https://visit.istanbul/ Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Asia, Countries, Deals, Europe, Flying

A flying horse the answer to your airport stress

30th December 202530th December 2025 funtime65

A flying horse the answer to your airport stress… and very little drachma.

And see what we’ve done there.

Because our old friends at Pegasus Airlines have put on some epic deals for 2026.

And flagged up Istanbul for special treatment.

We have take-off: The original Pegasus/Tulpar

Although we’re almost surprised they haven’t stuck with Constantinople, the Greek name for the Grand Old City.

Which our Athenian guides cling doggedly to when casting an eye east.

Now Pegasus is the half-man/half-equine begotten by Poseidon and Medusa.

When the Gorgon let her snake hair down.

On a wing and a prayer

Now we’re not sure what a sample £117.49 return is in old Socratearian coinage.

But in today’s money it’s classic.

And as far as what we call things around here well, potato, po-ta-to.

The Greeks and the Turks are cut from more similar cloth than they sometimes care to admit.

And where Pegasus gives the Greeks wings the Turks turn to Tulpar.

Faster and truer

Now we’re reliably informed that Tulpar flies between three ancient worlds, the upper, middle and lower.

Runs faster than the world and is the horse of batirs, or heroes.

Now as two things can be the same at the same time then Pegasus and Tulpar will fly you faster and truer.

Which is music to the ears for when you get to Istanbul/Constantinople and explore the city of two cultures, civilisations and continents.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Going on an adventure with MSC on our minds

28th December 202528th December 2025 funtime65

And we’re back, Jack, Kate and the Good Ship Murder gang going on an adventure with MSC on our minds.

The British Channel 5 cruisedunnit is the perfect vehicle to promote our ship pals’ destination.

With the Christmas special dropping in on Alicante and behind the cloisters of St Ignatius Chapel.

Where Sister Tomasina has had an ‘apparition’ which has turned the Spanish town into a pilgrimage.

All of which asks for us to suspend our beliefs.

Mind you, in superstitious, religious Spain fact and fiction can meld and Alicante does have its own myth.

La Peregrina, or Pilgrimage of Santa Faz, which attracts thousands every year, on the second Thursday after Maundy Thursday.

Oui, we Cannes

Peregrinos walk eight kilometres from from the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolas in the historic cente to the Monastery of Santa Faz.

Where the cloth bearing the image of Christ’s face is preserved.

And that’s a mystery that retired tec/cruise crooner Jack and his wingwoman Kate the captain-in-waiting could surely solve.

Of course their Alicante adventure is a window for us to check out MSC’s packages.

The Good Ship wends its way to the French Riviera and glitzy Cannes where inevitably the credits roll on a film star.

Hamam’s the word

And then up the Bosphorus into Istanbul where a wellness guru gets it and the finger of suspicion points to a disgruntled patient.

Now if only they had just gone onshore to the Cagaloglu Hamam.

Where everyone from Florence Nightingale to John Travolta have soothed their weary bones and souls.

Jack of all trades: The Good Ship Murder

We’re promised Crete, Cape Verde, Valletta, Ibiza, and Ancona in the coming weeks,

Giving us all a virtual top up on our tans from the comfort of our own homes.

And prompting us to dip our foot in the sea, although, of course, we already have and can recommend the fjords with MSC.

Med up our minds

Answer to our prayers: La Sagrada Familia

We know you better though and that you need your sunny cruise, so we’re passing on to you

Guests travelling from Dublin can fly to Barcelona and enjoy a seven-night cruise on board MSC Grandiosa from €1,199 on October 29.

With ports of call including Cannes, Genoa, La Spezia, Civitavecchia and Palma De Mallorca.

With the offer valid on new bookings made up to April 7.

America, Asia, Countries, Flying

Avoid air tax hikes and fly through Dublin

29th November 202529th November 2025 funtime65

It’s music to the ears. Avoid air tax hikes and fly through Dublin.

