There are few cities that are as intoxicating as Istanbul. It’s quite simply a breathtaking city, with so much to offer that even the longest holiday would struggle to fit it all in.

The flight is around 4 hours, and transfers are short – depending on traffic. If you fly into the huge Ataturk airport, you’ll find a bigger range of flights, however I flew into Sabiha Gokcen airport, and found it great value.

To really make your break a little more relaxing make sure you get all those extras covered. I find this a godsend when I have early flights, and I’m feeling not quite with it! Check out, Heathrow Parking or Gatwick Parkingwhen heading out of the capital. Both offer fantastic rates and great facilities, meaning your holiday starts with a bang.

So you’ve landed and found your hotel. Now what?

Get your walking boots on, this is one huge city.

Istanbul is the only city in the world to straddle two continents, and that in my book is something pretty special. To one side you have Asia, and to the other is Europe, all linked by the imposing Bosphorus bridge. You will land in one continent and cross to the other, literally in seconds.

I stayed on the European side, in Sultanahmet, but visited the Asian side, and found both to be very different. Whilst Europe is predictably high-rise and bustling, the Asian side is a little more chilled-out, yet both have a special vibe that is quite different from the other. I’d recommend visiting both sides.

Sultanahmet is where most of the sightseeing places are, and I found it a great base. The city is easy to get around, with a metro system linking all major areas and attractions. Alternatively [Read more…]