4 Hidden Churches Of Istanbul That You Must Visit

Turkey`s historic, cultural and economic capital is also the most populous city of the country which also has a vibrant multi-cultural past. There is plethora of architectural reminiscent standing proudly that belong to Istanbul`s religious and ethnic minorities, which date back to the Ottoman Empire.

Despite the city being more tolerant towards other religions and homogenized, the Jewish, Greek Orthodox and Armenian religious edifices stand as a gentle reminder of a more multicultural past. These structures are definitely worth a visit and if you have booked flights to Istanbul fromHeathrow, take a look at some of the most magnificent churches:

Crimean Memorial Church

Hidden behind the lush green trees standing in front, the Crimean Memorial Church is located at the end of Serdar-I Ekrem Street in Galata. Popularly known as the Christ Church it was constructed in between 1858 to 1868 in the memory of British soldiers who participated in the Crimean War. Belonging to the Church of England, it was closed in 1978 due to lack of congregation but only to reopen in1991.When here do not forget to take a stroll across the beautiful garden for a peaceful time.

Surp Krikor Lusavorich Church

Built in 1360, the Surp Krikor Lusavorich Church is the most significant and oldest site which is associated with the Armenian community. The Church having been subject to two fires was renovated and reopened twice in 1733 and 1799. Adjacent to church is located Getronagan which is an Armenian minority high school. Opened in 1886, the school has been operating till date, teaching mostly in Turkish but with literature courses in Armenian available.

Church of St. Mary of the Mongols

Famed for its rose-colored exterior, the Church of St. Mary was constructed in 1282, commissioned by the Princess Maria Palaiologina who was the illegitimate daughter of Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos. After having lost her husband, the Princess returned to Constantinople and became a nun in here namesake church. The church is one of the only Byzantine churches that was not converted into a mosque.

Aya Yorgi Monastry

Built around 1751, Aya Yorgi Monastry is located at the top most point of Buyukada. Overlooking the stunning views, the church is one of the most visited sights on the island. Thousands of pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Turkey and the Balkans assemble on April 23rd, every year from all faiths to celebrate the age-old fertility ritual. Book your flights to Istanbul from Heathrow to visit this superlative piece of architecture.

Not only street markets and mosques, but Istanbul also has Churches with their beauty intact. Get lost in the colonial history of the city and visit Turkey. Don`t look anywhere else to book cheap flights to Istanbul fromHeathrow, visit our website flightsnfare.co.uk and get lowest airfare.

10 Amazing Facts About Hagia Sophia, Istanbul That You Didn`t Know

Hagia Sophia in Turkey is an important monument for both Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. A great architectural beauty was once a church and later converted into a mosque and now a museum at the Turkish Republic. Today the city showcases that perfect synthesis of two ancient civilizations in one iconic structure which has been standing since 1,480 years–Hagia Sophia. If you want to visit this magnificent structure, you can book direct flightsfrom Istanbul to Manchester.

Attracting thousands of tourists every year, the museum is a perfect place to travel back in time. Once the largest cathedral in the world; this iconic structure has housed three religious groups and various interesting facts. Check out some amazing facts that will make your visit to this stunning museum even more exciting:

1. Standing for more than 1500 years, Hagia Sophia was constructed in 537 BC as a Greek Orthodox Church by Emperor Justinian I in the place of the church with the same name that was destroyed.

2. The first wood-constructed Hagia Sophia was built by the Roman Emperor Constantius II in 360 CE in Constantinople, which was later burned down during series of riots that took place in 404 CE.

3. In 415 CE, the Emperor Theodosius II commissioned to rebuild the church, but during the Nika Revolt in 532 CE, the city was completely destroyed and the church was wiped out one more time.

4. ‘Sophia’ is a Greek word for wisdom. The full name of Hagia Sophia in Greek is ‘Shrine of the Holy Wisdom’.

5. The dome of Hagia Sophia is 31 meters in diameter and is only slightly smaller than the one of the Pantheon in Rome.

6. It was the first Turkish President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk who commissioned to turn the mosque into a museum in 1935.

7. The highlight of the mosque is its central dome which is grand and 131 feet in diameters and 160 feet high. Designed by the architects Anthemios of Tralles and Isidoros of Miletos, the dome was collapsed due to an earthquake in 558 CE.

