Travelling to Turkey!

[Northland]

If it hadn't been for some bad blood, I would most likely have been raised in Turkey, in Ordu along the Black Sea. Most of Turkey is a delight, the people, the food, the sounds, the scenery, all flood the senses and leave you breathless in awe of that which you will find there.


Istanbul is absolutely stunning and you should have a wonderful time. Enjoy!

 

[lopo2000]

Istanbul is gorgeous. The architecture makes the history tangible. Just breathtaking.

One bit of advice not offered in this thread yet is to haggle in the markets.
If you pay the marked price you've paid too much. What's more, the merchants seem to like you better for engaging in this time honoured tradition.

While hunting for leather ottoman covers I finally found a colour combination I liked. Other merchants had theirs priced at 6-8 Euros, this one was 12. I mentioned the discrepancy and the following exchange occurred.
Him - Ours are better quality.
Me - uh huh. I'll give you 6 euros.
Him - 10.
Me - 6.
Him - 9.
Me(thinking almost to the 8 I wanted) - okay, 7.
Him - 10.
Me - WHAT?! You just went up again! How about this? I pay nothing and you can keep it.
Him - Are you Turkish?

Final price 7 euros.


Another shop owner was pushing on me a unique leather rolling suitcase that he had priced at 200 euros. It was gorgeous but I didn't need a suitcase but he kept shaving the price down to entice the purchase. I had hoped to put a quick end to it by complaining of low finances and suggesting an insultingly low amount (40 CDN). He shook his head sadly that that would not be possible. I apologized and complimented him on his wares and left for the bus almost a block away. I wasn't seated on the bus for two minutes before he charged up the bus steps WITH the damned suitcase! He said he'd take the 40 CDN for it! OMFG, between the shock, guilt and embarrassment I gave him the 40 for the suitcase. I can't believe he made a profit from the sale so I suspect that making the sale is somehow an issue of pride over profit. Yikes.

Start around 70% of the marked price and enjoy the haggle to somewhere in between. It'll save you some money and give you some neat stories to take home.

I find this post to be very enlightening and useful. Thank you! I'll keep it in mind!

For others, I thank you guys and appreciate the replies. You guys have been very helpful too!

 

[D_Tim McGnaw]

Thanks guys, I still don't have a clue what to do over there... But I know about the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the palace. What else eh?

Aghia Sophia is an absolute must, so is Topkapisaray. I quite liked the run down atmosphere of the Pera district which once had a large greek community, and the food I had on the Asian side of the Bosphoros was far superior to anything I had in the more touristy parts of the european side.

Be sure to imbibe of Huzzun, Istanbul's native atmosphere of nostalgic melancholy, I recommend taking any book by Orhan Pamuk with you to read especially his book "Istanbul (Memories and the City)" it's a beautiful memoire about growing up in Istanbul during the 60's and 70's which gives you a very interesting window on the character of the city.

Amazon.co.uk: istanbul orhan pamuk: Books

 

[lopo2000]

Aghia Sophia is an absolute must, so is Topkapisaray. I quite liked the run down atmosphere of the Pera district which once had a large greek community, and the food I had on the Asian side of the Bosphoros was far superior to anything I had in the more touristy parts of the european side.

Be sure to imbibe of Huzzun, Istanbul's native atmosphere of nostalgic melancholy, I recommend taking any book by Orhan Pamuk with you to read especially his book "Istanbul (Memories and the City)" it's a beautiful memoire about growing up in Istanbul during the 60's and 70's which gives you a very interesting window on the character of the city.

Amazon.co.uk: istanbul orhan pamuk: Books

Thank you! Those are good suggestions. I think now I'm starting to have the pictures here. Everybody seems to be stressing on the architecture, I'll surely be focusing on that.

 

[Gillette]

Hagia Sofia = Aya Sofya and other variations
Blue Mosque = Sultanahmet Camii and other variations
Topkapi Palace = Topkapi Sarayi and other variations

We must all be confusing the hell out of you.

Honestly between the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya, which are only a five minute walk from each other, I was much more impressed by the former. The muslim proscription against idols and imagery meant that instead of multiple images of particular personages mosques were decorated with intricate designs. The colourful tilework is beautiful, the ironwork for the low hanging lights is incredibly elaborate and the interior architecture is stunning all on it's own.

