U.S. citizens must have a visa to enter Turkey. U.S. citizens
may obtain a visa upon entry into Turkey or in prior to
departure from one of the five Turkish Consulates in the United
States. Please find your state in the Turkish Consulates
Jurisdiction List. Business visas must be issued prior to
departure by Turkish consular offices.
Visas issued upon entry are valid for three months. Visas for
longer stays and for study, research or employment must be
obtained in advance. Passengers in transit through Turkey who do
not leave their port of transit do not require visas.
Non-U.S citizens must apply for tourist or business visas before
traveling to Turkey. Applicants should contact the relevant
Turkish Consulate in person, by mail or by a courier service.
Applicants outside the united States should contact the nearest
Turkish Embassy or Consulate to learn their visa requirements
and procedures. Turkish missions abroad are listed at
www.mfa.gov.tr
Turkey is one of the safest countries in the world in
which to travel, and its crime rate is low in comparison to many
Western European countries. Interpol ranked Turkey as the safest
holiday destination in Europe for travelers. Naturally, we
recommend that travelers to Turkey exercise the same precautions
they would elsewhere, and be aware of security concerns that
affect all international travelers.
The Turkish Government takes air safety very seriously, and
maintains strict oversight, particularly on international
flights. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has
places Turkey's civil aviation authority in Category 1-in full
compliance with international aviation safety standards in
overseeing Turkey's air carrier operations. In the days
following the September 11 attacks, Turkish Airlines was one of
the first international airlines cleared by the FAA to fly into
the United States.
The best way to see and experience Turkey depends on
one's knowledge, experience, and personal preferences. Touring
is a safe way to experience new cultures and to see new places
with peace of mind. However, some travelers may prefer to visit
sites independently without the confines of schedules and
timetables.
Group tours are organized through tour operators. There are many
tour operators in the U.S. that specialize in trips to Turkey.
These can be found in Turkey: The Travel Directory, which is
produced and published by the Ministry of Tourism. Most group
tours are all-inclusive. This means that transportation (air and
ground), hotels, some meals, and a guide are usually provided
for a flat-fee. Guided tours are highly recommended for those
with an interest in history and culture, since tour guides can
enhance the traveler's experience by sharing their in-depth
knowledge of the places visited.
Those who wish to travel independently can make travel
arrangements in advance through a tour operator. Many tour
operators will design customized individual itineraries in which
air transportation, hotel and car rental reservations and other
services are privately arranged to match the specifications of
the client. Some tour operators offer fly/drive packages as
well, in which airfare and rental car services are provided as a
package.
Travelers can also make their own hotel and rental car
reservations. The hotel guide web site
www.sisantours.com comprehensively lists accommodation
facilities throughout Turkey. Visitors may also choose to use
the services of local travel agencies in Turkey. These agencies
can arrange car and driver mini-tours, which are very popular in
many areas, including Istanbul,
Ephesus,
Antalya and
Cappadocia.
Turkey is a country of diverse scenery, climate and historical
monuments, so travelers are sometimes overwhelmed by the number
of places to visit. Some 15-day itineraries are suggested in
Turkey: The Travel Directory, published by the Ministry of
Tourism. For assistance in planning your trip or any inquiries
relating to your trip consult Turkish Tourism Information
Offices throughout Turkey. Their addresses are listed in
alphabetical order on the Turkish Ministry of Tourism's web site
at
www.turizm.gov.tr
Tour operators listed in our guide, Turkey: The
Travel Directory, are Turkey specialists -- they have extensive
knowledge and experience in Turkish tourism. Some exclusively
offer trips to Turkey. Others offer trips to Turkey in
combination with other countries, such as Greece and Italy. The
companies listed in the Travel Directory can provide a wide
range of services including
package tours, air ticketing, rental car reservations, hotel
reservations, day tours, customized itineraries, guides, and
more. Many companies specialize in different areas of Turkish
travel and tourism. Almost all tours include western Turkey and
focus on historical and archeological sites. However, some tour
operators also offer tours of the Black Sea region and eastern
and southeastern Turkey. There are also special-interest tours
such as golf tours, photography tours, culinary tours, trekking
tours and more.