8. After earthquake, the dome was rebuilt at the height of 182 feet and the walls were reinforced in 562 CE.

9. During the period of iconoclasm, the images, mosaics and paintings from the Hagia Sophia were removed, plastered over and were taken away.

10. The centuries of conquests, sackings, raids, sieges, and crusades came to an end in 1453 CE with the fall of Constantinople at the hands of Mehmed II. The city was renamed to Istanbul and Mehmed called for the restoration of church and its conversion into a mosque.

So what are you waiting for? Book flights from Istanbul toManchester to witness the grandeur in person. You can book cheapest flights from our website flightsnfare.co.uk, which offers lowest airfare, guaranteed!

Visit These 5 Luxury Restaurants By The Beach In Bodrum, Turkey

Turkey is an amazing country which is popular for its perfect amalgamation of European as well as Asian sides. A perfect destination to visit round the year, the country tops the list of many visitors as it offers many spectacular views, pristine beaches, luxury hotels and top-notch restaurants as well as number of places where you can spend a day in leisure.

More often than not, people book their London to Turkey flights just to take a break and chill with their loved ones. But when you are in Bodrum which is Turkey`s hottest summer destination, eating fresh food by the seaside is a pretty essential experience which you must get. So if you are going to visit Bodrum for the first time, we have rounded up the best places where you can go for fine-dining, enjoy the great food and watch the sun going down over the Mediterranean.

1. Memedof- One of the most popular seafood restaurants of Bodrum, Memedof sees a lot of crowd waiting outside to get inside. It is better to make reservation in advance to get a table so that you can experience the myriad of meze varieties as well as the day`s freshest catches. Enjoy the surreal ambience and lip smacking food while watching waves crashing gently on the shore.

2. Miam- Situated in the upscale bay of Turkbuku, Miam is for those who enjoy elegant surroundings and sophisticated dining. This classy restaurant is located right on the water with tables set up on a wooden dock. Pick the fish and fresh meze from the display by the kitchen and admire the moonlight scattered over the surface of water.

3. Macakizi- Make reservations in advance to dine at the most luxurious and upscale restaurant located inside the opulent boutique hotel in Bodrum. The restaurant is located by the water where modern amenities meet the finest designs along with natural Aegean landscape. Spend a day in leisure at Macakizi`s private beach where you can also relish their excellent lunch buffet with refreshing drinks.

4. Sogan Sarmisak- One of the most laid-back eateries, Sogan Sarmisak is located right on the beach. This eatery serves lunch as well as dinner with excellent Turkish dishes prepared in a manner the food is cooked in homes. The menu is expanded and gives you a wide range of choices to choose from. So stick in your feet and gorge on some delicious food made with pure love.

5. Mimoza- Mimoza is a vibrant place to go for dinner as the place is ornamented with colorful dried gourd lanterns and flowers. Located in the Gumusluk neighborhood, visit this restaurant if you want to enjoy your meal sitting right by the water. The restaurant is famous for its excellent meze and fresh fish.

When you are in Turkey, do not forget to visit the above mentioned restaurants in Bodrum for luxury dining. So book your flights from London to Turkeyflights to discover the distinct food culture of the country. Visit our website flightsnfare.co.uk to grab amazing deals and surprisingly low airfares.

These 5 Street Markets In Antalya Are Heaven For Shopaholics

Unanimously admired for its historical sights and stunning beaches, Antalya is much more than a summer resort town. The city is vast and has vibrant street markets and bazaars that offer an interesting way to not only mingle with locals but also to shop like them. Also with leading airlines offering directflights to Antalya from UK, the city has become a heartthrob of every traveler visiting Turkey.

The market is a treat for those who love to shop. So if you want to buy some souvenirs for your friends and loved ones back home, here is a list of top markets, where you can find some amazing things:

KALEICI

When you feel like treating yourself with some retail therapy in Antalya, Kaleici is the go-to place. Located in old district of Antalya, you will have to walk the cobblestone streets to move past the many beautiful Ottoman style timber houses to reach the market. The market has hundreds of shops in which you may find some of the best wares that the city has to offer. You may also find clothing, jewelry, antiques, local souvenirs and carpets that are available around the main shopping streets of Ataturk, Gulluk and Cumhuriyet.

