Getting to Know Turkey A to Z

A.

Airport departure tax
Departure tax is levied which is usually included in your flight ticket if you buy through your travel agency.

B.

Bargaining
It is fun and joy to bargain so long as you know where and how to bargain.
Local stores are NOT places to bargain where you buy your basic essentials such as water, drinks, foodstuffs, printed materials, etc.
Supermarkets, departmental stores are NOT places to bargain.
Only touristic items may be purchased with some bargaining power which may vary from 10% to 25% depending on what you buy and how you pay. Such touristic items are carpets, leather goods, jewelry and a variety of souvenir items.
DO NOT BARGAIN for every item you show interest please!

Business Hours
Government offices are usually from 08.30 am to 4.30 pm with a lunch break for one hour, usually 12.00 am – 01.00 pm Monday through Friday. Turkey is a secular state and follows Gregorian calender; hence, Saturday and Sunday are weekends. Banks are from 09.00 am to 5.00 pm. Most banks are open during lunch break, otherwise 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm is lunch break. Shops are usually open from 09.00 am to 8.00 pm. And departmental stores from 10.00am to 10.00 pm. Money exchange offices are from 08.30 am to 06.30 pm. Museums are closed on MONDAYS as a general rule with few exceptions.

C.

Climate
Turkey has a subtropical climate; hence, variations do occur depending on the place and the season.
Istanbul and surroundings: Summer hot and some humidity. Average temperature 27C (80F).
Winter rainy and chilly. Average temperature 8C (46F), though sometimes very mild and warm.
Occasional rain between September and April, hardly any snow.
Western and Southern Turkey: It enjoys warm Mediterranean climate where winters are warm with a lot of rain and summers are hot and humid. Average temperature in winter is 15C (60F) and 35C (95F) in summer. A lot of rain between September and April, though not every day!
Central and Eastern Turkey: Winters are cold and considerable snow precipitates whereas summers are hot and dry. Temperature in winter 0C (32F) or even minus and in summer 35C (95F). Average altitude 1000 m. (3500ft) and above.
Turkey’s climate shows similarities throughout the country between April-May and September-November in each region.
In general, weather is warmer along the sea coasts, in the west and south; and cooler in central Turkey and at higher elevations.

Clothing
In spring and fall, bring a warm jacket or a sweater and windbreaker. In summer, wear cool light colored cotton clothing, sunglasses, a hat and apply sun block lotion, but have a light sweater for cool evenings at higher altitudes. In winter, you will need warm woolen, waterproof and thermal clothing and rain gear. Bring comfortable and informal clothing and sturdy, non-skid walking shoes for sightseeing.
Dress at dinner is informal or casual, though you may wear a dress or jacket if you wish.

Communications
Normal air-mail postal service between Turkey and North America, Asia or Oceania can take up to ten days; courier services (APS, DHL, FedEx, UPS, SkyNet) take only a few days. Telephoning to a foreign country from Turkey can surprisingly be expensive, up to $3-5 if you call from a hotel. Be sure to inquire about rates and surcharges at your hotel before you call. The cheapest way to call home is to use telecards, prepaid telephone cards on sale at telephone centers, post offices, and by vendors nearby. You may also use your credit cards on public phones. If you must call from your hotel, special calling services often result in lower phone bills. When calling from Turkey, try these services:

Australia Hello Homeland (0-0) 800 61 1177
Hong Kong Hello Homeland (0-0) 800 852 1177
Singapore Hello Homeland (0-0) 800 65 1177
USA AT&T USADirect (0-0) 800 1 2277
USA MCI Call USA (0-0) 800 1 1177
USA Sprint Express (0-0) 800 1 4477

(subject to change without prior notice!)

To call or fax to Turkey from your home, dial the codes to connect to the international network, then 90 for Turkey, and then the area code without the 0 at the beginning (212 for Istanbul, 312 for Ankara, 232 for Izmir, etc.) and the seven-digit local number.

