Istanbul
Istanbul, being the only city in the world built on two continents, has been determined by its vital strategic location and enchanting beauty. Istanbul stretches along the two shores of the Bosphorus that links the Sea of Marmara with the Aegean Sea in the South and with the Black Sea in the North.
It has long been coveted by powerful empires, and served as capital to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, and currently enjoys being the largest city of the Republic of Turkey, with a population of 14 million.
Istanbul is also the capital of art and culture with a rich tradition in opera and ballet, theatres performing Turkish and foreign plays, concerts, art exhibitions, festivals, auctions, conferences and of course unique museums. The city also boasts the country’s largest and finest universities.
As an imperial capital for 1500 years, Istanbul has acquired a highly original personality. At every turn in the city you are faced with Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman palaces, mosques, churches, monasteries, monuments, walls and ruins.
Yet Istanbul is not a city living in its past. It is a vibrant, modern and future-oriented metropolis. Bazaars and ultra-modern department stores, street vendors and stock-brokers, old crumbling buildings and skyscrapers, horse-drawn carts and luxurious limousines, fine dining restaurants, modern cafes and street corner food shops coexist and this mix gives the city a multi-faceted outlook and flavor. You could taste the pre-modern, modern, and post-modern side by side in this city.
Transportation
İstanbul Atatürk International Airport is an important destination and transfer point for many international flights from all over the world.
Transfer information from the Airport to City Center by taxi, train or bus, please click : http://www.ataturkairport.com/en-EN/Transportation/Pages/AirportTrasnportation.aspx
Airlines
TURKISH AIRLINES
BRITISH AIRWAYS
SABENA AIRLINES
AIR FRANCE
KLM
LUFTHANSA AIRLINES
SWISS AIRLINES
FINNAIR
LOT POLISH AIRLINES
ALITALIA
MALEV
SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES
TAP-AIR PORTUGAL
ROMANIA AIRLINES
OLIYMPIC AIRLINES
AUSTRIAN
IBERIA
AEROFLOT
AIRLINES EASYJET
SUN EXPRESS
(Sun Express has very reasonable rates from Germany, Switzerland, Austria to İstanbul.)
Airport İstanbul Atatürk International Airport
34149 Yeşilköy, İstanbul, Turkey
Phone : +90 212 465 55 55
Fax : +90 212 465 50 50
e-mail: info@tav.aero
www.ataturkairport.com
Atatürk Airport is located in Yeşilköy, in the european side of İstanbul. Airports distance is 28 km to downtown,
30 km to Harbiye Military Museum and 4 - 4.5 km to sea shore.
Sabiha Gökçen International Airport
34912 Pendik, İstanbul, Turkey
Phone : +90 216 585 50 00
Fax : +90 216 585 51 14
e-mail : heas@sgairport.com
Sabiha Gökçen Airport is located in Pendik/Kurtköy, in the asian side of İstanbul. Airports distance is 40 km to Kadõköy, 12 km to Pendik, 50 km to Taksim and 60 km to Harbiye Military Museum.
It has a really convenient traffic in terms of transportation with its 1.5 km connection to the TEM motorway.
Banking
Bank services are available at the Airport, throughout the city and there are several close to the Harbiye Military Museum. Banks are open from 08:30 to 17:00 from Monday to Friday, with a break between 12:00 to 13:30. They are closed at weekends and on public holidays.
Climate and Clothing
In October the weather in İstanbul is generally fresh. Daily temperatures are expected to range between 10 and 15°C. Showers are waiting in October.
Credit Cards
International credit cards are accepted in cash dispensers, hotels, restaurants and most shops, as well as car rental agencies. The most common credit cards are VISA, Euro Card, and MasterCard.
Currency Exchange
The local currency is the Turkish Lira (TL). The exchange rate changes daily. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport, banks, hotels and exchange offices. International Credit Cards are widely accepted.
Driving License
International Driving Licenses are recognized throughout Turkey. Car rental companies ask for a valid driving license.
Electricity
In Turkey, electricity is supplied at 220 Volt / 50Hz AC. Most hotels have a receptacle with 110 volts. Two-pin round plugs are used.
