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Keep a sharp eye out for the Virgin and Child masterpiece placed over the entrance via the Vestibule of Warriors, while those of a deeper faith should visit the Wishing Column, a bronze pillar with a hole in the centre. With its breathtaking domes (the highest reaching 55 metres), monolithic marble columns and spectacular mosaics, it’s a true wonder of world architecture. The original church was built by Emperor Justinian I in AD 537 on the foundations of a pagan temple. Towering above the skyline is the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a 6th century Byzantine church which 900 years later was turned into a mosque, then a museum, and is now a mosque once again. There is plenty for visitors to enjoy here. Home to 15 million citizens, the atmosphere on the bustling streets of Istanbul is electric, as the traffic jockeys for space with pedestrians and jam-packed trams. Like New York, London or Paris, Istanbul is one of the world’s greatest cities and the only one that straddles the two continents of Europe and Asia. Three hours and 55 minutes of supreme pampering and we touch down at the newest and largest airport/international hub in the world – boasting three terminals and no fewer than six runways.
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Thankfully, the unpleasantness of being swabbed followed by endless form filling is avoided, as Turkey is on the safe country list. Almost 18 months to the day the pandemic hit, this anxious traveller was ready to escape the last days of lockdown – returning to “normality” and very much looking forward to it.Īfter all, the lure of immersing myself in the rich tapestry of Istanbul followed by a couple of days of sheer luxury in Antalya was simply too much to resist.Ĭheck-in at Turkish Airlines was flawless, and after scanning our Covid certs and government health declaration, we were ushered straight through to business class. Nervous as a kitten, I arrived into Dublin Airport unsure of what to expect.