Latest news with #BlueMosque
The Age
15-05-2025
- The Age
Getting older, but still a backpacker at heart? This is the holiday for you
It's an auspicious start. After the customary meet and greet in the bar of our elegant four-star hotel in Istanbul, tour leader Orcun Korkmaz leads us to the rooftop terrace of an upmarket restaurant with one of the best views in the city. I find myself spinning like a whirling dervish, mesmerised by a sweeping vista of the Bosphorus Strait and the floodlit facades of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Dinner is an indulgent spread of traditional Turkish fare – kebabs, mezze and fresh seafood – that's punctuated by the call to prayer, a haunting back and forth between the nearby mosques. It's one of the most atmospheric dinners I've had in years – the kind of experience you'd expect on an exclusive itinerary with a luxury operator. Yet, I'm on a tour with a company that made its name by offering budget trips to cash-strapped backpackers. Started in 1990 by Canadian Bruce Poon Tip, G Adventures is the world's largest small group adventure tour company with trips in more than 100 countries. In 2023, it realised that the travellers who'd booked tours 30 years ago were now looking for an elevated experience. They still craved active trips with like-minded people, but they wanted nicer accommodation, more cultural immersion and less 10-hour bus transfers. Enter Geluxe, a new tour style that purports to tick all these boxes while still giving back to local communities. This two-week itinerary is the concatenation of two shorter Geluxe trips: a seven-day jaunt from Istanbul to Sirince via Cappadocia and Ephesus, then an eight-day journey from Sirince to Gocek via Bodrum and Dalyan. It's an ambitious itinerary that promises big-city buzz, desert escapades, historic ruins and seaside frolics. Having been on several regular G Adventures tours, I'm curious whether the world's best-known budget tour operator can up its game for its increasingly discerning client base. Mosques, mountains and Roman ruins Our one full day in Istanbul is an action-packed romp through the city's old town, a bewildering maze of snaking alleyways choked with people and seemingly suicidal scooters. We tick off many of the city's big-ticket attractions, including the arresting six-minareted Blue Mosque, the subterranean Basilica Cistern (a spectacular Roman reservoir that's now an immersive art installation) and the 4000-plus stores within the cavernous Grand Bazaar. Korkmaz shows us lesser-known gems too, such as the intricate Iznik tiling in the diminutive Rustem Pasha Mosque and a network of elevated 17th-century passages lined with workshops known as a 'han'. Along the way, we sample a variety of authentic street food, including doner kebabs, pistachio-studded Turkish delight and a popular tahini-filled pastry. In an atmospheric shisha cafe, we enjoy Turkish tea with cheese-filled bagels and learn the art of tasseography, where your fortune is told using the coffee grounds left after a syrupy slug of Turkish coffee. From Istanbul, we fly, rather than drive, to Cappadocia and are plunged into its dramatic desert medley of soaring escarpments and basalt hoodoos. Cappadocia is the location of our OMG Stay (an especially memorable hotel) and OMG Day (a choice between two immersive experiences) – two features on every Geluxe tour. Exedra Hotel certainly ticks the OMG box – the palatial property has been carved out of the volcanic terrain, creating an intriguing labyrinth of subterranean rooms linked by terraces and courtyards. The OMG Day options are a guided hike or e-bike tour in the Meskendir Valley, a buckling lunar landscape of striking rock formations called fairy chimneys. Both activities turn out to be more intrepid than most of us are anticipating. Cycling on narrow sandy tracks while dodging horse riders and high-speed ATVs certainly elicits plenty of OMGs, plus several much stronger expletives. Cappadocia's distinctive topography gets all the glory, but the region also has several impressive historic sites. Goreme Open Air Museum is a complex of UNESCO-listed medieval cave churches carved by Byzantine monks. Hidden among a scrum of towering outcrops, many still contain colourful frescoes of prophets and saints. Even more astounding is Kaymakli Underground City, a vast underground network of chambers that once housed 3500 people. First constructed by the Phrygians in the 8th-century BC, it was expanded by Christians seeking shelter during the 400-year-long Arab-Byzantine wars. After descending into the bowels of the eight-level complex via narrow staircases and cramped tunnels, we discover an incredible warren of storerooms, living quarters and churches. Perched on an imposing 60-metre-high rocky outcrop, Uchisar Castle provides a refreshingly lofty contrast. The 200-step climb leaves us gasping but watching the desert landscape burnished in golden hues by the setting sun is a worthy reward. Of course, these are just warm-up acts for the tour's headline performer: