http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34725 Location of the hotel was excellent for all tourist sites. It's 2 minutes to the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, and Topkapi Palace. Plus once it's a short walk to the Grand Bazaar and about a 15 minute walk to the Spice Market (we took a taxi instead.)
Highly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34725 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34547 Located in Beyoglu - Taksim area, next to Galatasaray, the bar serves over 100 homemade cocktail shots and offers really good music.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34547 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34100 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34100 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34096 Don't fancy that? They also offer a four-course tasting menu of contemporary Turkish food which changes daily. Book ahead, since they have very limited tables.
I went on my 30th birthday and they bought me out a small cake and candle, while the staff sang 'Happy Birthday'.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34096 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34095 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34095 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34082 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34082 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34081 However, if you truly want to get to the heart of Turkey’s crowning glory, Istanbul, there is no better nor faster way than the midye.
Midye, the little stuffed mussels with rice and lemon juice, are ubiquitous in most Turkish cities. But to walk across the Galata Bridge, eating midye, watching the sunrise, is another experience in itself. The rice in the overstuffed morsel, absorbs the saltiness of the sea and the sourness of the lemon, producing a combination much like Istanbul itself, that in the overcrowding of 11 million people and four empires, you can find peace in the calm waters of the Bosphorus, highlighted by the sharpness of the sun.
On this bridge, at this time, with this food, you can feel the overwhelming sense of beauty of the Queen of Cities.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34081 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34080 House Cafe is a modern stylish eating establishment sitting on the banks of the Bosphorous serving a wonderful East meets West selection of fare for a reasonable price (much better than the surrounding hotels). I recommend their scrabbled egg on rye bread followed with a gorgeously presented fresh virgin apple mojito.
You can sit in the shade on decking looking out at the water or inside if its just too hot. At night the place becomes a nightclub/bar which is much friendlier than their neighbours.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34080 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34058 These are the places that specialise in one type of food, meatballs, liver, turkish pizza etc. They know their food, source locally and will serve you their dishes with great pride.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34058 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34050 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34050 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34020 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34020 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34013 And If the weather is less than kind, there is an indoor restaurant on the floor below with equally good views.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34013 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32820 Let the traders entertain you with their banter. Barter to try and get the price down. Feeling weary? Try one of the cafes in the heart of the bazaar, for a snack or a perfect Turkish coffee. It is impossible to visit and not be stunned by the history, the colours and the life force of the Grand Bazaar ... and to leave without buying something perfect for you.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32820 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32433 A great place to visit to escape the midday heat, and there's also a small cafe.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31435 The best thing about Akbil is you can use one for the whole family/group. All you need do is bleep each person through the turnstile, or onto the bus.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31435 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31434 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31434 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31431 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31431 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31422 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31422 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31387 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31387