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Published: October 8th 2015
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Not all airlines are the same...there are the good ones, and the others. I know it pretty well spending some time in planes. I even flied two weeks ago an airline black-listed in Europe...pretty scary and happy once you land, as they do crash. I have also to admit, most airlines were doing a way better job 10 years ago than today! I'm in the process of moving a huge share of my flying from Cathay to Emirates...never thought that would happen, but it is happening!
So what about the best airline in Europe? For the past few years, Skytrax has awarded that tittle to Turkish Airlines. And if they may not be as amazing as Qatar Airways, they are not far away. I've only flied with them one way in the past between Saigon and Bangkok, not really a reference. But this summer, I did Rome-Istanbul-Tirana as well as Tel Aviv-Istanbul-Rome. The airport is huge, and their business lounge is one of the biggest I ever seen...and yes, I play golf on their golf simulator while drinking Turkish red wine!
But the best deal must be their complimentary half-day and full-day tours of Istanbul.
I arrived in the middle of the night and my next flight was only at 5pm. So yes, I was set for the morning tour. Paid 25euros for the visa...and waited just outside for the tour to depart at 9am. There is something like 40 of us, from a good 25 different nationalities. Most of these people just landing from a night flight...so things are going, slightly slower....smile!
We drive in a large bus in the direction of Istanbul. First stop, a big restaurant where a huge local breakfast is lay on a plate in front of each other. Nice.....but did take my breakfast in the lounge....could we move on please....we have more to discover. I'm sitting with two students from Astana coming back from a student exchange in Saudi Arabia, and a Korean girl living in Madrid...if that's not international....I don't know what international is!
Next, we are walking finally to the action. Passing by Sultanahmet Mosque as well as Hagia Sophia in the direction of Topkapi Palace. you can see that the guide is on the clock...and that some people really struggle to follow, I guess not easy if you haven't slept
much on your last plane! The place is super crowded...so once in Topkapi, the guide take the wise decision, to let us on our own...with the crowds and the queues! Oh, and Turkish airlines is paying for everything, from the breakfast to the entry of Topkapi....pretty cool!
I left a little early...you can do way more on your own than in a huge group...specially in today overcrowded Istanbul! And I did visit Topkapi some 16 years ago! But 16 years ago, I missed the Basilica Cistern...and this morning, or rather already lunch time, this is what is on my list. Oups, they don't take credit cards, Euros or USD...so I have first to find some place to change some little cash. Than there is the huge queue again, and a plane to catch for me. Who cares....this time I pay the little extra fee (some 3 euros) to a local guide to jump the queue...and in 5 minutes I'm in this amazing place!
There is no words to explain how beautiful this place is. The guide is giving us the basic 5-10minutes infos...and than left us to try to have more people jumping the
queue....another business like any other one. I spent a good 30 minutes in here...simply gorgeous! On my way out I checked the queues for Hagia Sophia....well, I'll have to wait to come back! This should be done next summer, I'm preparing a fun boys trip with Leslie to the Stans....to come in summer 2017!
I'm back to the restaurant...and as I guessed pretty well, starters have just been served. There is nice salad and soup to start with, than the usual tourist plate, they even serve you drinks... thanks Turkish airlines. I like when other ask me if other airlines do this, like in Europe....sure....in our dreams! Time to get back to the airport. The morning tour bring us back at 3pm, while the full day tour has 3 more hours...including the Basilica Cistern.
Has nothing is ever perfect, if I had to re-design this tour, I would simply cancel the breakfast, shorten the lunch...and go for more sites. But that's only me maybe...and I have to admit, they are doing a great job. And at least, if the bus on the way back is late...they are the one in charges...not me!
Two more countries to come, two more blogs, and soon...it's time to get back home. Well, I've been home for few weeks by the time I'm writing this!
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taracloud
Tara Cloud
Fabulous deal and my favorite place!
Turkish Airlines sounds amazing, but those queues were horrendous! I guess Istanbul has become a much more popular destination since we were there last. The Basilica Cistern is one of my favorite places--so eerie and peaceful. As there were no queues when I was there nine years ago, I went every few days just to be in its cool, mysterious atmosphere.