Photo Credit: Herry Lawford

TripOut Gay Travel:
Istanbul

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Gay Friendly Rating: Gay Friendly Rating Tolerant and friendly; but be mindful about PDAs.
Turkish Delights abound in this otherworldly cosmopolitan paradise

Istanbul Fast Facts:

  • Gayborhood The Taksim district of Beyoglu town on the European side of Istanbul is the center of almost all major gay venues.
  • 1 US dollar buys approximately 1.75 New Turkish Lira. Check exchange rates.
  • Those funny water pipes are not bongs, it's a Turkish hookah packed with shisha tobacco.
  • Istanbul is full of crazy drivers. Take the tram.
  • Turkish shopkeepers are very friendly. If you so much as blink at a carpet display, five seconds later you'll find yourself inside the shop as their guest sipping apple tea with all their buddies. It's rude to refuse. If you don't have time or can't afford the items, best to keep moving.
  • The Turkish language is tough for foreigner. "Thank you" in Turkish is "tesekkur ederim." Just say "tea-sugar-a-dream" to get a smile off the locals.
  • Take a break from the tourist traps and hang with the local in-crowd in Nisantasi, Istanbul's answer to Chelsea.
  • There is a visa entry fee required which is payable at the Istanbul airport. Buy it before going to passport control.

Istanbul: Turkish Delight

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Imagine this sublime setting: Sunset on a roof deck bar overlooking the Bosphorus: Asian Istanbul to your front, illuminated minarets dominating the skyline to your rear, Islamic evening calls to prayer buzzing through Mosque loudspeakers as you sip... Read More Istanbul: Turkish Delight

Istanbul Top 5

Don't leave town before checking out...
TripOut Top Five
  1. Hagia Sophia
  2. Hamams (Turkish baths)
  3. 360 Istanbul
  4. Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazaar)
  5. Whirling Dervishes

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