Originally Posted by senor_jefe

Don't forget that you can also go through MUC to IST. If I remember correctly, that was the connection requiring the least amount of layover (on *A at least).

On another note, when I went last month to IST, the YYZ-MUC leg was downguaged to a 762...but my own distaste and a good concierge saved me from the disappointment of that flight to Europe in J. The $300 that AC was offering as compensation was nowhere near enough to offset the $7000 spent for a "real" business class. Let me tell you, there were a lot of pissed off pax...but none as savvy as myself (thanks FT) in finding an alternate routing.

Also, FYI, the visa is US$60 for Canadians...the most expensive on the posted list of costs per country. I was expecting the U$45 but was happy when I had enough money to cover the difference. They don't provide a receipt either, so I resorted to blowing up my visa stamp to 400% zoom on the photocopier to submit my expenses. Canada must have done something to piss off the Turks.

I personally would not be (and wasn't) concerned about the safety issue when travelling to IST. I felt safe at all times during the week I was there (except in the taxis...especially to and from the airport...) and I was just around the corner from the site of the HSBC bombing. If I were in London at the same time...I would have been in the middle of the 7/7 bombings...

Great place to visit...don't miss a nice dinner at a nice kebab house with great mezes, charcoal grilled kebabs, and a bottle of Raki (with some water and couple ice cubes).