Ephesus. Highlights include the Library of Celsus, a soaring marble facade decorated with statues of the four virtues; the Corinthian-style Temple of Hadrian with its impressive self-supporting main arch and the yawning Great Theatre, which could hold 25,000 people. Community interaction is a G Adventures staple, and we enjoy two delightful food-themed encounters – a fun gozleme cooking class with two sisters at a rustic village restaurant and dinner at a family home in the tiny Cappadocian hamlet of Zelve (population 45). After a delicious meal of lentil soup, stuffed eggplants and rice-filled sarma, host Mehmet brings out a five-litre flagon of homemade red wine. The rest is a bit of a blur. Hikes, tombs and the Turquoise Coast Of the 11 guests that started in Istanbul, only six of us are doing the full two-week trip, so we say farewell to the rest on the transition day, which is spent at Nisanyan Hotel, a delightful collection of villas nestled in the forested hills above the village of Sirince near Ephesus. We soon learn that it's practically impossible to go anywhere in Turkey without tripping over a ruin. We literally stumble across one during a coastal hike near the town of Ahmetbeyli, and then there are guided visits to the ancient Greek cities of Priene and Miletus, Bodrum Castle, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. While each site is notable in its own right, it's hard for anything to compete with Ephesus, and after several long, hot days of ruin scrambling, we're all a bit templed out. Fortunately, Dalyan provides the perfect antidote. A lively town strung along the banks of the Dalyan River, it's known for its natural mud baths, Lycian rock tombs and sandy Aegean beach. During a relaxing river cruise, we experience all three, starting by slathering ourselves in mineral-rich mud (as Cleopatra did, allegedly), before soaking in a sulphur-infused thermal pool. After a lunch of grilled trout and a rosé in a riverside restaurant, we glide past dramatic escarpments studded with intricately carved 4th-century-BC Lycian tombs. Last stop is Iztuzu Beach, a popular swimming spot that's also an important nesting site for loggerhead turtles. This trip's OMG Stay is the boutique Hotel Arp Dalyan. Its riverfront restaurant provides a captivating view of the tombs, particularly at night when they're illuminated by floodlights. The following day we hike part of the Lycian Way, a 760-kilometre-long trail that skirts the mountainous coastline between Fethiye and Antalya. There's a pitstop at the ruined ancient Lycian city of Pinara, followed by another home-cooked feast – this time a table-crowding platter of soups, dolma and tender baked chicken at the home of Mr and Mrs Hussain in the village of Minare. This is the inaugural departure of this Geluxe tour, so, inevitably, there are teething problems, specifically a long airport transit, one unremarkable hotel and some minor logistical gremlins. But overall, it's still a significant upgrade from a regular G Adventures departure, with characterful accommodation, more inclusions and a good balance of active and cultural experiences. Loading Like all the best trips, it finishes on a high – a private boat trip along Turkey's Turquoise Coast, a superyacht-dotted succession of tranquil bays lapped by teal water. It's a gruelling day of swims and strolls fuelled by barbecued sea bass, fresh salads and a secret chimichurri sauce made by the captain 'with love'. If this is the Geluxe life, sign me up. The details
Sydney Morning Herald
15-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Getting older, but still a backpacker at heart? This is the holiday for you
It's an auspicious start. After the customary meet and greet in the bar of our elegant four-star hotel in Istanbul, tour leader Orcun Korkmaz leads us to the rooftop terrace of an upmarket restaurant with one of the best views in the city. I find myself spinning like a whirling dervish, mesmerised by a sweeping vista of the Bosphorus Strait and the floodlit facades of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Dinner is an indulgent spread of traditional Turkish fare – kebabs, mezze and fresh seafood – that's punctuated by the call to prayer, a haunting back and forth between the nearby mosques. It's one of the most atmospheric dinners I've had in years – the kind of experience you'd expect on an exclusive itinerary with a luxury operator. Yet, I'm on a tour with a company that made its name by offering budget trips to cash-strapped backpackers. Started in 1990 by Canadian Bruce Poon Tip, G Adventures is the world's largest small group adventure tour company with trips in more than 100 countries. In 2023, it realised that the travellers who'd booked tours 30 years ago were now looking for an elevated experience. They still craved active trips with like-minded people, but they wanted nicer accommodation, more cultural immersion and less 10-hour bus transfers. Enter Geluxe, a new tour style that purports to tick all these boxes while still giving back to local