About Turkey

TURKEY has been called "the cradle of civilization" and one can discover what this literally means only by traveling in this land of history. The world’s first town, a neolithic city at Çatalhöyük, dates back to 6500 BC. From the days of Çatalhöyük up to the present time Turkey boasts of a rich culture that through the centuries has left a lasting foot-print on modern civilization.

Being the heir of many centuries of culture makes Turkey a paradise of knowledge and cultural heritage. Hattis, Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians, Lycians, Ionians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans have all occupied crucial places in the historical background of Turkey and ancient sites and ruins scattered throughout the country give proof to each civilization’s unique distinction

There is no doubt that one visit will not be enough, and you will want to come back again and again as you discover one extraordinary place after another. All of them, no matter how different, have one thing Turkey is a paradise of sun, sea, mountains and lakes that offers the vacationer a complete change from the stress and routine of everyday life. From April to October, most places in Turkey have an ideal climate that is perfect for relaxing on sandy beaches or enjoying the tranquility of mountains and lakes.

in common:

the friendly and hospitable people of this unique country.

Language:

Turkish is the official language, but English is widely understood in the main tourist areas.

Getting around: The best way to travel in and around the Turkish coastal resorts is by the local minibus services which can be hailed from the roadside. There are good bus services between the major towns and organised tours to many attractions, though more independent travellers often prefer to rent a car.

Communications: The international country dialing code for Turkey is +90. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Mobile phones work in most of the country; the network operators use GSM networks, which will not be compatible with many US cell phones. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Credit Cards /Cash

Major credit cards including American Express, Diners, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted in large hotels, car rental companies and major stores. You will need cash (TL) to pay for taxi fares, restaurants and coffee shops.

Safety / Security

Istanbul remains a destination with no increased risk when compared with other major destinations in the world.

According to a European Union study, Istanbul is the safest major city in the world. The EU Crime and Safety survey for 2006 showed that the crime rate in Istanbul was just 18 percent last year. This compared with 32 percent in London, 27 percent in Amsterdam, 26 percent in Belfast and Dublin, 24 percent in Copenhagen, 23 percent in New York and Stockholm, 20 percent in Brussels, and 19 percent in Rome.

In addition, strict security measures are put in place by the competent authorities in the city during major congresses and events.

Currency

The Turkish Lira is available in notes and coins. The exchange rate is determined daily; several banks and exchange offices are available. Traveler's checks can be cashed in most banks. Hotels and many shops and restaurants accept foreign currency. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that travelers can bring cash. Hotels, most restaurants and shops accept all major credit cards. (American Express, VISA, MasterCard /Euro card, Diners' Club),

Language

Turkish; it is written with the Latin alphabet.
English, French and German are spoken in hotels, major restaurants and many shops.

Electricity

220 volt, 50 Hz. Most hotels have a receptacle with 110 volts. Socket type is European standards.

Climate

Due to the variety of its physical features, Turkey possesses a mixed range of different climate types. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts have mild winters and hot summers whereas the Black Sea coasts have a wetter climate with rain all year round. The region of Marmara where Istanbul is located, climate is a combination of both with pleasantly warm spring and fall, with hot dry summer and relatively cold winter. Weather is June is very pleasant and warm enough to see the wonders of Istanbul and surrounding areas.

Communication

Public telephones operate with tokens or cards, sold at post offices or some booths. Through some of the public phones, there is access to AT&T and some other telecommunication networks - please check with your operator for the latest information. Fax messages can be sent from major post offices, or from the hotel. Cellular telephones can be hired.

Education & Health

Seventeen of 137 universities in Turkey are located in Istanbul, with faculties offering education in all subjects, from engineering to fine arts, economics to literature. The general level of the education is of high standard. There are also several foreign schools with the advantage of a second language from early years. Istanbul is as much a centre from the standpoint of health, with several hospitals equipped with modern instruments.

Clothing

The dress is generally informal in Turkey; however for special evenings ladies compete to wear the latest fashion.

For the visitors, it is advisable to bring comfortable shoes and pant suits for daytime visits. The organisers can set the tone for the evenings; in any case it is recommended to bring a cocktail dress. In most restaurants, gentlemen will feel more comfortable with a jacket and tie in the evening and some require formal dress.

Turkish Cuisine

Turkish food is famous throughout the world, the range is enormous, from a number of soups to an astonishing variety of meze (appetisers), followed by meat and fish dishes, many famous Turkish sweets and pastries and Turkish coffee.

The traditional breakfast is a scrumptious combination of tastes comprising bread, olives, tomato, cucumber, white cheese, butter, jam/honey, yoghurt, and sweet black tea.

Tea is the main drink in Turkey, served without milk in small bulbous glasses with sugar lumps on the saucer. For a very refreshing long drink try Ayran, a mix of yoghurt, water and salt. There are also the normal soft drinks and a wonderful range of squeezed fruit juices. Among alcoholic drinks are light Turkish beer, excellent wines, and the national drink, raki (an anisette), which clouds when water is added giving it the popular name of 'lion's milk'.