Whether or not you want to buy, a trip to Istanbul wouldn't be complete without a visit with a local rug merchant. Let the buyer beware and shop with care. Istanbul rug merchants don't offer many bargains, but quality rugs are available.

So relax and enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of apple tea, and let the show begin.

We did buy a small rug from a merchant guaranteed by the cruise line. Not wanting to have to lug the rug through the airports on the way home we had them ship it to us UPS. The salesman promised that our rug would be delivered to us in six weeks. Our rug arrived six weeks (to the day) from the day we made the purchase.