Istanbul

In the middle of the football season Clive? I hope you've booked it during the break for internationals..

Do you know where you are staying?

I've been twice but Deniz (the lady friend) is from Turkey so here are her suggestions;

• Do the touristy stuff in Sultanahmet.
  
• Have a look around Nişantaşi (especially if you have read any Orhan Pamuk). We have a few friends who live there. It's the Chelsea of Istanbul. Nice for shopping and food.
  
• Have Fish at Cicek Pasaji when you are near Taksim.. I'd say Raki but you don't drink.
  
• Have dinner at a restuarant called leb-i derya, awesome views and a more european menu.
  
  

I'd say take a boat out from Ortakoy (middle-village) but it might be a bit nippy. There is a sea-view cycle path in Bostanci but that might suffer from the same problem.

Have fun mate.