Country
With the exception of Russia, Turkey is the largest country in Europe. It has lush valleys filled with fruit orchards, snow-capped mountains, rolling grasslands, and 8000 km (5000 miles) of pinefringed coastline. Graceful mosque domes and minarets define its cities’ skylines. The countryside harbors hundreds of splendid remains from the Hittite, Urartian, Phrygian, Classical Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk Turkish and Ottoman civilizations.

Crime
It is generally a very safe country to easily travel around. Crime is mainly looked upon by most Turks as the most shameful behaviour to commit. Like any other cosmopolitan city around the world, there is a limited level of pickpocketing in major metropolitan cities (ie Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir) where you have to be careful about! A money belt is most probably the easiest and safest way to carry your money and personal items while on tour it also enables you to leave your hands free in order to take pictures.
Excess amount of money, passport and other valuable items should be kept at the safety deposit boxes provided by hotels or locked up in your suitcases.

Cuisine
A traditional Turkish breakfast includes boiled eggs, varieties of cheese, olives, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, fresh bread with butter and jam or honey, fruit juice and coffee or tea. Lunch or dinner may begin with meze (Turkish appetizers), including a variety of salads, vegetable purees and pickles, stuffed vine leaves, crisp fritters filled with cheese or mashed potatos, and succulent olives. Meat is delicious grilled lamb, though beef and chicken are also frequently served. Fish from the surrounding seas is succulent when grilled, fried or poached. Wonderful fresh vegetables accompany everything; eggplant alone is served in 40 different ways! Turkish desserts include luscious puddings, rich baklava with a lot of sugar and nuts and very rich pastries. The best hot drink is hearty Turkish tea grown on the Black Sea coast. Famous Turkish coffee comes next. Fruit juices are refreshing. Turkish wines are palatable, and the beer is good. The favorite strong drink is rakı, grape brandy flavored with aniseed, customarily mixed half and half with water. Imported alcoholic beverages are often available as well. Pure bottled spring water is available everywhere. Turkish cuisine is not demanding on the palate, but is very fattening. So weight-watchers beware!

Currency & Credit Cards
Turkey’s currency is Turkish Lira (TL). Banknotes are available in denominations of TL 200, 100, 50, 20,10, 5 and coins are of 1 TL and Kurush (cents) 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. To get the best exchange rate, wait until you arrive in Turkey to buy Turkish Liras. Most hotels will exchange major foreign currencies (Euro, US$, JY, UK), but currency exchange bureaus (Döviz Bürosu) definitely give a better rate of exchange as they have competitive rates and give faster service, but may accept only cash, not travelers’ cheques. Definitely bring more cash! Cashing travelers’ cheques is applicable to 6-10% commission! Note that cash and travelers’ cheques of some currencies cannot be exchanged in Turkey, or only at very low rates. These include the currencies of like Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Bring a major currency instead. Most shops accept cash and travelers’ cheques; many also accept major credit cards. It’s a good idea to carry US$50 cash in small denomination bills at all times. Most people will take them if you don’t have liras. The better hotels and shops, car rental companies, airlines, and some restaurants accept Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and, to a lesser extent due to high percentage of commission, American Express. Cash machines (ATM) connected to international banking network (Cirrus/Mastercard, Plus Systems/VISA) can be found in all major cities and resorts. Look for them at airports, on major shopping streets, and in bazaars and shopping malls. You may use your bank ATM card or major credit card to receive Turkish Lira or at some ATM’s, Euro or US$ in cash. ATM exchange rates are good, and instructions for use are provided in English, French, German and Turkish.

Customs
It is illegal to buy, sell or export antiquities. Customs officer may check your luggage at departure. Punishment is severe, including fines and imprisonment. Drug trafficking or carrying any illegal drugs is severly punished where you may end up in prison. The current restriction on the import of personal goods is 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars, seven bottles of liquor, five bottles of perfume and one kilogram (2.2 lb) of coffee or tea. (Known to be correct at time of printing!)

