1 BLUE MOSQUE
This Ottoman-era structure is best known by its colloquial color-themed moniker, owing to the tens of thousands of blue Iznik tiles that adorn its interiors. Officially it is called the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, named after ruler Ahmed I who commissioned the monument as a marker of imperial strength - hence the dramatic curved domes and six minarets stretching to the skyline. The mosque was designed by architect Sedefkar Mehmed Agha and constructed between 1609 and 1617, rivalling the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia located on the opposite side of Sultanahmet Square. This UNESCO World Heritage Site closed for a five-year restoration, reopening in April 2023 to tourists and locals alike. The building remains a working mosque so take care to wear respectful clothing - women can borrow shawls at the entrance to cover their heads and remove shoes before entering this majestic monument. As you enter, prepare to be dazzled by the ornately detailed ceilings and 260 windows which flood the cavernous interiors with natural light. The mosque is closed during the five daily prayer times.
2 BASILICA CISTERN
Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av Business Traveller UK.
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Denne historien er fra March 2024-utgaven av Business Traveller UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The rail thing - Why airlines and train companies are partnering to increase options for travellers on short journeys
An intercity flight connection operated by train would have been almost unthinkable in the early 1990s, but in 2024 it will increasingly be the default experience at many European hub airports. European nations have been among the world's leaders in adopting high-speed rail for short-distance trips, along with Asian countries such as Japan and China.
Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun
Over the past few years, tourism has shot up stratospherically; recent figures from the European Travel Commission show it's grown 86 per cent since 2019. Its GDP per capita has also been increasing, and last year stood at US$8,800, while the average monthly salary is now around 84,000 lek (£704). Foreign direct investment is also on the rise, with countries including Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands targeting sectors such as energy, mining, information and real estate to a value of around US$1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report. Not bad for a country which used to depend on foreign food aid.
Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London
Watching Kanesaka work his magic is performance in itself
Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen
An impressive corporate hotel just minutes from Copenhagen's centre
Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester
The perfect mix of gorgeous heritage design with cool, cosmopolitan attitude
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
A stunning success another calming experience in the capital
Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS
It remains the superior service for those travelling from London to Paris
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG
There is a lot to like, but my experience was far from perfect
4 HOURS IN...Vienna
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the Austrian capital's museums, galleries and historic cafes
SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY
Escape to the secluded forests of the Loire Valley for a digital detox