I tried in vain to find an image of the lights looking down from above but these are the best I could find.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Blue_Mosque_Interior_2009.JPG
http://www.jnewcomb.com/Cycling/Cycle2005/Turkey/Istanbul/CIMG0756.jpg

After that I found the Hagia Sofia to be quite drab. Sure, there's plenty of gold work and murals but I found the images of the man who had it commissioned to be nothing more than self aggrandizing.

Just outside the Blue Mosque is the Hippodrome where you'll see two Egyptian obelisks and a serpentine column brought during Roman times (The Vatican also has an Egyptian obelisk just outside it's doors ) There used to be four great bronze horse statues as well but those were taken by the crusaders to St Marks in Venice (where I'll get to see them this May).

You can see the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya and Topkapi Palace all in the same day easily, but expect to be tired from a lot of walking. You'll want the most time for Topkapi.

If you have time and an interest in the softer side of war trivia on the Asian side is the Florence Nightingale Museum. If you can find a ferry going to Harem from the European side it will take you close (10-20 min walk?) to the Museum.

When do you leave? How long do you have there?

 

[Novaboy]

As others have said, get a good guide book. They are worth every penny. I also go to flickr and google images. It gives you a good idea of scenic places you may like to visit. I like guide books with lots of photos when the place I'm going is new to me and then a second guide book that is mostly text for more detailed information such as hotels, transportation, guided tours etc.

 

[luka82]

you`ll love it

 

[vince]

old boats? any reasons for that?

Because they are quiet and fabulous and beautiful and smooth as silk. And they look like this-bosporus ferry

oh yeah! is there gay hammam? Are people going there all fit and well-shaped? plz post details!

I have never seen a "gay" hamam and if there is one, it's undercover and you won't find it. But if you want a great experience, go to the Cagaloğlu Hamami, which is this incredible 18th century hamam. It's all hot slabs of marble and domes and hairy massage guys and mounds of soap bubbles. It's an amazing experience and right in the core of the tourist area but frequented by the locals.

The Dolmabahçe Palace in Beyoğlu has the world's largest crystal chandelier and even features a Baccarat crystal staircase.

Honestly between the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya, which are only a five minute walk from each other, I was much more impressed by the former. The muslim proscription against idols and imagery meant that instead of multiple images of particular personages mosques were decorated with intricate designs. The colourful tilework is beautiful, the ironwork for the low hanging lights is incredibly elaborate and the interior architecture is stunning all on it's own.

After that I found the Hagia Sofia to be quite drab. Sure, there's plenty of gold work and murals but I found the images of the man who had it commissioned to be nothing more than self aggrandizing.

Well, IMO the two are equally amazing in different ways.

The Blue Mosque is all about light and soaring columns and that gorgeous Iznik tile and you are right about it's beauty.

Yet the more I see it, the more I love the dark and brooding architecture of St Sophia. It is what I'd expect to see in Middle Earth. Plus those mosaics are really beautiful and it is about a thousand years older. It was the largest church in the world for over 1,000 years and then, after the Conquest, it was the principle mosque of Istanbul for nearly 500 more years. It was the model for all the famous mosques of Islam. When you walk the halls of the Aya Sophia you are walking though perhaps the most important architectural treasure of the world.

 

[lopo2000]

Hagia Sofia = Aya Sofya and other variations
Blue Mosque = Sultanahmet Camii and other variations
Topkapi Palace = Topkapi Sarayi and other variations

We must all be confusing the hell out of you.
**********

When do you leave? How long do you have there?

Thank you for the clarifications. I appreciate it. I'll be leaving on 18th April and I have 10 days to stay.

As others have said, get a good guide book. They are worth every penny. I also go to flickr and google images. It gives you a good idea of scenic places you may like to visit. I like guide books with lots of photos when the place I'm going is new to me and then a second guide book that is mostly text for more detailed information such as hotels, transportation, guided tours etc.

Will do. Thanks for the reminder.

Because they are quiet and fabulous and beautiful and smooth as silk. And they look like this-bosporus ferry

I have never seen a "gay" hamam and if there is one, it's undercover and you won't find it. But if you want a great experience, go to the Cagaloğlu Hamami, which is this incredible 18th century hamam. It's all hot slabs of marble and domes and hairy massage guys and mounds of soap bubbles. It's an amazing experience and right in the core of the tourist area but frequented by the locals.