D.

Driving
In Turkey, they drive on the right-hand side of the road. Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers. The use of a mobile phone while driving is prohibited unless you have a hands-free system. Speed limits are generally 50 km/h in cities and 90-120 km/h on highways, but always look for signs as they can vary. Petrol stations are widely available, and it's advisable to use reputable brands. It's also recommended to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your national driving license.

E.

Electricity
Turkey operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round prong European style plugs. Luxury hotels often provide 110 volts, but only for electric razors in bathroom. Travellers should bring a plug adapter and/or travel transformer (available at electronics shops) for appliances just in case. Hotels cannot provide more than a few at a time!

Entertainment
The large cities like İstanbul, Ankara and İzmir, all cater for a wide variety of tastes, including movie theaters, where most films are shown in their original languages with Turkish subtitles; night clubs, ranging from the exclusive (with restaurants, bars and discos in the 5-star hotels and along the Bosphorus), to the more traditional variety featuring live shows, Turkish music and belly dance. At various times throughout the year, Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir host international cultural, art, music and movie festivals. Check with your travel agent and/or tour guide or the info dest at your hotel for more details.

F.

Food & Drink
Turkish cuisine is rich and varied, with a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients. Olive oil is a staple, and you'll find it used in many dishes, especially in the Aegean region. Bread is a fundamental part of every meal, and you'll often be served a variety of different types. Don't miss trying a traditional Turkish breakfast, which includes items like simit (sesame-encrusted bread), beyaz peynir (white cheese), zeytin (olives), and çay (tea). Turkish delight and baklava are must-try desserts. As for drinks, Turkish tea and coffee are famous, and you should also try ayran, a refreshing yogurt-based drink.

G.

Getting Around
If you know your way around you can hop on city buses and trams in Old Town. Subway available in certain parts of the city only, but expanding. Buses and trams have fixed prices and you should buy tickets before you get on! Tickets available at tram and bus stops where you pay slightly more if you buy from a street vendor.Taxis all have meters, but beware that some may take you on a longer route claiming the jammed traffic or rush hour! Taxis apply 50% surcharge between mid night and 06.00 a.m. Round up the fare to the nearest last digit of 5 or 10 or 20 etc. for tipping.

H.

Health
To stay in the best of health, be careful not to overdo it. Eat and drink in moderation and get plenty of rest.
Sun & Heat : Use sun block lotion regularly and wear a hat to avoid sunburn. Drink liquids regularly in hot and dry weather even if you don’t feel thirsty to avoid dehydration.
Food : Consult your doctor concerning Travellers’ Diarrhoea. Changes in food can disturb digestion, so go easy on spicy food. Be careful not to overeat.
There are also a number of excellent hospitals operating to international standards:
In Istanbul
American Hospital, tel:0 212-311 2000
French Hospital, tel:0 212-246 1020
German Hospital, tel 0 212-293 2150
International hospital, tel:0 212-444 0663
In Ankara
Hacettepe Medical Center, tel: 0312-305 5000

I.

Internet
Internet access is widely available in Turkey, especially in major cities and tourist areas. You can find internet cafes, and many hotels, restaurants, and bars offer free Wi-Fi. The speed and reliability of the internet can vary, so it's always good to have a backup plan if you need to get online.

J.

Jewelry
Turkey is famous for its jewelry, especially gold and silver. You can find a wide variety of designs, from traditional to modern. Bargaining is expected in the bazaars, so don't be afraid to haggle over the price. It's also a good idea to get a certificate of authenticity when buying valuable pieces.

K.

Kids
Traveling with children in Turkey can be a rewarding experience. Turkish people are generally very welcoming to children, and you'll find that many restaurants and hotels are family-friendly. However, it's always best to check in advance. Also, be prepared for some cultural differences, such as children being allowed to run around in restaurants or being a bit noisy.

