If you have then you can’t help but notice that Istanbul is turning up as a movie backdrop everywhere you look. Just last week, I went to see Taken 2 which unfortunately wasn’t a patch on it’s predecessor — Taken, starring Liam Neeson. The real star of the show though was Istanbul which looked magnificent. It also plays a major role in the latest release in the Bond franchise called Skyfall and by all accounts, it’s one of the best yet.
Why am I telling you all this? Well, believe it or not, up to March of this year, I had never been to Istanbul in my life and now I find myself heading back there in less than two weeks time to attend a conference there. I was blown away by Istanbul. It is an amazing city with amazing delights, sights and antiquities to whet even the most jaded palate. Turkish Airlines are currently offering round-trip fares to the city for just €179. That is unbelievable value for money. My advice is wait until the weather improves around next march or April and book yourself and your significant other for a stay of three or four nights, staying right in the old historic centre of this huge world capital who population is almost three times the size of the entire population of the island of Ireland, north and south.
I will report back on my visit in a few weeks time. Next week, I’m off to London to visit World Travel Mart or WTM as we all refer to it in the trade — the largest travel exhibition in the world. I’ll be reporting on what’s hot and what’s not sop watch this space.
