Introduction
Growing up in Nepal, the idea of a “holiday abroad” felt like a distant dream. Vacations, international travel, and luxury resorts were not part of my lifestyle. Although I had visited many beautiful places in Nepal, I had never stepped outside the country.
But life has a beautiful way of surprising us.
After moving to the UK, I visited places near where I lived, and slowly the dream of taking a true holiday started growing in my heart. This time, my wife and I decided to experience something new — our first international vacation together.
🌍 Planning the Trip — From Dream to Destination
Initially, we planned to visit Italy or Egypt. However, our visa process needed more time. So, we chose Turkey — a country we could travel to easily using an E-Visa. It was quick, simple, and within our budget.
We planned:
- 4 nights in Antalya
- 3 nights in Cappadocia (flexible, no pre-booking)
- 2 nights in Istanbul
Our flight was from Manchester to Antalya on 20th September 2025 at 1 PM. Luckily, despite being slightly late, we boarded on time. I had pre-booked a taxi for €50 from Antalya Airport to our hotel in the Kemer district.
By the time we reached the hotel, it was almost midnight. After a quick meal, we went to bed — excited for the days ahead.
🌞 Day 2 — First Morning of Relaxation
I woke up early, exercised a little, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. My wife and I spent most of the day relaxing by the swimming pool, soaking up the warm Turkish sun. For the first time in my life, I felt what a true holiday feels like — no deadlines, no responsibilities, just peace.
The hotel, weather, place was perfect so we decided to stay more days instead of going Capadocia. We extend our to 7 nights and cost us around £775 for 7 nights, including food and drinks — a great deal for an all-inclusive stay. In the evening, we took a small walk to the local market for shopping.
🪂 Day 3 — Facing My Fear: Paragliding Adventure
This was one of the most thrilling days of my life. I had booked a paragliding experience through Booking.com, but the location was in Alanya — far from our hotel. The transport cost us an extra €20 each, but it was worth it.
Even though I am afraid of heights, I told myself, “If not now, then when?”
The moment I was in the air, flying over the sea and mountain — I felt free. The fear turned into excitement, and the experience became unforgettable. We returned to the hotel by 6 PM, enjoyed dinner, and watched a live dance show.
🏖️ Day 4 — Beach, Sun, and Silence
This day was calm and slow. We relaxed by the pool and then went to the beach in the afternoon. I enjoyed swimming — especially because I had recently learned it. The sun was strong, much hotter than the UK, but I loved every moment of it.
🤿 Day 5 — Scuba Diving: Underwater Magic
Another adventure awaited us. We booked scuba diving via Booking.com. They picked us up around 9 AM.
To be honest, I was scared. I even have a slight ear problem. But I reminded myself — courage is not the absence of fear; it’s doing it despite the fear.
We completed two dives, and the underwater world was magical — peaceful, silent, and full of life. They even offered lunch (pasta and fried chicken), and we paid €50 for our underwater photos.
.🎢 Day 6 — Land of Legends & Endless Laughter
We visited the famous Land of Legends Theme Park. It was like walking into another world — beautiful architecture, music, culture, and history. We clicked lots of photos and returned to the hotel at midnight, tired but happy.
🍌 Day 7 — Banana Boat Ride & Journey to Istanbul
In the evening, we went for a banana boat ride, which was fun, thrilling, and full of laughter. Later that night, we took a bus to Istanbul.
🕌 Day 8 — Istanbul: Where Culture Meets Beauty
We reached our hotel in Istanbul at around 2 PM, took some rest, then explored the city. Istanbul was breathtaking — rich in history, culture, and beauty.
📸 Day 9 — Rooftop Photoshoot & Bosphorus Cruise
We booked a couple rooftop photoshoot — something Istanbul is famous for. It cost us €200, but the pictures were worth it!
In the evening, we went for a Bosphorus dinner cruise — only €25 per person with dinner, music, and dance performances. The view of Istanbul at night from the water was magical.
🛫 Returning Home with Full Hearts
On the next morning, we left for the airport around 6 AM. The taxi cost was again €50. The airport security was strict, but everything went smoothly. We flew back at 10 AM and reached Manchester by noon (Turkey is 2 hours ahead of the UK).
This marked the end of our first international holiday — and it was perfect.
❤️ Final Thoughts — More Than Just a Trip
This trip was not only about traveling; it was about experiencing freedom, conquering fears, and creating memories with the person I love the most — my wife.
From paragliding to scuba diving, from peaceful sunsets to crowded bazaars, every moment taught me something:
Life is bigger than our comfort zones
Fear disappears when we dare to try
Memories are more valuable than money
I came back with a heart full of gratitude and a soul full of stories.