My girls friend and I will be at Istanbul for the first time by midldle of august for five days.

First time there and alreday can´t wait to discover that said "fabulous" city. I would like your advice on places not neceseraly know from tourists.

touristy or not, you should see galata tower. the islands, rumeli hisarı, dolmabahçe, yıldız parkı, beykoz, anadolu/rumeli kavağı, emirgan, sabancı müzesi  etc. just take the beykoz-kanlıca-üsküdar ferry line from üsküdar and you will see many pretty places.

oh also take a tour of harbiye and walk to nişantaşı from there. or you can take an early turn and walk down to dolmabahçe right away. those parts are also nice. sorry i dont know many non-famous beautiful parts in istanbul!

Oh no I am gald aleady with all you listed to me!!! Thanks a lot! We will attend a wedding too. here in france used to give money as gift or a gift lol. What should we do?

we give banknotes to the bride and/or groom as well, we just pin it onto their clothing during a ceremony during the wedding. or we buy a piece of gold with a tiny tie on it (jewelers sell it) and attach that instead.

you can also buy a gift "for the house" instead or to their baby if they have one. if they make the baby after they get married you go to their house and give a gold coin to the baby seperately.

Thanks for your advice. We will also see some eldest (the turkish grand mother of one of my friend shewill meet forthe first time) and have been said to show our respect a certain manner. Should we bring her something in particular?

first time? wow get some nice present. chewing candy wouldnt be practical or an old lady i guess. chocolate or baklava? maybe just get nice flowers. where is she from exactly?

but when you see her, smile and kiss her hand and put it on your foreheadlike this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlvF8SXWQQU

and than do the classical cheek kissing. we show body-language wise respect for the elderly so elder people expect to see that. but everything is cool for them generally.

Her Turkish family live not far away from Taksim place I have been told. She doesn´t want to make any mistake^^. I admire how eldest are respected in your culture . 

is her hometown istanbul? well dont worry. even if you dont kiss her hand it should be ok. you could go classical and get her a walking stick but im sure she already has a collection from previous gift-buyers.

you can take a look here