Chinese New Year this year is on Monday and Tuesday. This gives me a long weekend to go on a short holiday to Greece and Turkey. Now, how can I visit these two countries within a few days?
Well, I have shortlisted the cities I want to visit: Athens, Santorini and Istanbul. I have read somewhere that Turkish airlines offer free city tour if I took their airlines and transit in Istanbul.
So, I booked tickets from Singapore to Athens with a deliberately long stopover in Istanbul on the way back.
I also booked the domestic flight for the Athens to Santorini day trip on Aegean airlines.
As a star alliance gold member, I am allowed to use turkish lounge in Istanbul airport even if travelling in economy class. I am also allowed to bring in one guest. The lounge is located at one end of the airport. It is a very impressive lounge. There are plenty of seating within two floors, many food stations, with shower facilities.
After enjoying a few hours in the lounge, it is a short one hour flight to Athens.
Well, I have shortlisted the cities I want to visit: Athens, Santorini and Istanbul. I have read somewhere that Turkish airlines offer free city tour if I took their airlines and transit in Istanbul.
So, I booked tickets from Singapore to Athens with a deliberately long stopover in Istanbul on the way back.
I also booked the domestic flight for the Athens to Santorini day trip on Aegean airlines.
As a star alliance gold member, I am allowed to use turkish lounge in Istanbul airport even if travelling in economy class. I am also allowed to bring in one guest. The lounge is located at one end of the airport. It is a very impressive lounge. There are plenty of seating within two floors, many food stations, with shower facilities.
After enjoying a few hours in the lounge, it is a short one hour flight to Athens.
Stayed at the airport hotel in Athens
Acropolis Museum
Acropolis
View from the top of the Acropolis
The Olympics Stadium
A short flight to Santorini
The blue domes are a common sight in Santorini
The famous blue dome
The whitewashed buildings
Small chapel
A door with open windows
Beautiful sunset in Santorini
For a star alliance gold member, I am allowed to access the lounge at Athens airport.
Breakfast provided by the free Istanbul city tour
Sultanahmet area
Lunch provided by the free Istanbul city tour
The interior of the Hagia Sophia
Bosphorus strait
At the Istanbul airport lounge
A few game stations such as racing car, golf and arcade game. Had a nice hot shower before boarding the flight home
