Istanbul Travel Tips
Where To Stay
There are hotels to suit every budget. I would suggest a small family run hotel which will be expensive and clean and ideal if you are going to be spending most of your time sightseeing and shopping.
VISA
You need to purchase a VISA when you arrive in Turkey which is £10 sterling.
Getting Around
Many of the sights in Istanbul can be reached by the tram which runs through the centre or simply by walking. We walked for miles (on a wet and cold day I must add) from our hotel to Sultanhamet where the Blue Mosque and many of the main attractions are.
Where To Shop For Belly Dance Costumes
You can buy costumes in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul which are reasonable quality but you must bargain for them - many will do alterations for you at little or no extra cost.
Bella - 1st Floor, 3/5 Fulya Caddesi, Mecidiyekay 80290, Istanbul 0212 272 2029
The haute couture of Belly Dance wear in Istanbul is Bella. I have had many costumes from Bella and they give an incredible fit and are made to be danced in, they have never lost a bead or a stone and although expensive are well worth the money for the quality. You may have difficulty in finding her studio, we took a taxi on our first trip and it took several stops by the driver to ask directions before we eventually found it. Our next trip was using the Tram, Funikular and Metro which is very close by and very easy to find once you have been there once. Alterations to costumes can be done while you wait or you can go for something to eat at the wonderful cafe downstairs, try the soup - its fantastic and very cheap!
Sim Moda - Istaklal Caddesi Lale Han. #87, 4th floor 0212 251 4169
Sim Moda costumes are absolutely gorgeous, a lot of them have cut out sections on them and extensive fringing and beadwork which makes them great costumes for restaurant work. Defnintely worth a visit if you have time.
Istanbul Dreams - Alemdar Mah, Inciliacavus Sok, Ates Pasaji No: 33/5 34400, Sultanahmet, Istanbul 0090 212 514 5894
Stunning costumes which can be made to order - great quality costumes ranging from Beginner Level to Professional Level. Excellent service.
Dinner Shows
There are many dinner shows in Istanbul, I have been to the Orient House and Sultana's, both of which had very good bellydancers. I cannot endorse or comment on any of the other shows but I would say worth a visit if you have time.
I have listed the main ones below:
Orient House - Tiyatro Cad, 27 Eminonu - 0212 517 6163 - Approx 60 euros per person.
Gar Music Hall - Musafa Kemal Pasa Cad, No 3, Yanikap - 0212 588 4045
Sultana's Nights - Elmadag Cumheriyet Cad, 16/1 - 0212 219 3904 - www.sultanas-nights.com - approx 50 euros per person.
Kervansaray - Cumhuriyet Cad, 30 - 0212 247 1630 - Asena dances here - approximately 80 euros per person.
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