Jewish Heritage Tour to Izmir and Sardes
During this tour, you will have an unforgettable experience tracing the footsteps of the Jewish community in Izmir and Sardis, understanding the deep roots of Jewish culture, and discovering the Jewis
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Private Tour Prices
Private tour allow you to travel with your party alone and, in many cases, to fully customize your day trip. For groups of 2 or more, we can usually arrange a indivudual private trips.
*13% discount was applied to the prices. - Group size 1 paxStart At €374 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €187/per children.
- Group size 2 paxStart At €248 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €124/per children.
- Group size 3 paxStart At €191 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €96/per children.
- Group size 4 paxStart At €174 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €87/per children.
- Group size 5 paxStart At €152 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €76/per children.
- Group size 6 paxStart At €144 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €72/per children.
- Group size 7 paxStart At €139 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €70/per children.
- Group size 8 paxStart At €135 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €67/per children.
- Group size 9 paxStart At €131 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €65/per children.
- Group size 10 paxStart At €126 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €63/per children.
- Group size 11 paxStart At €122 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €61/per children.
- Group size 12 paxStart At €117 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €59/per children.
Highlights
- Izmir or Old Smyrna town
- Synagogue Street(Havra Street)
- Beth Israil Synagogue
- Elevator, and Dario Moreno Street
- Konak Square, Clock Tower, and Kemeralti Bazaar
- Kadifekale, Agora and Izmir Archaeological Museum
- Sardis (Sardes) Ancient City,Gymnasium
- Jewish Synagogue
- The Temple of Artemis of Sardes
Jewish Heritage Tour to Izmir and Sardes
During this tour, you will have an unforgettable experience tracing the footsteps of the Jewish community in Izmir and Sardis, understanding the deep roots of Jewish culture, and discovering the Jewis
-
Private Tour Prices
Private tour allow you to travel with your party alone and, in many cases, to fully customize your day trip. For groups of 2 or more, we can usually arrange a indivudual private trips.
*13% discount was applied to the prices. - Group size 1 paxStart At €374 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €187/per children.
- Group size 2 paxStart At €248 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €124/per children.
- Group size 3 paxStart At €191 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €96/per children.
- Group size 4 paxStart At €174 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €87/per children.
- Group size 5 paxStart At €152 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €76/per children.
- Group size 6 paxStart At €144 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €72/per children.
- Group size 7 paxStart At €139 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €70/per children.
- Group size 8 paxStart At €135 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €67/per children.
- Group size 9 paxStart At €131 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €65/per children.
- Group size 10 paxStart At €126 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €63/per children.
- Group size 11 paxStart At €122 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €61/per children.
- Group size 12 paxStart At €117 / Per Person0-4 years old babies are free.5-7 years old start at €59/per children.
Itinerary
*DAY 01* -Early pick up from Ankara Hotel to ESB Airport for your Izmir flight(1.10 hours) -Sardis (Sardes) Ancient City -The Temple of Artemis of Sardes -End of the day drive to Izmir -Overnight & Dinner Izmir *DAY 02* -Pick up from Izmir Hotels -Kadifekale Castle -Ancient Agora -Izmir Archaeological Museum -Konak Square -Kemeralti Bazaar -End of the tour drive to ADB Airport for your Ankara flight
- Starting Points: Turkey/Ankara
- Day 1 Manisa: Sardis (Sardes) Ancient City, The Temple of Artemis of Sardes Sardis (Sardes) Ancient City, The Temple of Artemis of Sardes
Flight to from Ankara to Izmir.
Sardes, which is the beginning of the famous King Road in history and is the capital of the Lydian state, is located in Salihli district of Manisa. Although the name of the 3 thousand-year-old settlement is called Sart, many of us pronounce it Sardes. It was also pronounced Sardis in Greek, Sfard in Lydian and Sparda in Persian. Sardes, identified with wealth beyond imagination as the first state minted money, also had a great reputation in the trade. Its wealth is not limited to these, but the gold powders brought with them by Pactolos (Sart) river had an important place in the Lydian Union. The Royal mounds (Bintepeler), located 7 kilometres north, were also a symbol of the wealth and power of the Lydians. These extracted gold powders were processed in gold processing houses. Sardes was also among the leading cities of the ancient world. The city was impeccable in urban planning and was surrounded by the largest defensive wall outside Mesopotamia. The structures of this important and rich Lydian City are shops, library, Colonnaded Street, Synagogue, Gymnasium, bathhouse, Temple Of Artemis and Golden purification houses. We may never have predicted that we would encounter majestic ruins in the ancient city of Sardes. But although it is the Gymnasium that fascinates the visitors, it can be said that the synagogue and the Temple of Artemis also take their place among the structures that deserve such praise.
