ITTN’s Louise Ducrocq is delighted to be attending her first FAM Trip; a 4-day fact-finding mission to Dalaman, Muğla, Turkey, supported by Aer Lingus and Go Türkiye.
Liza Hammond, Aer Lingus’ UK Commercial Manager, and our guide extraordinaire Öznur Doksöz, who has been helping people explore Turkey with Go Türkiye since 1993, have prepared the most amazing itinerary.
Jackie Lowry from the Omni branch of Best4Travel, Andrea Holmes from Sunway, Michelle McCabe from Bookabed TBO, Louise Kenna from Cassidy Travel Dundrum, Lynne Casey from Fahy Travel and Sonia Ladeira from O’Hanrahan Travel.
The trip started off strong with the whole group being able to enjoy the full Aer Lingus premium experience flying from Dublin to Dalaman.
After getting swiftly checked-in, we were treated to the spacious, high-end Aer Lingus Business Lounge in Dublin Airport’s Terminal 2.
In the lounge you can sit back relax and wait for your flight in a more enjoyable way. Tranquil spaces allow customers to catch up on work and enjoy refreshments or get some rest.
We were having such a nice time enjoying the complementary sandwiches, soups, sodas (and maybe a glass of wine or two, but that’s a secret that will be solemnly kept by the lounge and the lovely staff), that we barely made last call to get the flight to Dalaman.
Beware, the Aer Lingus Lounge is so comfy, you might already feel you’re on vacation and forget about the next crucial step; catching your flight!
Once aboard the plane, we all were able to settle in the comfortable seats and enjoy a swift flight being taken care of by the oh-so professional Aer Lingus flight crew. The 4 hour, 40 minute flight flew by (pun-intended) with such brilliant service and good company. Once we landed, we got to meet the amazing Öznur who would accompany us for the whole trip.
The group got to discover the immense luxury of the Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa, a magnificent ultra-inclusive resort on the shores of the Aegean Sea.
With an enviable location on the edge of the Dalaman River and Mediterranean Sea, their resort is steps from the heart of Sarıgerme and 20 minutes from Dalaman International Airport.
You can enjoy the hotel’s pristine private beach and a variety of activities for adults and kids alike. Restaurants and bars showcase an array of cuisines and dishes ranging from Italian, to Asian, to local specialities.
Now, what’s the difference between an all-inclusive and ultra-inclusive facility? Turns out, it’s all in the blueprint!
A quick guide: ultra inclusive hotel; all alcohols and liquors not only locals, a la carte restaurants instead of buffets, top tier service. There is an amazing variety of cuisines and restaurants at the resort. Indulge your taste buds at unique restaurants and bars serving cuisines from around the world. Feel sumptuous at F Lounge or dive into Italian specialties at Alize; while local Turkish delicacies are prepared to perfection at Ala Turca Restaurant.
Reservations are required for a la carte restaurants and a service charge will apply. Discounts for children are available except for Teppanyaki. Also, keep in mind the à la carte restaurants are not included in the ultra inclusive package, only the buffet which has over 15 aisles for breakfast, lunch and dinner with an array of Turkish delights (again, pun intended) and international cuisines.
The resort covers such a large area that even if the hotel is near to full, you never feel crowded.
Each member of the group got to stay in a Lake House Room Swim Up, located next to the Dalaman River in the middle of magnificent nature and surrounded by a pool. These spacious rooms of 71 square metres have a private Serenity double bed or 2 single beds, a living room and a direct pool access from its private terrace. The standard of luxury, service and comfort at the resort is unmatched.
I could not have possibly asked for more for my first FAM trip, and for every step of it I have been amazed by the level of care and entertainment provided by Aer Lingus and Go Türkiye on this amazing trip.
I am so grateful, and can’t wait to write about my visit to the amazing city of Daylan, the Kaunos royal tombs and the Iztuzu beach, our dreamy lunch at La Bohème, the upcoming full day Blue Voyage boat experience at Göeck Bays and so much more! Stay tuned.
