The FAM trip to Kusadasi, in Türkiye, hosted by Sun Express and Sunway in collaboration with the Turkish Tourist Board, is in full swing as the group of Irish travel trade begins their first full day on the Aegean coast.
Taking part in the trip are:
• Marena Naughton – ACE Travel
• Luis Braya – Barters Travel
• Kayleigh Walters – Best 4 Travel
• Clodagh Connolly – Fahy Travel
• Maria Boyle Morgan – Lee Travel
• Laura Sweetman – Magic Vacations
• Clare Ellen Farrelly – Shandon Travel
• Lynda O’Sullivan – West Cork Travel
• Shelly Heaney – Best 4 Travel
• Lorraine Connolly – Kanes Travel
• Iunia Dimitrenco – Travel Boutique
• Nicola York – Just Split
• Eleanor McElroy – O’Callaghan Travel
• Jacinta McGlynn – Travelbiz
After landing late the night before, the group checked into the Richmond Ephesus Resort and wasted no time collapsing into what many agreed were seriously comfy beds. I stayed in a twin bed room, and I mean – the photos speak for themselves!
With blackout curtains working overtime, everyone woke up refreshed and ready for the day ahead. The general consensus? Gorgeous, clean & tidy rooms with plenty of space and comfort!
The day officially began with a delicious buffet breakfast at the resort, fuelling up for a busy day ahead. Afterwards, the group transferred to the Palm Wings Hotel, to begin a series of hotel inspections. The Palm Wings Hotel was also the merging point of the Cork and Dublin group – agents from Cork had travelled to Kusadasi the day before and had already covered a few hotel inspections and a trip to Ephesus.
First up for the group was the Palm Wings Ephesus, a huge beachfront resort that immediately impressed agents with its size and upkeep. The property is exceptionally family-friendly, offering a wide range of facilities and spacious outdoor areas perfect for both relaxation and play. Many of the rooms have beautiful views over the Sea, adding to the appeal of what is clearly a well-run, modern resort designed with comfort and convenience in mind.
The hotel’s facilities include a large outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers, a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, and an on-site restaurant serving a combination of traditional Turkish and international cuisine. A lounge bar and poolside café provide additional dining and relaxation options.
The Palm Wings Ephesus Hotel is quite central, with practical amenities and very easy access to local attractions and shopping areas, which the agents learned makes it a comfortable and convenient option for travellers exploring Kusadasi
Second was The Palm Hotel – this hotel is a well-located four-star property in the heart of Kusadasi, just a short walk from the town’s marina and waterfront promenade. The hotel offers 70 spacious and well-maintained guest rooms, many of which feature sea views or balconies. Rooms are equipped with modern amenities including air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and en-suite bathrooms.
The next stop was the Suhan Hotel, tucked just above the city centre with lovely views over Kusadasi and the harbour. Inside, it was absolutely gorgeous, colourful stylish and full of character, with a real boutique feel and stunning interiors that caught everyone’s eye. We toured a mix of standard, family, triple, and suite rooms, all beautifully finished and comfortable with great views. It struck the perfect balance between city convenience and a peaceful, polished place to unwind.
Our last stop was the Derici Hotel, right in the middle of Kusadasi and just a short stroll from the promenade. The rooftop pool was a real standout, the views over the sea were absolutely fantastic. Downstairs, the spa area was even more impressive, complete with a beautiful hammam and a great sauna that everyone loved. The twinkling lights in the spa ceiling were a lovely touch and combined with the smell of incense in the room we all almost melted into the loungers. The rooms are all standard, but clean and comfortable, making the Derici a great pick for anyone who wants a central base with a bit of style and relaxation thrown in.
Following the morning’s property visits, it was time for a very exciting part of the trip – an afternoon out on the water with Kusadasi Tekne Tur!
Blessed with calm conditions and sunshine overhead, the boat tour offered the perfect opportunity to experience Kusadasi’s coastline, with some agents (me included) opting for a refreshing swim in the Sea. This was a crowd favourite activity with plenty of smiles and glasses of wine around. Alongside this, a traditional Turkish lunch was served on board, making for a truly fabulous trip out!
But the day wasn’t over yet – the group returned to the Richmond Ephesus Resort in the late afternoon for a short break and prepared to head out again for the evening, with a dinner hosted by the Turkish Tourist Board at Mezgit Restaurant, a well-known local seafood spot located in Kusadasi’s Centrum area. Afterwards, agents indulged in a few hours of shopping in Centrum, rounding off a fabulous day!
Watch the reel below recapping the agents first day on the FAM!
Stay tuned to hear more about the group exploring Kusadasi!
ITTN would like to thank Sun Express, Sunway, and the Turkish Tourist Board for their continued support and hospitality throughout this FAM trip.
