Talking Turkiye - choosing a quality hotel in Istanbul: go modest and save

Visiting any of the world’s major cities can be quite a task, especially when making your own bookings and arrangements, roving correspondent Roderick Eime reports.

So, when travelling pal Bill and I planned a few days sightseeing in Istanbul, we wanted to cover as much territory as possible while still being frugal, as we still had a couple of cities to go on our little European odyssey.

Ortaköy Mosque and 15 July Martyrs Bridge seen from Üsküdar (RE)

Our first mistake: three days is too short a time for a city as vast and culturally rich as Istanbul.

Our best choice - and I’m happy to take credit for this - was staying at the Akgün Istanbul Hotel at Topkapi, although in honesty, it was a recommendation from an industry colleague with considerably more hotel experience than I have in this region.

From our base, just a couple of metro stops from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town with all its well-known sites, we were able to complete a satisfying coverage of the city using the comprehensive public transport system, supplemented by the occasional Uber/taxi.

Istiklal Caddesi - Independence Avenue (RE)

Our tick list of sights included a public ferry cruise on the Bosporus, an examination of the old Walls of Constantinople (literally around the corner from our hotel), the mandatory Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, as well as the signature shopping district at Taksim on the Asian side. 

We even sacrificed a day for a full-day excursion to Gallipoli.

Preserved section of The Theodosian Walls near Topkapi, Istanbul (RE)

While the Akgün Istanbul Hotel is billed as a 5-star hotel, it may not meet 5-star standards elsewhere in Europe, but that did not bother us at all. 

The rooms were more than adequate with quality bedding, and our most useful feature was the copious breakfast that sustained us throughout the day. We were most appreciative of the attentive staff at all levels. 

While we were exhausted after our 20,000-step days, we still had time for a crisp lager on the excellent rooftop bar with views all the way to the Blue Mosque. And, apart from all that, room rates were less than $200 per night, leaving us lots of change to blow in the Grand Bazaar.

Akgün Istanbul Hotel (supplied)

Sometimes it pays to set aside your precious poseur persona and embrace your practical, pragmatic self.

Akgün Istanbul Hotel provides services including restaurants, bars, Starbucks café, sauna, Turkish bath, Finnish bath (steam bath), gym, spa, massage, 24/7 room service, business centre, indoor-outdoor parking, valet service, baby care, laundry services, outdoor pool, male/female hairdresser, photo lab and pharmacy.

The Akgün Istanbul Hotel is a member of WorldHotels™ Elite collection, a part of the global Best Western Hotels. You can book directly or through any major online booking service, such as Luxury Escapes.

Which Asian destinations fit the bill for romance on Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day is one of the most romantic dates on the calendar, so which destinations are searched for and booked in the lead-up to a big day for lovers?

Digital travel platform Agoda has unveiled the top 10 most searched international destinations for Valentine's Day and Asia's eclectic cities seem to be getting the most love from travellers this Valentine's Day with eight out of the top 10 Asian destinations being a cosmopolitan hub.

Bangkok (above) wins most hearts, with Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, and Hong Kong making up the rest of the top five.

Bali and Phuket are the only two beach destinations feeling the love and making it to the top 10. 

The list reveals a significant trending interest in Japan and Thailand, with three Japanese cities - Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka - making the top 10, and two Thai destinations - Bangkok and Phuket - also in the mix.

"Valentine's Day is a special time for couples to explore and create new memories together," says Andrew Smith, senior vice president, supply (really silly job title), at Agoda.

"The diversity in this year's top searched destinations highlights the broad spectrum of experiences couples are seeking, from the bustling streets of Tokyo and Bangkok to the rejuvenating beauty of Bali and Phuket.

"At Agoda, we're excited to help lovebirds see the world for less by facilitating memorable romantic journeys with our extensive range of accommodations and travel options."

The inclusion of cities like Seoul, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur certainly reflects interest in exploring dynamic urban environments, while the presence of Bali underscores the enduring appeal of tropical getaways.

This trend suggests that quality time can come in many forms, with couples looking for a mix of adventure, culture, relaxation, and culinary delights.

Top 10 searched international destinations for couples checking in on Valentine's Day 2024: 1. Bangkok, 2. Tokyo, 3. Osaka, 4. Seoul, 5. Hong Kong, 6. Bali, 7. Phuket, 8. Singapore, 9. Fukuoka, 10. Kuala Lumpur.

How to make your train journey green and huggable

It has never been more cool to be green. 

Businesses are constantly coming up with ideas to make themselves more eco-friendly than than their rivals.

A new train ticketing platform launched this week in Britain is promising to plant a tree for every booking, which it hopes will appeal to passengers who care about climate change. 

Trainhugger says it will use 50p out of each £1.50 booking fee to pay for a young tree, in partnership with the Royal Forestry Society and Royal Scottish Forestry Society, The Guardian reports.

The company – which offers the same fares as other rail sites – aims to match a UK Government target of planting 90-120 million trees a year

The website will sell the same UK routes and fares as other rail websites. 

Trainhugger’s founders believe they will be able to win enough business from rivals to make a considerable contribution towards combating climate change. They hope to plant 10 million trees by 2025.

“If rail gets back to where it was pre-pandemic - and Trainhugger sold 5% of those passenger journeys - that would be 90 million bookings or 90 million trees," said Felix Tanzer, who co-founded the company with Ed Caldecott.

Each 50p donation covers the price of a “whip”, a baby tree shoot smaller than a sapling, but the costs of the land, and planting and maintaining the tree are covered by members of the RFS. 

But surely that slogan should be" "Same price, more trees"?