Turkish Shopping Experience From Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
Rating: 
Trip Type: Shopping Tours
Duration: 4 hours
No trip to Turkey would be complete without experiencing the culture of a true shopping expedition and seeing, negotiating and buying something from the rich tapestry of goods for which Turkey is famous. Visit the world's famous Grand Bazaar, Spice Market and Turkish Handmade Producers.
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No trip to Turkey would be complete without experiencing the culture of a true shopping expedition and seeing, negotiating and buying something from the rich tapestry of goods for which Turkey is famous. Visit the world's famous Grand Bazaar, Spice Market and Turkish Handmade Producers.From the ancient Grand Bazaar with over 3,000 shops selling everything from carpets to jewelry to ceramics and leather goods, to the Spice Bazaar with its incredible smell from almost every spice imaginable, as well as dried fruits and nuts, sweets and the ubiquitous Turkish Delight, it is mind blowing to the first time visitor. This is not helped by the traders shouting out and tempting you in with various offers, many of which will be quickly forgotten should you venture inside. To ensure a pleasurable and happy shopping experience this tour will guide you to the right places to make your purchases. Many of these are to be found on backs streets outside the two bazaars, in places you would likely never find or enter by yourself.
The whole Turkish culture and tradition of buying from recommended traders is still observed. You will be encouraged to:
· sit and drink tea
· talk about yourself
· ask questions
· look at a huge array of merchandise
· negotiate, as no trader is happy if you just accept their first price
This is part of the whole process, one where making friends is as important as the purchase itself.
What to Buy
Carpets/Kilim/Rugs
The Turkish carpet/kilim has a long history dating back hundreds of years. An original Turkish carpet is handmade using only natural fibres and dyes from plant extract. The process is long and slow and obviously the time taken to make one depends on how big it is. Smaller carpets, with their bright colours are quite often used to hang on walls just as you would with a picture. There are many different characteristics to the Turkish carpet, depending on where the material is from and this also influences the design and price.
Ceramics
The production of Turkish ceramics dates back to the 15th Century and developed from the appreciation of Chinese porcelain by the Ottoman Sultans. Being unable to produce porcelain they manufactured fritware, which is a low-fired body comprised mainly of silica and glass.
Jewellery
With 500 years of Ottoman Rule and their desire for opulent jewellery a whole industry is devoted to keeping the traditions alive with craftsmen passing their knowledge and skills on from one generation to another. The result is an abundance of unique pieces both for design and the gems which adorn them.
Leather
Turkey has a thriving leather industry offering bags, jackets, coats and trousers, but you have to be very careful as there are so many fakes on the market. That said you can buy exceptional quality leather goods at prices which are usually way below what you would normally pay in your home country.
The whole Turkish culture and tradition of buying from recommended traders is still observed. You will be encouraged to:
· sit and drink tea
· talk about yourself
· ask questions
· look at a huge array of merchandise
· negotiate, as no trader is happy if you just accept their first price
This is part of the whole process, one where making friends is as important as the purchase itself.
What to Buy
Carpets/Kilim/Rugs
The Turkish carpet/kilim has a long history dating back hundreds of years. An original Turkish carpet is handmade using only natural fibres and dyes from plant extract. The process is long and slow and obviously the time taken to make one depends on how big it is. Smaller carpets, with their bright colours are quite often used to hang on walls just as you would with a picture. There are many different characteristics to the Turkish carpet, depending on where the material is from and this also influences the design and price.
Ceramics
The production of Turkish ceramics dates back to the 15th Century and developed from the appreciation of Chinese porcelain by the Ottoman Sultans. Being unable to produce porcelain they manufactured fritware, which is a low-fired body comprised mainly of silica and glass.
Jewellery
With 500 years of Ottoman Rule and their desire for opulent jewellery a whole industry is devoted to keeping the traditions alive with craftsmen passing their knowledge and skills on from one generation to another. The result is an abundance of unique pieces both for design and the gems which adorn them.
Leather
Turkey has a thriving leather industry offering bags, jackets, coats and trousers, but you have to be very careful as there are so many fakes on the market. That said you can buy exceptional quality leather goods at prices which are usually way below what you would normally pay in your home country.
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