L.

Language
Turkish, an Ural-Altaic language with links to the Finno – Hungarian, Japanese and Korean languages, is spoken by 250 million people. English, German and French (one out of three) are taught in every Turkish public school, and most tourism personnel can speak at least one. Many also speak Spanish or Italian, some Japanese, Korean and Arabic. Turkish is a phonetic language which uses the Latin alphabet with special pronunciation for a few letters.Turkish ‘c’ is pronounced like English ‘j’; ‘ç’ like ‘ch’; ‘ş’ like ‘sh’; ‘ö’ like ‘ur’ (German ‘ö’); ‘ü’ is like French ‘u’; shape your lips to say ‘oo’, but say ‘ee’. Undotted ‘I’ ( ) is pronounced ‘uh’. Soft ‘g’ (ğ) is not pronounced at all; it lengthens the previous vowel slightly.
Hello – Merhaba
How are you? – Nasılsınız?
I’m fine, thank you – İyiyim, teşekkür ederim
Good morning – Günaydın
Good evening – İyi akşamlar
Please – Lütfen
Thank you – Teşekkür ederim
Yes – Evet
No – Hayır
There is; (it) exists – Var
There isn’t; (it) doesn’t exist – Yok
I want – İstiyorum
Water – Su
Money – Para
Toilet – Tuvalet

Location
Protected to the north, west and south by sea; guarded to the east and south east by impregnable mountain ranges, Turkey has the varied landscape of a continent complete in itself. Arable plains change over long distances into areas of steppe and pasture suitable only for livestock, surrounded by barren rocky regions or dense swathes of virgin forests.
Throughout the course of history the landscape has played a key role in determining the settlement of civilizations, migrations, invasions and the spread of numerous religions.

M.

Medical Care (see also under Health)
All Turkish cities have hospitals and towns have clinics, often with staff who speak at least some English.

Mosques
For visiting mosques, dress neatly as you would visit a church. It is a MUST for everyone to remove shoes at the entrance of a mosque before stepping on the carpet and equally important NOT to wear shorts or short sleeves. Women should normally cover their head with a scarf.

N.

Nightlife
Turkish nightlife is vibrant and varied, with something to offer for everyone. In major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, you'll find a wide range of bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues. Turkish people enjoy going out at night, and it's common to see families, couples, and groups of friends dining and socializing late into the night. In addition to modern nightlife spots, you can also experience traditional Turkish music and dance performances in various venues across the country.

O.

Shopping
The essence of shopping in Turkey is not shopping in western style shopping malls or department stores although very good examples of these do exist. The real excitement in shopping is getting lost in historic bazaars which date back to five hundred years; of bargaining with shop-keepers whose great-grand fathers have kept the same trade and sold the same wares; to be surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the hawkers, merchants and the salesmen at every corner; and ultimately to obtain some authentic Turkish souvenirs. Favorite souvenirs include hand-woven Turkish carpets to last a lifetime; good quality of leatherware and accessories, fine embroidery and jewellery, folk costumes and fashion in cotton, leather, silk and wool; craft items made of brass, copper, wood inlaid with ebony and mother-of-pearl, evil eyes, precious metals and stones. Colored tiles and pottery are a Turkish specialty, as is carved meerschaum, often made into cool-smoking pipes.
Do not buy old Greek or Roman coins, statuary or pottery as it is illegal to buy and/or export antiquities; penalties are severe. Goods up to 100 years old are usually not considered antiquities. If you buy a carpet, keep the receipt to show to the customs officer upon departure.
Regarding payments; besides cash, hotels, shops, car rental companies, airlines and most restaurants accept major credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, American Express, JCB and Diners Club.

Swimming
It is always advisable to bring swimwear as you may have a chance to swim at the hotel pool, thermal baths or by the seaside depending on your itinerary and the season.

P.