For a free copy of Turkey: The Travel Directory please contact
the Turkish Tourism Office in Washington D.C. or New York. Tour
operators are also listed on our web site at
www.tourismturkey.org in alphabetical and state order.
When
is the best time to travel in Turkey? The high season for travel in Turkey generally runs
between mid-April and late-October. During the off-season,
temperatures are much cooler and snow is possible in mountainous
areas. Many visitors enjoy the spring and fall, with their mild
weather and small crowds.
Coastal regions are particularly popular with tourists during
the summer. These include resort areas along the Aegean and
Mediterranean coast with beaches and yachting facilities. The
coastline, especially between Izmir and Antalya, features
numerous coves and bays and many nearby ancient cities and is
perfect for yachting. A large number of international-quality
marinas provide services for the yachtsman. For active
travelers, swimming, fishing, water-skiing, surfing and diving
are available.
Turkey also enjoys many spectacular rivers. They are ideal for
canoeing, skiing and rafting. Mountaineering is also popular in
mountain ranges throughout Turkey in spring and summer.
The high plateaus of the Eastern Black Sea Region are covered by
colorful flowers and green pasture during spring and summer.
Naturalists will enjoy the diversity of fauna and flora as well
as the heart-stopping splendor of the surrounding landscape.
Central and Eastern Turkey can receive large accumulations of
snow, and snow skiing is a favorite winter pastime. Turkey has
several ski centers, which are generally open from December
through April depending on snow conditions.
The web site of the General Directorate of the Turkish State
Meteorological Service,
www.meteor.gov.tr, gives current sea and air temperatures,
humidity and 3-day weather forecasts for all cities in Turkey
and for the holiday resorts of
Alanya, Anamur, Bodrum,
Dalaman, Finike and Marmaris.
Most American visitors arrive in Turkey by flying
directly into
Istanbul
or aboard cruise ships, which dock in ports including
Istanbul,
Kusadasi, and Izmir. Visitors may arrive in Turkey by land at
border crossings from neighboring countries. There are also
ferry connections from several Greek islands to ports in
mainland Turkey.
By Air: Turkish Airlines operates the fastest non-stop
flight from New York to Istanbul and the only non-stop service
from Chicago. Thanks to a code sharing agreement with American
Airlines you can connect to these flights from 15 major US
cities. Passengers can call Turkish Airlines at 1-800-874-8875
or visit their new North American web site at
www.flyturkish.com for reservations. Delta Airlines is the
only US-based carrier with non-stop service to Turkey. Most
European-based airlines fly from North America with stopovers in
Europe.
By Sea: Many cruise ships sailing in the Eastern
Mediterranean dock in Turkey. Cruise ships arrive at customs
entry points where it is easy to obtain a visa and satisfy entry
requirements. Major ports are Istanbul, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi,
Marmaris and Antalya. For a complete list of cruise lines which
sail to Turkey, contact the Turkish Government Tourism Office in
Washington D.C.
Passenger and automobile ferries between Turkey and neighboring
countries also provide entry by sea.
Ferry Lines between Turkey and the Greek Islands run between
Marmaris - Rhodes, Bodrum - Cos, Kusadasi - Samos, Cesme - Chios
and Ayvalik - Lesbos. These ferries run regularly from April
through October, and operate on a reduced schedule in winter.
Ferry schedules can be found at
www.tourismturkey.org in the facts for visitors section.
Turkish Maritime lines operates passenger ferries between Turkey
and Italy (Cesme-Brindisi) and between Turkey and the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus (Mersin-Magosa). Ferry schedules can
be found on their web site at
www.tdi.com.tr.
