Soak up the Souks in Istanbul with Jet2holidays

06th October 2011

• New city breaks from Manchester from just £369 launched for 2012
•  £100 off holidays booked by 31^st October 2012, just £60 deposit per person

Leading package holiday specialist, Jet2holidays has today announced the addition of the exciting and stunning city of Istanbul to its growing range of direct destinations from Manchester Airport.

On sale from today, breaks to this cosmopolitan city – voted one of the top 10 city break destinations in the 2011 Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards – will start operating on 16 March 2012 and continue until 6^th November 2012. Package prices start from £369 for return flights and four nights in a three star hotel on a bed and breakfast basis.  Jet2holidays include Jet2.com flights to Ataturk Airport – the city’s premier and most conveniently located airport, giving holidaymakers the chance to explore Istanbul almost as soon as they arrive. Jet2holidays offers are a fabulous range of 3 to 5 star hotels to suit every style and budget.  

The Jet2.com flights will operate to Istanbul on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, perfectly timed for a weekend or mid-week city break. Savvy North West holidaymakers can secure their ATOL protected trip with a wallet-friendly £60 deposit per person, and can save even more by taking advantage of Jet2holiday’s £100 off offer – simply by booking before 31^st October and inserting 100SAVE.

Steve Heapy, Managing Director of Jet2holidays, commented: “Istanbul is the latest addition to the fantastic city and sun holiday destinations we offer direct from Manchester Airport. It is becoming an increasingly popular destination for a city break, so we’re really excited to be able to give travellers in the North West the chance to soak up the many delights on offer.

“The launch of Istanbul just a month after launching Jet2holidays to Pula in Croatia, shows how committed we are to offering our loyal customers even more exciting destinations direct from Manchester Airport. Istanbul is our third Turkish destination from Manchester – Dalaman and Bodrum have both been very popular with our holidaymakers this summer. We now offer 34 destinations from Manchester Airport, a vast choice of city, sun and ski flights for the people of the region.”

All Jet2holidays customers enjoy Jet2.com’s friendly flight times, allocated seating and a generous 22kg baggage allowance. Passengers can also enjoy optional extras including on demand in flight entertainment and delicious three course meals, to help make the journey fly by. Flights to Istanbul start from £71.99 one way including taxes. 

Steeped in history, and one of the largest cities in the world, Istanbul was European capital of culture in 2010. Quintessentially Eastern, with its glittering mosques, cool night-spots, smart hotels and beautiful vistas, it is ideal for a romantic city break. A highlight for any visitors to the city is the Grand Bazaar, a series of covered streets where you can practice your bartering with over 4000 merchants. Other must see sights include the Topkapi Palace, the sultan’s imperial residence, Aghia Sophia, the city’s stunning Byzantine cathedral and the Archaeology Museum.

The city also has a thriving modern side with an array of glamorous bars, restaurants and museums, including the Istanbul Modern – a privately funded modern art gallery and the city’s latest architectural icon.  To relax enjoy the beauty of Istanbul from the river take a cruise the Bosphorus, where Europe meets Asia, or visit the Turkish baths for a soak, steam or massage.

Andrew Harrison, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: “The connection to Istanbul will provide yet another leisure option for Jet2holidays customers from Manchester and again demonstrates their strong growth from our airport. Istanbul is a key destination and will provide those looking to visit with access to the only metropolis in the world that straddles two continents.”

Tolga Tuyluoglu, UK Director – Turkish Culture and Tourism Office, said, “I am very excited that Jet2holidays has expanded its operation to Turkey and is fast growing within the market. Manchester is one of the main departure points for Turkey and with this new route, Turkey and Istanbul in particular will have a stronger position in the British market thanks to Jet2holidays.”

Some key events in Istanbul’s calendar are:

• International Shopping Festival, March- April – A 40-day extravaganza of fashion shows, shopping events, concerts, games, parties, street festivals and discounts and tax-free deals for overseas visitors.
• International Film Festival, April - This annual event screens brand-new productions, classics and an elite selection of masterpieces by world-famous directors.

Istanbul holiday example:  A four night stay at the ideally located 3 star Hotel Grand Tahir costs from £369 per person on bed and breakfast basis, including return flights with Jet2.com from Manchester – based on two people sharing.