Travel

4 Famous Tourist Attractions to Visit in Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand`s largest city and along with that it is also a cultural hub of the North Island which is always enthralling with gamut of interesting activities. Almost a third of New Zealand`s population reside in Auckland. Settled by Maori explorers, Auckland was first discovered by British colonialists in 1840.

After years of urbanization and rapid expansion of the city, Auckland has become a melting pot for contemporary and urban life of New Zealand which is why it is worth to visit the country at least once in a lifetime. The city is easily accessible and you can also book discounted flight tickets if you search well.

Here is a list of beautiful places that makes Auckland a spectacular tourist destination:

1. Waitemata Harbor- Famous for its crystal clear water and shimmering skyline of the city, the Auckland Waitemata Harbour provide the main sea-access to the city. The Waitemata name comes from the Maori language, which means obsidian glass. Due to its sparkling, clear water the city the harbor resembles dark volcanic glass found in the region by early-settlers. The harbor is considered one of the popular tourist attractions as it offers panoramic views.

Things to do: sailing, Boat ride and cruise lunch

2. Rangitoto Island– The Island is one of the most scenic islands in the country which is why it is next to mandatory to add Rangitoto Island in your NZ itinerary. The island is a home to the youngest and largest 48 volcanic-cones in Auckland. The island is also famous for its mystic appearance dating back to 600 years. The legend has it that Rangitoto Island suddenly emerged from the sea. Due to frequent ferries between Auckland and Rangitoto, the island is easily accessible. Book discounted flighttickets to Auckland from flightsnfare.co.uk.

Things to do: night kayak, Guided Sea kayaking trip and 4WD road train guided tour

3. Mount Eden- There are very few things in life that will give you the taste of beautiful nature and Mount Eden is one of those things. Glancing at the shining skyline of one of the most influential cities in the world will make your heart jump in delight. You can enjoy 360 degrees, hypnotic view of the city from Mount Eden. The place has many cafes and restaurants, so feel free to relish on finest delicacies. Also take a tour to heritage spots to learn more about the Maori community.

Things to do: Firth Castle, Mount Eden Prison, Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design

4. Sky Tower– Dominating the Auckland`s skyline is the iconic 328-meters-tall sky tower, standing proudly in the city. The telecommunication and observation tower is also a hub for tourists. It is one of the best tourist spots in Auckland and lures large number of tourists every year.

Things to do: Orbit 360˚, adrenaline adventure such as sky jumping, Dining in the revolving restaurant and sky walking

Auckland should be your next travel destination, as the city offers unmatched experiences. For discounted flight tickets for Auckland, book early. For lowest airfares, visit our website flightsnfare.co.uk.

Travel

6 Places You Definitely See Before You leave Turkey

Turkey is amazing. A lot of travel bloggers and adventure enthusiasts are travelling here to explore this two faced beauty. Saddling the two complete opposite sides of the culture in a perfect communion, this country can make even the person with a rock heart fall in love with its innocence and diverse culture. It`s spell bounding charm will make you book the next London to Turkeyflights to travel here.

From Ephesus to Hagia Sophia and many grand bazaars, you can visit plenty of sights to experience the true vibe of this country. But if you thought that is all the country has to offer to its admirers, think again. The city has plenty of gems that are scattered all over the country in a most benevolent way. From natural wonders to ancient cities, here is a list of places and landmarks that you must visit before leaving Turkey:

1. Aphrodisias- Added recently to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, this small Greek city is still unknown to many people. Aphrodisias is a small ancient Greek city, located near the village of Geyre and which derived its name from Aphrodite who was the goddess of love.

2.

Sirince– An absolutely stunning place, Sirince is a small village which is located about an hour distance from Izmir. The place was initially inhabited by the Greeks therefore you can find alluring cobblestone roads, old houses, decorated wooden doors and nature in abundance.

3. Hasankeyf- The historic town of Hasankeyf which has various stunning ancient caves, historic bridge and immaculately constructed mosques is definitely worth a visit. Especially when it is going to submerge underwater due to an upcoming dam project. It is a completely essential site that must be seen before its disappearance.

4. Lake Egirdir- A destination is although located on the famous 500 km St Paul trake, but Lake Egirdir is still a hidden treasure for many. A perfect summer retreat, visit here if you are looking for nothing but isolation. Here only the mountains, sky and green vegetation will be your companions. Do not forget to check out Greek-Romans ruins of Sagalassos and Antioch while you are in the area.

5. Ani- Once the blooming capital of Bagratid Armenian kingdom, the remains of the ancient city of Ani is a beautiful discovery. The city is completely abandoned in the valley of deep canyons and impending hills. You can find the dilapidated cathedrals, citadels and churches that still look mysteriously charming.

6. Lake Van- A true natural beauty, Lake Van is the largest lake of Turkey. The lake is most famous for Akdamar Island where you can find Holy Cross Cathedral dating back to 10th century still standing overlooking the saline soda lake.

These sites in Turkey are undoubtedly gorgeous. Therefore exploring these places is mandatory for anyone who wants to discover the country in true sense. Thus, book your London to Turkey flights from our website flightsnfare.co.uk with low airfares.