There are also ferry services from Trabzon on Turkey's Eastern
Black Sea Coast to Sochi and from Istanbul to Novosibirsk, both
on Russia's Black Sea Coast. Ferry services also operate between
Istanbul and various Ukrainian ports including Odessa, Yalta,
Sevastopol and Yevpatorya. Contact information for the companies
operating these services may be obtained from the Turkish
Government Tourism Office in Washington, D.C.
By Land: Turkey has many border crossings with its
neighbors. Varan Bus Company operates regular bus services
between Istanbul-Athens and Istanbul-Vienna. Schedules and fares
can be found on their web site at
www.varan.com.tr. In addition, Istanbul can be reached by
train directly from and via some of Europe's major cities.
What are the most
popular travel destinations in Turkey?
From the perfect beaches and ancient ruins of its coast to the
pulse of its cosmopolitan cities, Turkey is a study in
contrasts. Visitors can lose themselves in the magic of a
historic palace before enjoying a world-class meal, or swim
amidst Roman ruins before continuing their journey in the
comfort of a state-of-the-art yacht.
Whatever your fancy, there are countless things to see and do in
Turkey. Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, serves as the
gateway for most travelers. Istanbul is the only city in the
world that sits on two continents and it offers an abundance of
fascinating attractions for visitors. Some of Istanbul's most
popular sites include the Bosphorus Strait, the Blue Mosque,
Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, the Kariye
Museum, the Underground Cistern, Galata Tower, the Tower of
Leander, the Princes' Islands and the Grand Bazaar.
From Canakkale Bogazi, also known as the Dardanelles,
www.anzactravellers.co.ukt to the fairytale Crusader castle
and sunny beaches of Bodrum, the Aegean shores of Turkey are
among the loveliest landscapes in Turkey. The highlights of an
Aegean tour are Troy, the site of the legendary Trojan War and
its wooden horse; ancient Pergamon, once a great center of
culture and now one of Turkey's finest archeological sites;
Ephesus,
www.ephesustoursturkey.com the capital of Roman Asia Minor,
dedicated to the goddess Artemis whose temple was one of the
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; Aphrodisias, the center of
the greatest school of sculpture in antiquity; Pamukkale,
www.pamukkaleguide.com a unique fairyland of dazzlingly
white calcified castles; and Bodrum, a charming coastal town
with a long, palm-lined waterfront and beautiful beaches.
www.antalyahotels.org Antalya province on the Mediterranean
coast is Turkey's principal holiday region. It is a paradise for
sunbathing, swimming and sports. Best of all, Antalya serves as
a convenient hub for nearby archeological attractions. Ancient
theatres can be found in a remarkable state of preservation at
Aspendos and Perge and visitors can tour the sunken city of
Simena in Kekova. Remains of ancient Lycian cities such as
Patara, Letoon, Xanthos, Myra and Apollonia are also within easy
traveling distance. These are among the most fascinating sites
on the Anatolian Peninsula.
www.cappadociaturkey.com Cappadocia in Central Anatolia is
one of the most fantastic landscapes in the world and one of the
most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. The area's early
Christian inhabitants utilized its remarkable rock formations to
create more than 220 churches and numerous underground cities in
which they took refuge from their persecutors.
www.sisantours.com Other popular destinations include
Safranbolu in the Black Sea Region, an open-air museum of
traditional Turkish houses; Mount Nemrut in southeastern Turkey,
where enormous stone statues of deities commemorate the first
century BC Commagene Kingdom. Konya in Central Anatolia was home
to the great Islamic philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi who in
the 13th century founded the Mevlevi Order known as the Whirling
Dervishes. Each year in early December, the white-robed Mevlevi
commemorate the death of Mevlana with their trance-like turning
dance or sema - an amazing sight to behold.