CAGLAYAN BAZAAR

Although Antalya has various traditional outdoor markets in its neighborhood but Caglayan is one of the biggest indoor markets in the neighborhood. Here you can find fresh local produce and amazing selection of vegetables and fruits, spices, nuts, fish and olive varieties that have been brought in from the nearby villages. The bazaar is also an ideal place to observe the mundane life of locals.

ANTALYA KALEIÇI MARINA

If you are looking to check out some local and international brands in Antalya then go to Kaleici Marina. Overlooking the sea, the market offers spectacular views of the sea as well as equipment of diving or water sports. When you get tired of walking, pull a chair and sit back to relax and enjoy a delicious meal in one of the many cafes and restaurants that are lining the shoreline.

IkI KAPILI HAN

Head over to this ancient, beautiful and covered bazaar that belongs to 15th century for a more historic experience. Located in the north of Antalya`s town, Kaleici, you can find striking handmade souvenirs, copper workshops, jewelers and metalwork craftsmen as well as the merchant selling luscious textiles, spices and Iznik style tiles.

Lara Street Market

If you have got skills of bargaining, then welcome to Antalya`s biggest street bazaar Lara Street Market. The market is open on every Saturday and the locals gather here under the sun to do their bulk buying, You can some of the most astounding jewelry pieces, bags, accessories, clothing and souvenirs along with local produce, ready-made foods and herbs. Visit this market even if you do not want to buy anything. You can interact with the locals to get a better understanding of Turkish culture.

So save some extra money, as these markets will offer you irresistible deals and products that wouldn`t be able to refuse. To get direct flights toAntalya from UK you can get amazing deals only at flightsnfare.co.uk. Book your tickets now!

Visit these 3 Cozy Cafes In Istanbul To Stay Warm In Winters

Are you planning to visit Istanbul during winters? If yes, then let us enlighten you with the fact that winter in Istanbul brings freezing temperatures, sporadic snowfall, grey skies and a lot more shivering. Therefore a cozy café with welcoming appeal is an ideal place to hunker down and keep you warm.

Thus, if your flights from Istanbul to Manchester are booked and confirmed then worry not! We have rounded some of the coziest cafes of the beautiful city where you cannot save yourself from freezing outside but can also relish on Turkish delights, hot food and freshly brewed coffee. Also if you are a digital nomad, you may find some internet connection for your laptop as well while it snows outside.

Café Cuma

An ultimate reflection of its neighborhood Cukurcuma, Café Cuma is an absolute refuge from the cold weather. The café is located where the city`s best vintage and antique dealers are situated. The interiors are done with a vintage touch that will remind you of the Victorian era. The warm set-up will make you feel like home rather than a café. To update their customers with fresh assortment of desserts, there is a table placed by the kitchen adorned with day`s freshly baked pastries. From yummy moist chocolate cake to sweet blueberry muffins, you will find everything here to keep you in a good mood.

Where– 53/A Çukurcuma Caddesi, Çukurcuma, Istanbul, Turkey

Magritte

There is a very French vibe about cafe Magritte. Influenced by its namesake artist ’Rene Magritte’, the café is ornamented with decorative objects that exquisite as the floral ceramics that are placed on the shelf. The entire arrangement makes the whole place really cozy to take in shelter from the cold. The café offers an extended menu where you can order from savory omelets to tarts and sweet cakes along with freshly made pastries. If not for the amazing culture, book flights from Istanbul to Manchester for their delicious desserts that will make you drool.

Where- 16A Hayriye Caddesi, Çukurcuma, Istanbul, Turkey

Cooklife Balat

Fener-Balat one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Istanbul used to be a home to the city`s opulent Greek orthodox families and their stunning houses used to attract visitors. The Café Cooklife Balat is inspird by the Cooklife Magazine and belongs to Kinfolk. Inside you will find stunning Scandinavian details that make it different and stand out of the league. Make sure to feed yourself with their amazing freshly baked cakes such as apply pie and orange tart.

Where- 2 Akçin Sokak, Balat, Istanbul, Turkey

Pack your woolens and be ready to see stunning views of Turkey during winter because there are plenty of cafes that will keep you safe and warm inside their cozy ambience. To book cheapest flights from Istanbul to Manchester visit our website flightsnfare.co.uk. You can also book holiday packages for Turkey from our website.