A Week of Relaxation in Whimsical Antalya - Some Honest Thoughts

1. The IdeaOur anniversary was approaching, and I decided to give my husband a special gift. This was the perfect excuse to change our surroundings and recharge with some new emotions. It was November, and the weather was cold, grey, and gloomy. I was browsing through Moscow's sanatorium options, but nothing under 35,000 roubles for a weekend stay, including food, seemed reasonable. I was struggling to find an atmospheric spot for a long time. I wanted the trip to be worth the experience, but not break the bank - I don't earn enough to splurge on a month's salary!

I stumbled upon an amazing deal on Aviasales: return flights to Antalya for 3,070 roubles! I was hooked. I'd never been to Antalya before, and the pictures online left me speechless. The weather in November looked perfect.

After researching package tours, I realized they were at least 3-4 nights long and cost around 60,000 roubles for two people. We needed three nights, so I decided to build our own itinerary. What a challenge!2. Planning

My husband wasn't opposed to the trip, but he refused to take a break. This created some difficulties. I had to plan around his schedule.

Our kid was on school break, and I was able to take time off work without any issues.

I booked our flights on a night flight from Thursday to Friday. The total cost for three of us was 9,210 roubles.

I told my husband and kid that we were going on a holiday! They had no idea where we were going for two weeks, which made the trip even more exciting.

We wanted apartments with a washing machine, kettle, and internet for work. I searched for suitable accommodation near popular attractions on Trip.com. I found a great place in the picturesque Kaleichi area, close to a tram that took us directly to the airport! The cost was 9,740 roubles for four nights for three people. The booking required a 100% prepayment, and the deposit was non-refundable. After reading the reviews, I decided to take the risk and book it.

I also browsed through various workshops and tours on the same website, which could be paid for online in roubles. Spoiler alert: we didn't end up attending any workshops!

We needed to book our return flights immediately, 15 days before departure. The prices for return flights were all over the place! Those that initially cost 38,000 roubles for three people eventually reached 45,000 roubles. It felt like the price was increasing with each click. I spent 20,000 roubles on future flights, and there was no way to get out of it! I booked our return flights through Trip.com two days before departure for 43,700 roubles. It was pricey, but there were no cheaper options available for the next few days.

I bought 100 dollars for 8,000 roubles. It's more cost-effective to exchange it on the spot, as the exchange rate will be lower.

3. On the Road

My husband found out where we were going just a day before departure! He was thrilled, and I was surprised by his reaction. He also prepared some money for the trip. We downloaded offline maps to ensure we could find our accommodation without any issues. We didn't need to buy extra baggage space, as our luggage was within the weight limit. We each carried a backpack with essentials, and my husband brought his laptop and power banks.

We took a night flight, which was economy class. We arrived at 7 am. There were no issues with check-in.

One thing that caught me off guard in Antalya was the airport setup. There's only one airport, but it has two terminals - one for international flights and another for domestic ones. We landed in the first terminal, and I was surprised to learn that the tram that takes you into the city departs from the second terminal.

Airport staffGetting between the terminals is a bit of a trek, but you can hop on the free shuttle, which we did. We showed our tickets and got a free ride. It's super convenient.We made our way to the tram quickly and found it right away. We bought our passes on the spot and even got our kid's ticket for free. The ride to our stop took 40 minutes, and I was over the moon - everything was falling into place.

Day one.

We arrived at 8 am, and our check-in was scheduled for 1 pm. We were dropped off at the lounge area, where we relaxed after a sleepless night. They checked us in at 11 am. I wouldn't recommend flying at night - it's a nightmare.

I'll be honest, the hotel was a bit grimy. The old fridge was a letdown, and there was no Turkish coffee maker or pot. However, the room was decent overall, and it looked just like the photos - no surprises. I'll write a separate review for the hotel.There's a 'Shok' supermarket right across the street from us, and a 'Migros' just a bit further down. We stocked up on laundry detergent, groceries, and tea. It cost us a pretty penny, just like back in the Moscow suburbs. We mostly ate in our room, whipping up eggs, veggie salads, and soups using pre-made mixes. We'd also grab some treats to go with our tea.

We stepped out for coffee and ended up at the port, right next to the old town!

I highly recommend 'Zombie Coffee' - the prices are lower than back home, and the coffee is great.As it turned out, the hotel's location was actually really convenient!The azan chanting adds to the atmosphere of the area, and you can't hear it in the apartments!On our first day, we explored our neighborhood, exchanged some cash, and browsed the local shops.We really liked the fulla moda store. I scored a pair of pants for 300 rubles - what a steal! My husband picked up a blue long-sleeved shirt, pants, and a nice-looking top for 3,000 rubles.

I was expecting a lot of cat hair, but what I got was a whole lot of adorable kittens. They were everywhere, and some things were even tangled in their little paws. My partner was working in the room, but they'd often pop out to take a stroll and soak up some sun. We'd head out to exchange some money and walk around the neighborhood where the coffee shop was located in a building that looked like a lighthouse. There was a sculpture nearby. In the evenings, we'd take a stroll along the portside alleys. It was a bit quiet since the tourist season was over, but the atmosphere was still really vibey. The smells of food and spices were everywhere, and every cafe had music playing. We bought some sublime mango tea from a local Russian-speaking vendor at the Içel market and enjoyed it back in our room, sharing stories and making plans. The sun sets pretty quickly in November. It was a real challenge to catch the sunset in such a picturesque place! On our first day, we visited some of the main attractions: Atatürk Square, which is located right in front of the port, Recep Bilgin Park, Içel Market, saw The Great Mosque, The Clock Tower, and The Monument to Attalos II, the founder of the city. Day 2. This was a Saturday. We used the Izi travel app to find a free walking route in Kaleiçi. The route turned out to be great, and it included all the places we'd already seen. We had breakfast at a cafe by the port. One thing to note: the portside cafes only have one cash register, and the toilet is paid! If you want a free toilet, you can head to Burger King or a coffee shop. However, be prepared, as not all cafes have a toilet.

