There are some trips in life that are more than just travel. They become memories stitched into your heart forever. Our one-month journey in Türkiye felt exactly like that — precious, emotional, chaotic, funny, exhausting, healing, and deeply meaningful. It was not only a vacation, but a journey where two families slowly became one.
Even though there were tears, misunderstandings, tired moments, and occasional anger along the way, somehow those moments did not break us apart. Instead, they brought us closer together. Looking back now, I feel incredibly touched seeing how the bond between my parents and my in-laws grew throughout the trip. I also saw little changes in my husband’s relationship with Mama, and those small improvements meant a lot to me.
Week 1 — Istanbul: Waiting, Welcoming, and Laughter
The first week was spent in Istanbul. Hubby and I arrived earlier and spent the days settling in and preparing for my parents’ arrival. When Daddy and Mummy finally landed, Papa and Mama welcomed them with such warm hospitality. They took us around the city, introduced them to beautiful places, and even brought us to Michelin restaurants. Seeing both families sitting around the same table in a foreign country felt surreal.
One of the funniest parts was listening to Daddy trying to communicate in English. He was always enthusiastically introducing healthy products and supplements to my in-laws, but sometimes the words came out hilariously wrong. The best one was when he tried to say “kidney” but accidentally said “kidnap.” We laughed so hard that moment became one of the core memories of the trip.
We were able to visit Aunt Ayse in a hotel as she was working there. What a coincidence!
We walked endlessly around Istanbul every day, exploring streets, mosques, cafés, and waterfronts. Somehow all that walking never felt tiring.
Week 2 — Antalya: Family, Fresh Air, and Home
We then took a domestic flight to Antalya and stayed at my husband’s home. The fresh air, sea view, and peaceful atmosphere felt completely different from Istanbul. Mumm Daddy often went to the mall near my hubby's home.
Besides that, we were also able to visit the organic fruit bazaar. I especially loved the bananas and the sweet red peppers — they were so fresh and full of flavour.
Most importantly, we were finally able to meet Granny. Some evenings were spent quietly at my in-laws’ home, sharing breakfasts and dinners together. Those moments were simple, but they were the moments that truly felt like family. We were able to do dental cleaning and lump removal for hubby. I was so so so happy!!!
Week 3 — Our Little Honeymoon Escape at Seven Seas
After spending so much time together as one big family, Week 3 became a quieter chapter for hubby and me. We checked into Seven Seas Hotel Life and finally had a little space to ourselves while the parents could also rest and enjoy their own pace. It honestly felt like a second honeymoon.
For an entire week, life became incredibly simple — waking up slowly, swimming under the hot sun, eating endless amounts of food, enjoying massages, and walking by the sea at night. After so much traveling and family coordination, this was the moment where hubby and I could finally breathe a little and just enjoy being husband and wife.
One of my favorite memories was sitting at the seaside night bar with drinks in hand, listening to the waves and watching the lights reflect on the water. It felt peaceful in a way that is hard to describe.Returning Home Again
After the resort stay, we returned to hubby’s home for three more nights. During those days, we met Uncle and his family, had a tea ceremony together, and spent more time gathering as one big family.
I also loved shopping for tableware and kitchenware for hubby’s home. Somehow buying little household items made me feel more connected to our married life there.
Week 4— Pamukkale & Cappadocia & Few More Days in Antayla— Beautiful, Exhausting, Emotional
We later travelled to
Pamukkale and visited the ancient Roman theatre. The steep climb almost defeated Daddy completely. He eventually gave up walking downhill because it was simply too difficult on his legs and back. That was one of the moments I suddenly realized how much older my parents were getting.
Then came the long drive — almost 6–7 hours — to Cappadocia. I had a long chat with Mummy in the car about my niece and brother, as well as some of Daddy’s less healthy routines. I found myself simply being her listener in that moment. I still remember that Daddy and Mummy kindly got chocolate and sandwiches for me and hubby on the way to Cappadocia, and I even passed my hot chocolate to Oya, our tour guide. She had been with us for all three excursions — Olympos, Pamukkale, and this Cappadocia trip. She was very kind and professional, and I truly wish her all the best in her career..
The weather there was terrible, and unfortunately we could not ride the hot air balloons. Mummy and Daddy were disappointed… although hilariously, before arriving they had both insisted they did not even want to go up in the first place. Daddy somehow managed to walk four stories down in the underground city, and afterward his thighs and back were completely destroyed. Watching him struggle physically made me emotional. One afternoon while walking through the valley, I held Daddy’s hand and quietly cried a little. Time suddenly felt very real to me.
We bought hot air balloon keychains for friends, and I picked two knitted ones for Matthew and Sam. Honestly, I should have bought more. And one thing I will forever miss from Türkiye: the fresh pomegranate juice. I drank it constantly throughout the trip and nothing in Canada tastes the same.
We stayed in a beautiful stone cave hotel with a jacuzzi inside the room. The atmosphere felt magical.
Week 5— Final Days in Istanbul — Departure
After Cappadocia, we returned once more to Istanbul. The flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul was only about an hour. Mummy kept saying she regretted choosing the road journey instead of flying from Antalya, as she felt quite nauseous and had motion sickness during the long drive. It was simply too long and tiring for her. By then, we were all feeling a bit exhausted after several intense travel days. My parents only had four days left before flying home, and around the same time. One night, it was rainy, windy, and freezing. Everyone went out to celebrate Papa’s birthday at a nearby restaurant. It was a meat restaurant, chosen because they remembered that Daddy enjoys meat — something people might not have known, as he rarely gets to enjoy it back in our home city. My mother-in-law unfortunately twisted her ankle.
Thankfully, we were still able to celebrate Mother’s Day together. We took a boat across the sea to the Asian side and spent the day wandering around together. Every single day during the trip, we walked at least 7,000+ steps, sometimes much more. Physically, I felt amazing. We also visited the Spice Bazaar, where Mummy was able to pick up some spices she loved, and we travelled around landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
That final evening before their departure felt especially emotional. Papa and Mama even brought Daddy and Mummy out for kebab earlier in the day, and afterward we spent time together at home before heading to the airport around 10 p.m. Inside the car, I held Daddy and Mummy’s hands tightly and cried so much. I did not want them to leave.
Week 6 — One More Week With Papa & Mama for hubby and I
After my parents departed, hubby and I stayed another six days in Istanbul with Papa and Mama.
Those quieter days became incredibly precious too. I was able to sit with Mama in cafés, drink hot chocolate together, and simply talk. We celebrated Mother’s Day again with my brother-in-law at a beautiful restaurant called Jie in Fişekhane — honestly one of the most fantastic places I discovered during this trip.
We also visited the military residence and explored Balat, the colorful old Orthodox neighborhood full of history and charm.
This trip reminded me that family relationships are never perfect. There will always be tension, misunderstandings, tiredness, and emotional moments when people spend an entire month together.
But love grows through those moments too.
This journey gave me memories I know I will carry for the rest of my life — Daddy’s funny English mistakes, Mama’s warmth, Papa’s hospitality, Granny’s presence, long walks through Istanbul, fresh pomegranate juice, sea nights in Antalya, and the feeling of holding my parents’ hands a little tighter because I suddenly realized time moves too fast.
I miss this trip so, so much already.
