Autostop Expedition

The last few days felt like the perfect mix of hitchhiking adventure, sunshine, spontaneous plans and the kind of travel moments you could never schedule even if you tried.

7 March

We decided to turn hitchhiking into a proper competition. Team one, which was me, Bartek and Doma against team Dobi and Filip. We couldn’t decide of the team members, so lottery in UNO cards chose for us. The goal was simple, atch rides and see who reaches the destination first.

The road immediately delivered a good story. One of the cars that picked us up looked like it had already lived a very long life. The engine sounded dramatic and every bump made us look at each other with the same silent question. Will we make it. Somehow the car kept going and we kept laughing the whole ride.

After a few stops, energy drinks, peanuts and roadside waiting, we finally arrived somewhere that completely surprised us. A stunning villa that felt like a reward for the hitchhiking effort. The rest of the day quickly turned into a perfect slow travel afternoon. Jumping into freezing cold water, warming up in the sauna and jacuzzi, lying in the sun with iced coffee in hand and playing intense UNO battles on the terrace.

In the evening we went out for the classic Turkish combination of döner and ayran. Later the villa turned into our little party space with karaoke, dancing and a slightly chaotic but very enthusiastic macarena performance to celebrate International Women’s Day. The whole evening had a cosy atmosphere and the kind of simple happiness that appears when good people share the same table.

8 March

That morning the pace slowed down. We started the morning with tabata and yoga in the garden under the warm sun. After that we had a long breakfast outside with coffee and no plans at all.

Later we went to Fethiye city center for a relaxed afternoon by the sea. Walking along the beach there is one of the simplest but nicest things to do in town. At one point a DJ boat passed along the coast playing music which suddenly made the whole place feel like a moving beach party.

If you visit Fethiye, it is the perfect place for slow travel. Walk along the marina, stop for tea by the water, watch the paragliders flying above the bay or simply sit in the sun and enjoy the view. We finished the day with a delicious grill dinner and a long relaxed evening together.

9 March

It was time to say goodbye to the dream villa. We had one last sunny breakfast and squeezed in a few final jumps into the water before heading back to the road. Thumb up again. Hitchhiking towards Kaş. It only took two rides to get there. First a very kind woman in a small red car who happily picked us up and then two wealthy hotel owners who gave us the next lift. Hitchhiking often brings the most unexpected drivers and conversations.

Kaş welcomed us with beautiful weather and incredible views. The town sits between mountains and bright turquoise water and immediately feels peaceful and charming. We spent the afternoon exploring the narrow streets and climbing up the hills for panoramic views. One of the best simple activities in Kaş is just wandering. The town is small, colourful and full of little cafés and viewpoints.

In the evening we somehow ended up eating lahmacun, which quickly became one of our favourite foods on this trip. Later the evening turned into a cosy girls night with warm salep and games.

10 March

Kaş greeted us with sunshine again. We started the day with a balcony workout with a view of the mountains and the sea. The outfit of the day included Hello Kitty pants which somehow made the training even more fun.

After breakfast we explored more of the town. We stopped for sweets at Mia Dolce Vita and visited Çikolata Evim House for chocolate treats. Walking through the small streets, eating dondurma and stopping for coffee are honestly some of the best ways to experience Kaş.

We spent part of the afternoon relaxing by the sea. Sunbathing, short beach naps and slow walks along the coastline. Later we made a quick shopping stop at LC Waikiki before heading to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in town. Sunset at the amphitheatre of Antiphellos Ancient City is something every visitor should experience. The ancient stone seats look directly over the sea and the sky slowly turns golden while the water below stays perfectly calm.

We ended the evening with long conversations, peeling sessions, music and the peaceful feeling that comes after a full sunny day.

11 March

The next day brought one more classic autostop expedition moment. Time to leave Kaş and return by hitchhiking again. Somehow every single ride we got that day was with officers or soldiers. One car, then another one, then another. At some point we started laughing that this might be the safest hitchhiking day in history. Not something you can plan. Just another unexpected chapter from the road.

And honestly that is exactly why we love traveling like this. Every ride becomes a story and every day turns into something you could never predict.