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Istanbul not Constantinople

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    Istanbul not Constantinople

    So, what time of year is pleasant for a week or two in Istanbul? And what - apart from the obvious stuff, of which there's rather a lot - should I be sure to see whilst there?

    Also, if I go during the football season, and try to go to a game, given that I'm English, how likely am I to get stabbed? Safety concerns wouldn't normally put me off, of course, but given recent history between the fans of English and Turkish clubs...

    #2
    Istanbul not Constantinople

    Does this help?

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      #3
      Istanbul not Constantinople

      Hmmm. Thanks for the correction Lodz.

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        #4
        Istanbul not Constantinople

        Wear a fez to the game.

        There's great seafood in Istanbul. Wish I could remember the name of the place I went; it was right on the Bosporus.

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          #5
          Istanbul not Constantinople

          The obvious stuff--Ayasofya, Blue Mosque, Sulemaniye Mosque, Topkapi, cruise up the Bosphorus--overlaps heavily with the good stuff. Cracking good food too.

          We got very ill from eating salad washed in dodgy water, but that was 20 years ago.

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            #6
            Istanbul not Constantinople

            Hercule Poirot: Having solved the murders and thus saved the honor of the British Army, I'm going to chill in Constantinople for a week. Should be great.

            Bored military escort: Undoubtedly, Monsoor Parrot. I hear it's very nice. Golden Horn at dusk, Topkapi and, uh, the Ayia Sofia is undoubtedly magnificent.

            Poirot: Have you ever seen it?

            Soldier: Er, no.

            I lived in Turkey for two years, but can't remember it alas.

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              #7
              Istanbul not Constantinople

              The street food is great. Each little cart specialises in one thing: shish kebap, köfte, lahmacun ("Turkish pizza"), deep fried mussels; brilliant

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                #8
                Istanbul not Constantinople

                I went last November and the weather was perfect; I don't know if that was typical though.

                And I'd echo what everyone else said (especially the food). But I'd add that avoiding the Great Bazaar is a good idea. There's a smaller one (the Spice Bazaar?) on the banks of the Bosporus near the Blue Mosque which was loads nicer.

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                  #9
                  Istanbul not Constantinople

                  I think I've mentioned before on otf that probably the best game I've ever been to, in terms of atmosphere, was to see Galatasaray v PSV in the Champions League in about 2002. Tickets were slightly awkward to come by, but available from touts (highly illegal when I was there, so be cautious).

                  I have a few other suggested places, probably not the usual thing to interest otfers actually, but I don't know the details of the places or events. I'll find out over the next day or two and send you a pm. I've only just noticed the one you sent me months ago.

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                    #10
                    Istanbul not Constantinople

                    Have they removed the scaffolding from inside Hagia Sofia yet? It rather spoiled the impression when I went.

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                      #11
                      Istanbul not Constantinople

                      The scaffolding was there when I went last year, and the guide said it would be there for a few years more, as they're restoring the whole inside of the dome.

                      A shame I suppose, but it didn't stop it from being the most impressive building I've visited. And to think that it's only the shell of the building with all the original gold stripped from it...

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                        #12
                        Istanbul not Constantinople

                        When I was there (two years ago, I think) there was a sign on the scaffolding saying that the works were due to be completed three months before I arrived.

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