Antalya, Turkey

Today we had a private tour booked just for the two of us. Thanks to WhatsApp, we easily connected with our driver and tour guide and set off to explore Antalya—known in ancient times as Attalia. Located in southwest Turkey, the city was founded as a seaport in the 2nd century BCE. It later became a Roman city before joining the Ottoman Empire in the late 15th century.

Our first stop was the Upper Düden Waterfalls, a lush and peaceful spot where the water thundered down through the greenery.

From there, our guide took us to a jewelry store the size of a supermarket. I politely stepped inside, used the bathroom, and walked straight back out. Message received—no more shopping stops after that!

Next we visited the Lower Düden Waterfall, which was beautiful in a completely different way, plunging dramatically into the Mediterranean. We enjoyed a short hike and took in the view.

Afterwards we asked to stop at a simple, local restaurant for lunch. The meal was plentiful, delicious, and exactly what we were hoping for.

With full stomachs, we drove to the old part of the city and spent an hour strolling through the historic district. We saw a mosque dating back to 1250, elegant Ottoman mansions, remnants of the old city walls, and the famous Hadrian’s Gate—three identical marble arches built to commemorate the visit of Emperor Hadrian in 130 CE. The old town was full of charming shops selling handicrafts, copperware, jewelry, leather goods, and carpets.

We returned to our ship by 3:30 PM. In the evening, we enjoyed a light dinner in the Terrace Café and ended the day with a show.Read more