communities. This two-week itinerary is the concatenation of two shorter Geluxe trips: a seven-day jaunt from Istanbul to Sirince via Cappadocia and Ephesus, then an eight-day journey from Sirince to Gocek via Bodrum and Dalyan. It's an ambitious itinerary that promises big-city buzz, desert escapades, historic ruins and seaside frolics. Having been on several regular G Adventures tours, I'm curious whether the world's best-known budget tour operator can up its game for its increasingly discerning client base. Mosques, mountains and Roman ruins Our one full day in Istanbul is an action-packed romp through the city's old town, a bewildering maze of snaking alleyways choked with people and seemingly suicidal scooters. We tick off many of the city's big-ticket attractions, including the arresting six-minareted Blue Mosque, the subterranean Basilica Cistern (a spectacular Roman reservoir that's now an immersive art installation) and the 4000-plus stores within the cavernous Grand Bazaar. Korkmaz shows us lesser-known gems too, such as the intricate Iznik tiling in the diminutive Rustem Pasha Mosque and a network of elevated 17th-century passages lined with workshops known as a 'han'. Along the way, we sample a variety of authentic street food, including doner kebabs, pistachio-studded Turkish delight and a popular tahini-filled pastry. In an atmospheric shisha cafe, we enjoy Turkish tea with cheese-filled bagels and learn the art of tasseography, where your fortune is told using the coffee grounds left after a syrupy slug of Turkish coffee. From Istanbul, we fly, rather than drive, to Cappadocia and are plunged into its dramatic desert medley of soaring escarpments and basalt hoodoos. Cappadocia is the location of our OMG Stay (an especially memorable hotel) and OMG Day (a choice between two immersive experiences) – two features on every Geluxe tour. Exedra Hotel certainly ticks the OMG box – the palatial property has been carved out of the volcanic terrain, creating an intriguing labyrinth of subterranean rooms linked by terraces and courtyards. The OMG Day options are a guided hike or e-bike tour in the Meskendir Valley, a buckling lunar landscape of striking rock formations called fairy chimneys. Both activities turn out to be more intrepid than most of us are anticipating. Cycling on narrow sandy tracks while dodging horse riders and high-speed ATVs certainly elicits plenty of OMGs, plus several much stronger expletives. Cappadocia's distinctive topography gets all the glory, but the region also has several impressive historic sites. Goreme Open Air Museum is a complex of UNESCO-listed medieval cave churches carved by Byzantine monks. Hidden among a scrum of towering outcrops, many still contain colourful frescoes of prophets and saints. Even more astounding is Kaymakli Underground City, a vast underground network of chambers that once housed 3500 people. First constructed by the Phrygians in the 8th-century BC, it was expanded by Christians seeking shelter during the 400-year-long Arab-Byzantine wars. After descending into the bowels of the eight-level complex via narrow staircases and cramped tunnels, we discover an incredible warren of storerooms, living quarters and churches. Perched on an imposing 60-metre-high rocky outcrop, Uchisar Castle provides a refreshingly lofty contrast. The 200-step climb leaves us gasping but watching the desert landscape burnished in golden hues by the setting sun is a worthy reward. Of course, these are just warm-up acts for the tour's headline performer: Ephesus. Highlights include the Library of Celsus, a soaring marble facade decorated with statues of the four virtues; the Corinthian-style Temple of Hadrian with its impressive self-supporting main arch and the yawning Great Theatre, which could hold 25,000 people. Community interaction is a G Adventures staple, and we enjoy two delightful food-themed encounters – a fun gozleme cooking class with two sisters at a rustic village restaurant and dinner at a family home in the tiny Cappadocian hamlet of Zelve (population 45). After a delicious meal of lentil soup, stuffed eggplants and rice-filled sarma, host Mehmet brings out a five-litre flagon of homemade red wine. The rest is a bit of a blur. Hikes, tombs and the Turquoise Coast Of the 11 guests that started in Istanbul, only six of us are doing the full two-week trip, so we say farewell to the rest on the transition day, which is spent at Nisanyan Hotel, a delightful collection of villas nestled in the forested hills above the village of Sirince near Ephesus. We soon learn that it's practically impossible to go anywhere in Turkey without tripping over a ruin. We literally stumble across one during a coastal hike near the town of Ahmetbeyli, and then there are guided visits to the ancient Greek cities of Priene and Miletus, Bodrum Castle, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. While each site is notable in its own right, it's hard for anything to compete with Ephesus, and after several long, hot days of ruin scrambling, we're all