What attractions does Turkey offer
related to religious history and issues of faith? History has been incredibly generous to Turkey, which
has been vital in the history of the three major Western
religions -- Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Turkey is one of
a few countries where all three religions have co-existed
peacefully for centuries. There are a many important sites in
Turkey of interest to people of all faiths.
More and more people are discovering the important role Turkey
played in the history of Christianity. Travelers can discover
many magnificent churches, some nearly as old as Christianity
itself, and can retrace the footsteps of Saints Peter and Paul
from the Biblical city of Antioch to the underground churches of
Cappadocia. Many of the most important events in Christian
history occurred in Turkey.
Born in Tarsus, the Apostle Paul spread the word of Jesus Christ
across Anatolia, expanding Christianity's reach from a
predominantly Jewish base to Gentile communities.
Not far from Tarsus on Turkey's Eastern Mediterranean coast is
Antakya, known in biblical times as Antioch. This ancient city
was founded around 300 B.C. and was home to the first important
Christian community, founded in 42 AD by St. Paul. Jesus'
followers were first called "Christians" in Antioch and from
here Christianity spread to the world. St. Paul departed from
Antioch on his three missionary journeys. The city holds the
Church of St. Peter, a cave-church where the apostles Peter and
Paul are believed to have preached. In 1963, the Vatican
designated the site a place of pilgrimage and recognized it as
the world's first cathedral.
The "Seven Churches of Asia Minor," a series of communities
located near the Aegean coast, is where St. Paul visited,
preached and built the early church. Their ancient names -
Ephesus (Efes), Smyrna (Izmir), Thyatira (Akhisar), Sardis (Sart),
Philadelphia (Alasehir), Laodicea (Eskihisar) and Pergamon (Bergama)
are familiar from the New Testament's Book of Revelation.
www.ephesusguide.com
Ephesus, perhaps the most prominent of the Seven Churches, is
where St. Paul wrote his letters to the Ephesians, and where St.
John the Evangelist brought the Virgin Mary to spend her last
years. The Vatican recognizes the Virgin Mary's house, located
in the hills near Ephesus, as a shrine. Just outside Ephesus, in
Selcuk, is the Basilica of St. John where he preached and is
believed to be buried.
Many other regions in Turkey offer a wealth of attractions to
the Christian traveler. St. Nicholas was born and lived in Demre
on the Mediterranean coast. A church dedicated to the original
Santa Claus still stands. Visitors to the biblical area of
Cappadocia, located in Central Anatolia, can explore more than
200 carved rock churches beautifully decorated with frescoes
depicting early Christian motifs, and a seven-story underground
city where Christians took refuge from their persecutors.
The stunning Monastery of the Virgin Mary located near the Black
Sea in Trabzon is a well-known monastic center dating to the 4th
century. Built on the edge of a l200 foot cliff and accessible
only by foot, it housed some of the Orthodox Church's greatest
thinkers.
Istanbul became the center of Christianity in 330 AD and it was
here that the largest church in Christendom at the time, Haghia
Sophia or the Church of the Divine Wisdom, was dedicated by
Emperor Justinian in 536 AD. The Kariye Museum, a Greek Orthodox
Church from the 11th and 14th centuries, is famous for its
incomparable Byzantine frescoes and mosaics.
Judaism has had a continuous presence in Turkey since ancient
times. Signs written in Hebrew and menorahs carved into stone at
historical sites such as Ephesus, Kusadasi, Priene, Hieropolis,
and Pamukkale attest to long history of Jews in Turkey. In
Sardis, near Izmir, the remains of the largest ancient synagogue
in existence date to the 3rd century AD. Its frescoes and
mosaics suggest a large, well-established and successful Jewish
community in Sardis.
According to the legend of the great flood, Noah's Ark ran
aground at Mount Agri (Ararat). When the floodwaters receded,
Noah and his family descended from the mountain to the fertile
Igdir Plain and repopulated the world.
