Welcome to Turkey!
The cradle of civilisations! The most appropriate words describing Turkey, which is the monumental treasure of civilisations that have enlightened the world. Here, an unlimited number of monuments bear the reminiscence of the cultural evolution of Anatolia. The ancient cities of Pergamum, Aphrodisias, Sardis, TrojGordion, not only reflect the history but dot the landscape. Two of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the Mausoleum in Halicarnassusthe Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, are here in this country. A country that bridges two continentswhich for over ten thousand years has been the home of the great culturescivilisations of the world! When in Turkey, one is in the land of the ´Mother Sun´, who gives her name to the land ´Anatolia´. The 8000-kilometer long seductive coastline displays limitless shades of ´Turquoise´ for one to enjoy. The golden beaches, undiscovered virgin bays,the whisper of gentle breezes await one there. When one is in Turkey, one breathes the same air with Homer, who created the Aegean legacyMevlana, the great philosopher, who said: ´Come again, come whoever you are!´
Yunus Emre, the great poet of universal love, Marcus AntoniusCleopatra, who chose the Mediterranean coast of Anatolia for their honeymoon, Noah, who made possible the ´Second Life´ of humanity, the Virgin MarySt.John saints, who found peace in this landAtatürk, the charismatic leader, who founded the contemporary Turkish Republic has lived in this country.
One is in a land, where the fabulous godsgoddesses of mythology lived their grandeur. One has the chance to bathe in the waters, where the Aphrodite once bathed,to celebrate the wine festivals, which Dionysus had inspired.
Many poetspainters lost their hearts to the wondersdiversity of this land. One moment you are in the Early Bronze Age, another you live the richness of the Roman Civilisation,you may feel yourself like a Sultan in the glamorous palaces of the Ottoman Empire.
Nowhere else one can feel like he is in a wonderland! Here is Cappadocia, where one may watch the rose coloured rock pinnacles (´fairy chimneys´)the harmony of the colours red, brown, beige, yellowgreen turning from one into the other.
Pamukkale, the whitest dream from which one would never want to quit for the real world. It is an incredible natural wonder with its shining white, fairy-tale waterfalls.
Now that when one is in Turkey, one feels the warming essence of life, the joy of existence. One can view magnificent reality interwined with historynature. When in Turkey, one has the opportunity of observing, travellingbeing in touch with the country that unites EuropeAsia, with all her magnificent past, amazing natural beautiesher traditional hospitality.
Cappadocia: The landscape by the magical hand of God...
Çatalhöyük : The first settlement area on earth...
Akçay: The place, where the world´s first ´Beauty Contest´ was heldAphrodite was chosen the queen...
Ephesus: The place, where one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the ´Temple of Artemis´ is...
Halicarnassus: The place, where one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the ´Mausoleum of Halicarnassus´ is...
ISTANBUL: The unique city in the world, that is founded on two continents
Altınoluk: Oxygen heaven in the world...
Sardis: The place, where King Croesus used the coinage system for the first time in the world...
Zile: The place, where Julius Caesar said: ´Veni! Vidi! Vici!...´
Priene: The place, where for the first time the system of geometric city planning was applied by Hippodamos...
Pergamum: The place, where the parchment paper was invented...
Selçuk: The place, where the house of Virgin Mary is...
Sinop: The place, where Diogenes have lived...
Asclepion: The first psychiatric hospital on earth
Amasya: The place, where the famous geographer Strabo have lived...
Sardis: Where the oldest synagogue is
Sanlıurfa: The city of prophets...
Dates
September 4 - 8, 2010
Venue
Istanbul Lutfi Kirdar ConventionExhibition Center-Harbiye
Address: Harbiye-Şişli Istanbul, Turkey
For further information please visit the homepage www.icec.orgclick here.