When you move inwards from the ancient city of Sardes to the other side of the main road, you will come across the Temple of Artemis, one of the largest and best-preserved temples in the world. Originally dedicated to the goddess Artemis, the building looks to the west like in Ephesus and Magnesia. The two pillars of the temple have survived until today without any damage. Only the main building (cella) of the temple, which was started to be built in the Hellenistic period, was completed at that time. The main room built in the Roman period is divided into two. With the door opening to the east, it was transformed into a double main room building. Probably, this situation was made to be alongside the Artemis cult as well as the Imperial cult. The interior columns were removed and the 8.5-meter tall statues of the emperors and their wives were placed in the east main room. In the same period, the construction of outer columns was started but could not be finished. Although the temple of Artemis, where rituals and ceremonies were held, was used for 800 years, it was never completed. The church, made of rubble stone and brick next to the temple, was built in the 4th century after the abandonment of the Artemis temple and was used as a Christian place of worship until the beginning of the 600's. Overnight and dinner in Izmir.
- Day 2 Izmir: Kadifekale Castle, Ancient Agora, Izmir Archaeological Museum, Konak Square, Kemeralti Bazaar Kadifekale Castle, Ancient Agora, Izmir Archaeological Museum, Konak Square, Kemeralti Bazaar
The entrance of Mithatpasha Street in Izmir is accompanied by a hydraulic boiler room, while the exit of the elevator on Halil Rifat Pasha Street leads to the engine room. This unique elevator features a double cabin design, with the left mechanism running on water vapor and the right mechanism powered by electricity. As you arrive at the elevator, you'll be greeted by a wooden balcony supported by iron brackets, adorned with beautiful motifs on its cast-iron railings. This historically significant elevator was constructed to facilitate transportation between the two streets, making it a rare example worldwide and a notable part of Turkey's history.The Historical Elevator was generously donated to Izmir Municipality in 1983, and after its restoration in 1985, both cabins were equipped with electricity. It served as a means of urban transportation until 1992, after which it was repurposed for urban tourism following a second restoration by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. The integration of the elevator with Izmir Jewish District and Dario Moreno Street, named after the famous Turkish musician and cinema artist of Jewish origin, adds to its charm. Dario Moreno, along with his four siblings and mother, resided on this street in the 1940s, and in 1992, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality decided to name it "Dario Moreno Street." Today, the house of Dario Moreno on this historical street, adorned with old Italian-style gum houses, has been transformed into a museum.Considered the most beautiful synagogue in not just Izmir but also the entire Near East, Beth-Israel holds a special place among Izmir's Jewish community. Its grandeur, elegance, and influence in embracing new European trends make it stand out. Construction of the synagogue began in 1905, and it officially opened under the name Beth Israel in 1907. Due to economic reasons, the interior decoration took several years to complete. Beth Israel Synagogue, an unassuming grey building with a small dome when viewed from above, surpasses Havra (synagogue) Street in every aspect. The main hall, accessed through three solid mahogany doors, showcases a typical Italian-style synagogue with exquisite craftsmanship. All wooden elements, including the Teva (prayer bench), Ehal, armchairs, balcony railings, and ornaments, are crafted from solid mahogany. The synagogue's seating arrangement resembles that of a theater hall, and interestingly, hidden seats are integrated into the backs of the seats for children. The Holy Ehal, located on the south wall instead of facing Jerusalem, adds to the uniqueness of this synagogue due to the shape of the plot.Konak Square serves as the pulsating heart of Izmir, encompassing essential areas such as historical Kemeralti, Alsancak, Basmane, and Konak Square itself. It stands as the primary hub for culture, art, and entertainment within the city center. Kemeralti Bazaar, one of the first places that come to mind when mentioning Izmir's tourist attractions, dates back to the 1600s. Throughout history, it has maintained its significance as a major trading hub. The sprawling Kemeralti Bazaar encompasses 15,000 shops spread over a 5 km area, making it the world's largest open-air shopping destination. Havra Street, illuminated from dawn till dusk, brings together the freshest fruits and vegetables, enriching Izmir residents' tables. Furthermore, it sheds light on the history and culture of the Jewish community, a fundamental component of Izmir's identity.Izmir boasts a distinctive landscape that can't be found anywhere else in the world today. Every Jewish group arriving from Spain and Portugal built their own synagogues, resulting in dozens of synagogues standing side by side
- End Points: Turkey/Ankara; Izmir
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Informations
- What's Included
• 1 night - Accommodation With Dinner (4 Star Hotel or Special Class Boutique Hotel )
• Pick up from your hotel or meeting point.