Jewish Patriarchs Abraham and Job also made their mark in
eastern Turkey. Sanli Urfa in southeastern Turkey is known as
the city of Prophets. A cave there is said to be the birthplace
of the prophet Abraham. It has become a place of pilgrimage and
is now surrounded by the Halil Rahman Mosque. The Prophet Job,
who was famed for his patience, is believed to have spent seven
years recovering from illness inside another cave located in the
district of Eyyübiye two kilometers south of Sanli Urfa.
Jews have enjoyed tolerance and peace in Turkey for centuries.
After the Jewish communities in Spain and Portugal were exiled
in 1492 during the Inquisition, Sultan Beyazit II welcomed them
to the Ottoman Empire. As a result, many Jewish communities
still thrive in modern Turkey.
Istanbul is of particular significance to Jewish visitors. In
the city's old Jewish Quarter is the 19th century Neve Shalom
Synagogue, the Zulfaris Jewish Museum and nearby, the 15th
century Ahrida Synagogue. The first Jewish printing press began
operating in Istanbul in 1493 and Jewish literature and music
flourished during this period.
In Bursa, a short drive south of Istanbul, visitors will find
the Gerus Synagogue, built at the end of the 15th century by the
first Jews who settled in the city after being expelled from
Spain. The name of the synagogue in Hebrew means, "Expelled".
Izmir, located on the Aegean coast, has several synagogues,
including Beth Israel Synagogue; Bikour Holim Synagogue, named
in memory of an epidemic when city hospitals were so full that
synagogues were used to house the sick, and Giveret Synagogue,
rebuilt after an 1841 fire.
Visitors to Turkey are often touched by the call to prayer from
lofty minarets. The call is heard five times a day, inviting the
faithful to face towards Mecca and pray from the Koran. Although
Turkey is a secular democracy which guarantees freedom of
religion for all people, Islam is the country's predominant
religion. People of all faiths may visit Turkey's mosques.
Islam's roots in Turkey date to the 10th Century. In the ensuing
centuries Seljuk and Ottoman Turks constructed impressive
mosques with elegant interior decorations and imposing domes and
minarets. Virtually every Turkish city has a mosque of
historical or architectural significance. Sultanahmet Mosque in
Istanbul stands as perhaps the most impressive. Built between
1609 and 1616 in the classic Ottoman style, the building is more
familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent
interior paneling of blue and white Iznik tiles. The Suleymaniye
Mosque is the largest in Istanbul. It was built between 1550 and
1557by Suleyman the Magnificent, the greatest sultan of the
Ottoman Empire.
Other cities also have impressive Islamic architecture. The Ulu
Cami (Grand Mosque) with its 20 domes and Yesil Cami (Green
Mosque) in Bursa, was constructed between 1419 and 1420. The
mosque derives its name from the exquisite green and turquoise
tiles in its interior. Haci Bayram Mosque in Ankara was built in
the early 15th century in the Seljuk style and was subsequently
restored by the master Ottoman architect Sinan in the 16th
century. Selimiye Mosque in Edirne reflects the classical
Ottoman style and Sinan's lasting genius.
Konya ranks as one of the great cultural centers of Turkey. As
the capital of the Seljuk Turks from the 12th to the 13th
centuries Konya was a center of cultural, political and
religious growth. During this period, the mystic Mevlana
Celaleddin Rumi founded a Sufi Order known in the West as the
Whirling Dervishes. Mevlana's striking green-tiled mausoleum is
Konya's most famous attraction. Attached to the mausoleum, the
former dervish seminary now serves as a museum housing
manuscripts of Mevlana's works and various artifacts related to
the mystic sect.
How Can I travel in
Turkey? By Plane
Virtually every major city in Turkey has air service and Turkish
Airlines offers nationwide services. Most flights connect
through Istanbul or Ankara, both of which have domestic and
international terminals. You can check Turkish Airlines'
schedules and book flights at
www.turkishairlines.com or call them toll-free in the U.S.
at 1 800 874 8875.
