I'd prefer to go direct.Loads of flight deals Manchester to Brussels/ Berlin or Paris then onto Istanbul all around £350 return . Turkish Airlines have put loads of flights on around Europe to Istanbul.
I hate flying so having to get 2 flights isn't my idea of fun and also I'd be mega stressed that the first flight would get delayed and I miss the connecting flight.
I've looked at Bulgaria then a coach but I'm going on my own so a 5 1/2 coach trip each way on my own is probably not the greatest idea.