hi lads 

 

i will be on holiday in istanbul during the summer . can anyone enlighten me as regards the scene there ?? i might be able to get away on my own for an hour or two in the afternoon !!!!

 

thanks in advance !

I didn't have any success at all in Istanbul 5 years ago.

 

1 Taksim Square.  Quite a few hustlers cruising here. Didn't take any of them, as they were all top or very dodgy. I'm pretty sure some of these would do nothing, then demand money to leave, as you sometimes get in Europe. 

If you do want to risk it, probably best to pick a small guy that you could eject from your room by force if the need arises.

 

2 Gay Nightclubs.  Went to a couple of clubs which according to the guides,  were allegedly patronised by rent boys. One club had a pair of exceptionally cute twins, but they only had interest in what may have been a sugar daddy.   Attempts to open a conversation were unsuccessful.  They looked part European, part oriental & very pretty.

 

3 Saunas. There's one rent boy sauna, which gets almost 100% negative reviews, so of course I did not go in. Tried 2 other saunas, mostly old guys, did not see any action at all.  Got persistently hassled for a tip by the receptionist/caretaker in one Hamam.  This wasn't at all deserved, as he didn't keep the place at all clean.

 

As they've had an Islamic government, I doubt the situation will have improved much in the 5 years since.   Istanbul is a beautiful city to visit, but don't count on much action.

My hotel served breakfast on the roof overlooking the Bosphorus, so that was very pleasant indeed.

 

Also, if there's somewhere in Europe that combines a mediterranean climate with cute honest and available guys, I'd very much like to know where it is.