Essentials

GETTING THERE

Turkish Airlines flies daily between Joburg and Istanbul and four times weekly direct from Cape Town. Return fares start around R7 400 for November travel. DAYTRIPPING

Turkish Airlines offers a free day tour of Istanbul — or a free night’s stay in a good hotel — if your layover is longer than six hours. The tour includes a cruise on the Bosphorus, visits to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Hippodrome, followed by lunch or dinner. Itineraries vary according to the length of the stopover.

To book, stop at the Touristanbul counter at the airport when you arrive or email touristanbul@thy.com. STAYING OVER

Head to the wonderful Clarion Golden Horn Hotel (clariongoldenhorn.com) in the Beyoglu district on the banks of the Golden Horn, a bay of the Bosphorus. Along with great food, four-star comfort and good links to the city, the views across the Golden Horn Strait give a superb sense of place. Rates from around R1 500 per person per night.