved to be an unexpected delight for Catherine and myself.The traditional Turkish Gulets are influenced by the nautical history of the region and present a very much simpler vessel than the yachts I have been creating. ‘Salamander’s’ internal and deck space offer a wonderful vessel for exploring the fascinating and historic coastline out of the port of Bodrum.This is a water experience not to be missed.
RON HOLLAND, International Superyacht Designer
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I went on a gulet holiday once and hated it. I swore I’d never go on another. Seven days cooped up with a crew whom I think wanted to kill us.   And then I was press-ganged onto Salamander and …
Chomp, chomp (gulet holidays) chomp (horrible crew) chomp.    That’s me eating my words on gulet charter, by the way. 

You simply cannot have a more relaxing, action-packed, pandered-upon holiday than this…
Actually, I may as well keep eating my words, because I really can’t come up with sufficient superlatives for the whole Salamander gulets Turkey experience.
So I suggest you just go for it…
ROBIN PILCHER Author
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A note after the second of the two weeks that we spent on your lovely gulet Salamander. We, and all our guests, enjoyed ourselves greatly. Lots of things contributed to this happy state of affairs but the attentiveness and the efficiency of the crew laid the foundation. Kasim, Mustafa, Kabil and Ibrahim really worked hard to look after, feed and "water" us. Kasim spread a cool effciency over everything and his choice of anchorages could not be faulted. All of this was complimented by Gokhan's seamless organisation between shore, boat, hotel and airport.  It was a great holiday and a tribute to your organisation. 
JOHN INGELBY
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We had a fantastic week on board. It was our first experience of gulet holidays and I sincerely hope it wont be the last! The scenery was stunning, really beautiful, reminded me of the west coast of Scotland (on a sunny day of course!). 
The staff were brilliant, couldnt do enough to help us and the food was superb, so fresh and tasty, and so much of it! The wine as recommended by yourself was excellent.
The crew kept the boat immaculate! Nothing was too much trouble for them, their manners were perfect. They must have thought we were the laziest people in the world - please tell me we are not the only ones!
JO DRAGE
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First day back at the grind stone after a great trip to Turkey on Artemisia so a quick note of thanks and some comments.
First I must congratulate all of you on the set up - from start to finish it was a joy dealing with you guys!!

The sailing was spectacular  The food was perfect and Sado is a legend - the quantity was far in excess of our requirements but sadly we quickly got used to the 10 plates of choice each meal - now is time for a process of education to reduce the daily intake - we are all on strict diets and exercise routines.

Artemisia - speaks for herself she is perfect for the job in hand and is lovingly looked after by her crew.

So all in all a big thank you from the Maclean Group - I hope that the rest of the season goes well for you all and needless to say if any of you are passing through Singapore or Perth (Australia) please drop in for a drink at the very least.
All the Best,
David & Janet Maclean, Singapore, 2010