80|discoverTURKEY Shopping İstanbul is a great place <strong>to</strong> shop. Whatever you want <strong>to</strong> buy, you can find the whole range – from souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar <strong>to</strong> designer labels in exclusive malls. The same rules apply as in the rest of <strong>Turkey</strong> ie fixed prices in ‘normal’shops and bartering in and around the bazaars. Shopping in the Grand Bazaar, Kapalı Çarşi is an unique experience. Although some find the atmosphere overwhelming, if you get in<strong>to</strong> the spirit of it, it is fun. The salesmen’s banter is lighthearted and they are experts at guessing nationalities from a distance and choosing their language accordingly. Some of the lines are sure <strong>to</strong> bring a smile <strong>to</strong> your face even if you are not interested in buying. Feel free <strong>to</strong> browse – the shops selling similar wares tend <strong>to</strong> be grouped <strong>to</strong>gether, which makes it easier <strong>to</strong> see what’s on offer before committing yourself. It is usual <strong>to</strong> be offered a glass of apple tea, elma çayı,<strong>to</strong> ease the bargaining process. The best advice is simply <strong>to</strong> decide how much you want <strong>to</strong> pay for something, start the haggling a bit lower and then move up <strong>to</strong> your original price. You will soon get an idea of prices if you ask around. Bir bira lütfen A beer please discoverturkeyatwww.go<strong>to</strong>turkey.co.uk The Bazaar has thousands of shops, <strong>to</strong>gether with cafes, banks, a post office, police station and even a mosque – in fact a self-contained community. They sell everything here from cheap textiles <strong>to</strong> fine gold jewellery. Leather goods are excellent value as are ceramics, silver and, of course, carpets. It is worth a wander around the İç Bedesten, the oldest part of the Bazaar at its very centre, where they sell an eclectic range of antiques and bricabrac. The Spice Bazaar, known in Turkish as the Mısır Çarşi or ‘Egyptian Bazaar’ is also well worth visiting for dried fruit and nuts, spices, including saffron, Turkish delight and cot<strong>to</strong>n goods. You can even find stalls where they will cus<strong>to</strong>m-make a perfume for you. If you have time, the walk between the Spice Bazaar and the Grand Bazaar is interesting. To keep your bearings, just head uphill through the maze of streets where street vendors sell their wares at rock bot<strong>to</strong>m prices. Those who are more interested in looking at the other end of the scale, should head <strong>to</strong> the area of Nişantaşı for designer shops, the modern mall of Akmerkez or İstiklal Caddesi. If you are in İstanbul over the weekend you should take a trip <strong>to</strong> the area of Ortaköy, just under the first Bosphorus Bridge <strong>to</strong> visit the atmospheric Sunday market which takes place on the seafront. Eating outandEntertainment Nightlife in İstanbul is an unique mix – you can find the latest clubs, which are some of the best in Europe or a café with cushions on the floor, where you can smoke a hookah pipe or nargile. <strong>Where</strong>ver you choose <strong>to</strong> eat, whether you want a quick snack in the midst of sightseeing or a romantic dinner for two you are likely <strong>to</strong> find delicious food made from fresh ingredients, and can expect good value for money. If you want traditional street entertainers and musicians head <strong>to</strong> the area of Kumkapı near the Sea of Marmara, in the old <strong>to</strong>wn, famous for its fish, or the Flower Passage Çiçek Pasaji off İstiklal Caddesi. You can find excellent restaurants with views and many in his<strong>to</strong>ric buildings, as well as some very fashionable restaurants serving international cuisine. İstanbul is famous for its fish and seafood so you should try <strong>to</strong> eat fish at least once during your stay. There are some excellent fish restaurants along the Bosphorus. For an idea of where <strong>to</strong> go and what <strong>to</strong> do there are two English language publications, Time Out Istanbul, (www.timeout.com/travel/ istanbul) and The Guide Istanbul (www.theguideturkey.com/istanbul/) which are available in hotels and shops locally.
3(<strong>to</strong>pleft) shoppingin theGrandBazaar 3(left)asea-frontbarinOrtaköy 5(main)YerebatanSarniç,the cisterns oftheByzantinecity Istanbul factfile where<strong>to</strong>stay relaxation his<strong>to</strong>ry&culture
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