This place is like a postcard! I stood there for a few minutes, taking it all in. We walked down to the mosque of Iskele from the market.We strolled to the lighthouse, took in the wedding scene. This is where locals hang out, fishermen cast their lines, and tourists take photos.Another breathtaking view!I loved how they treat cats here. They even build little houses for them and feed them cat food.We passed by the mosque of Tekele Mehmed Pasha and headed towards the gates of Adrian.These are the very same gates built here in honor of the winter residence of Roman Emperor Adrian!Antalya is an interesting old town, a canvas woven by the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires. I loved listening to stories about Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt in school, I knew all the gods of Olympus by heart. So, I was excited to immerse myself in this vibe when I came to Antalya.We walked through the gates and headed towards the sea.

On the way, we stopped by a coffee shop with a really unique floor - Byzantium beneath our feet! I love how they monetize the past instead of erasing it.I was snapping photos left and right.

I love strolling down those narrow, picturesque streets and admiring the quaint courtyards. On our way, we popped into a local candy shop to see how they make caramels, and we even got to taste some treats. We left with a bag of lollipops.After our sweet snack, we headed to the Kesik minaret

and then to the Hыдырлык tower This is the view of Hыдырлык from the sea.We really enjoyed our stroll through the Karaalioglu park.

The park has coniferous trees, with kids' play areas, benches, and restaurants in the shade.I really loved the park with sculptures. There's a public drinking fountain here, and we quenched our thirst and washed our faces while walking along the alley, admiring the sculptures, and picking some oranges. The orange trees make these places especially picturesque. Just imagine the amazing scents of the sea, greenery, and citrus fruits. We tried to peel one of the oranges – it was too thick and hard. But we still took it with us.This was a packed and really interesting day.

We didn't wait for the tram and walked to the hotel instead.

I haven't seen anyone just sitting and reading a newspaper in a long time, but here, elderly people sit on stools, read, and chat with each other. I took a lot of video clips, but unfortunately, I can't post them here. The atmosphere of the city can't be captured in photos. The young artist's singing, the tram's bell, the hum of cars, the crowd's chatter, and children's laughter – all this is warmed up by the golden light of the setting sun and seasoned with the scents of perfume, gasoline, baked goods, and oranges.Day 3.

On the third day, we headed to the waterfall. We paid 2000 lira ($4000 rubles) on the spot, and they let our kid in for free. We spent two hours cruising around the Mediterranean Sea. By the way, in Turkish, it's called the 'White Sea'.

Can you imagine hearing someone say:

'I want to swim in the White Sea'

We wisely brought water and snacks, and we didn't regret it. Of course, you can buy something on the spot, but what's the point? I was blown away by how close to the edge of the cliff there are high-rise buildings. Some constructions are literally built into the rock - it's an impressive sight! I watched the local fishermen: they expertly move around the rocks with their rods and buckets. That's what I call harmony with nature. From the pedestrian walkway, you get breathtaking views. I'm impressed by such grottos. My imagination runs wild, picturing mysterious caves with dramatic interiors... instead of a floor, there's transparent water, ceilings with carvings and crystal chandeliers, gold-plated lamps... you get the idea! What struck me about Antalya is the waterfalls that cut through the city and flow into the sea. Just imagine having a waterfall right under your home's windows! After our boat ride, we headed to Perge. Keep in mind that in November, it gets dark quickly, and museums close early. We took the tram to Perge, which runs towards the airport. We arrived around 5 pm, but they wouldn't let us in. Instead, we popped into a cozy cafe near the station.

4th day.

While my husband worked, my daughter and I planned a trip to Pamukkale, but after reading reviews, we decided against it - it's too far from our area. Instead, we rode the retro tram to the end of the line to explore non-touristy neighborhoods.

I have to say, the places we visited reminded me of the Moscow suburbs – nothing particularly exciting. My daughter got hooked on a game on the playground, and on our way back, we took a detour to the sea and stumbled upon the sound of a waterfall. We went to check it out, and it turned out to be a beautiful spot, unfortunately, it was fenced off. We wandered around the grounds of one of the hotels, but soon left after getting some disapproving looks from the managers.

I chose the places to visit based on the offline map. What looked promising on the map often turned out to be a closed area or a neglected spot.

We noticed the local youth admiring the sunset at the cliff edge.

We did the same and got to the edge. It made me feel a bit uneasy. The photo doesn't do justice to how steep it is! I even got sweaty feet when I took the picture. Next time, I'll definitely bring a selfie stick to capture the wider views.If I had more time, I'd have gone to the mountains. And if budget allowed, I'd have taken a tour to Cappadocia.

I'd also consider changing the area, I'm curious to live on the opposite coast, closer to the mountains. Although, there's something nice about returning to the hotel after a walk – it creates a sense of home in a foreign country.

I love having coffee in my travels: this drink unites the whole world! By the way, 'Moda Coffee Shop' is an anti-cafe. While we waited for our coffee, we played a board game. At least, no one fined us for itAntalya seemed pretty laid-back yet lively to me, just like Istanbul. It's full of contrasts.Unfortunately, some areas are dirty: there are bottles, candy wrappers, and paper on the streets – especially near the market before the square with the clock tower. It's sad to see trash on the awnings in historic neighborhoods with cozy cafes and narrow alleys. Why do some people hate cleanliness so much...

And finally, one more picturesque view.That's it. Four days of vacation fit into this small story.

Thanks for reading!