With British travellers feeling the pinch of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ money grab for their air pounds many are looking to their neighbours.

Just like they did when there was a rush on Irish passports after Brexit, Britons are looking to cash in on Ireland’s easier relationship with the world.

Particularly when they are flying transatlantic.

Which we’ve been advising here for all Bandanini and Bandanistas to do since we moved back from Ireland.

Because, of course, as well as being exempt from the tax, unique to the UK, Ireland boasts pre-clearance for visitors going to North America.

Dublin for the night

Catching up with friends: With Teresa, Eoghan Corry and Sharon Jordan in Dublin

It’s a route I know well and confession time here there is a right way and a stressful way of doing things here.

And you won’t be surprised to hear that your Accidental Tourist has more often than not chosen the stressful option.

Through on the day connections from Edinburgh to Dublin and then the States.

Only however many hours you think you have on your side ‘domestic’ flights will usually let you down.

And you may well find yourself rushing through customs and finding yourself still catching your breath on board for your connecting flight to Chicago.

Even if your lemon suitcase takes another four days to join you.

So you might consider a stop-off in the Irish capital the night before and what’s not to like about that option.

Particularly as you’ll still be in pocket through the money you would have spent on those extra Rachel Reeves surcharges.

Turk an overnighter in Istanbul

So you’re going long-haul the other way to Asia or Australia and New Zealand.

Travel expert Simon Calder of the Independent, advises, as we do, Istanbul as your stop-off point.

Where again you can take advantage of the rules by taking a 24-hour plus break in your journey to avoid those extra costs.

Which you won’t regret as you cross continents on a boat trip on the Bosphorus, count your blessings in the Blue Mosque.

And detox from your kofti and Antalya wine in the Cagaloglu Hamam, just like Florence Nightingale, John Travolta, Oprah Winfrey et al have done.

So while all these Rachel Rates have been taxing Britons this week and for years to come, stick with us.

To avoid air tax hikes and fly through Dublin and the jewel of Turkey.

And we’ll keep you straight and with more cash in your pocket through our Holidos and Holidon’ts tips.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe, Ships

You too can be an Olympian Celebrity

9th August 20249th August 2024 funtime65

And as the newly-garlanded victors begin to cash in on their triumphs here’s how you too can be an Olympian Celebrity.

And at the heart of the Olympic story too in Olympia, the site of the first Games in 776BC.

The elite cruise providers are offering a timely As Good As Gold Olympia, Greece package which will make you feel a winner.

All part of your 10-night Greek Isles & Turkey.

Spoiled and ruined: At the Acropolis in Athens

Join your bus from your ship from the island of Kerakolon for Ancient Olympia.

Now, of course, any day excursion will never be long enough to channel your inner Olympian hero.

And I can vouch. from a rushed run around the Parthenon, that any time soaking up Hellenic Classical culture is worth it.

Olympic glory

During your visit you will spend an hour and a half.

A little less than the best Marathon runners will take.

You will explore the Temple of Zeus, the temple of Hera, the shrine of Pelops, the treasury, the Palaestra and Gymnasium.

After the guided visit you will have half an hour free time.

Before you will rejoin the bus for a five-minute drive to Touris Club.

By the beard of Zeus: The Temple of Zeus

Where you will taste snacks and enjoy traditional Greek folk dances.

With your booking you can get at least 30 per cent off guests 1 and 2, and up to $200 per room to spend onboard.

Also, you can include drinks & Wi-Fi for only £59pp per day.

All roads lead from Rome

Celebrity Equinox will sail you away from Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia).

And on to Mykonos, Greece, Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey, the jewel of the Bosphorus that is Istanbul.

Santorini back in Greece, Olympia (Katakolon) and Rome (Civitavecchia).

If you can’t wait and you’ve a spare €1,448pp down the back of the sofa.

For an Ocean View you can get away from August 23-September 2.

Or there are another six alternative dates from next May to September.

So there you have it, the quest does pay off when you too can be an Olympian Celebrity.