Thanks for the update!  I know that the Turkish economy is in very poor shape but I am encouraged to hear that Aquarius is going strong.  Also good to know that you stayed healthy during your trip. 

On 1/16/2022 at 12:12 AM, xpaulo said:

Was just in Istanbul the first two weeks of December. Lots of he-man type escorts in romeo and rentmen. Did meet up for an hour with an incredibly hot escort. Went back and forth in my head about whether it was crazy to go to Aquarius with omicron taking off, but went twice just at the end. Definitely some attractive guys there. A few male model types who really aren't my thing. Had a great time with a few working class type guys. They're the kind of guys I grew up with and have always been the most attractive for me. Didn't get Covid.  I suppose the guys there would have had it already, maybe more than once. It was must be a pretty conducive place for transmission, little rooms, close contact. It was incredibly cheap with the TL collapsing, but guilt inducing because the economic problems are really hard on the working people. Also went to Barcelona, but the Thermas site said foreigners needed a document I didn't have. I had a French covid pass that might have got me in, but I didn't feel like trying to sort something like that out at door. Had a nice time in Paris with an escort and a duo in Madrid. I'm at an age where just some body contact and some light activities are more my thing. All of the escorts I met were good guys and I had a good time with them. Not many tourists around Europe, but the cafes and bars everywhere are busy, especially Paris. It was kind of surreal seeing people packed together, not wearing any masks.

Glad you had fun. Turks usually quote in euro so I didn't think lira depreciation would make turkey attractive for us. Did you get quotes in lira? What is the going rate now at aquarius? 

On 1/17/2022 at 3:53 PM, young11 said:

Glad you had fun. Turks usually quote in euro so I didn't think lira depreciation would make turkey attractive for us. Did you get quotes in lira? What is the going rate now at aquarius? 

You're correct, the tourist operations were quoting in euros, but restaurants in normal neighbourhoods were very inexpensive. The movie Dune was about $2.50 U.S. in the theatre compared to about $16 U.S. to see The French Dispatch in Paris.  Also far fewer tourists which was nice for me, not so nice for the people whose livelihood depends on them. As for the guys at Aquarius, I think I was offering over the going rate, but some still wanted more. I felt bad for them because it was very quiet. I think one afternoon I was the only outsider there. Barcelona was particularly disheartening because it looked there were abandoned cafes and other businesses on every block. But it looked like the ones that survived are doing okay.

On 1/19/2022 at 6:44 AM, xpaulo said:

You're correct, the tourist operations were quoting in euros, but restaurants in normal neighbourhoods were very inexpensive. The movie Dune was about $2.50 U.S. in the theatre compared to about $16 U.S. to see The French Dispatch in Paris.  Also far fewer tourists which was nice for me, not so nice for the people whose livelihood depends on them. As for the guys at Aquarius, I think I was offering over the going rate, but some still wanted more. I felt bad for them because it was very quiet. I think one afternoon I was the only outsider there. Barcelona was particularly disheartening because it looked there were abandoned cafes and other businesses on every block. But it looked like the ones that survived are doing okay.

Thanks for the detail so did the boys offer you in lira or euro? What was the rate

On ‎1‎/‎19‎/‎2022 at 6:44 AM, xpaulo said:

 Barcelona was particularly disheartening because it looked there were abandoned cafes and other businesses on every block. But it looked like the ones that survived are doing okay.

Early december would be  extreme low tourist season (together with January) and a lot places are closed. Try go back in the summer and the picture will completely different (I was in Barcelona twice last year, late Aug and late Sep - a lot tourists and things very busy)

On 1/21/2022 at 5:00 PM, young11 said:

Thanks for the detail so did the boys offer you in lira or euro? What was the rate

Some quoted me a rate in lira, others I just offered them a rate in lira first. There's nothing comparable to Aquarius at home, but I tried to match what it might be if there was something like that.

4 hours ago, xpaulo said:

Some quoted me a rate in lira, others I just offered them a rate in lira first. There's nothing comparable to Aquarius at home, but I tried to match what it might be if there was something like that.

Is it a problem if you share the rate at aquarius with us? 

On 1/25/2022 at 2:26 AM, young11 said:

Is it a problem if you share the rate at aquarius with us? 

Apparently it is as you asked 3 times.

I was in Istanbul last summer and engaged 2 guys at Aquarius for 400 TL each. That was about US$46 back then. Entry was 70 TL. t would be interesting to know if the asking price has gone up in TL.

4 minutes ago, davet said:

Apparently it is as you asked 3 times.

I was in Istanbul last summer and engaged 2 guys at Aquarius for 400 TL each. That was about US$46 back then. Entry was 70 TL. t would be interesting to know if the asking price has gone up in TL.

😅 yeah, usually turks like to match their price to euro, instead of fixing their rate on TL but that could be different at sauna, so I wondered

I've been to Aquarius on 2 trips. All the guys asked for lira. On my first trip some ten years ago, one guy asked for euros - 250! - and seemed relieved when I said no. He was the bartender and didn't seem enthused about the extra services.