a bit templed out. Fortunately, Dalyan provides the perfect antidote. A lively town strung along the banks of the Dalyan River, it's known for its natural mud baths, Lycian rock tombs and sandy Aegean beach. During a relaxing river cruise, we experience all three, starting by slathering ourselves in mineral-rich mud (as Cleopatra did, allegedly), before soaking in a sulphur-infused thermal pool. After a lunch of grilled trout and a rosé in a riverside restaurant, we glide past dramatic escarpments studded with intricately carved 4th-century-BC Lycian tombs. Last stop is Iztuzu Beach, a popular swimming spot that's also an important nesting site for loggerhead turtles. This trip's OMG Stay is the boutique Hotel Arp Dalyan. Its riverfront restaurant provides a captivating view of the tombs, particularly at night when they're illuminated by floodlights. The following day we hike part of the Lycian Way, a 760-kilometre-long trail that skirts the mountainous coastline between Fethiye and Antalya. There's a pitstop at the ruined ancient Lycian city of Pinara, followed by another home-cooked feast – this time a table-crowding platter of soups, dolma and tender baked chicken at the home of Mr and Mrs Hussain in the village of Minare. This is the inaugural departure of this Geluxe tour, so, inevitably, there are teething problems, specifically a long airport transit, one unremarkable hotel and some minor logistical gremlins. But overall, it's still a significant upgrade from a regular G Adventures departure, with characterful accommodation, more inclusions and a good balance of active and cultural experiences. Loading Like all the best trips, it finishes on a high – a private boat trip along Turkey's Turquoise Coast, a superyacht-dotted succession of tranquil bays lapped by teal water. It's a gruelling day of swims and strolls fuelled by barbecued sea bass, fresh salads and a secret chimichurri sauce made by the captain 'with love'. If this is the Geluxe life, sign me up. The details
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Wales Online
Tourists can now fly direct to the most visited city in the world from Bristol Airport
Tourists can now fly direct to the most visited city in the world from Bristol Airport Bristol Airport is now offering three direct flights per week to the city crowned the most visited in the world in 2023 Earlier this year, Bristol Airport announced it would be expanding the number of destinations it offers travellers (Image: John Myers ) Earlier this year, Bristol Airport announced it would be expanding the number of destinations it offers travellers, with one of those destinations being the most visited city in 2023 - Istanbul. Istanbul is a vibrant city that straddles both Europe and Asia, offering a rich blend of history, culture, and architecture. Famous landmarks like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque reflect its deep historical significance, making it a top destination for holidaymakers who can now easily go and see what all the fuss is about thanks to a new direct flight from Bristol Airport. A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: "Holidays in Istanbul promise an unforgettable mix of East and West, with must-see sights including the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the bustling Grand Bazaar. The Dolmabache Palace in Istanbul, Turkey (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images ) "Wander through the vibrant streets of Sultanahmet, cruise the Bosphorus, and savour authentic Turkish cuisine in local eateries. Article continues below "Fly from Bristol into Istanbul Airport (IST), located on the European side and ideal for central access, or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side, which also offers excellent connections and convenient access to different parts of the city." Currently, passengers can fly to Istanbul Airport on Mondays and Fridays with easyJet, but from July you will also be able to fly to Sabiha Gökçen Airport with Pegasus Airlines three times a week. Allowing travellers to access both areas of the city with ease. Istanbul is described by TripAdvisor as: "A city that mixes old and new, and the best way to explore it is through its mahalles (neighbourhoods). Article continues below "Get your history fix in Beyoğlu—it's chock-full of 19th-century European elegance—or head to Sultanahmet and see the holy sites. Then, make your way to Nişantaşı for high-end shopping and trendy restaurants, or pop into a bar or cafe in edgy Kadıköy." Istanbul's tourism website boasts of the cities culture, saying: "One of the most captivating facets of this mesmerizing metropolis is its treasure trove of museums. These institutions provide a fascinating window into the city's diverse past, offering a captivating journey through the ages." According to Skyscanner, flights to Istanbul in June, where the weather reaches an average high of 27C, start around £82 one-way with easyJet. The new Pegasus flights are also going for a similar price around £90 according to Skyscanner.
