Shopping, nightlife, history and gastronomy - Istanbul has it all and more besides. It has never been easier or more popular for weekend breakers to visit.
It's the city of seven hills. Where commuters take the metro to travel between two continents on their way to the office every morning, and it's also one of the fastest growing tourism destinations on the globe. Did you know that 11.6 million tourists visited Istanbul last year, making it the third most visited city in Europe after London and Paris.
Whilst Istanbul is known for its ancient history, it's a relatively new city break destination, and one that could very likely appeal to many people. The city is a collision of cultures which makes for the perfect weekend break. Turkey is a fascinating amalgam of ancient and modern, east and west. Half in Asia, half in Europe, the capital is a magic blend.
It's a city full of energy, the crossroads of civilisation, the financial centre of the region and it's the only city in the world to straddle two continents.
Access All Areas
As a result of Istanbul's popularity, Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier, has increased its frequencies from all UK departure points.
Istanbul has always been a popular destination for travellers, and it's less than four hours from any part of the UK.
The carrier works in collaboration with TourIstanbul to provide complimentary tours of the city to transit passengers.
The national airline now operates 101 scheduled flights weekly to Istanbul, departing from Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh; in summer there are additional flights from Heathrow and Manchester weekly. That's in addition to the direct flights available with Pegasus Airlines, British Airways and AtlasJet.
If you reside outside of the UK, then Istanbul will be very likely accessible by Turkish Airlines, or the flag carrier of the country in which you reside. Otherwise, you can reach the destination via a change of plane en-route.
Further proof of the metropolis's improving stature are the numerous luxury hotels wrestling for prime real estate in the city. The Shangri-La opened a hotel in Besiktas last May (2014), Raffles Istanbul opened last September in the mall and entertainment complex the Zorlu Centre; the Morgans Hotel Group opened its first property outside of the US and London in Istanbul last November, 10 Karakoy; and St Regis also established a hotel there in March of this year, in the shopping district of Nisantasi.
It is estimated that there are 175 4* hotels in the city, with another 100 hotels of all ratings currently under construction. The city has every kind of hotel, according to your budget and needs.
Asia attractions
While Istanbul's European side has traditionally been more popular with tourists, the Asian side is well worth a visit. Hilton opened its first hotel there in October last year; the Hilton Istanbul Kozyatagi Hotel, as it sees this side of the city as up and coming.
World of Transport Travel recommends all visitors take time to explore the Asian side. One of the best, and cheapest, ways to discover Istanbul is to take a ferry from the European side to the Asian side - not only to see some fantastic scenery while crossing the Bosphorus, but also to discover what daily life is like for residents of Istanbul.
To get a really good, authentic meal, we would recommend eating in the "lokanta" or tradesman's restaurants. This is where the locals eat and where you can experience traditional Turkish food for a fraction of the price of high street restaurants.
Sultanahmet, otherwise known as the Old City of Istanbul, boasts the densest concentration of historical sights and should be the base for all new visitors to the city. We would always recommend that a first-time visitor to Istanbul stays in the Sultanahmet area, and the best hotel here is the Four Seasons Sultanahmet. There are of course, other hotels to suit all tastes and requirements.
To uncover the city's lessor-known treasures, a local guide can prove indispensable. It is essential to take a walking tour in the company of an expert local guide which will help you to discover some of the city's less obvious historic sites, such as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, or the underground Basilica Cistern with its towering stone columns and eerie atmosphere. A local guide will also help introduce visitors to the labyrinthine alleyways of the Grand Bazaar.
When it comes to the best time to visit, there's really no such thing, since Istanbul doesn't have seasonality, it's a city-break destination and it's busy all year round. The lowest season is December and January, but traffic peaks as the temperature rises, when visitors come to enjoy both the sun and the city.
If you fancy visiting in the balmy summer months, it's worth booking into a bolthole on the Bosphorus, from where you can escape the heat. Several former Sultans' palaces on the strait have been converted into luxurious resort hotels with swimming pools and relaxing gardens.
For those of you who prefer the security of an escorted tour, you have several tour operators to choose from. Some offer a flexible way to explore. You can travel as part of a group with a tour manager always on hand. Yet, if you prefer your independence, you are able to step away from the group and explore at your own pace.
There are both dedicated tours of Istanbul, as well as multi-centre tours in Turkey. On a five-day tour of the city for example, visitors will take in the iconic sights such as Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque, plus there are excursions such as Bosphorus cruise and dinner in the city's "Flower Passage", an historic arcade with cafes and restaurants.
For the compulsive shopper, Istanbul is the perfect destination. There's a huge range of goods to buy - from leather, jewellery and souvenirs to clothes. It's a vibrant place and one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, boasting more than 3,000 shops spread across 61 passageways.
There's so much on offer in Anatolia's former capital that visitors might well need a beach break afterwards, but that's easy to arrange.
People can spend time in Istanbul experiencing the nightlife and gastronomic cuisine and then head to the beach to enjoy some time in the Turkish sun.
e-Visas
An e-Visa is an official document permitting entry into and travel within Turkey.
The e-Visa is an alternative to visas issued at Turkish missions and at the ports of entry.
Applicants obtain their visas electronically after entering required information and making payments by a credit or debit card (Mastercard or Visa).
The link to download your e-Visa is given on the final step where you will be informed that your application has been completed successfully. In addition, the same link to download your e-Visa will be emailed to you. Passport control officers at ports of entry can verify your e-Visa on their system. However, you are advised to keep your e-Visa with you either as a soft copy (tablet PC, smart phone, etc.) or as a hard copy in case of any failure on their system.
As in the case of other visas, respective Turkish officials at the ports of entry reserves the right to deny entry into Turkey to a holder of an e-Visa without any explanation.
Did You Know?
Istanbul has taken centre stage in no less than three James Bond films: From Russia With Love, The World Is Not Enough and Skyfall.
Call To Action
If Istanbul, or another part(s) of Turkey, is a destination that you would like to visit either on its own or as part of a multi-centre trip, please email World of Transport Travel with your requirements.
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