Last summer, Aquarius, like much of Istanbul, had all the right signs up but nobody was complying or enforcing. The establishment was officially in shut down but someone stood out front and if you looked like a potential customer, he would lead you through the lights-out front office and down into the bath. I thought the offering was mediocre but the guys were friendly and not pushy.

I'm in France and thinking of taking a few days to visit the Aquarius, um, I mean Istanbul. I like hairy guys. I'm wondering how good is the experience with the guys given that gay sex is so relatively frowned on in their culture, compared to say Brazil.  Are they likely to kiss for example? Also I like a long, slow suavecito style of sex; am I more likely just to get 10 minutes of pounding and that's it? And how are the hardness issues? Thanks guys!

6 hours ago, Canadianbtmguy said:

I'm in France and thinking of taking a few days to visit the Aquarius, um, I mean Istanbul. I like hairy guys. I'm wondering how good is the experience with the guys given that gay sex is so relatively frowned on in their culture, compared to say Brazil.  Are they likely to kiss for example? Also I like a long, slow suavecito style of sex; am I more likely just to get 10 minutes of pounding and that's it? And how are the hardness issues? Thanks guys!

My experience with Arab guys is they just want to bang the shit out of you like you are a female, nothing smooth and loving because they have to prove they are the man.

Latins are the lovers...😉

You are not there for a Latin lover experience or even an Omar Sharif lover. It's wham-bam-thank-you-sam. Aquarius only provides an uncomfortable massage table that you wouldn't want to spend much time on anyway.

There is so much gay sex going on in any moslem culture but it's the don't-ask-don't-tell variety. And no, they don't bang you like a female. They bang you like a worthless meat object that exists solely for their penile stimulation. Excuse me while I jump in a cold shower.

 

That was my experience too. Lots of hairy guys (not my preference), and they fuck on an uncomfortable massage table and are in a hurry to get off. It was hot enough, but relaxed and intimate it was not. It felt like performative masculinity. I think if I returned I'd probably skip and try hiring off the internet. May not work out either, but I think you'd have more control over what you were getting. If hairy whambam potluck is your thing though, it will likely be hot as hell for you.

1 hour ago, caeron said:

 

That was my experience too. Lots of hairy guys (not my preference), and they fuck on an uncomfortable massage table and are in a hurry to get off. It was hot enough, but relaxed and intimate it was not. It felt like performative masculinity. I think if I returned I'd probably skip and try hiring off the internet. May not work out either, but I think you'd have more control over what you were getting. If hairy whambam potluck is your thing though, it will likely be hot as hell for you.

Are those hairy guys muscular?

3 hours ago, Menaughty said:

Are those hairy guys muscular?

My recollection is yes, but not body builder muscled.

7 hours ago, caeron said:

performative masculinity.

the worst 

2 hours ago, caeron said:

My recollection is yes, but not body builder muscled.

Turkish oil wrestler muscled. 

On 2/15/2021 at 4:05 AM, Santiagodc said:

What a great story! I would have simply withered when the manager was at the door!

 

I remember visiting the Istanbul Military Museum (one of the best in the world) and this Turkish guy struck up an English conversation with me. He said he was wanting to practice his English, but it was also clear he was someone I would peg as gay in DC or London. As I was walking back to my hotel, he said he was headed to Taksim and asked if he could tag along. We stopped at an outdoor café along the way and I offered to pay for a coffee. When the coffee and snacks were delivered, my new friend said to me, "They are discriminating against us". I asked WHY and he pointed to the people sitting around us whose coffee and cookie selection delivered to their table were quite larger than ours. I laughed and said, "Is it because I'm a foreigner?"  He said, "No, its because they think we are gay just because I am talking with you! I can't believe that!" I then said, "Well, they are at least partially correct. One of us IS gay!" He never addressed my comment, but he then showed me a photo of his "girlfriend!" We also just parted ways afterwards. I could never quite figure out when someone there was just straight metrosexual, straight but effeminate, gay, or otherwise. My normally fine-tuned middle eastern gaydar just seemed to be off in this much different Turkish culture. The Turks and Kurds there are so supremely sexy, though.

Are you sure he wasn't trying to sell you a rug? The last time I was in Istanbul I was inundated by friendly guys who were trying to get me back to their rug shops which, in many cases, were quite a ways away. 

any recent experience in Istanbul? What is going rate in TL?

i visited Istanbul 2014 ten years ago. Hired a male on Romeo app. went to his place with only the amount we agreed upon. he fucked me quite nicely. Then i went again in 2023. This time got fucked by two male escorts one i met on Hornet the other one was referred to me by tourguide. I am not a white tourist so i am not targeted as aggressively by scammers as i look like Pakistani and not very good looking. I went to Tekyon many times on each trip and always had good time there. People were friendly but no one wanted to fuck me. I guess i was lucky no one robbed me. ohh yes taxi drivers overcharged me other than that i found Turkish people to be friendly generally. Ohh by the way i am going again in May 2024 if anyone wants to meetup or just hangout i will be happy to meet. 