Istanbul
The strategic setting of Istanbul, the only city in the world built on two continents, has formed its destiny as an imperial capital for 1600 years. From the empires of Roman, ByzantineOttoman, this metropolis with its rich historynatural beauty, offers a friendly welcomegenuine hospitality. Numerous museums, ancient churches, synagogues, basilicas, mosques, mausoleums, palaces, bazaarsbaths are standing today as the pride of all civilisations. With more than ten universitiesmany institutions, Istanbul is the most important centre of Turkish scienceculture.
BankingExchange Facilities
Foreign money can be changed at banks during normal business days (09.00-17.00 Monday-Friday) as well as at hotels, at the airportin exchange offices. Exchange rates are set daily by the Central Bank. All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurantsshops. Automated bank machines are available at many points throughout the cityat the airport.
ClimateClothing
Daytime temperatures are in the range of 22-28°Cevening temperatures are 18-24°C. We recommend you bring light clothes.
Currency
The Turkish currency is Turkish Lira.
Electricity
The electrical power supply in Turkey is 220 volts.
Language
The official language of the congress is English.
RestaurantsTurkish Cuisine
There is a wide choice of restaurants in Istanbul offering a broad spectrum ranging from excellent national cuisine to first class international dishes. Traditional Turkish cuisine is famous for its many specialties prepared with fresh vegetables. There are lots of quality restaurants as well as fast-food shops in the vicinity of the hotels reserved for this meeting.
Shopping
One of the most enjoyable parts of a trip to Turkey is shopping for the rich variety of Turkish crafts. Istanbul is a shopping paradise with its Covered Bazaar as well as the modern malls. Turkish carpets, kilims, suedeleatherwear as well as other items of clothing are the best buys. Copper, silver, brasswarejewellery are also choices for buying, along with works of ceramicsthe famous Turkish meerschaum. In the Covered Bazaar bargaining over the sale price with shop traders is expected.
Telephones
Pay phonescredit card phones are available at the meeting venue as well as in the city.
Time
Turkey is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Tipping
Although service charge is included in most restaurants, leaving a tip at one´s own discretion is appreciated.
Travel within Istanbul
Public airport shuttle buses (HAVAS) run between the airportthe city center (Taksim Square) from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. every half hour for an approximate fee of Euro 5.- per person (to be paid on the bus in Turkish Lira). It takes about 30 min from airport to the city centre. Taksim Square is 3-7 min by walking from the main congress hotels. Transportation within the city centre is by busby taxi. All taxis have taximeters,the rates are reasonable.
Istanbul´s ambitious plan to have a modern rapid-transit system is well under way. Though it is just the beginning, there are currently systems running within the city as shown in the map. To get from the airport by metrotram, 3 lines have to be changedbelow route should be followed.
From Airport to Akasaray by metro
From Aksaray to Kabatas by tram
From Kabatas to Taksim by tram
Taking a Havas Public Bus to Taksim Square might be more recommendable for a trip to/from airport. The quickiestcomfortable way to cross Bosphours, the water channel between AsiaEurope, could be considered as taking public boats which depart from Besiktas, Eminonu, Karakoy on the European SideKadikoy, Uskudar, Bostanci on the Asian Side. Please refer to the hotel consiegethe staff at the convention center for more information while planning your trip within the city.
Visa Requirements
Participants are requested to check with the Turkish Consulate in their home countrywith their travel agencyat www.mfa.gov.tr for visa requirements. Entry visa to Turkey can also be obtained at Istanbul Atatürk Airport for a number of countries.
Credit Cards
All major credit cards (Visa, Master Card) are accepted in Turkey by restaurants, hotels, shopsat the Congress Registration Desks.
Local Organizing Secretariat
K2 ConferenceEvent Management Co.
Head Office:
Kosuyolu Mahallesi Ali Nazime Sokak No:45 Kosuyolu 34718 Kadikoy/Istanbul
Phone: +90 (216) 428 95 51
Fax : +90 (216) 428 95 91
E-mail: issx2010@k2-events.com
http://www.k2-events.com/
