Not only the main Byzantine building in Istanbul, but also the most
spectacular attraction of the city and one of the most beautiful
architectural creations in the world, probably the most important
of all.

Almost since it was built, this building was and remained a
source of political controversy. It is a source of dispute between
those who want it to become mosque, as in Ottoman times, and those
who are happy that remained a museum and a relic of Byzantium.

The Church of the Holy Wisdom, known as Hagia Sophia in Greek,
Sancta Sophia in Latin, Ayasofya or Aya Sofia in Turkish was built
under the personal supervision of Emperor Justinian I. Aya Sofia
was one of several great churches of its time: one built by
Constantine’s son, Constantinus, burned to the ground in 404, while
the second, built by Theodosius in 415, suffered great damage
during the Nika -uprising in 532. Remains of that church can be
seen at the West of Aya Sofia.

Current structure of Aya Sofia, which inspired architectural
models for 1500 years, was the creation of the architects Anthenius
of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, who worked nearly six years
before its completion on 26 December 537.
It was consecrated again in 563, after the repairs that followed an
earthquake that destroyed the dome symmetry.

Being the world’s most impressive building, it’s no wonder that Mehmet the Conqueror proclaimed it a mosque soon after his conquest of the city from the Byzantines in 1453. Thin marble panels absorbed and reflected light of thousands of candles and tiny oil lamps that illuminated the interior so well
that it was used as a lighthouse, although today is dark and
mysterious. Tradition says that the area around the king’s throne,
was the official center of the world.

When Justinian built the Aya Sofia, he decorated its interior with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings. The temple itself was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, “Solomon, I have outdone
thee!”.
Hagia Sophia is an experience in space and time, and the
architects’ magic still works after more than fourteen centuries.

If you have never been to Istambul before, a Hagia Sophia tour is
one good reason to pack your bags right away!

Why you need to check out the Al Jissah Resort & Spa in Oman for your affordable family vacation this year

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa is the ideal affordable family vacation package as well as being a the best place to take a luxury holiday in Oman.

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa consists of the Exclusive Al Husn rated at 6 stars [The Castle], Al Bandar [The Town] rated at 5 star, and Al Waha [The Oasis] which is 4 star, and very much for the family vacation package.

This Shangri-La Hotel and Resort has a fantastic location in over 120 acres with mountains behind, and a private beach of golden sand in front with the blue water of the Gulf of Oman to provide the icing on the cake.

This is a large Resort at Al Jissah, with the exclusive Al Husn with 180 suites and guestrooms, Al Bandar with 198 rooms and the Al Waha with 302 rooms.

All of the 680 rooms and suites face the sea and overlook the 600 yard beach.

It is the first three hotel luxury resort both for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and for the country of Oman.

There are a wide range of leisure facilities within the complex and this includes three freshwater swimming pools, and to connect the Al Waha Family oriented hotel to the Al Bandar is a lazy river. When you add to this four tennis courts, a PADI dive centre, a fitness centre, the Little Turtles Kids Club based at Al Waha, which is one of the main reasons this This Shangri-La Hotel and Resort is the ideal family vacation package, you can begin to realize what is on offer.

When you add on the chance to not only go snorkelling, but even dolphin and whale watching trips can be arranged, and at certain times of the year turtles come up onto the beach to lay their eggs, and the Turtle Ranger will take trips to see this.

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa has the renowned Chi Spa with some of the largest and most luxurious spa suites you will find anywhere in Oman, and a Turkish Bath, an ice room, a sauna, steam rooms and a jacuzzi

Everybody visits the Omani Heritage Village where you can soak up the atmosphere of a retail souk, and you can experience life in a traditional Oman village. This will include demonstrations by silversmiths, henna painting, weaving to add to the authentic feel. If you want to visit Muscat then there is a daily complimentary shuttle.

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa complex has twenty restaurants and bars, so guests are spoilt for choice. There are six main restaurants and seven more casual food outlets. You can add to this three pool bars, a night club, and two bars so you really can’t go wrong, as there is something to suit everyone’s taste.

For dining, guests are spoilt for choice with 6 main restaurants, 7 casual dining outlets, 3 pool bars, a nightclub and 2 bars providing sumptuous local and international cuisine to suit all tastes.

Any good family vacation package to a luxury hotel should have restaurants that all the family can enjoy.

The Samba is outstanding in this regard because there is a chocolate fountain for the kids and unlimited oysters and mussels on ice for starters. Apart from this there is a huge selection of dishes, and this restaurant is the ideal spot for huge and varied breakfasts.

The surf bar and pool bar are good for burgers and salads, and the fish restaurant between Al Waha and Al Bandar has top class fish at decent prices.

This is a good all year round destination, but the temperature in July and August is pretty fierce, but then some like it hot, the expect extreme temperatures in Jul and Aug but prices will be lower then and the Al Jissah Resort & Spa less busy.

A final note about this top of the range luxury Oman hotel is the staff, who are very good indeed, being helpful courteous, friendly, and have very good language skills.

Go to Oman and stay at the Al Jissah Resort & Spa.

Photo: © Alexander Yee