Personal narrative:
Right after the school year ended and shortly after we turned eighteen, one of my good friend and I walked into a TUI travel agency on a spontaneous whim. We didn’t have a plan, just that fresh sense of freedom. To our surprise, the agent offered us a deal for a ridiculously low price – something like €200 for 8 days – because two spots had just opened up on a trip. The package was for an all‑inclusive hotel with full board in Gümbet, near Bodrum, on the southwestern coast of Turkey, right by a long sandy beach on the Aegean Sea.
Without a second thought, we took it – departure was scheduled for the next week. It was the first trip I ever booked through a travel agency, and as it turned out, also the last one I’d ever book that way.
Local impressions:
Honestly, it was my only all‑inclusive holiday I’ve ever decided to take. Not because the hotel was bad or the service was unkind – quite the opposite. I remember the hotel and its animators fondly; even the people staying there were funny and friendly, and everyone seemed to have fun together. Endless food, a big pool right beside the sunny beach, and the warm sea made it feel like a perfect vacation.
Turkish kebabs still stick in my mind to this day – completely different from what you get in Europe. But here’s the thing: my travel soul prefers more adventurous exploration, and all‑inclusive holidays made me realize that spending eight days in one place without discovering much just didn’t give me the stimulation I crave. You’ll never know until you try something, though – so I’m glad I learned this at such an early age.
Day-by-day highlights:
Day 1–8: We probably only left the hotel three times to explore the local town. We didn’t go on any official excursions. Our trip basically revolved around relaxing, meeting other guests, having fun by the pool, eating, and maybe going to one simple party… also at the hotel.
Budget:
The all-inclusive trip to Turkey cost around €200 for 8 days – covering flights, hotel, and full board – which comes to roughly €25 per day. On top of that, we spent about €100 on extras, like souvenirs, snacks, or small treats, bringing the total to around €37–38 per day.