People & Population
The Turks came from Central Asia to the Anatolian peninsula a thousand years ago. Within a few centuries they had built a small kingdom into a great empire which ruled all of the eastern Mediterranean, much of Eastern Europe, and parts of Asia. Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent (1520-1566) was the envy of the other enlightened Renaissance monarchs of Europe. In later centuries the empire declined. After World War I, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk founded the Turkish Republic (1923). Today Turkey is a democracy with a population of 72 million and has a fast-growing free-enterprise economy.

Political Structure
The Turkish Republic is a unitarian, democratic and secular state. Turkey belongs to NATO, OECD, the Council of Europe and is an associate member of the EU.

Porterage
Porterage at the international airports will be minimum US$2 per piece depending on the size of your luggage. Porters at hotels will appreciate about US$2.- per piece in and out. Some few hotels, mostly 5 star ones, do charge for porterage at $ 3-5.- per piece.

R.

Religion
The Turkish population is 99% Muslim, yet Turkey is a secular state which grants total and complete freedom of worship for non-Muslims, including Christians, Greeks, Jews, Armenians and other religious sects.

Road Signs
All the road signs are in blue and white and written in Turkish except the signs to historical sightseeing spots being yellow. City centers are usually signed with “Centrum” in Latin. All the major national roads are in good condition and usually have 4 lanes. There are some toll roads in certain areas.

S.

Safety (see also under Crime)
Turkish cities enjoy crime rates much lower than European or American cities of comparable size, though the wise traveler will take normal precautions against pickpockets and other petty street crime.

Swimming
It is always advisable to bring swimwear as you may have a chance to swim at the hotel pool, thermal baths or by the seaside depending on your itinerary and the season.

T.

Terms and Conditions On
1. Bookings; Booking should be made as early as possible to guarantee the passenger’s choice in the Guaranteed Departure Programme. In order to offer the passengers more flexibility, our Free Sale System makes it possible for you to make an unlimited number of bookings with instant confirmation. This system applies up to 15 days prior to the departure date. After that time i.e. within the last 15 days before the departure date, any bookings should be confirmed with our office first.
2. Cancellation; In the event of cancellation, cancellation charges are as follows;
Between 21-15 Days 25% of the package cost
Between 14-07 Days 50% of the package cost
Between 06-00 Days 100% of the package cost

3. Responsibility and Liability
Where our Company has not been negligent nor in breach of any duty, we assume no responsibility for injury, damage, accident, loss, delay or irregularities that may be caused to person or property where such occur as a result of circumstances beyond our control. The transportation companies or firms shall exempt from all liability in respect of any detention, delay, loss, damage, sickness or injury, by whomsoever caused and of whatever kind occurring of or to the passenger at any time when the passenger is not on board a carrier of conveyance used or operated by the transportation companies or firms. All tickets, coupons and orders are furnished and issued subject in all respects to those terms and conditions under which the means of transportation or other services provided thereby are offered or supplied by owners, operators, public carriers managing agents or agents.
Our company will not be responsible or liable (for damages, refund or otherwise) for:
A. Mechanical breakdowns (except where it is due to negligence on the part of our Company or its agents), government actions, weather, Act of God strikes compulsory quarantine or other circumstances beyond our control.
B. The failure of the client or their agent to obtain required documentation (eg. health certificates, visa, passports, etc).
C. The failure of the client to follow reasonable instructions including but not limited to check-in and check-out places and times.
D. Accidents of any kind occurring during the Customer’s independent activities
E. Theft, robbery or lost property
F. Food poisoning, Isolation as a result of infections, diseases or any condition likely to endanger the health or safety on the tour members or impair their reasonable comfort.

4. Unused Tour Services
No refund will be made in respect to accommodation, meals, sightseeing tour or any other services which are included in the tour fare but not utilized by the tour participant, either in part or full, or where passenger amends, cancels or otherwise varies arrangements after commencement of the tour.

