Eastern Europe, for years, has been drawing a large number of wealthy tourists to itself as it is able to extrude its incredible beauty through cities that are considered gems to explore.
A shining example is Istanbul, the Turkish capital easily accessible by private jet, which, thanks to its international airport, is a rather important crossroads to major European and Asian cities.
Thanks to a charter flight, tourists can drastically reduce waiting time at the airport, reach downtown in a matter of minutes via the many expertly organized transfer services, and enjoy exclusive services directly in the General Aviation Terminal.
Istanbul really has so much to offer: just think of the countless locations that exude history and millennia-old traditions such as Ataturk's Mausoleum or the Kotacepe Mosque, iconic sites of the city that should not be missed during a capillary visit.
In addition, the Turkish capital's airport also allows tourists on private flights to reach other nearby locations, such as Bodrum or Izmir, significant places for lovers of culture or nature: in just a few minutes of organized flights from Istanbul International Airport, it is possible to reach such tourist hotspots to engage in activities of a different kind, while being carried away by the magical Turkish atmosphere.
But what only other information about the particular travel solution dictated by chartering a private jet?
Historical and geographical background on Istanbul
Istanbul's geographical location has always allowed it to play a crucial role throughout the centuries. It, in fact, spans the shores of the Bosporus, the strait that effectively divides the European and Asian continents while uniting the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. The historic center of Istanbul overlooks a natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, located exactly at the mouth of the Bosphorus. Not only that, below Istanbul lies the Northern Anatolian Seismic Fault, which was responsible for a series of earthquakes that occurred during the 20th century. In ancient times, Istanbul was known first as Byzantium and then as Constantinople, designations by which it was known during the periods that saw it as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire. Byzantium was an extremely prosperous city that was a crucially important port before the Persians destroyed almost all of it; later, it came under the control of Alexander the Great's immense Macedonian empire, which rebuilt it. The annexation to the Roman Empire enabled Constantinople to become an urbe of considerable importance to Rome's economy at the exact moment when the western part was in dire straits. With the fall of the Romans, the city fell under the control of the Ottomans and underwent a profound cultural transformation that slowly led it to be the capital of the Republic of Turkey and to change its name in favor of the one by which it is known today. Population growth, improved infrastructure and the economic boom it experienced in the early 1900s enabled Istanbul to become one of the most visited cities in Europe, still taken by storm by millions of tourists today.
What to do and see in Istanbul
St. Sophia Mosque
The religious building par excellence for Muslims living in Istanbul is definitely the Aya Sofia Mosque, an imposing and grandiose basilica dating back to 500 BCE. Hagia Sophia is not only known for the historical affair surrounding it, but also for being one of the largest and most beautiful architectural works in the world, thanks to the polychrome marbles used to decorate the columns and pillars inside, not to mention the precious stones and the huge central dome that plays a very prominent role in making the basilica majestic. Once the visit to the mosque is over, wealthy tourists can relax at Le Georges Bar, a rooftop bar located on the terrace of the eponymous hotel that serves tasty cocktails while admiring a sublime view of the Bosphorus.
Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is one of the most visited historical palaces in Turkey: an ancient symbol of the splendors of the Ottoman Empire, it was the seat of the sultans for about 400 years until it was converted into a museum. Today, in fact, it is part of a complex that integrates within itself a veritable labyrinth consisting of as many as 4 inner courtyards protected by as many monumental gates and walls that act as road openers to the Treasury Hall and the Imperial Council Hall. Also not to be missed are the Ahmet III Library, the Palace School and the Audience Hall, which are still perfectly preserved and can be visited.
Near the palace is the Sunset Istanbul rooftop bar, an exclusive place where VIPs can sip fine cockatils in an elegant and chic atmosphere.
Galata Tower
At 67 meters high, the Galata Tower dominates all of Istanbul from above. It is basically a tower dating back to the 1300s characterized by a conical roof on which stood a spire housing a cross in ancient times; over the centuries, it was used as a military prison and as a watchtower.
In close proximity to the tower is Mikla, a cocktail bar located on the roof of The Marmara Pera hotel characterized by a sophisticated atmosphere and minimalist design in which VIP tourists can go to delight in the world's best cocktails.
