Caravan-Serai Tours - Turkey - Handbook

Turkey Overview

Turkey truly lies at the Crossroads of Civilization. Western Turkey abuts Greece and Bulgaria on the continent of Europe. The fabled city of Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople (Byzantium), is the largest Turkish city on the European side. It lies along the Bosphorus which connects the Black Sea to the north, Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelle Straits to the Mediterranean on the south. Crossing the Bosphorus, perhaps on one of the famous ferries, the traveler lands in Eastern Turkey ~ on the continent of Asia. Eastern Turkey is bordered on the north by the Black Sea and Russia, on the east by Iran, on the southeast by Iraq, on the south by Syria and the Mediterranean Sea. Ankara, the capital, which is approximately in the center of the country, is Eastern Turkey's major city. On the eastern border of Turkey lies Lake Van home of the Kurdish people.

The climate in Istanbul is similar to New York City. It can be cold in the winter months. In the summer, it is cooled by the breezes from the Black Sea coming down the Bosporus. Ankara, at 2600' elevation, has a drier climate with cool summer nights. Southern Turkey is similar to Florida.

CONSULATE in Istanbul: Mesrutiyet Caddesi 104, Tepebasi, Istanbul
Tel.: (212) 251.36.02

EMBASSY in Ankara: Ataturk Bluvari 110, Kavaklidere, Ankara
Tel.: (312) 126.54.70

Currency (money) - The monetary unit in Turkey is the lira. There is no limit on the amount of American currency which can be brought into Turkey. However, no more than $1,000 worth of Turkish currency may be taken in or out of the country.

Credit cards - Major cards are accepted in most tourist area hotels, restaurants and major stores. They are not as widely accepted in rural areas of Turkey.

Travelers checks - can be cashed at any bank or currency exchange. Credit card transactions are often given a better exchange rate.

ATM cards - check with your bank.

Electricity - Voltage varies between 110 and 220 of the 50 cycle. Plugs are usually of the two-round prong European style. Varieties of converter sets can be bought in local travel stores such as Wide World Books & Maps, 1911 N. 45th St. Seattle, WA 98103, (206) 634-3453. On the European side, it is 110AC, and 220AC on the Asia side.

Time: Turkey is 10 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time, two hours ahead of Greenwich (England) Mean Time.

Banks: Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 12:30PM and 1:30PM to 5:00PM. The bank closes for the lunch hour. Please note that offices, banks, most stores and the Grand Bazaar are closed during religious and secular holidays.

Museums are closed on Monday. Topkapi Palace & Kariye closed on Tuesday. Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Thursday.

Clothing: The weather in Turkey is usually not as hot as people expect it to be. It snows in Northern and Eastern Turkey during the winter. In summer, cotton is the norm especially along the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines. Evenings can be cooler in Eastern and Central Anatolia and along the Black Sea Coast. Wear comfortable walking shoes since there is much to see throughout Turk ey. Shorts are acceptable throughout Turkey. Please observe the proper respect for any place of worship you enter by not wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts. Shoes are removed before entering mosques and placed near the door with the doorkeeper. Women should bring a scarf to cover the head when in the mosque. Christian churches and Jewish synagogues may be visited.

Weights and measures: Metric system.

Turkish is the language spoken throughout the country. It is in the Ural-Altaic group of languages, and is written in Roman characters.

Shopping throughout Turkey is an adventure. It is expected that hard bargaining will occur in the shops and bazaars.

Passport and Visas. You will need a valid passport. Please check well in advance of traveling for expiration date and keep your passport current. Visas are required of US citizens and can be obtained from Turkish consulates in the US, or, at the port of entry.