Fethiye, Turkey gave us boat trips, markets, sea turtles, and the kind of sunsets you remember forever. Early retirement gave us the time to enjoy them with our kids—without waiting for “someday.“

Kayakoy, Hisaronu & Oladunez: three Turkish towns, five beaches, and a ghost village — all part of our early retirement summer with the kids.

When we told people we were going to Azerbaijan, the first question was: “Is it safe?” What we found instead was a city where Europe meets the Middle East—a clean, welcoming place where locals love kids and family travel feels surprisingly easy. I'm glad we did Baku with kids.

We cruised rivers in Dalyan, swam off Datça’s rocky beaches, soaked in mud baths, and watched sea turtles feast — all with three little kids. But somewhere between Dalyan and Datca, we rethought about what “home” really means.

We took three little kids to Turkey’s most iconic hot springs… and didn’t lose a single Croc. Here’s how we survived (and actually enjoyed) Pamukkale’s thermal pools — even in the summer heat.

Check out hot air balloons in Cappadocia, Turkey with kids—plus tips on where to stay, what to do, and why this bucket list trip fits perfectly with the FI lifestyle.