Blue Tuesday: The Blue Mosque, Istanbul
August 31, 2010 The Monday Blues
We usually give you an inspirational travel idea to brighten up your dull, depressing Monday afternoon. Given the fact yesterday was a Bank Holiday Monday, we realise Tuesday’s pretty miserable for you this week, so here’s our Blue Tuesday suggestion: an affordable city break to Istanbul. We’ve got a great reader holidays deal from £165 per person.
The Blue Mosque is one of the world’s most beautiful mosques. It was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet when he was just 19 years old. Designed by Mehmet Aga, construction began in 1609 and took seven years to complete. The Sultan was so keen to see the mosque completed, that he often helped out with the building work. Tragically, he died just a year after it was completed and he is buried outside the mosque with his wife and three sons. It’s a magnificent building and dominates the beautiful skyline of Istanbul, with its six minarets and cascading domes. Even if you’re not enthusiastic about architecture, you’ll probably be impressed by the Blue Mosque.
Of course, there’s more to a break in Istanbul than The Blue Mosque. Here’s an exotic city where east meets west – and it takes less than four hours to fly there from London. Low cost flights make it an affordable destination too – a four night bed and breakfast break departing Gatwick on 10th December at the Erboy Hotel through our sponsors Hays Travel is currently £165 each, based on two sharing*. The Erboy is a three star hotel and certainly isn’t the most beauiful building on the block, but it ‘s got an excellent reputation and the views of the Blue Mosque from the restaurant terrace are sublime.
As well as excellent culture, sights, food and galleries, Istanbul offers brilliant shopping, especially in the covered Grand Bazaar. We think it’s a great place to go for a Christmas shopping break – forget the snowy Euopean markets and head somewhere different. And of course, because the currency is the Turkish Lira, your pound will go a lot further. Brighten up your Blue Tuesday and give yourself something to look forward to when the dark nights draw in: a wonderful weekend jaunt to Istanbul.
The beautiful Blue Mosque, Istanbul
*Price is correct at the time of blogging but subject to availability and change. Visit the Hays Travel website or call 0800 408 4131 for a quote.