Travel

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!

Travel

6 Tempting Reasons To Visit Tenerife Now!

If you are bored of listening to stories of your friends coming back from international holidays, it`s time you narrate an incredible story of your own. Ditch all the predictable destinations like Amsterdam Singapore and US and book your flightsto Tenerife from London for your vacation.

Tenerife is one of the biggest of Spain`s Canary Islands and also the most famous tourist destination in the world. An exclusive destination for those who are looking for an unforgettable experience, the island offers hikes, gorgeous beaches, vibrant nightlife, marine animals, scuba diving and the most popular potato dishes which is loved by millions of visitors. Although there are many reasons to visit this ultimate destination, we have come up with the most compelling reasons:

1. All Year Round Destination- No matter which month of the year you plan to visit Tenerife, the island will throw pleasantries the moment you land here. You will never see the mercury rising above 28 degrees during summer and temperature falling below 13 degrees in winter.

2. An island with two colored sand- Have you ever seen sand reflecting different colors on the same island? Tenerife might appear small in size, but the island has a vast natural reserve. The island is so diverse that you will be amazed to witness it in person. Admire the golden sand of Costa Adeje beach which was deposited by the wind from Sahara and the black volcanic sand in the northern part of the island.

3. The stargazing- The Island is centrally located on Canary Island and due to its close proximity to equator it is a perfect place to indulge yourself in stargazing. Due to its low light pollution levels, you can spend few nights in looking at dazzling constellations throughout the year. Teide National Park is one of the premier star gazing sites, \ also recognized by Starlight Foundation.

4. Carnival- After Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) which is popularly known for the internationally acclaimed festival, comes the carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife which happens in the month of February every year. The festival attracts millions of people from all over the world. Most of the visitors book their flights to Tenerife from London in advance.

5. Gastronomy- Tenerife is all culture and tradition with a tinge of fun. The island has all the ingredients to make your holidays perfect. From fresh fish soaked in a local wine to a “puchero”, which is prepared with fresh vegetables and ample of cheese will give your taste buds some irresistible temptations.

6. The marine life- With more than 20 species of mammal species swimming off the coast, you can witness bottlenose dolphins to sperm whales to orcas in the ocean.

Why not plan your summer holidays in Tenerife and give your friends some major travelling goals? Share your story with us and let us know how your experience was. To book cheapest flightsto Tenerife from London, you can visit our website flightsnfare.co.uk.

Travel

5 Quintessential Turkish Dishes You Must Try

Turkey rewards everyone who visits the country. Sometimes by exhibiting the iconic landmarks and historical places that are well preserved and sometimes by offering cuisine rewards complemented with time-honed flavors. When you are in Turkey you can have mouthful of some of the most delicious and tastiest street foods in Mediterranean.

So if not the architecture, these unique street cuisines will definitely compel you to book flight tickets to Turkey from London. Here are 10 Turkish dishes that you must try:

Menemen- If you think you have tasted eggs in all its form, well then get ready to be disappointed. Menemen is a special dish of Turkey that lays somewhere between a vegetable stew and scrambled eggs with added tomatoes, peppers and onions that are cooked down to a savory broth. The dish is made then by whisking eggs in and fried with the simmering tomato juice to form the lip-smacking breakfast staple.

Dolma- ‘Dolma’ is an Anatolian cuisine which means “stuffed”, but you will be amazed to find infinite possibilities when it comes to stuffing. Dolma is made by using the rice-based mixture of pine nuts, spices and even small dried fruits to stuff veggies such as flavorful peppers or zucchinis. You can find a variety of Dolma in the downtown Istanbul that features midye dolma or stuffed mussels that are devoured by everyone.

Lentil Soup- Mercimek Corbasi or Lentil Soup is a common staple food in Turkish cuisine. A simple puree of Lentils and spices that is garnished with cilantro is served by squeezing the juice of freshly cut lemon slice. The soup can be garnished by a variety of other variants as well such as Tursu or pickled vegetables. The soup is generally served with pita bread and is considered the most inexpensive and heart filling dish you will ever find in any part of the world. So visit the country by booking your flight tickets to Turkey from London on time.

Lahmacun- Often mistaken and mentioned on the menu as Turkish Pizza, Lahmacun is a savory pie rolled out flat, topped with any variety of minced meat and added seasoning. The best thing about it is that Lahmacun is always freshly baked and often consumed in twos or threes as a meal on its own. To give authentic flavors onions and cilantro is added. More creative varieties are spiced with the addition of ground nuts or sour pomegranate syrup.

Borek- Borek is a pastry which is both sweet and savory. Borek is found in different shapes and sizes courtesy to diverse geographical distribution which is propagated by the Ottoman Empire. Some are named after cigars while the other bears the namesake of roses and arms, determining its shape and its folded patterns.

We are sure that our list must have tickled your taste buds with mouth-watering dishes of Turkey. But that is not all! Visit the country to relish on its diverse food culture and traditional dishes. To book cheap flight tickets to Turkey fromLondon you can visit our website flightsnfare.co.uk.