By Bus
Busses are an efficient and affordable way to travel in Turkey.
Private bus companies provide frequent day and night services
between all Turkish cities. Local Tourism Information Offices
usually have bus schedules for their regions; their addresses
can be found at
www.turizm.gov.tr by clicking on "Tourism Information."
The major bus lines have spacious, comfortable coaches, and
offer coffee, tea and snacks. The two largest bus companies' web
sites,
www.varan.com.tr and
www.ulusoy.com.tr, provide routes, schedules, ticket prices,
and office addresses.
By Train
The extensive Turkish State Railways network connects most major
cities. On some trains, sleeping compartments are available.
Detailed train schedules and prices as well as reservation
telephone numbers and authorized ticket agents are listed on
their web site at
www.tcdd.gov.tr.
Transportation From and To the Airport
Where should I satay
in Turkey? Turkey offers a wide array of comfortable and modern
lodgings to fit any budget. Larger cities such as
Istanbul,
Ankara and
Izmir, offer a range of
international chain hotels, as well as many charming locally run
Turkish properties. Seaside resorts on the Aegean and
Mediterranean coasts and other popular tourism destinations
abound with hotels, pensions and holiday villages. Many of the
Turkey tour specialists listed in our guide can make hotel
reservations.
The Ministry of Tourism licenses a number of hotels throughout
the country. Rated from one to five stars, they must meet
standards set forth by the Ministry. Renovated and refurbished
Ottoman mansions, 19th century wooden houses and other historic
buildings now operate as special licensed hotels. The Turkish
Tourism Offices can provide a Hotel Guide that lists numerous
hotels licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. Licensed hotels and
other licensed accommodations in any city in Turkey can also be
found at
www.turizm.gov.tr
See
www.hotelguide.com.tr for a comprehensive list of hotels in
all regions of Turkey sorted in alphabetical order.
How can I hire a
guide? Guides can be pre-arranged prior to departure through
any of the Turkey tour specialists, or can easily be hired upon
arrival in Turkey. Most hotels offer concierge services, which
can provide reliable guides to their guests for an affordable
fee. The advantage of hiring a guide through your hotel is that
the guide will usually have a long history of working
successfully with the hotel and its previous guests. However,
visitors may also go to any local travel agency in Turkey and
make arrangements on the spot.
Are any vaccinations
required for tourists entering Turkey? There are no vaccination requirements for any
international traveler.
The World Health Organization web site,
www.who.org,
provides vaccination certificate requirements by country,
geographic distributions of potential health hazards to
travelers and information on health risks and their avoidance
(click on "Travelers' Health").
What is a Turkish
Bath (Hamam) ?Communal baths were used in Roman and
Byzantine times, but as the name "Turkish Bath" suggests, they
played a significant role in Ottoman culture. At a time when the
concept of cleanliness was not yet accepted in Europe, the Turks
were very fastidious due to Islam's emphasis on cleanliness.
Countless baths were built in the typical Ottoman architectural
style throughout the empire. Unfortunately, few have survived to
the present. Cagaloglu Hamami and Cemberlitas Hamami, both in
Istanbul, are very popular with tourists.
A classic bath usually has three sections: changing rooms, a hot
room and a cold room. After entering the hamam and exchanging
one's clothes for a "pestamal" or towel, you then proceed to the
"gobek tasi", a large heated stone where you perspire and are
rubbed down by a bath attendant. If the heat proves too much,
you can retire to a cooler room. This method of bathing is the
most refreshing.
Tel:
+90 256 614 90 33
+90 212 638 28 00 Fax: +90 256 612 88 98
+90 212 518 53 63 Address:
Ege Vista Is Merkezi No:3/G Kusadasi - TURKEY Address 2:
Aksaray Caddesi Saray Apt. No.21 Kat.5 Daire:9
Aksaray/Istanbul - TURKEY
