A TURKISH HOLIDAY FIT FOR A SUPA MEGA

Last week in LA, this week in Turkey. AKA and DJ Zinhle were spotted (again!) vacationing in Istanbul – the only city in the world that lies in both Europe and Asia.

The rapper was in Istanbul only last March and clearly loved it so much he came back for more.

Turkey ranks among the top travel destinations in the world with its unique blend of middle-eastern and European heritage in an exceptionally beautiful setting plus architectural wonders, fabulous food and famous shopping. And for South Africans it offers great value for the rand (and a free visa!).

If you’d like to plan a trip to Istanbul, here’s what you need to know to ensure smooth travels:

Turkish Airlines has daily return flights to Istanbul from Johannesburg, five flights a week from Cape Town and three a week from Durban. Flying to more destinations than any other airline, Turkish Airlines offers connections to 311 global destinations.
Visas are free for South Africans and simply need an online application in advance – https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/
Time Zone. 1-hour ahead of South Africa (GMT +3).
Public Transport. Istanbul has a superb public transport system with trams and the metro (which you can catch from the airport) being heavily used by tourists. Uber is also available in the city.

Climate. The best times to visit Istanbul and the inland regions are April to June (spring) and from September to November (autumn) when the climate is mild. The southern coastal areas are warmer all year round.
Stopping over for free. Turkish Airlines passengers connecting in Istanbul with a layover of between 6 and 24 hours can get a complimentary tour of the spectacular city during that period.

South Africans with more 20 hours of connection time in Istanbul can receive complimentary accommodation from Turkish Airlines. Economy class passengers qualify for a one-night stay at a 4-star hotel; and business class passengers a two-night stay at a 5-star hotel in central Sultanahmet and Taksim.

Top attractions in Istanbul. Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Basilica Cisterns, Galata Tower, Bosphorus cruise.