TURKEY
PASSPORT/VISA: (It is recommended that your passport have at least six (6) months of validity whenever you travel abroad to avoid unintended travel disruptions. Because rules and regulations frequently change, please inquire about passports validity and visas from the consulate of the foreign country you will visit. Participants with a valid U.S. passport must also obtain a visa from the Turkish Consulate. If you hold a passport of a foreign country, please contact the Turkish Consulate in your area for information on whether or not you need a visa. Important:Passengers requiring a Schengen Visa must have a multi-entry Schengen Visa if visiting more than one country.)
CURRENCY: (The unit of currency is the Turkish Lira (TL). Coinage is available in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 Kurus with 1 Lira. Bank notes come in units of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 New Lira. It is best to consult your bank or newspaper for the current exchange rate before you leave the country. In Turkey, banks offer more favorable exchange rates than hotels.
Travelers checks and major U.S. credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and resort areas. Sometimes payment in U.S. dollars can help you in bargaining for a special price.
Banks are open weekdays from 8:30am to noon and from 1:30pm to 5:00pm. Branches are major cities offer additional hours.)
TIME: (Turkey standard time is 2 hours ahead of GMT, 1 hour ahead of mid-European time and 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard time.)
ELECTRICAL CURRENT: (The electrical current in Turkey is 200 volts AC in all parts of the country. Most major hotels in the main cities have adapters and converters available for guest use.)
WHAT TO PACK: (The dress code in Turkey is informal. Men will find that a jacket and tie may be appropriate for top restaurants and hotel dining rooms. While on tour and when visiting holy places of different faiths, dress should be conservative (no shorts or sleeveless shirts for men and women). The general rule is: the smaller the town, the more casual and conservative the dress.)
SHOPPING: (Shopping is great in Turkey especially at the bazaars. The best buys in Turkey are leather and suede, copper, brassware, porcelains, jewelry, embroideries and the famed Turkish carpets. Remember to bargain thats part of the pleasure!)
SHOPPING HOURS: (Shops are generally open from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 7pm Monday through Saturday. Shops are closed on Sundays. However, in resort areas, shops are open daily until 9pm and on Sundays.)
TIPPING: (Service charges are included but it is customary to show appreciation to hotel personnel and to your guide and driver. Service charges are included but it is customary to show appreciation to hotel personnel and to your guide and driver.)
