TRAVEL TIPS
There are direct flights to Turkey from most of the European cities, the USA, Canada, Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific. The national carrier Turkish Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, and serves most of these countries and cities. One can reach the Congress site, Konya, through Istanbul (see www.thy.com). In addition to Turkish Airlines, a number of European, US, African, Middle Eastern and Asian airlines also offer air services both to Istanbul and Ankara. Those arriving in Ankara will have to catch either a train or a bus to reach Konya. Besides Turkish Airlines, Konya is served by Pegasus Airlines (www.flypgs.com). Turkish Airlines offers three scheduled flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport, whereas Pegasus Airlines offers services from Sabiha Gokcen Airport. There are frequent bus services between the two airports. There are also charter flights to both airports in Istanbul from most of the European cities as well as from the Middle East, North Africa and the Russian Federation. Reasonably priced, comfortable coaches and Meram Express train services also run from Istanbul and Ankara to Konya. For more information about the train services, please visit www.tcdd.gov.tr. Free shuttle service from Konya Airport to Dedeman Konya Hotel & Convention Center will be provided. The distance between the airport and the hotel is 10 miles (15 kms).
VISA REQUIREMENTs
Most of the participants and the accompanying persons will need to have a tourist visa to enter into Turkey (see www.mfa.gov.tr). Nationals of the following countries: USA, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and former Soviet Republics are able to receive entry visa upon arrival at the point of entry by paying a visa fee of US$20. It is valid up to 90 days and can be used for multiple entries into the country. Nationals of the following countries are exempt from entry visa for stays up to 90 days: Germany, Argentina, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Morocco, Finland, France, South Korea, Hong Kong, Honduras, Iran, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland, Iceland, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Singapore, Chile, Tunisia, Uruguay, New Zealand, and Greece. Nationals of the following countries are exempt from entry visa for stays up to 60 days: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Macedonia. Nationals of the following countries are exempt from entry visa for stays up to 30 days: Kazakhistan, Costa Rica, Kyrgyz Republic, and Macau. For more information about the visa requirements for other countries, please visit http://www.turizm.net/turkey/tips/visa.html
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The European Capital of Culture is a city
designated by the European Union for a period of one
calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase
its cultural life and cultural development. A number of
European cities have used the City of Culture year to
transform their cultural base and, in doing so, the way in
which they are viewed internationally. Istanbul (Turkish: İstanbul, historically also known as Byzantium and Constantinople) is the largest city in Turkey and fifth largest city proper in the world with a population of 12.8 million. Istanbul is also a megacity, as well as the cultural and financial centre of Turkey. The city covers 39 districts of the Istanbul province. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbour known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) sides of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. |
