Fares Dehbi, ILoveQatar.net's (ILQ) show host, got to fly to Antalya and Istanbul and experience some of the awesomeness that Turkey offers thanks to Turkish Airlines.
The airline is offering excellent value prices for their flights to Turkey. COVID-19 precautionary measures were followed during this trip.
This is my second trip traveling with Turkish Airlines in the Business Class. The Business Class on the Turkish Airlines has a large cabin space, each seat has a seatback entertainment screen, as well as an ottoman that contains a big storage compartment which is something I really liked. The Wi-Fi is free for all business class passengers on the 777s.
One of the highlights of traveling Turkish Airlines is the transit through the massive new Istanbul Airport and the ability to experience either the Business Class or the Miles and Smiles Lounges (for Star Alliance Gold members).
Turkish Airlines Lounge Business is one of the best airport lounges I have experienced. It is clean, quiet and includes a separate area for kids to play. There is a great variety of delicious food, a good selection of beverages available, polite staff, high-speed wi-fi, quiet areas to relax, and much more!
All my day tours were through BQ Luxury which operates Mercedes vehicles for its rides. I enjoyed travelling around Turkey in comfort and in style.
My first pitstop was at Antalya where I spent my first 2 days at The Land of the Legends!
The Land of Legends is an enormous amusement park that offers unique experiences to all guests from age 7 to 70 where you discover something new every moment. There are many amazing activities to do without having the need to go anywhere else. The Land of Legends includes a theme park, water park, international restaurants, shopping avenue as well as the Kingdom Hotel.
I checked in to the Kingdom Hotel. No words can describe how amazed I was by the hotel. Food, the hospitality of the staff, cleanliness of the hotel, etc. was just beyond expectations. It is definitely one of the best places to stay for a family vacation in Antalya.
During the day, I went to the theme park at The Land of Legends. If you love rollercoasters I would highly recommend you try the Hypercoaster here. Its 62 meters tall and runs up to a speed of 115 km per hour. I can feel the adrenaline rush just thinking about it.
In the evening, we ate at Asil which serves a fusion of Lebanese, Turkish and Moroccan food. I loved eating the mezze and the mixed grill here and you must try it too. They also have special events that are a great attraction for the visitors. I especially loved the musical boat parade show that takes place every night at 10 pm. It was spectacular and enchanting, to say the least.
The Land of the Legends also has many restaurants. One of the restaurants that stood out for me was the Nemo Restaurant and Lounge which is a beautiful underwater Aquarium restaurant serving delicious Asian food. I had way too much sushi here!
The shopping avenue has the world’s most recognised fashion brands and restaurants offering gourmet delights. It is said to have a capacity of 4,000 people and offers a great shopping experience along with all the comfort and fun at all hours of the day!
I was also able to paraglide at Antalya thanks to Escape Adventures. If you haven't tried this yet then you should. The heights and the views of the mountains make you feel like a bird. And trust me this is not scary at all and you won't regret it one bit. Don't forget to thank me later!
My next stop was the Rixos Premium Belek where I spent two days. One fact about Rixos Premium Belek is that all guests staying in this hotel will have free access to The Land of Legends as well as a free shuttle service to and from the hotel.
40 kilometers from Antalya International Airport and 5 kilometers from Belek city center, Rixos Premium Belek is centrally located amongst history, culture, and natural beauty. You can hang out by the pool or head out for sightseeing and adventure. This resort is surrounded by lush green gardens which offer a stunning contrast to the cerulean blue waters.
Staying at the Rixos Premium Belek offers more than just the perfect accommodation; it also has a beautiful kilometer-long beach, top-quality service, restaurants with luxurious buffets, pools, a Rixy Club exclusively for children, and world-class entertainment to make your holiday an ultimate experience. We checked in late and had an early dinner at this beautiful Italian restaurant called the Piazzetta Italiana. They serve authentic Italian food with vegetarian and vegan-friendly options as well. I tried the four cheese pizza and have to say it's a must-try.
The coolest thing to do at the Rixos Premium Belek is, of course, to hang out at the beach on these nets (pictured above) and take in the sunset and the beach vibes.
I ended my day with dinner at a Greek restaurant named mykOrini inspired by Mykonos and Santorini. There was lots of fun Greek-style dancing and smashing of plates involved. The perfect end to the perfect day. After an amazing time at Antalya, it was time to start packing and head to the next stop on my trip to Turkey. Istanbul!!!
The flight from Antalya to Istanbul takes about an hour. I was able to exit the airport using fast track which is one of the perks of travelling via Business Class on Turkish Airlines.
My hotel in Istanbul was Rixos Pera. Located in the lively district of Beyoglu, Rixos Pera Istanbul is close to Taksim Square, the Galata Tower, and the iconic Istiklal Avenue. The view from my room was of the mesmerising Bosphorous.
I had the chance to visit Istiklal Avenue and Taksim Square. These places are amazing and have a wide variety of shops & restaurants all in one place. These are must-visit places along with Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace Museum. Be sure to take a lot of pictures for your Instagram!
I highly recommend having your dinner on the rooftop of Rixos Pera as the sunset view at the “Golden Hour” is just out of the world. You've gotta see it to believe it.
Just like that, it was time to say goodbye to this enigmatic city and head back to Doha with Turkish Airlines. It was a great and unforgettable trip, and fortunately, I had the chance to relax at the spacious Business Class Lounge, Turkish Airlines Lounge Istanbul, before my flight.
So many amenities like tasting various delicacies from the Turkish and international cuisine, relaxing at private suites, console gaming experience, a large children's play area, and many more wait you here to turn your pre-flight time into a delightful experience. You can even take a shower if you want to that is! Thankfully, I was able to enjoy a little bit more of Turkish hospitality at this globally acclaimed lounge before heading back to Qatar.
You always wish your vacations could go on forever and I wish I could have stayed longer too. But for now, it was time to say güle güle Turkey! See you soon!
Have you been to Turkey? Have you flown Turkish Airlines? Are you planning to visit anytime soon? Did you enjoy reading this article? Let us know in the comments section below! Like and share the article - it keeps us going!
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