istanbul anyone?

[Raphael Meade]

got a show there end of this week so got a few days over there....

anyone been/live there, etc?
be good to get some recommendations of cool to stuff to do and places to check out. be cool to see some of the cultural side of things as i usually spend my time just getting boozed in the hotel...

absolutely NO idea about the place too so all suggestions gratefully recieved

thanks!
xxxxxxx

 

[dougdeep]

It's famous for storks.

 

[Raphael Meade]

really? that's pretty cool.
i've never seen a real life stork. maybe i'll take my binoculars....

 

[HampshireSeagulls]

Take lots of cash for getting your stuff through customs if you are taking anything large. Have plenty of ready folding if the police stop you. Do not, under any circumstances, accept anything from a guy in the street as the police set up tourists in fake drug deals.

It's possibly the most corrupt place in Europe, and the prisons are very, very nasty. They will put you in a cell with a big, big bloke who will lick his lips every time he looks at you.

Pity, as it's potentially one of the most interesting cities in Europe. Just a pity the Turks live there.

 

[cannedheat]

Got my wallet stolen first day I was there, and my passport three days later.
My wallet I did not give a shit about got away with about a tenner and my credit cards, it was my passport that was the problem.
It reminded me of my visits to Londonistan a shit hole.

 

[clapham_gull]

Well - I had a fantastic 5 days there

Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Ayia sofia

It's a brilliant city

 

[1066gull]

whats with all the european cities and countries tonight

 

[smudge]

Get in a cab & ask for The Cages, bit of an eye opener. Get lost in the Grand Bazaar, great experience. Get some real Turkish Delight, go to a Turkish baths & get one of those massages where they basically beat you up, go to the Blue Mosque, smoke a bubble pipe having a coffee in a backstreet coffee shop.

Not the best place I've ever been but well worth a visit.

Do't get nicked though, you'll have a very sore arse!

 

[Raphael Meade]

wickerd.

thanks for all the advice chaps
looks like we better do our best to avoid getting arrested!

xxxxxxxx

 

[clapham_gull]

Don't miss out on Ayia Sofia..

The "old city" is relatively small and self contained, so yo can probably do it in a single day.