IF you’re travelling east and you can’t get yourself a magic carpet ride then just take the next best thing – a flight with Turkish Airlines.
We happened to go one better and flew business class on our journey to and from the Maldives via a handy little stopover in Istanbul.
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If ever you found yourself in a Tom Hanks movie situation such as The Terminal then Istanbul Airport would definitely be the place to get stranded. There’s just an endless selection of shops and restaurants.
We were lucky enough to be killing time in the luxurious business class lounge ahead of our second leg from Male in the Maldives so didn’t have time to take advantage of the shopping – or rather we didn’t make the time.
Turkish Airlines go anywhere in the world via Istanbul and initially when we first looked at flight options had ruled out this route because of the lengthy stopover on the return leg.
We needn’t have worried because, as it turns out, Turkish have an amazing scheme where you can get a complimentary hotel stay if you are travelling via their hub in Istanbul and choose to break your journey.
Economy class passengers get a free night in a choice of 4-star hotels and business class flyers can get two free nights in a 5-star.
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All you need to do is get the hotel voucher online at turkishairlines.com or e-mail [email protected] at least 72 hours before your first flight.
My friend Gwen and I booked in for two nights to explore the spectacular city – the only one in the world that straddles two continents – Europe and Asia – across the Bosphorus.
The skyline is a masterpiece of mosques and minarets while the sounds and scents really are an assault on the senses.
We were determined to pack a lot in so booked a four-hour walking tour which included The Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, the Hagia Sofia mosque and the Hippodrome and a meandered through the Grand Bazaar.
It’s a long way home from the Maldives so having the stopover option felt like adding a second holiday onto the one we’d just had.
This is one flight option we’ll definitely use again for sure.
FLY TURKISH AIRLINES
Turkish Airlines flies from Edinburgh to Male, via Istanbul, with fares from £825pp in economy and £3595pp in business class. Get a one or two night free hotel stopover in Istanbul, depending on the class of ticket you buy. See turkishairlines.com
