Istanbul - very busy, with chaotic crowds especially on the transport system and within most public areas, taking a while to get orientated. Little genuine government tourist guidance, mostly street guides selling tourist trips. Fantastic thousands of years of history, take a good history book, a good pair of walking shoes, a good map (not Trip Adviser which needs radically updating), ignore the street guides and buy a travel card that can be topped up regularly and used on the underground, trams, and local ferries but be prepared to push and be pushed amongst the congestion everywhere which is not easy for young children. Terrible provision for any disability on public transport or on pavements. Cats cats cats everywhere! Take a trip on the regular local ferry down the Bosphorus. No real problems with crime other the usual necessary precautions of any big city - heavily security concious at the airport. Learn a few words of Turkish because unlike most European cties, very little English is spoken.

The coastal walking area is nice for families with kids. Lovely time outdoors. The weather was very nice.