On 4/20/2024 at 5:19 PM, raheelk said:

i visited Istanbul 2014 ten years ago. Hired a male on Romeo app. went to his place with only the amount we agreed upon. he fucked me quite nicely. Then i went again in 2023. This time got fucked by two male escorts one i met on Hornet the other one was referred to me by tourguide. I am not a white tourist so i am not targeted as aggressively by scammers as i look like Pakistani and not very good looking. I went to Tekyon many times on each trip and always had good time there. People were friendly but no one wanted to fuck me. I guess i was lucky no one robbed me. ohh yes taxi drivers overcharged me other than that i found Turkish people to be friendly generally. Ohh by the way i am going again in May 2024 if anyone wants to meetup or just hangout i will be happy to meet. 

Enjoy your trip! I am going there in July. Let us know how it goes!

Just back from Istanbul and honest I did not see, or encounter any of the negative events like hassling, harassing, robbing or scam. 

 

Must admin the food pricing or attraction pricing is getting insane. Below are the Hamams I recommend to go (ranking from top to bottom):

1.Balat Çavuş Hamamı Yorumlar - just good turkish massage service and good price. Don't expect more and you might get some surpises

2. Yesildirek - Highly recommended. 12-2pm best

3. Firuzagha - where young crowd will go - 4-7pm best

4. Cihangir - so small and I feel not easy

5. Aquarius Sauna (least recommended) - y'all know this is an escort place, so ..... One of boy see me as his type and literally ran to my cabin and gave me a huge "discount". I didn't go twice 

On 7/18/2024 at 2:47 PM, goofiepoem said:

Just back from Istanbul and honest I did not see, or encounter any of the negative events like hassling, harassing, robbing or scam. 

 

Must admin the food pricing or attraction pricing is getting insane. Below are the Hamams I recommend to go (ranking from top to bottom):

1.Balat Çavuş Hamamı Yorumlar - just good turkish massage service and good price. Don't expect more and you might get some surpises

2. Yesildirek - Highly recommended. 12-2pm best

3. Firuzagha - where young crowd will go - 4-7pm best

4. Cihangir - so small and I feel not easy

5. Aquarius Sauna (least recommended) - y'all know this is an escort place, so ..... One of boy see me as his type and literally ran to my cabin and gave me a huge "discount". I didn't go twice 

Just checked and sad to see that Balat Cavus just closed but good to know about the others. Will be visiting Istanbul soon (staying at Beyoglu), happy to report back!

How different is the experience during week days and week ends?

On 7/18/2024 at 3:47 PM, goofiepoem said:

Just back from Istanbul and honest I did not see, or encounter any of the negative events like hassling, harassing, robbing or scam. 

 

Must admin the food pricing or attraction pricing is getting insane. Below are the Hamams I recommend to go (ranking from top to bottom):

1.Balat Çavuş Hamamı Yorumlar - just good turkish massage service and good price. Don't expect more and you might get some surpises

2. Yesildirek - Highly recommended. 12-2pm best

3. Firuzagha - where young crowd will go - 4-7pm best

4. Cihangir - so small and I feel not easy

5. Aquarius Sauna (least recommended) - y'all know this is an escort place, so ..... One of boy see me as his type and literally ran to my cabin and gave me a huge "discount". I didn't go twice 

Updated info on the ground:

Had the chance to visit Firuzagha and Cihangir.

Cihangir - sauna only (no steam room), I availed of the services (scrub/foam massage + oil massage), got upsold extra services by both attendants.

The scrub/foam guy was your typical "boom-boom-done", zero sensuality. He passed me on to the oil massage guy who did much much better. The massage was good and sensual as he tried to upsell me extras. I said no but he seemed horny (and wanted the business) so he just kept turning up the heat massage wise which made it quite good. There was kissing (unexpected). All ended with me blowing him. Over-all, hot session.

Interaction with other clientele - there's many private rooms and I hear sounds which meant some people were getting pounded. I'd say it may take a while to get this going but I didn't stay long enough to figure out.

(All considered, I may come back to try yet another attendant who has the look of your typical Turkish muscle stud)

 

Firuzagha - Friday afternoon, high traffic. Clientele was also mixed but with a clear sub demographic of younger locals + tourists.

There's a large classic hammam area and two dark room saunas. I'm led to believe that the action (if any happens) in the dark rooms as anywhere else seems too out in the open and there are no private rooms like in Cihangir.

There's a lot of looks and wandering but not much action which is disappointing as the place and demographic seemed to have high potential.

I availed of the scrub/ foam massage too - great service from an older attendant (really two thumbs up on the foam massage) but this clearly not an extra service type of place. I didn't feel like getting an oil massage but if I did, I feel like it would be quite good (for the price).

(I think it works well as a cheaper local sauna but I'm not coming back for the action).