• 4 Airport Transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
• Drop off to your hotel or meeting point.
• Parking Fees of Archaeological sites and national parks.
• Private professional licenced tour guide.
• This is a private tour/activity, only your group will participate.
• Local Taxes.
- What's Excluded
• Admission fees to the museums and sights.
• Personal expenses not included.
• Lunch
• Domestic flight tickets
• Gratuities to tour guides and drivers.
- Travel Tips
• For the Churches, mosques, and The Tombs, a visit to these places requires respect. So proper dressing into such places is advised.
• Please wear comfortable shoes and a casual dress code.
• Guests should watch their steps at all times in order to avoid injuries to people with mobility impairments.
• Cameras (but tripods are not allowed in Turkish Museums and sites).
• Good quality sunglasses are advised and photo-chromatic lenses for those who wear spectacles.
• Hat, sunscreen, and umbrella for the rainy or sunny days, especially days that can be hot in Archaeological sites.
• You can get bottles of soft drinks, it can be scorching hot during the day.
• The clothes you bring with you should be according to the season of your trip. Shorts, t-shirts can be worn. There is no obligation to cover your head or shoulders In Turkey.
• You may pay the entrance fees by credit card or Turkish Liras (The Museums charging only Turkish Liras and Credit cards).
- Note
• Please be ready and waiting in your hotel lobby 10 minutes prior to your scheduled pick-up time
• This tour operated with just your party and a guide/driver
• Complementery Turkey Map and Turkey Brouchers
• The tour document with details and confirmations will be e-mailed after your prebooking.
• Single travellers are obliged to pay Single Supplement and will have the hotel room to themselves.
• Infant seats are available
• It is suitable for wheelchair users
• All customer touchpoints are frequently cleaned
• Social distancing is maintained in vehicles.
• Passport or ID card required
• Masks required
• This tour is available all year round.
Tour Reminder!
You can create a reminder for yourself for this tour. We will send you a reminder e-mail/sms about this tour on the date you specify.
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FAQs
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How to meet my tour guide?
Your tour guide/staff will be waiting at pick up points such as your hotels’ lobby/main gate, a specific point etc. according to timing which you were given before tour date.
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Can I state the departure time for my tour?
Of course! We also operate tours on private basis, so you can customize the departure time, if it is a private service.
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Can I choose the sights to visit on my own?
On private tours. You can choose the sights and museums along with all sort of criteria you like by your agent according to content of service.
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How to buy museum tickets?
If the museum tickets are included in your tour, you do not need to buy it as extra. But if the museum ticket/s is/are not included in your tour, still no need to buy tickets in advance, during the tour your tour guide will help you to purchase them. Official tour guides have priority at museum ticket offices.
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Am I traveling with a group on the tour?
If the museum tickets are included in your tour, you do not need to buy it as extra. But if the museum ticket/s is/are not included in your tour, still no need to buy tickets in advance, during the tour your tour guide will help you to purchase them. Official tour guides have priority at museum ticket offices.
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How about the transportation?
If the museum tickets are included in your tour, you do not need to buy it as extra. But if the museum ticket/s is/are not included in your tour, still no need to buy tickets in advance, during the tour your tour guide will help you to purchase them. Official tour guides have priority at museum ticket offices.
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How do I pay?
If the museum tickets are included in your tour, you do not need to buy it as extra. But if the museum ticket/s is/are not included in your tour, still no need to buy tickets in advance, during the tour your tour guide will help you to purchase them. Official tour guides have priority at museum ticket offices.
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What is the language of group tours?
If the museum tickets are included in your tour, you do not need to buy it as extra. But if the museum ticket/s is/are not included in your tour, still no need to buy tickets in advance, during the tour your tour guide will help you to purchase them. Official tour guides have priority at museum ticket offices.