Belfast Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Earthquake in the Sea of Marmara shakes Istanbul, injuring 150 people
There were no immediate reports of serious damage in the metropolis of 16 million. More than 150 people were admitted to hospital with injuries sustained while attempting to flee buildings, the Istanbul governor's office said. The earthquake had a shallow depth of about six miles, according to the United States Geological Survey. Its epicentre was some 25 miles south-west of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. It was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 5.3. The earthquake was felt in the neighbouring provinces of Tekirdag, Yalova, Bursa and Balikesir and in the city of Izmir, some 550 kilometres south of Istanbul, reports said. The incident, which started at 12.49pm during a public holiday when many children were out of school and celebrating in the streets, caused widespread panic in Istanbul, which is on tenterhooks due to the looming threat of a major earthquake. Panicked residents rushed from their homes and buildings into the streets. The disaster and emergency management agency urged people to stay away from buildings. The Istanbul governor's office said in a statement: 'Due to panic, 151 of our citizens were injured from jumping from heights. Their treatments are ongoing in hospitals, and they are not in a life-threatening condition.' Many residents flocked to parks, school yards and other open areas to avoid being near buildings in case of collapse or subsequent earthquakes. Some people pitched tents in parks. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at an event marking the National Sovereignty and Children's Day holiday, said: 'Thank God, there does not seem to be any problems for now. 'May God protect our country and our people from all kinds of calamities, disasters, accidents and troubles.' Turkey's interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, said the authorities had not received reports of collapsed buildings. He told HaberTurk television that there had been reports of damage to buildings. The NTV broadcaster reported that a derelict and abandoned former residential building in this historic Fatih district, which houses the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, had collapsed. Kemal Cebi, the mayor of the Kucukcekmece district in western Istanbul, told local broadcaster NTV that there were 'no negative developments yet' but he reported that there were traffic jams and that many buildings were already at risk due to the density of the area. In Zeytinburnu district, some people were injured after jumping out of buildings, aayor Omer Arisoy told NTV. Turkey is crossed by two major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6 2023, and a second powerful tremor that came hours later, destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and south-eastern Turkish provinces, leaving more than 53,000 people dead. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighbouring Syria. While Istanbul was not impacted by that earthquake, the devastation heightened fears of a similar quake, with experts citing the city's proximity to fault lines. In a bid to prevent damage from any future quake, both the national government and local administrations started urban reconstruction projects to fortify buildings at risk and started campaigns to demolish buildings at risk of collapse.
San Francisco Chronicle
23-04-2025
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
An earthquake shakes Istanbul, with no immediate reports of serious damage
ISTANBUL (AP) — An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul and other areas on Wednesday, Turkey's disaster and emergency management agency said. There were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries in the metropolis of 16 million. The earthquake had a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (about 6 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey. Its epicenter was about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. The quake was felt in several neighboring provinces and in the city of Izmir, some 550 kilometers (340 miles) south of Istanbul. There were several aftershocks, including one measuring 5.3. Residents rushed out of homes and buildings in panic. The disaster and emergency management agency urged people to stay away from buildings. The quake struck at 12:49 p.m. during a public holiday when many children were out of school and celebrating in the streets. The quake forced authorities in Istanbul to cancel the events. Turkey's interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, said authorities had not received reports of collapsed buildings. He told HaberTurk television, however, there had been reports of damage to buildings. Mayor Mehmet Ergun Turan of the historic Fatih district that houses the famed Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia told local media there was no damage or collapse reported, but one person was injured from jumping from a window in panic. Kemal Cebi, the mayor of Kucukcekmece district in western Istanbul, told local broadcaster NTV there were 'no negative developments yet' but reported traffic jams, and said many buildings were already at risk due to the area's density. Turkey is crossed by two major fault lines, and earthquakes are frequent. A magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Feb. 6, 2023, and a second powerful tremor hours later, destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of buildings in 11 southern and southeastern provinces, leaving more than 53,000 people dead. Another 6,000 people were killed in the northern parts of neighboring Syria. Istanbul was not impacted by that earthquake, but the devastation heightened fears of a similar quake, with experts citing the city's proximity to fault lines. In a bid to prevent damage from any future quake, the national government and local administrations started urban reconstruction projects to fortify buildings at risk and launched campaigns to demolish buildings at risk of collapse.
