thanks! thats gives me an idea of what to expect. I know we have to come home with some form of a rug because it would be a sin not to! I guess whether it will be silk or wool will have to be decided when we are there since it will be based on what we fall in love with i guess. :)

I would suggest doing more research into rugs before the trip--there are many websites and many books on the subject. I would not want to go in a store not knowing about the knotting, dyes, fabric, rug vs. kilim, etc. You will want to impress the vendor that you know what you are looking at!

Mainly Istanbul and Cappadocia is your shopping paradise. In Ankara at old castle some good shops and antique dealers and other handicrafts are available.

As suggested especially for rugs, take notes in ýstanbul but have a second go in Cappadocia.

If you choose to buy one in Cappadocia also for ceramics, you do not have to carry them around they can ship to your doorstep.

Happy travelling,
Murat

Research is always a good idea. I was lazy about reading. I went into a couple of stores in the states, told them I was looking for a rug and will they explain the types. They were more than happy to educate me and they also showed me an example and I got to touch, turn and look closely at them. I felt that was better than reading. It also got me excited about the trip. If you are interested in purchasing, measure and write down the size you are looking for. When we were in Egypt, 2 couples that were traveling with us got caught up in it all and bought 2 beautiful rugs. They got home and they were too small for the area that they planned on using them. I also carry a tape measure with me too.It's just a small one, but have used in on many occasions. I also before closing my suit case put a layer of bubble wrap on top just in case I need it to wrap something in better. Pitch it if you don't need it or give it to someone else on your trip.

"how much on average would a decent quality 5 x 7 rug be. are we talking less than hundred, in the hundreds"

For the genuine article, i.e hand woven on a loom, think thousands! The others are mass produced or Asian/Chinese imports. The snakey carpet salesman will tell you that you are getting a bargain for $200. Not true. Rather a tourist memento we all will treasure nonetheless. With this class of salesman you can tell when they're lying - their lips move :) My question to you "Do you know how to grade diamonds?". Same deal for carpets! TIP If you do buy one and you need to ship it sign your name on the label on the back. That way there are no disputes about the wrong carpet being shipped.

Just buy clothes. There are lots of all kinds of fakes availabe and some rather good quality "no names" too! Any fake products, CDs, DVDs, bags whatever sell at a very "good" prices. More expensive than in China, but nevertheless cheap. Just don't let customs catch you. :D. DVDs are usually home-made copies from the internet.

Worldinabag:

If you are talking about real rug or as we say carpet the size you mention is irrelevant because carpets comes as :

Hereke Silk (2 qualities)
Kayseri Silk
Hereke Wool on Cotton
Kayseri Wool on Cotton
Wool on Wool, Kayseri, Turkoman, Konya, Ussak, Yagcibedir, Taspinar, Dosemealti, Milas etc.......so many regional and special carpets are excisting.

For 200 Usd. probably a small Dosemealti (Antalya region tribal Yuruk rug)or a small Taspinar can be found.

Depending on size and material 600 Usd to 60.000 Usd is a range to decide about in general......

Happy shopping,

Murat

thanks guys again for all the responses. I will take all your advice and definitely research about carpets to understand what best fits our needs and budget. Thanks for all the tips. I love the bubble wrap idea - we always end up buying something fragile.

About buying a carpet really made in asia/china - that is exactly what I was afraid of. When we were in florence, we bought this beautiful tapestry of a view of Lake Como with pastel colors, flowers, a terrace,etc - it was beautiful. About 6 months later - my mom was able to buy the exact same tapestry from jcpenney - made in china! We had paid so much for the tapestry in Florence and my mom got it for a fraction of the cost here. It was really funny.

Maybe we can look into getting a very small authentic rug because I don't think I want to spend 600 on a rug.

Aside from that - yes we will look into clothes, handicrafts, spices, foods - whatever we can fit in our suitcases!! :) Infact we might need to take an empty suitcase just for shopping. Can't wait!

I don't you know your tastes or what you like to bring back. But here are some things I liked.

From the house of the Virgin Mary - holy water - you can bring your own bottles or buy them there (they aren't cheap!, but if that is important to you...) or other charms and momentos.

I got the best deal on the woven bookmarks (you'll see them everywhere) at Peragmon. 7 for a $1. Most other places were 3 or 4 for $1. Some places they wanted $2 for 1.

Turkish leather goods are excellent as well. I've been looking for a good leather coat for years that would fit me and I actually found one there. I paid $360, which was about $140 cheaper than I had seen anything that came close to fitting in the states.

As for rugs. Everywhere has a carpet store or factory. The rugs and leather shops are really were the main bargaining takes place most of the rest of the barganing is for show. The Turks are far more western in shopping than the write ups I've seen give them credit for. Depending on the size, make sure they include shipping, how they handle customs, and what currency they are charging you in. Those items can add up really quickly. (If the rug is over 300 YTL, they should include shipping) Also if they are charing you in TYL then you are paying the true exchange rate, plus whatever your credit card charges rather than an inflated exchange rate. Customs is up to the negotiation and whether or not they have an agent in the country to where they are shipping. In my case my rug will be delivered (and charged customs) to an agent in NY before it mailed on to me in IL. Makes it part of the price rather than an add on later.

Hope this helps.

thanks for the tips. Woven bookmarks sounds really cute - I would definitely get some for me as well as for gifts for people at work,etc.

I am not really interested in buying clothes - more so things for the home, handicrafts, gifts for family and friends....but this board has given me lots of ideas and tips. Thanks!!

The woven bookmarks have been a major hit with everyone who I gave them too. They have a mulitude of patterns. I think I brought home 45 of them with only 3 duplicates.

There are a number of handy craft type things I saw. There is pottery. I saw that more inland than along the coast (and in Istanbul). They really range in price and quality. They are very fond of stylized tulips and carnations so that is a prominent decorative theme on a lot of the ottoman or post ottoman pottery.

Cloth purses were also pretty popular with the other women on our tour. Not my style, but many were bought.

Pashmina and other scarves in a wide selection.

Some copper work. Mainly cooking or vase type pots, although I did see a few trays.

The Turkish tea glasses were a popular bring back as well. (Actually the style is the same over most of the middle east)

Mosaic lamps. Various qualities, but quite striking. You'll find the best prices (among the tourist stops) at the Grand Bazaar.

ooooohhh pashmina, mosaic lamps, tea glasses! i love everything you have mentioned - it sounds so exotic and middle-eastern - that is EXACTLY the type of artifact/craft type of things I love buying. I think my house will look like amuseum after all my travels since these are the types of things I buy from all my travels! once again - i am totally physched to go to turkey after reading these posts! :)

I'm still trying to get Mr frogoutofwater to shed the stuff he bought when he visited Turkey in 1998.

Not sure if it's mentioned here, but one thing I shopped for in Turkey (but never bought) was tea glasses. You'll see the distinctive, tulip-shaped, stemless glasses everywhere. We don't drink tea (which is probably why I never bought the glasses), but I loved the shape (tulips are my favourite flower) - and if I had succeeded in finding a really special set (e.g. a modern interpretation of the classic design), I would have bought them anyway.