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LOCATION
A country of sun and history, Turkey is located in the heart of three continents; Asia, Africa and Europe; where various different cultures blended which gave the country its unique character. Because of its geographical location, the mainland Anatolia, has witnessed the mass migration of diverse peoples shaping
the course of history.
The home to countless civilizations, Anatolia has developed a unique synthesis of cultures, each with its
own distinct identity, yet each linked to its predecessors through insoluble treads.
As ancient land and modern nation; Turkey today is both the inheritor and conservator of the common heritage of mankind.
LANGUAGE
Turkish is the official language of the Turkish Republic and it is an Ural-Altaic language related to the
Finno-Ugric. Turkish is written in Latin alphabet and is spoken by some 150-200 million people around the world. English and German are widely spoken in cities and resorts.
TIME
Turkish Standard Time is GMT + 2 from October to March; CET +1 and EST (US) + 7.
Please note that local summer time is GMT + 3 from April to October.
BUSINESS HOURS
Offices and banks are open generally from 09:00 to 17:00 hours, from Mondays to Fridays.
CURRENCY
The Turkish Lira is available in notes and coins. The exchange rate is announced on daily basis. There are many banks and exchange bureaus. Traveler’s checks can be cashed at most banks. Hotels and many shops and restaurants accept foreign currency.
The monetary unit is the Yeni (New) Turkish Lira.
New TL (YTL) denominations
Banknotes : 1; 5; 10; 20; 50 and 100 YTL
Coins (kurus) : 1; 5; 10; 25; 50 New Kurus and 1 New Lira
EXCHANGE
ATM s can be found in even the smallest Turkish cities. Most ATM s accept international credit cards or bankcards. A strip of logos which indicates the cards accepted is displayed on the ATM s.
Banks will exchange foreign currency and traveler’s cheques with your passport as a proof of identity. Exchange rates change daily and can be checked in the press.
Exchange offices “döviz bürosu” also offer a fast service and usually they do not charge commission and only change foreign cash currency. Passports are not required.
Offices and banks are generally open 09.00 to 17.00 Mondays to Fridays, and close for lunch 12.00 to 13.30.
All major credit cards are honoured by the hotels, restaurants and shops. Restaurant and shops generally display signs indicating which cards are accepted.
ELECTRICITY
220 volt, 50 cycle. Most hotels have a receptacle with 110 volts. Socket type is standard European two-pin.
WEIGHT & MEASURES
Turkey uses the metric system for weight and measures.
COMMUNICATIONS
Turkey’s GSM operators have a wide range of roaming agreements with foreign operators. It is possible to use most of the Cellular phones in Turkey. Public telephones have two different systems. Some of them work with cards while others work with tokens. They are both sold in post offices and tobacco shops. For international calls it is advisable to purchase cards. All over Turkey, phone numbers consists of two sections: area code with three digits and the number itself with 7 digits.
Same area / city calls
From area to area
International calls
just the 7-digit number
0+area code-7-digit number
0+0+country code + area code + number
OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS
Public Holidays
1 January
23 April
19 May
30 August
29 October
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New Year’s Day
National Sovereignty and Childern’s Day
Atatürk Commemoration and Youth & Sports Day
Victory Day
Republic Day
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Religious Holidays
The dates of these religious festivals change according to the lunar calendar and thus occur 10 – 11 days(exact difference between Gregorian and Lunar calendars is 10 days and 21 hrs) earlier each year.
According to this;
Ramadan Holiday (Seker Bayramı): Three-day festival when sweets are eaten to celebrate the end of the fasting month.
Sacrifices Holiday (Kurban Bayramı): Four-day festival when a lavish meal is made from the meat, friends and family are invited to feast, and the excess meat and the hide are donated to charity.
CUSTOMS
Customs Formalities generally include forbidden or limited items being brought into the country, or items registered beforehand in the owner’s passport. In general, all types of sharp instruments and weapons are forbidden. Personal belongings can be brought in provided they will be taken out on exit. International regulations mean that there are certain procedures for the type and amount of these personal belongings, and the following list should clarify this in detail.
For further detailed information, see the web-site of Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Undersecretariat of Customs or Ministry of Tourism of Turkey
(www.gumruk.gov.tr or www.tourismturkey.org)
VACCINATION
A current international vaccination certificate is requested from those participants arriving from infected areas. It is highly recommended to check this with the airline that you will be traveling or your travel agent.
TIPPING
Service charges is most of the time not included in the bills. In any case tipping is your prerogative, a reward for service.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Turkey demands an official entry visa from citizens of several countries.
The most up-dated visa information can be received from the Internet site: www.mfa.gov.tr
Consular Information link. However it is recommended to consult to the nearest Turkish Missions to find out if a visa is required for your entry to Turkey. The minimum validity of the passport should be six months.
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Contact |
VISITUR Travel & Tourism
Inc.
Şehit Muhtar Cad.
No:17
Özerk İş Hanı Kat:2/3
Taksim 34437 İstanbul TURKEY
Tel: +90 212 254 32 30
Fax: +90 212 254 27 83
+90 212 235 01 77
visitur@visitur.com.tr
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