MAN SHOPS GLOBE: TRAVEL GUIDES
Find out the best places to EAT, SLEEP, SHOP, and SEE in all the destinations featured in MAN SHOPS GLOBE!
PLAN OUT YOUR TRAVELS:
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EAT
Hamdi Restaurant (site in Turkish)
17 Kalçin Sokak
Rüstempasa
Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey has some of the best food in the world! Try everything there, especially the seafood. It was truly a revelation to me; I didn't realize it was so varied. I especially love the restaurant, Hamdi. Be sure to book a reservation upstairs because it's all glass-enclosed and looks out over the Bosphorus. Stunning.
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SLEEP
Four Seasons Hotel - Istanbul at the Bosphorus
Çiragan Cad. No. 28
Besiktas
Istanbul, Turkey 34349
A beautiful place to stay is the new Four Seasons on the Bosphorus. It's really new and nice. I haven't found any place that's great and small in Turkey... you always want to find that "cute little place," but I haven't found it there yet.
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SHOP
Grand Bazaar Istanbul
Opening Times:
Monday to Saturday 9:00am - 7:00pm.
Closed Sundays and bank holidays.
Getting there:
Take a tram to Beyazit, Üniversite or Sirkeci.
The Grand Bazaar is around 15 minutes walk from the Aya Sofya/Blue Mosque area.
The first thing that you need to see is the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi) in Istanbul- huge... overwhelming... intoxicating place. The Bazaar is worth its reputation - it has become way too commercial, too many places selling the same things - but there are definitely finds, you just have to be diligent.
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SEE
Be sure to take a boat ride on the Bosphorus - it is unforgettable. The Kücük Bebek area of Istanbul has so many places to hang out - you'll find a lot of locals there. And the underground Cistern, dating back before the Roman Period, is certainly worth exploring.
- Underground Cistern Info
- Boat Rides on the Bosphorus Info
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ADMIRE
Turkey is most famous for carpets and weaving. There is often uniformity in Turkish rugs - the trick is finding something surprising. We found someone doing marbleizing on fabric on silk - really intriguing - haven't seen that anywhere else.
Hazal Kilim and Carpet
Ms. Engin Demirkol, owner
Mecidiye Köprüsü Sokak No:9
Ortakoy Istanbul
The wonderful textile artist (who creates the gorgeous pillows for Keith in MAN SHOPS GLOBE - Turkey) is Engin Demirkol. You can find her shop in the Ortakoy neighborhood of Istanbul.