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What type of restaurants do you use?
If the museum tickets are included in your tour, you do not need to buy it as extra. But if the museum ticket/s is/are not included in your tour, still no need to buy tickets in advance, during the tour your tour guide will help you to purchase them. Official tour guides have priority at museum ticket offices.
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How to pay for my services?
If the museum tickets are included in your tour, you do not need to buy it as extra. But if the museum ticket/s is/are not included in your tour, still no need to buy tickets in advance, during the tour your tour guide will help you to purchase them. Official tour guides have priority at museum ticket offices.
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Am I traveling with a group?
If the museum tickets are included in your tour, you do not need to buy it as extra. But if the museum ticket/s is/are not included in your tour, still no need to buy tickets in advance, during the tour your tour guide will help you to purchase them. Official tour guides have priority at museum ticket offices.
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Are any Vaccinations Required For tourist entering Turkey?
There are no vaccination requirements for any international traveller. The World Health Organization web site, www.who.org, provides vaccination certificate requirements by country, geographic distributions of potential health hazards to travellers.
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Can We Choose our Hotels?
Yes, you can. All you have to do is just letting us know what hotels you would like to stay in while your agent creates your itinerary.
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Do I Have to Pay Full Amount To Book A Package Tours?
No. You will need to pay %50 of the total amount of your package tour in order to complete your booking. You will be required to pay the rest of the amount 30 days before your arrival day in Turkey.
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Do I need a Visa To Turkey?
Citizens of most of countries 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 (https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en).
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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.
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How Should Visitors Dress in Turkey?
Casual wear is appropriate for most tour excursions. Women wear pants or skirts, but when visiting mosques it is recommended that they cover their heads with a scarf and both sexes should not wear shorts out of respects for religious customs.
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Is it Safe to Travel in Turkey?
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.
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Should I exchange money before I go to Turkey?
The highly favourable exchange rate makes travel to Turkey extremely affordable. Most banks in the U.S. do not have Turkish Lira. However, Turkish currency is easily obtainable upon arrival in Turkey at any exchange office or bank.
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What are the departure dates of your tours?
There is no specific date! You can just pick-up your own dates to depart your package tour! In another word, our tours depart every day all year-round.
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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.
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Where can I find information on Festivals, Fairs and other Events in Turkey?
There are more than 100 festivals in Turkey every year. In addition to the local festivals organized in almost every city of the country, international culture and art festivals are held in major cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya.
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Good to Know
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Currency Regulation
Limits
There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into Turkey, but not more than 5 5,000 worth of Turkish currency may be brought into or taken out of the country. -
Exchange Slips
The exchange slips for the conversion of foreign currency into Turkish lira should be kept, since you may be required to show these when reconverting your Turkish lira back into foreign currency, and when taking souvenirs out of the country (to prove that they have been purchased with legally exchanged foreign currency).
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Customs Regulations
On Entry
The following items may be brought into the country duty free personal effects of the tourist.
One TV, one color pocket TV (maximum 16 cm screen), one TV-tape-radio combination, one video recording camera and 5 video cassettes (blank); 5 records, 5 tape cassettes or compact discs, one video player, cine-projector (8 mm) and 10 rolls of film (blank), one slide projector, one pocket computer (maximum main memory capacity Ram 128k. Byte), electronic playing devices (without cassette – keyboard), one transistor radio and portable radio – tape player (its specification to be determined by the Ministry of Finance and Customs), one Walkman or pocket tape recorder, one portable compact disc player, binoculars (one pair, except night binoculars), harmonica, mandolin, flageolet, flute, guitar, and accordion (only one of each type, maximum 3 musical instruments). personal sports equipment, necessary medical items, bicycle, baby buggy, toys, 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars. 200 grams of tobacco and 200 cigarette papers, or 50 grams of chewing tobacco or 200 grams of pipe tobacco, or 200 grams of snuff (In addition to the above allowances, it is possible to purchase 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars, and 500 grams of pipe tobacco from the Turkish Duty Free Shops upon entering the country), 1.5kg. coffee, 1.5kg. instant coffee, 500 grams of tea, 1 kilo chocolate and 1 kilo sweets, 5 (100 cc) or 7 (70 cc) bottles of wines and/or spirits, five bottles of perfume (120 ml max. each), one portable typewriter, one camera with 5 rolls of film, first aid, and spare parts for the car, other items necessary during the journey.