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Ambulance 112
Fire Dept 110
Police 155
Insurance
Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. At the time you register for the Congress and book your travel you may wish to take an insurance policy of your choice. This insurance is to be purchased in your country of origin.
Internet Access
Internet cafes are available all around the city and wireless internet access for notebook users at the Harbiye Military Museum İstanbul will be provided by the organizational secretariat Serenas Tourism .
Restaurants
For gourmets, this will be an outstanding opportunity to taste various examples of Turkish, European, Asian and international cuisine in İstanbul.
Shopping
Most shops in İstanbul are generally open from 09:00 to 19:00, Monday to Saturday. Big shopping centers are open every day of the week, usually from 10:00 to 22:00. In all shopping centers major credit cards are accepted and tax-free shopping is possible. You will also have the chance to do shopping in the historical Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, which are located in the Old City district.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted inside of restaurants , public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theatres, cinemas, supermarkets, department stores and government offices.
Offenders can be fined up to 100 Turkish Liras.
Inline with the efforts to improve the nightlife experience for all, there are smoking restrictions on entertainment outlets. Smoking is no longer allowed in all pubs, discos, karaokes, bars and other public nightspots unless within approved smoking rooms /corners.
Effective 1 January 2009, smoking is prohibited at:
• Indoor public places e.g. shops, shopping/neighborhood centers factories, offices regardless of whether they are air conditioned.
• Lift and hotel lobbies.
• within 5m of entrances and exits to indoor area of buildings and facilities where smoking is prohibited.
• Playground and exercise areas.
• Markets.
• Ferry terminals .
Meals
Turkish food is famous throughout the world; the range is enormous, from a number of soups to an astonishing variety of appetizers, followed by meat and fish dishes, many famous Turkish sweets, pastries and Turkish coffee. Prices could vary between 20 € (modest, traditional restaurant) to 100 € (gastronomic upscale restaurant).
Mobile Phone
There are 3 GSM operators in Turkey being as Turkcell, Avea and Vodafone. All of them are daughters or partners of international companies and have roaming agreements with network operators of all participating countries. There are two wave bands for mobile phones in Turkey: 900 and 1800 MHz. Please check with your provider regarding roaming costs and wave bands. Local GSM operators have prepaid lines, which can be provided at newspaper booths and groceries. Please check that the prepaid cards are in accordance with your line. Additionally, there will be renting possibilities of mobile phones with lines.
Post Office
Post offices are indicated PTT (Post, Telegraph, and Telephone) throughout the city.
The central Post office is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 to 21:00, Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00. Smaller ones are open Monday through Friday between 8:30 and 17:00.
Hotel concierges also take the mail.
Security
Based on data provided by well known statistical institutes worldwide, İstanbul, among other metropolises, is regarded as one of the few cities with a low rate of crime. In the Harbiye Military Museum security staffs are on duty using the newest technological security systems.
Taxis
Available at taxi stands or hailed on the street. All are yellow and have meters.
Telephone and Fax
Telephone services will be provided by Turkish Telekom. Local and international calling fees will be set according to the Turkish Telekom tariff. Allocation of temporary telephone line is available. The designation of provisional lines will be possible upon signing contract with Turkish Telekom. The Turkish Telekom will provide prepaid fax message and telephone services at the business center.
Time Differences
Turkey is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Tipping
This is customary in restaurants and taxis. Tipping 10% of the bill is acceptable.
Travel Requirements to Turkey
Passport and visa requirements may differ according to the country of origin. Please contact your travel agent or nearest the Turkish Consulate or Embassy in your country for further advice.
Please refer: www.mfa.gov.tr
Participants from those countries where there is no Turkish diplomatic representation can obtain their visa at the airport on arrival to Turkey.
Please refer: www.konsolosluk.gov.tr
Delegates will require travel Visas to visit Turkey for the conference. ISoP 2011 requires that people must have formally registered for the conference before a letter of invitation to support application for a travel visa is issued.
This letter, however, does not constitute any commitment by the Conference Organizers to cover registration fees, accommodation, travel expenses or other costs connected to the participation in the Meeting. ISoP 2011 Meeting will not be held responsible for visas not granted.
