- Something from the history of local trade
- Antiquity evidence
- Food
- What to bring alcohol from Istanbul?
- Carpets from Istanbul
- Jewelery and jewelry
- Shoes, clothes
Turkey today is one of the countries with developed tourism, so many Russians have been there more than once or not even twice. However, if your friends or relatives have not yet discovered the Turkish coast or you yourself want to keep the impressions of the trip for a longer time, you need to think in advance what to bring from Istanbul as a gift or as a keepsake. Because, having plunged into the diversity of Turkish bazaars, it is quite easy to lose your head. So, what useful, interesting or tasty can you take with you when you return from Turkey?
Something from the history of local trade
The former Constantinople, and now Istanbul, is historically one of the centers of world trade. Even in Antiquity and later in the Middle Ages, trade was the main source of income for the city and townspeople, it was the engine of local progress. And to this day, everything here is tied to incessant trade ties. Merchants from many countries come to Istanbul, bringing their goods from everywhere. And therefore you can buy everything here. However, we need to choose something purely Turkish, while, if possible, produced in Istanbul or its surroundings. Therefore, we will choose what is most popular with tourists coming to rest in these regions.
Antiquity evidence
The mysterious and brilliant East has always amazed with its beauty and generosity. There are many antiques stored here, and many antique lovers are hunting for Istanbul antiques. The selection of antiques is huge, but one should warn against too old copies: according to the laws of Turkey, antiques, which are less than a hundred years old, are prohibited from export from the country.
On the streets you can find many vendors of antique coins and figurines, among which there may be genuine works of art that fall under the above-mentioned prohibition. Therefore, in order to avoid trouble, it is better to buy an antique item at stationary retail outlets, where a museum certificate is attached to each copy. Or do not be lazy and go to an appraiser with a street purchase in order to have an idea of its true historical value.
Food
The food here is in such an assortment (moreover, it is original and Turkish) that it becomes rather difficult to choose the right one. Most often, tourists purchase the following products for gifts and hospitality:
- tea - usually in high demand among visitors, varieties of green, black and fruit tea. Considering that Turkey has its own tea plantations, then you can be sure that the acquisition will be of real Turkish origin. What, for example, cannot be said about coffee, which is not grown in Turkey;
- Turkish delight in assortment - a favorite delicacy in the East, Turkish delight amazes with its variety and taste nuances. Eastern sweets are something that you can take without fear that the purchase will deteriorate before departure or will not endure the flight. This category also includes various varieties of nuts, first of all, pistachio nuts, which can be bought independently or with the composition of the same Turkish delight;
- olive oil - some consider it not the primary product that Turkey produces in comparison with Italy or Greece. Perhaps, the volume of olive oil produced here is really smaller, but enough for tourists to bring real fresh olive oil smelling of greenery from Istanbul. You can also grab Turkish olives;
- cheeses - more than a hundred different types of cheese are produced in Turkey. The easiest option that will get you home with no problems is the well-known pigtail. If more original varieties are needed, then there are also a lot of them, moreover, made from both cow and goat and sheep milk.
What to bring alcohol from Istanbul?
A win-win gift for friends is exotic alcoholic drinks typical for a particular area. In Istanbul, you can try and buy a bottle of muddy bonza for a souvenir - this is an analogue of mash, not very strong and having a characteristic sour taste.
If you need something stronger, then the choice will fall on aniseed crayfish. This is not anise vodka, but an aged brandy infused with anise seeds. It is drunk diluted, has an original taste for an amateur.
Carpets from Istanbul
Despite their rather large dimensions, carpets are invariably popular with tourists from all over the world. Luxurious products are still made today with the preservation of not only the production technology, but also the patterns, ornaments, and colors traditional for this area. At the same time, in any Istanbul carpet store, not only is it not forbidden to bargain, but it is even very welcome - prices are not fixed there.
Jewelery and jewelry
Turkey does not produce its own gold mining, so gold is imported here, but jewelry is made of metal of a special composition - gold in Turkey is special, a little reddish. The jewelers here are notable, therefore, despite the fineness of no less than in Europe, gold items can be very beautiful. In addition to precious metals, a variety of "handy materials" are used for jewelry: cut glass; metal; stones, etc. All this goes to the manufacture of inexpensive, but original jewelry, which is apparently invisible in Istanbul markets and shops.
Shoes, clothes
You don't even have to guess to understand that the most popular clothes that are purchased for export from Turkey are leather and fur products. The Turks themselves treat natural silks with great respect, which is understandable in the conditions of their climate. But tourists have been buying coats and jackets, raincoats and other clothes for more than a decade. However, in addition to leather and fur, Istanbul stores have something to choose from textiles, fabrics for bed linen, etc.
As for shoes, the choice is also huge. True, as elsewhere, the championship is slowly taking products from China, but you can easily find purely Turkish brands. By the way, the Collins denim brand, to which millions of Russians are accustomed, is also Turkish.