Valuable items and all items with a value of over $ 15,000 must be registered in the owner’s passport upon entering Turkey, for control upon exit.
Antiques brought into the country must be registered in the owner’s passport to avoid difficulties on exit.
Sharp instruments (including camping knives) and weapons may not be brought into the country without special permission.
The bringing into the country, trade, and consumption of marijuana and all other narcotics is strictly forbidden and subject to heavy punishment.
Gifts, not exceeding 500 DM in value and not for trading purposes, may be brought into the country duty free. In addition, gifts not exceeding 500 OM in value may be posted to Turkey duty free, if the date stamped by the sending post office falls one month before, or one month after the following holidays: Seker Bayrami, Kurban Bayrami, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Note
Cellular Telephones entering the country must be accompanied by a certification form showing ownership. Ownership must be documented in the passport of the owner and will be checked on entry and exit. For more information contact the Ministry of transportation, General Directorate at Tel: (312) 212 35 72 – 212 60 10 (10 lines), Fax: (312) 221 32 26 or write to Ulastirma Bakanligi Telsiz Gn. Md. Emek – Ankara.
On Exit
Gifts and souvenirs: for a new carpet, a proof of purchase; for old items, a certificate from a directorate of a museum is necessary. Exporting antiques from Turkey is forbidden.
Valuable personal items can only be taken out of the country providing they have been registered in the owner’s passport upon entry, or providing they can show they have been purchased with legally exchanged currency.
Minerals may only be exported from the country with a special document obtained from the MTA (General Directorate of Mining Exploration and Research). Etudler Dairesi 06520, Ankara. Phone: +90 312 287 3430 /1622, Fax: +90 312 285 4271
Tax Refund
You Can Receive a Tax Refund for the Goods You Purchased In Turkey! Refunds will be made to travelers who do not reside in Turkey. All goods (including food and drinks) are included in the refunds with the exclusion of services rendered. The minimum amount of purchase that qualifies for refund is 5.000.000 TL. Retailers that qualify for tax refunds must be “authorized for refund.” These retailers must display a permit received from their respective tax office.
The retailer will make four copies of the receipt for your refund, three of which will be received by the purchaser. If photocopies of the receipt are received the retailer must sign and stamp the copies to validate them. If you prefer the refund to be made by check, a Tax-free Shopping Check for the amount to be refunded to the customer must be given along with the receipt.
For the purchaser to benefit from this exemption he must leave the country within three months with the goods purchased showing them to Turkish customs officials along with the appropriate receipts and! or check.
There are four ways to receive your refund:
If the retailer gives you a check it can be cashed at a bank in the customs area at the airport. If it is not possible to cash the check upon departure or if you do not wish to cash it then, .e customer must, within one month, send a copy of the receipt showing that the goods have left the country to the retailer who will, within ten days upon receiving the receipt, send a bank transfer to the purchaser’s hank or address.
If the certified receipt and check are brought back to the retailer on a subsequent visit thin one-month of the date of customs certification, the refund can be made directly to the purchaser. Retailers may directly refund the amount to trustworthy customers upon purchase. The refund may be made by the organization of those companies that are authorized to make tax refunds.
Additional information:
Ministry of Finance and Tax Dept. General Directorate, (Maliye Bakanligi, Gelirler Genel Mudurlugu) KDV Subesi 06100, Ulus – Ankara Phone: +90 312 310 3880 / 725 – 728 – 735, Fax: +90 312 311 4510
Tourist Health
Turkish Tourist Health Society (Turizm Sagligi Dernegi-Hacettepe Üniversitesi Tip Fakültesi Plastik ve Rekonstrüktif Cerrahi Ana Bilim Dali, Sihhiye 06100 ANKARA
Phone:
+90 312 311 9393 – 310 98 08) performs the functions below, to provide the travelers in the entire country, mainly in the touristic regions, with proper health care:
- to secure food hygiene
- to prevent environmental pollution
- to ensure hygiene and healthy working-conditions in touristic establishments.