The Dolmabahçe Palace in Beyoğlu has the world's largest crystal chandelier and even features a Baccarat crystal staircase.

Even if it's not gay, I think I should be visiting one hamam. I think it's one of features of the country, correct me if I'm wrong. I thought of the 'gay' one because of of the posters earlier mentioned something about it. So it intrigued me.

 

[mrplow2]

There is an interesting story behind the blue mosque. The Sultan wanted it to have gold (altin) minarets but the architect misunderstood him and made six (alti) minarets.

 

[Gillette]

There is an interesting story behind the blue mosque. The Sultan wanted it to have gold (altin) minarets but the architect misunderstood him and made six (alti) minarets.

I wondered how that happened. I just couldn't picture the Sultan deliberately insulting Mecca.

 

[onewatcher]

oh yeah! is there gay hammam? Are people going there all fit and well-shaped? plz post details!

The men that were there were not bad. Some better than others. However, I paid for a Turkish bath, and when I saw the man that was going to do it, I quickly changed my mind. Poor guy was over 300 lbs and had a massave growth in his abdomen. I was the only white guy. There was a lot of "activity" going on in there.

 

[onewatcher]

Because they are quiet and fabulous and beautiful and smooth as silk. And they look like this-bosporus ferry

I have never seen a "gay" hamam and if there is one, it's undercover and you won't find it. But if you want a great experience, go to the Cagaloğlu Hamami, which is this incredible 18th century hamam. It's all hot slabs of marble and domes and hairy massage guys and mounds of soap bubbles. It's an amazing experience and right in the core of the tourist area but frequented by the locals.

The Dolmabahçe Palace in Beyoğlu has the world's largest crystal chandelier and even features a Baccarat crystal staircase.

Well, IMO the two are equally amazing in different ways.

The Blue Mosque is all about light and soaring columns and that gorgeous Iznik tile and you are right about it's beauty.

Yet the more I see it, the more I love the dark and brooding architecture of St Sophia. It is what I'd expect to see in Middle Earth. Plus those mosaics are really beautiful and it is about a thousand years older. It was the largest church in the world for over 1,000 years and then, after the Conquest, it was the principle mosque of Istanbul for nearly 500 more years. It was the model for all the famous mosques of Islam. When you walk the halls of the Aya Sophia you are walking though perhaps the most important architectural treasure of the world.

I saw the gay hammam listed in a gay travel guide. It is on a side street and very easy to find.

 

[lopo2000]

The men that were there were not bad. Some better than others. However, I paid for a Turkish bath, and when I saw the man that was going to do it, I quickly changed my mind. Poor guy was over 300 lbs and had a massave growth in his abdomen. I was the only white guy. There was a lot of "activity" going on in there.

I just have a hard time because I thought Turkey was a country that doesn't have total tolerance towards homosexuality. But, I'll try to search and hit one of them then. It should be fun.

 

[onewatcher]

I just have a hard time because I thought Turkey was a country that doesn't have total tolerance towards homosexuality. But, I'll try to search and hit one of them then. It should be fun.

Google Gay Hammam Istanbul.

This is the one I went to!



Yeşildirek Hamam details

Address Tersane Caddesi 74,
Azapkapı
Telephone 0212 297 7223


Open 6am-9pm daily.

Admission YTL15; YTL25 with massage

 

[vince]

Google Gay Hammam Istanbul.

This is the one I went to!



Yeşildirek Hamam details

Address Tersane Caddesi 74,
Azapkapı
Telephone 0212 297 7223


Open 6am-9pm daily.

Admission YTL15; YTL25 with massage

Well there you go. I was wrong and stand corrected. It's not undercover. It's at the mouth of the Golden Horn! :tongue:

Have fun. Be safe... and be careful. This is in the Karakoy district right near the "Genelev"(s). A Genel Ev is an offically santioned whorehouse. The girls and premises are inspected and sanctioned by the municipality. The winding cobbled streets and narrow alleys are picturesque and safe during the day but ill lit, seedy and much more dangerous at night.

 

[lopo2000]

Thank you! I will definitely keep the contact detail. Sounds enjoyable.

 

[perthjames]

Currently in Istanbul and loving it. According to the surveys, Turkish men have small penises. I haven't seen one in real life, but a bit of crotch watching (I know I shouldn't admit to this) suggests otherwise.