5. Goods Purchased During Tours
Our company shall not be liable to the Customer for any goods purchased by the Customer during the tour which is of defective quality, not suitable for the Customer’s purpose, not in conformity with samples provided to the Customer or rejected by the Customer for any other reason whatsoever notwithstanding the goods are purchased in shops the visitation of which comprise part of the tour itinerary or which are specifically recommended by our Company, our guides, employees, nor shall our Company be liable to refund to the Customer the purchase monies of the aforesaid goods

6. Meals
All local meals are as stated on each itinerary by the code letters(B) breakfast, (L) lunch and (D) for dinner. Tips and Taxes included are basic service charges (10-15%) and taxes (V.A.Tax between 08-18%) as imposed by hotels and local governments. Should there be any changes in the tax ratio the difference will be reflected on rates.

7. Smoking
Smoking is strictly prohibited on the coach; however, regular comfort stops are arranged at certain intervals.

8. Child discount for tour packages
Age of 03-07 years old child sharing room with two adults (extra bed) 25 % discount.
Age of 03-07 years old child sharing room with two adults (no bed) 40 % discount.
Age of 03-07 years old child sharing room with one adult no discount.
Age of 00-02 years old child sharing room with two adults (no bed) 100 % discount.
Age of 07 years and above no child discount is provided.
All prices are in American (US) Dollars

9. All our customers who are travelling on Orion Tour buses are insured under American Home Insurance Inc. with the following schedule of coverage
A- Accidental Death € 15.500
B- Permanent Disability € 15.500
C- Medical Expenses (Accident and sickness) € 1.550
D- Lost Luggage and Damage € 775

Time zones
Turkey is on Eastern European time (UTC +2). Turkish clocks are turned ahead one hour (UTC +3) from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in September for daylight saving (summer) time.
During this period Turkish time is
5 hours behind Thailand & Indonesia
5 hours behind Brunei, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Manila, Singapore, Indonesia, Taipei
6 hours behind Seoul & Tokyo
7 hours behind Australia
9 hours behind New Zealand
2 hours ahead of London
3.5 hours ahead of India
7 hours ahead of New York
10 hours ahead of Los Angles
From late October to late March, the time difference is the same in countries which observe daylight saving (summer) time, but one more hour behind those which do not.

Tipping
Tipping has gradually become a necessity on any tour for guides, drivers and transferman.
On regular bus tours $5.00 per person per day for guide and $3.00 per person per day for driver should be anticipated and budgeted by clients. Where the number of passengers is less than 6 people a minimum of $25.00 per day for guide and $15.00 per day for driver should be taken into consideration. As for transfers between hotels and airports $10.00 for transferman and $10.00 for driver are sufficient.

Travel Documents & Visas
An international passport, which should be valid for at least 6 months beginning with your departure date, is required for immigration at airport and hotel procedures.
Passport required except for holders of;
– “Laissez Passer” issued by United Nations, -Military Identity Card issued by a NATO country,
– No visas are required for nationals of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Luxemburg, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican,
– Visas may be obtained on arrival for nationals of USA, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, England, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain,
Length of stay and number of entries vary depending on nationality.
– Visitors who need visas must also hold documents and tickets required for return/onward travel.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for any possible loss or damage to your luggage, medical emergencies and some travel related accidents. Consult your travel agent about this important issue.

V.

Valuables
Keep your passports, money and other valuables in the hotel safe deposit boxes that are usually provided free of charge.

W.

Water
Although local people drink the water out of tap travelers are recommended to use bottled water only for drinking purposes. Washing and brushing your teeth with tap water is no problem as the water is purified and densely chlorinated. It is important to note that NEITHER bottled water NOR any other drink is included in your program unless specifically mentioned otherwise.

Getting to Know Turkey A to Z

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

K.

L.

M.

N.

O.

P.

R.

S.

T.

V.

W.

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