Health Regulations for Pets
For those who wish to bring domestic animals into the country the following are required:
- Pets have to be 3 months and older
- An International Certificate of Health issued within 15 days before the travel
- The Identification Card
- Vaccination Card
Note
If you have an official certificate, you may bring one cat, one bird, one dog and 10 aquarium fish into the country. To get information for the importation of pets, please see the Consular Services. -
Motorist Rules
General
Those who wish to enter the country with their vans, minibuses, automobiles, station wagons, bicycles, motorcycles, motorbikes, sidecars, buses, motor coaches, trailers, caravans or other transport vehicles, will have to provide the following documentations:
- Passport.
- International driving license.
- Car license (document where all details related to the car and the owner’s name are registered). If it is somebody else’s vehicle a power of attorney should be provided.
- International green card (Insurance card). The TR sign should be visible.
- Transit book “Carnet de passage” (for those who want to proceed to the Middle East).
Period
The vehicle can be brought into Turkey for up to 6 Months. The owner should declare on the opposite form, the date of departure at the border gate and should absolutely ve the country at the date declared. If for any important reason the staying period has to be ended, it is necessary to apply to;
The Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (Türkiye Turing ve Otomobil Kurumu) 1. Sanayi Sitesi Yani, 4.Levent, Istanbul, Phone: +90 212 282 8140 (7 lines).
The General Directorate of Customs (Gümrükler Genel Müdürlügü), Ulus Ankara Phone:
+90 312 310 3880, 310 3818, Fax: +90 312 311 1346, before the end of the period declared.
In Case of Accident
The accident should be reported to the police or gendarme. That report has to be certified by the nearest local authority. The owner should apply to the customs authority with his passport and report.
If the vehicle can be repaired, it is necessary to inform the customs authority first and take the vehicle to a garage. If the vehicle is not repairable and if the owner wishes to leave the country without his vehicle, he has to deliver it to the nearest customs office, and the registration of his vehicle on his passport will be cancelled. (Only after the cancellation can the owner of the vehicle leave the country.)
Following an accident, you can phone:
- Trafik Polisi (Traffic Police), Phone: 154
- Jandarma (Gendarme), Phone: 156
- For more information, contact the Touring and Automobile Association of Turkey.
Formalities for Private Yacht Owners
Yachts require a Transit Log and may remain in Turkish waters for up to two years maintenance or for wintering. There are certain ports licensed by the Ministry of Tourist the storage of yachts for a period of two to five years. For further information and regulations contact the marina concerned.
Upon arriving in Turkish waters, yachts should immediately go for control of the ship to the nearest port of entry which are as follows: Iskenderun, Botas (Adana), Mersin, Tasucu, Anamur, Alanya, Antalya, Kemer, Finike, Kas, Fethiye, Marmaris, Datça, Bodrum, Güllük Didim, Kusadasi, Çesme, Izmir, Dikili, Ayvalik, Akçay, Çanakkale, Bandirma, Tekirdag, Istanbul, Zonguldak, Sinop, Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, Hopa.
Port Formalities
All the required information concerning the yacht, yachtsmen, members, intended route, passports, customs declarations, health clearance, and any obligatory matters must be entered in the Transit Log.
The Transit Log is to be completed by the captain of a yacht under a foreign flag or amateur sailor acting as captain of the vessel.
The Transit Log is completed upon first entering a Turkish port and, generally, it is necessary to contact the Harbor Authority before leaving. For information on tax-free fuel, contact the Marina Harbor Office.
Note
If you have a certificate from the Tourism Ministry Yacht Harbor, you may take petrol at no charge, provided you possess an official marina license. -
Formalities for Private Plane Owners
General
When coming to Turkey, international air routes should be followed. Private planes may stay for up to three months in Turkey with tourist status, but for longer periods permission should be obtained from;
The General Directorate of Customs (Gümrükler Genel Müdürlügü), Ulus Ankara
Phone:
+90 312 310 3880, 310 3818, Fax: +90 312 311 1346
The airports of Ankara, Adana, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Trabzon and Dalaman have ties for private planes. It is also possible to hire planes and helicopters in Turkey.
For further information, apply to:
The Civil Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport (Ulastirma Bakanligi, Havacilik Gen. Müd.). Bosna-Hersek Cad., No: 5 – 06338 – Emek, Ankara.
Phone:
+90 312 212 6730, Fax: +90 312 2124684, TIx : 44659 Ga-tr.
Underwater Diving
Diving for purposes of sport, with proper equipment and in non-restricted areas, is permitted. Foreign divers should have official documentation of their specifics and training and must be accompanied, when diving, by a licensed Turkish guide.
