Istanbul, Turkey — For months I had been pining for a trip to Europe, willing to go anywhere a cheap flight would take me. But the elusive bargain I sought didn’t materialize until February, and it wasn’t completely Europe.
Boats pass beneath Istanbul’s Galata Bridge, which crosses the Golden Horn to connect the city’s older and newer sections. (Mary Forgione / For The Times / February 21, 2012)
The airfare of my dreams was a Valentine’s Day special open to anyone: $599 round-trip from L.A. to continent-straddling Istanbul, including tax and fees. It required a companion fare (which meant I had to find someone to go with) and traveling in February. (This was Turkish airlines, and although this fare is not available now—some fares this month are as low as $758 on American, so keep an eye out for specials.)
With little time to plan, I found a willing accomplice (my friend Sonia), and packed a carry-on bag for the week. I scanned a few guidebooks during the 13-hour flight that said Istanbul wasn’t the super bargain it once was. But traveling off-season in a country outside the euro zone worked in my favor. After just one day, I found the Turkish city easy to get to know — and easy to explore without spending a fortune.
During the impromptu trip, Sonia and I found good budget hotels in the hip Beyoglu and the old city for less than $100 a night. No mini-bars or microwaves, just neat single rooms (we didn’t have to double up to save money) that included good breakfast buffets…
via Finding a bargain in Istanbul, Turkey – latimes.com.
https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-turkey-20120408-story.html