📝 The GREAT BAZAR of ISTANBUL - Between "fake" and negotiations 📖 🎥 📎

As soon as I arrived at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul I felt as if I stepped into a parallel world. Confusion definitely reigns here, it is an immense labyrinth of corridors with hundreds of tiny shops selling everything imaginable, each competing to offer the best price. If you decide visit, keep in mind that the Turks love bargaining, it is part of the game, and you can also save a lot.

The sensation is that of being swallowed up by a vortex of colors, scents and people.

You can find spices ordered in mountains, glass lamps, woven carpets and everything that is typical of the place, it is a journey into the soul of Istanbul.

At the Grand Bazaar you can find everything: from gold to ceramics, from leather to fabrics, from household items to the most unusual souvenirs etc.

But the real reason why everyone (including tourists) goes shopping there, of course, are the "fake" and counterfeit products, especially clothing and accessories, these are perfect imitations of the most famous brands, from designer clothes to luxury bags, from watches to accessories.

What is surprising is that, deep within the Grand Bazaar you can find counterfeit products but of great quality, from fabric to attention to detail, what could be defined as "author's fake", of course we also did some negotiations and in the end we brought home some good clothes. Bargaining is essential and can be challenging as it determines the final price. I remember they initially wanted to sell me a vest at € 250 discounted, but I managed to get it with less than € 100, though I am sure I could have done even better.

We didn't buy much, but I remember crowds of tourists committed to choosing the best "branded products" at the lowest price going away with bags after bags full of every possible product; back on board MSC Sinfonia, in fact, everyone seemed to be wearing "designer" clothes they had just purchased at the Grand Bazaar.

In any case, the whole city of Istanbul deserves a visit for its beauties and quirks, in this regard I invite you to read my dedicated article.

In any case, walking under the ancient domes, between the constant voice and the smell of Turkish coffee I realized that the Grand Bazaar is not only a market but a bridge between cultures, a place where the East meets the West, a place where you can get lost and find yourself, get in touch with the most authentic and chaotic part of Istanbul.

It is an experience that is measured in the charm of a place that, for more or less "ethical" reasons, is unforgettable.

Keep reading the Blog...

Did you like the Travel Blog?

Support Gabry Giacopino through a donation in a simple, fast and totally safe way, this Web space requires costs to be maintained and its construction has required a huge amount of work, the site does not present advertisements and the articles of the Blog as well as the Vlog videos of the YouTube channel are totally free, all this work is supported only thanks to donations.

If you appreciate my posts you might be interested in my books