We recently returned from a short stay in Istanbul and were fortunate to have places arranged by a long-time local. In addition to the places in the guidebook, we visited and recommend the following: The Ortakoy boho district with the much photographed Ortakoy Mosque (now under repair), get a kumpir (large baked potato stuffed with everything from cheese to olives), or gozleme (large hand rolled pancake with savory filling; take a 1.5 hour ride Basari Cruise on the Bosphorus between the Bosphorous and Faith bridges (about 10 TL - Besiktas Dock ) and see many sited from the Steves Istanbul guidebook, Or see the sunset with a drink or meal from of the Bosphorus from the terrace of the Radisson Blu Bosphorus Hotel. Another place to enjoy the panoramic view of the Bosphorous, the Asian side of Istanbul, and the Marmara Sea at sunsetis from the Sky Bar (top of Swissotel). We saw Istanbul from atop Europe's tallest building at Sapphire Tower (12 TL). Which is 54 floors – 261 meters tall located in the Central Business District. The building has a direct access to the 4 Levent subway station from its 3rd basement floor, and is situated on Büyükdere Avenue, one of Istanbul's main thoroughways. The Bosphorous from the Marmara sea to the Black see can be viewed as well as most of Istanbul. River Cruise: http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Transport/dentur_avrasya.html) Sapphire Tower: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
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