Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents. It spreads along the shores of the uniquely beautiful Bosphorus (Istanbul Bogazici) where the waters of the Black Sea merge with those of the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. Istanbul has been the capital city of Byzantine and Ottoman empires.  Today it houses the precious remains of these civilizations and stands with all its glamour and mysticism as a harmonious link between East and West, past and present, antique and modern.

Istanbul is one of the richest cities in historical background, is beautiful, enchanting and lively. It has a unique atmosphere with its life-style, people and numerous attractions. The old palaces, the great mosques with soaring minarets, ancient churches, museums, bazaars, the Istanbul Strait and others are wonderful sites worth seeing.

Following sites can be visited for further information:

http://www.istanbulguide.net/

http://www.istanbulcityguide.com/

http://www.istanbulinfolink.com/

http://www.istanbul.com/splash.html

Passport & Visa        : Tourists are required to carry a valid passport. For some countries a visa is required. Please consult the nearest Turkish Consulate or Turkish Embassy for visa related issues. For further information please see ‘Consular Information’ at www.mfa.gov.tr.

Banking Hours & Shopping : Banks are open week days from 09:00 to noon and from 13:30 to 16:30. Exchange rates at hotels and banks are slightly different. You can also use the Exchange Offices. Euro, USD and major credit cards are widely accepted.

Shops are generally open from 09:00 to 19:00

Time:Turkey’s standart time is 2 hours ahead GMT, 1 hour ahead of CET-Central European time, 7 hours ahead Eastern standart time, USA and 7 hours behind of Japan.

Electrical Appliances: The electricity power in Turkey is 50 Hz, 220 volts AC in all parts of the country.

Climate: The Mediterranean climate, with its hot summers and mild winters, prevails in Istanbul, Marmara, Aegean and Meditterranean coastal regions.

Tipping: Though service charges are included, it is customary to show your appreciation to hotel staff, to your guide and to the driver, if you feel satisfied. We suggest the following tipping scale: Hotel staff  2.-USD, Driver 1.-/2.- USD, Guide 2.-/3.- USD. Usually %10 of the bills at the restaurants and a round-up at taxis.

Communication: Post offices carry the sign PTT in black on a yellow background. At a PTT you can telephone, send mail, telegrams and faxes. For local calls buy telephone cards, Istanbul area codes are “0212” on European Side and “0216” on the Asian Side. When calling abroad from Turkey, you must first dial the International code “00” and then country code and the number. GSM system is also used.

Transfers: International and most national flights land on Atatürk International Airport. You can take shuttle bus or taxi from Airport to Taksim. Shuttle (Airport) buses depart Atatürk Airport every 20 minutes for the center 20 km. It takes approximately 30 minutes fare is approximately 5.-USD

The taxis all of them yellow, are numbered and metered. Prices are higher after mid-night when two orange lights show on the meter. For taxi, the price is indicated on the meter, which is placed next to driver.