Rating & Reviews of Istanbul, Turkey
Average Rating: Good (18 Reviews)
Top Amenity Ratings:
Submitted by AZthairub from Phoenix Arizona May 7, 2008 03:51 AM GMT-05:00
Overall Rating: Very Poor
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Dangerous for a gay foreign traveler, got mugged 2x and scammed countless x 
As I walk on the way back to the hotel, I got robbed twice and beaten after being robbed since I don't have the money for the 2nd guy.  Taksim is a very dangerous park for foreign travelers (Korean man was recently killed here after it went bad) and 3 five stars hotels are just right next to it (business/entertainment District) Got scammed early in day time by a Turkish man wanting to show me around and sit down at a bar for a chat.  After sitting down and ordering a Coke, two Ukrarian girls sat right next to me and proceeded to order.  Got suspecious, he assured me that he pay for his share.  When the bill came, it turned out to be 640 YTL.  Wanting to run but I was too far away from the door.  Ended up coughing up with the money.  Later was told by an American that this happens all the time to all the tourists and I should have reported to the police.  At Grand Bazaar, if you wish to buy a carpet, you should read all about it before coming in.  I ended up paying 2x as much as I should for two Kilim carpet even though my price was 75% off of the asking price.  All in all, it is the only country that I ended up with many disgusts and brutal experience to remember (both physically and emotionally).
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Date of Trip to Istanbul, Turkey:
May,2008
Cost of your trip:
$1,001-$2,000
Purpose of your trip?
Personal
Who should go to Istanbul, Turkey ?