Best hotels in Istanbul
Among the best stay options prerogative of wealthier guests is the Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus, a hotel belonging to the Hilton circuit that offers rooms overlooking the Bosphorus Strait, as well as a variety of amenities such as an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa, and a tennis club. In addition to this, mention should also be made of the Four Seasons Hotel, an imposing structure that attracts VIPs for its very spacious rooms, luxurious amenities, and leisure activities that can be done. Finally, the Ciragan Kempinski Palace is a luxury accommodation that provides elite guests with a spa for personal care and rooms from which to enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Top restaurants in Istanbul
Traditional Turkish cuisine is certainly one of the most distinctive in the world because of its intense use of spices and seasonings. A shining example of this is Nicole Restaurant, an eatery that offers Mediterranean cuisine mixed with local fare, all above a terrace that allows a view of Istanbul's historic peninsula from above. Calypso Fish Restaurant, on the other hand, is a seafood restaurant of excellent quality, known for combining the gourmet dishes it offers with Aegean herbs, condiments that enhance the flavor of the prepared dishes and literally make diners' taste buds explode. Last but not least is 360Istanbul Restaurant, a famous rooftop restaurant located on the roof of a historic building that blends traditional Turkish and international cuisine through dishes ingeniously constructed by the head chef.
Climate and best time to visit Istanbul
Istanbul's climate is Mediterranean, with some oceanic influences due to the proximity of the Black Sea, resulting in drastically reduced temperatures in winter and mitigated temperatures in spring and summer. Days alternate between suddenly rainy and humid to very hot and dry, with rather sharp temperature ranges from daytime to nighttime hours. Seasonal average temperatures in spring settle around 20°C, rising in summer to 40°C due to intense humidity; in autumn, temperatures return to mild to even below 2°C in winter. In light of the above, the best time to charter a private jet to Istanbul is definitely spring or fall, mid-seasons that allow for pleasant weather and little hustle and bustle given the reduced tourist crowds.
How and why to fly privately to Istanbul
Istanbul is a very large city that uses as many as 2 international airports to handle the large number of travelers and passengers who visit each year. However, it is Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ICAO code LTBA) that is the hub for private flights, offering a range of dedicated services for VIP travelers. Although scheduled flights are extremely numerous due to the approximately 40 million transits each year, those who charter a private jet have the opportunity to drastically decrease waiting times for check-in and security checks by taking advantage of a gate designated for charter and private flights in the general aviation terminal. In fact, no less than 2 separate lounges for international and domestic flights are located inside, as well as conveniently equipped meeting rooms, a free WiFi connection, and dining outlets that provide travelers with varied gastronomic offerings. The 3 runways the airport uses are approved for any category and weight class of private jet; not only that, the various runways are positioned in different directions so that they take off and land according to winds and regardless of weather conditions. The airport is about 30 km from the center of Istanbul: this distance can be traveled by taking advantage of the various car rental services with or without a driver, as well as limousines ready to pick up the VIP tourist directly from the runway to take him or her anywhere in the city in the shortest possible time.
How much does a private jet cost to Istanbul
One of the most common routes between Istanbul and a European capital is between it and Paris, a route that covers a distance of about 2,200 km in about 4 hours of total flight time. The rental for a Light Jet to carry it out is about 18,000€, a figure that rises to 33,000€ for a Medium Jet and about 46,000€ for a Large Jet. Among the most popularly selected trips is one that connects Istanbul to another Turkish city, namely Bodrum: the route involves a flight of about 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs that vary depending on the type of jet chartered. With a Light Jet, the total expense is around €7,000, a threshold that rises to around €14,000 with a Medium Jet and €18,000 with a Large Jet. A flight of similar duration is the one operated to reach Istanbul from Athens: the Greek capital, in fact, is separated by about 500 km distance and 1 hour and 20 minutes flight time. Choosing a Light Jet involves an expenditure of about 7,000€, a cost that increases to about 13,000€ by employing a Medium Jet and to about 20,000€ with a Large Jet.
The best private jet to fly to Istanbul
A light jet definitely counted among the best aircraft to get to Istanbul is the Pilatus PC-24, an aircraft whose top speed is around 400 kts (about 700 km/h). Standing out above the other features is definitely the comfort that can be enjoyed thanks to the spacious cabin it offers, complete with seats equipped with tables for relaxing or enjoying multimedia content during the flight, as well as enough luggage space for each passenger. The Learjet 60, on the other hand, is a Medium Jet that operates routes economically and absolutely fast due to the maximum speed of as much as 460 kts (about 780 km/h) that can be reached and the 7 seats included in the cabin. Its range is around 2250 nautical miles (about 4000 km), a distance that can be traveled in maximum comfort due to the ample space provided for both elbows and shoulders of each passenger. The details surrounding the Bombardier Global Express are impressive: it is a Large Jet designed to offer the best possible flight experience, combining speed, range and comfort in a perfect combination for every passenger's needs. The large windows with which it is equipped allow natural light to filter in and illuminate the meticulously detailed interior spaces: there are, in fact, sofa beds, wardrobes, an independent interior temperature control, and a very large luggage compartment that is accessible even during flight, features that make it an incredibly reliable aircraft.
The most frequent flights to and from Istanbul
Below of the most frequent connections with Istambul:
