Turkey

Turkish Airlines begin Australia flights

If you’re in Australia and you’re thinking about a Euro trip this summer, or if you like kebabs, we’ve got some good news for you.

Turkish Airlines have entered the market as now flying to Australia, marking 130^th country that airline flies to.

There’s a pretty good chance the additional competition will put pressure on other airlines, leading to cheaper flights into Europe.

The airline will fly Boeing 777s via a short stopover in Singapore initially, but plans to fly directly into Melbourne in 2025.

Turkey is an extraordinary destination; the meeting point of Asia and Europe. You could spend a couple of weeks in Istanbul only; cruising around narrow streets that open up to extraordinary feats of architecture like the Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace and Sultan Ahmed Mosque (known by most as the Blue Mosque).

Here’s our top five in Istanbul, to mark the Melbourne to Istanbul route:

1. Cop an absolute beating

Have your body scrubbed raw at a traditional hammam. This one is no secret – it’s about as Turkish as it gets.

For pure opulence, the Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam is tough to beat.

2. Go to the Bank

What do you reckon The Bank Hotel, which is part of the Design Hotels group, used to be before it was transformed into a mouthwateringly stunning hotel?

Omg you got it! It used to be a bank, but now it’s position is perfect to explore the trendy Karaköy district – nearby to bars and great eateries.

3. Throw down some boogs at Klein Garten.

This is a city known for its rooftop terraces, so it was hard to pick just one. But this is get lost – we’re not going to send you some soulless place with a great view, just because everyone else forks out a fortune to be there. We recommend Klein Garten –rotating DJs, affordable drinks, an incredible view and an incredible vibe. Boog the night away.

4. Go to a truly lit (think flares) football match

ideally the intercontinental derby between eternal enemies Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray, which separates one side of the Bosporus from the other.

Image credit Lardo Balsamico.

5. Munch an Islak Burger

Yeh sure, there’ll be plenty of time to eat gozleme and kebabs, but get lost recommends the ‘Wet Burger of Taksim’.

Head to the lively Taksim district, and on your way home, crush one of these strange fast foods which have garnered a cult-like following in this area – burgers doused in a rich garlic and tomato sauce, and then steamed, and served with meat and other stuff. Allegedly excellent for hangovers.