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General Tips in IstanbulMajor update: 4. 11. 2009 HamansOne of the reasons why I love Istanbul are the Hamams, the famous Turkish baths. In recent years I had the impression that the have gotten better at marketing themselves. Most hamams have a website and better signs. I usually book the full program: scrub, foam massage and oil massage – and I end up relaxed and very clean! My advice: avoid the most advertised and touristic hamams (Cagaloglu and Cemberlitas). They are expensive and sometimes rather rushed, especially when they are visited by groups of tourists - it's like being on a conveyor belt. Among all of the hamams that I have tested so far, I liked it best at the Gedikpasa Hamam. It’s one of the oldest (built in 1475) and as an additional sauna room and cool water pool. The massagers take their time and give a good scrub – but you won’t have the impression of being skinned alive….
The Sultanahmet Hamam is smaller and the men’s and women’s section aren’t separeted very well. The services are rather limited. The Galatasaray Hamam belongs to the more expensive ones but it very nice and agreeable. Sometimes they even light the cupole in different colors (if you go in the evening) and play relaxing Oriental flute music. A beverage is included.
General advice: If you plan to arrive early or in a group it’s better to call in advance to make sure that there will be enough staff. Even if the hamams open early in the morning officially the massager might not have arrived yet. Anyway, it’s best to go alone or by two. If there’s a group the treatments are often shortened because there aren’t enough massagers. And I find it much more relaxing to just lie on a hot stone and sweat in peace. Chattering will only be a disturbance to the relaxing, calm atmosphere. If you book an oil massage, bring some shampoo to wash the oil out of your hair. If you do only the scrub and foam massage, bring some body lotion because your skin will be very dry. Only few hamams take credit cards, it’s best to pay cash. www.gedikpasahamami.com The pictures on the websites are more modest than reality – you
will be naked for the massage, the pestemal (towel) is only used to
walk around or to sit on. If you prefer Western beauty treatments, you might like the California Nail bar. It’s a very nice beauty parlour under American management which offers facials, manicure/pedicure and massages. www.californianailbar.com, Valikonagi Caddesi no: 103, Nisantasi, HotelsThere are many ways to rest after a long day of shopping in Istanbul from simple to luxurious. It's also worth to ask hotels for the "special price" - there usually is one. I like to stay in Beyoglu - hotels in the classical tourist area of Sultanahmet are often double the price! Hotel Silviya Büyük Londra Oteli (Grand Hotel de Londres) Manzara Istanbul FoodEating is no problem in Istanbul. From the simple kebab stand to the gourmet restaurant, there is everything. AND if you love deserts like me, you have to go to Özsüt, nobody does calories as well as they do! The best (and one of the most expensive) Kebap can be found at Hacibey - it's really something else than you have ever tasted! Shoppping in generalShopping opportunities in Istanbul are nearly unlimited. There's something for every taste and budget! Besides the already mentioned classics like Grand Basar and Istiklal it's also worth to take the Metro to Osmanbey. The area is called Nisantasi (pronounced Nishahntashe). There's also a big shopping mall right at the Sisli (pronounced Shishly) station. Both are great for clothes and accessories shopping. |
