TEN DAYS IN TÜRKİYE: ANTALYA, THE MEDITERRANEAN AND A REGION OF BEAUTY
A Travel Diary from Hush Hush Biz
A journey through tourism, culture, ancient history and some of Türkiye’s most memorable coastal destinations.
Ten days in Türkiye turned out to be a wonderful combination of business, discovery, new friendships and experiences that I will remember for a long time.
Hosted by TravelShop Booking and its team, the programme brought together international travel professionals for the Antalya Tourism Fair 2026, followed by a journey along the Mediterranean coastline, including three nights aboard a traditional Turkish gulet and visits to some truly spectacular destinations.
It was a full itinerary, with plenty to see and experience, and a wonderful opportunity to discover more of a country whose history, culture and hospitality have so much to offer.
ANTALYA: WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGAN
Our journey began on 25 October, arriving in Antalya and transferring to the beautiful Limak Atlantis Deluxe Hotel & Resort, our home for the first four nights.
Antalya provided the perfect starting point. Known for its Mediterranean coastline and rich history, it is also an important destination for Türkiye’s tourism industry.
The first two days were dedicated to the Antalya Tourism Fair 2026, where travel businesses, tourism operators and international representatives came together for trade discussions, meetings and networking.
For those of us working in travel, media and related industries, it was an opportunity to make new connections, exchange ideas and learn more about the opportunities emerging across the international tourism market.
The programme continued with a visit to Antalya’s Old City, known as Kaleiçi. Walking through its historic streets offered a glimpse into the layers of history that make this part of Türkiye so distinctive.
We visited Hadrian’s Gate, the Clock Tower, the Ancient Harbour and Hıdırlık Tower, each offering its own connection to the city’s past.
TRAVELSHOP BOOKING: BUILDING INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS
An important part of the Antalya programme was the TravelShop Booking B2B networking event, which also provided a platform to introduce the next stage of the company’s vision and its plans for expanding its international presence.
The main networking programme was organised by Turkey Travel Shop, under the leadership of its founder, Mr Murtaza Kalender, a highly regarded figure in Türkiye’s travel industry.
It was impressive to see the experience and commitment behind the organisation. Mr Kalender brings an infectious energy to what he does, and his passion for the travel industry and the connections he has built over many years were evident throughout the programme.
He is supported by a team with considerable experience in developing travel connections, events and opportunities across the industry.
One of the exciting developments announced during this period was a new franchise initiative designed to expand the global network and create opportunities for individuals and businesses within the travel sector to become involved.
Among the key figures in the Australian partnership is Shane Hodges, who is set to take on the role of Franchise Manger for Asia Pacific for Travel Shop.
The vision is to develop the platform that could prove to develp over the coming six to twelve months, building further international connections and creating opportunities, particularly in travel bookings and industry partnerships. The initiative is already attracting interest, and it will be exciting to follow its progress as this ambitious platform develops.
It was interesting to see how the travel industry continues to evolve, with relationships, networking and international collaboration playing such an important role in bringing businesses, people and destinations together.
For me, this was another valuable part of the experience — seeing not only the destinations and tourism opportunities, but also the people and ideas working behind the scenes to create new possibilities.
SETTING SAIL: THREE NIGHTS ABOARD A TRADITIONAL TURKISH GULET
On 29 October, we left Antalya by coach and travelled to Demre Harbour, where another adventure was waiting.
We boarded our traditional Turkish gulets at approximately 3pm and set off towards the Kekova region. Two gulets were provided for our group, by V Go Yachting and I was lucky enough to be aboard the Northwind. It was a special moment stepping aboard and meeting our Captain Mehmet, and crew, who were wonderful throughout the experience.
For the next three nights, the boat would be our home as we explored this beautiful stretch of the Mediterranean.
There is something special about experiencing a destination from the water. The pace changes, the scenery unfolds around you, and there is time to appreciate the coastline in a completely different way.
Our itinerary included the village of Simena, also known as Kaleköy, where history and coastal life come together. We also viewed the famous Sunken City of Kekova from the sea, before continuing to Tersane Bay.
The following day took us to Aperlai, Ufakdere and Liman Ağzı, near Kaş, with opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty of the coastline and its secluded bays.
The gulet experience was a very different part of the trip from the busy tourism fair. It gave our group time together, away from the meetings and schedules, and added another dimension to the friendships developing along the way.
There is plenty more to share about life aboard the Northwind, and I will be dedicating a separate report to the gulet experience.
On 1 November, we disembarked at Kaş Harbour, ready for the next stage of our journey.
SAKLIKENT CANYON AND ON TO DALYAN
Leaving Kaş, we travelled to Saklıkent Canyon, another highlight on the itinerary, before continuing by road to Dalyan.
Dalyan has a very different atmosphere from Antalya. It is a destination where nature, history and traditional Turkish life come together, and it was a lovely change of scenery after our time on the water.
We checked into the Caria Special Class Hotel, where we would spend our final two nights.
Our last full day included a boat trip through the Dalyan Delta, with views of the impressive Lycian Rock Tombs carved into the cliffs. These ancient tombs are a striking reminder of the civilisations that once inhabited this region.
We also visited the Sultaniye Mud Baths, before continuing to İztuzu Beach, often known as Turtle Beach. This beautiful stretch of coastline is an important nesting area for the protected Caretta Caretta sea turtles.
It was a fitting final day, combining natural beauty, local culture and a little more of the history that makes Türkiye such a fascinating destination.
On 3 November, our 10-day programme came to an end, with our transfer from Dalyan to Dalaman Airport for the journey home.
MORE THAN JUST A TOURISM FAMILIARISATION TRIP
While the itinerary covered a great deal in ten days, what made the experience particularly memorable was the combination of professional connections and personal discovery.
The Antalya Tourism Fair gave us the opportunity to meet people working across the travel industry, while the journey through the Mediterranean region allowed us to experience more of the country beyond the exhibition halls.
From Antalya’s historic streets to the turquoise coastline around Kekova, the traditional gulet experience and the natural beauty of Dalyan, each part of the programme offered something different.
There was also the opportunity to meet people from different countries and backgrounds, share experiences and build friendships that I hope will continue well beyond the trip.
A big thank you to TravelShop Booking and the team behind the programme for bringing everyone together and organising such a varied 10-day experience. Special thanks to Manager Ms Jasmine Fernandes.
For me, this journey was a wonderful introduction to more of Türkiye, and it has certainly left me wanting to discover much more.
Türkiye has so much to share — its history, its landscapes, its people and its hospitality. And this was only the beginning.
Caroline Russo
Hush Hush Biz