The limit for diving with diving gear is 30 meters. For educational purposes, this limit is extended to 42 meters. Dives exceeding 30 meters must be carried out with proper diving and medical equipment. In order to protect Turkish archaeological and cultural values. It is strictly forbidden to transport Turkish antiquities or natural specimens. -
Postal System
Turkish post-offices are easily recognized by their black PTT letters on a yellow background. Major post offices are open from 8:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m., Monday/Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m., Sunday. Small post-offices have the same hours as the government offices.
Postal charges vary for different services depending on destination. Post restante letters should be addressed “postrestant” to the central post-office Merkez Postanesi, in the town of your choice. You have to show your identification card to collect your letters.
All PTT branches have the facilities to exchange money at the current international exchange rates, as well as international postal orders and travelers’ cheques. There is also an express postal service (APS) operating to 90 countries for letters , documents and small packages. A wide variety of special stamps are available in all PTT centers for philatelists.
To phone from PTT telephone booths, which are extensively found in all areas; telephone cards , and tokens (“;jeton”) in three sizes are used. Local, inter-city and international calls can be made from all PTT offices. Besides these main offices there are also mobile PTT services in the touristic areas. For the area codes of major cities and touristic areas in Turkey, please see the “Area Codes” list. Foreign countries area codes are indicated in the International Telephone Codes list.
Some important service numbers are;
- 155 Police
- 112 Emergency
- 110 Fire
- 118 Unknown Numbers
- 161 PTT Information. -
Working Hours
Government Offices
Monday-Friday (8:30-12:30), (13:30-17:30)
Saturday-Sunday (closed)
Banks
Monday-Friday (8:30-12-00), (13:30-17:00)
Saturday-Sunday (closed)
Shops
Monday-Saturday (9:30-13:00), (14:00-19:00)
Sunday (closed)
Istanbul Covered Market:
Monday-Saturday (8:00-19:00)
Sunday (closed)
During summer months, the government offices and many other establishments in the Aegean and Mediterranean Regions are closed in the afternoon. These fixed summer hours are determined by the governing bodies of the provinces. -
Other Practical Information
Local time: GMT+3 hours (April-September) GMT+2 hours (October-March)
Time Differences:
Argentina -5, France -1, Netherlands -1, Australia +8, Germany -1, Saudi Arabia+1, Austria -1, Greece 0, Sweden -1, Egypt 0, Italy -1, Switzerland -1, England -2, Japan +7, Spain -1, USA -7 (EST) -10 (WEST)
*These time differences are for the period October-March; however, they may show variances according to each country’s own time-saving adjustments.
Petrol: Super (premium) – Unleaded (at some places). Normal (regular) – Diesel.
Electricity: 220 volts AC/50 Hz. all over Turkey. (Industrial:380 V) Plug: European round/ 2-prong plug.
Water: Although tap water is safe to drink since it is chlorinated, it is recommended to get advice from the conceded authorities of the places resided.
Weights and Measures:
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters , 1 centimeter = 0.3937 inches
1 yard = 0,9144 meters, 1 meter = 1.0936 yards
1 mile = 1,6093 kilometers, 1 kilometer = 0.6214 miles
1 pound = 0,4536 kilograms, 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds
Area: 1 acres = 0,4047 Hectares, 1 hectare = 2.471 acres
Capacity:
1 UK gallon = 4.546 liters, 1 liter = 0.2199 UK gallons
1 US gallon = 3.7831 liters, 1 liter = 0.2643 US gallons
Newspapers and Magazines:
Foreign newspapers and magazines are available in big cities and tourist areas. Also there is a Turkish daily newspaper, Daily News, published in English.
Tipping:
At various establishments like hotels, restaurants, Turkish baths, barbers and hairdressers, tipping at a rate of 5%-15% of the total is common. Taxi and “dolmus” drivers on the other hand, do not expect tips or even rounded fares.
Visiting a mosque:
Five times a day, the “müezzin” calls the faithful to prayer in the mosque. Before entering a mosque, Muslims wash themselves and remove their shoes. Foreign visitors should also remove their shoes and show the respect they would any other house of worship and avoid visiting the mosque during prayer time. Women should cover their heads and arms, and not wear miniskirts. Men should not wear shorts. (In certain famous mosques, overalls are provided for those not suitably dressed.)
