Not a Stoke fan myself, but have followed them when away all around the North West while living in Manchester, just to see mates really. Anyway, for some reason I decided to join a few of them and book flights to go watching the away leg at Besiktas. So, horrific Galatasaray situations aside, who's been, and what's it like? Things to do / see, things not to do / see? Won't be into any trouble, think more of a Michael Palin travels the world vibe, Barbour satchel in tow.
The Galascum situation shouldn't be ignored. Plenty of my mates wanted to do the Michael Palin thing but couldn't move from their hotel Good luck fella and be careful
Been twice with England 91 and 93, 2 of my favourite trips actually. Istanbul is a very interesting city , Turkey is different as a whole and good for an independent travel trip its just a shame its populated by Turks.
Besiktas' ground is right by a park with the Hilton hotel at the top of the hill overlooking the ground. Went for a drink in there and walking up came to a crossroads and there was a bloke with a dancing bear bizarrely but gives you an idea that life is different, and they play by a different set of rules. Beskitas is on the european side I think.
Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque were well worth a visit from an architectural point of view. We had a really cheap hotel near this area, a few bars and cafes etc round there. A trip to the Grand Bazaar is almost obligatory, haggling is compulsory. Taksim Square is the main area if I remember rightly, a few lads got blitzed by locals there when we were over. Not sure if this is where the 2 Leeds lads RIP got murdered.
It can get very lively over there although strangely Istanbul was ok when I went but thats probably because they played their games in Izmir then. Be sensible and keep your wits about you and enjoy the trip
Go to the restaurant 360 mate. You'll need a reservation but I think you can do it online. It's absolutely amazing, 360 view of the city and brilliant food. The place is packed with turkish celebrities as well, quite entertaining. Colin Kazim-Kazim was in there with a lovely bird the time I went, he gave me and some friends a table full of spirits and champagne. www.360istanbul.com
Can also recommend going on a small boat trip down the river. Very scenic. Same goes for some of the mosques etc.
Other than that, I didn't enjoy Istanbul to be honest. The food is shit and I couldn't get along with the turks.
The category of the prosumer commodity does not signify a democratization of the media towards participatory systems, but the total commodification of human creativity
Quote by wbacphGo to the restaurant 360 mate. You'll need a reservation but I think you can do it online. It's absolutely amazing, 360 view of the city and brilliant food. The place is packed with turkish celebrities as well, quite entertaining. Colin Kazim-Kazim was in there with a lovely bird the time I went, he gave me and some friends a table full of spirits and champagne. www.360istanbul.com
Can also recommend going on a small boat trip down the river. Very scenic. Same goes for some of the mosques etc.
Other than that, I didn't enjoy Istanbul to be honest. The food is shit and I couldn't get along with the turks.
Haha Kazim-Kazim, formerly known as Kazim-Richards until he went to Turkey Think he lost his way a bit out there. Didn't he get the sack for getting caught with a load of prossies and smashing a few fast cars up. Decent player though
Quote by Mersons Bookie Haha Kazim-Kazim, formerly known as Kazim-Richards until he went to Turkey Think he lost his way a bit out there. Didn't he get the sack for getting caught with a load of prossies and smashing a few fast cars up. Decent player though
Cheers for all the replies. I kinda wish I wasn't going for the football really, but booked a week there and we've spied some pretty nice looking apartments right near the ground. We'll probably just go straight back on the night of the game just to make sure we avoid any trouble. Will check out that restaurant, along with the blue mosque, and the market. What are prices like over there these days? Went to some shitty Turkish resort about 10 years ago, it was a right dive, never been back since.
Sorry to go off topic but this thread has shown to me why this forum is so good. None of this "fucking turk scum, raping our women and killing our boys" rubbish.
good luck pal my uncle got chased by 10 lunitis with machetes last week there and he's a handy bloke scares shit out of me. He said his arse was twiching foe awhile but im sure he wouldnt tell me the full story. Its like all places if you look for trouble youll find it! iv always wanted to go myself!
The gems in the eye shine in the most irrelevant places but then again in the relevant impartially.
Quote by RhysSorry to go off topic but this thread has shown to me why this forum is so good. None of this "fucking turk scum, raping our women and killing our boys" rubbish.
Agree totally mate. Shows how broad minded this forum is. Good to see.
I've been meaning to go there for years, one of my best mates from the army has lived in Istanbul since he was a child. Everyone who has visited there hasn't said a bad word about it. Suggested watching, Anthony Bourdain in Istanbul:
OFF HAND
Print view
Fri Sep 30, 2011 12:56 am
reply
Think he lost his way a bit out there. Didn't he get the sack for getting caught with a load of prossies and smashing a few fast cars up. Decent player though
