- Covid19 Prudent
Travel in Seven Churches of Asia Minor
Starting from Bodrum a biblical exploration travel in Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Sardis, Smyrna, Ephesus, Laodicea, Pergamon, Philadelphia, and Thyateira.
Highlights
- Pamukkale; Hierapolis, Laodicea-Overnight in Pamukkale
- Philadelphia(Alasehir), Sardis, Thyatira, Overnight in Bergama
- Pergamum; Izmir-Overnight in Kusadasi
- Ephesus Ancient City; The House of Virgin Mary
Travel in Seven Churches of Asia Minor
Starting from Bodrum a biblical exploration travel in Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Sardis, Smyrna, Ephesus, Laodicea, Pergamon, Philadelphia, and Thyateira.
Itinerary
During this 4 day Seven Churches of Apocalypse Tour you will be exploring the fascinating areas of the ancient city of Ephesus, Virgin Mary’s house with an insight to Laodicea and its delightful ruins, and onwards to see the captivating Pamukkale with its snowy cliffsides and a chance to take a dip in its thermal healing pools before making our way over to Sardis, Philadelphia & Thyatira where you can explore the wondrous churches and learn all about their stories.
Your 4-day tour will be concluded with a tour of Pergamum and its famous ancient ruins that include the acropolis and accession, followed by a discovery of St. Polycarp church know to be the oldest church in all of Smyrna. This 4-day tour is ideal for those searching for a full-on a cultural tour with an insight to the beginning of Christianity.
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Starting Points: Turkey/Mugla: Bodrum
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Day 1
Pamukkale: Hierapolis Ancient Site, Cleopatra's Pool, White Calcium Rocks and Pools, Laodicea
Hierapolis Ancient Site, Cleopatra's Pool, White Calcium Rocks and Pools, Laodicea
Your journey today will take you to see the fantastic site of Pamukkale. Pamukkale when translated means ‘Cotton Castle’ and has been drawing the weary and the curious from all around the world to its thermal springs for more than 23 centuries. The Turkish name refers to the extraordinary surface of the snow-white cliffs, shaped over millennia by the accumulation of calcium deposited by mineral springs. Legend has it that the formations are solidified cotton (the area’s principal crop) that was left out to dry by giants. Dripping slowly down a vast mountainside mineral-rich water foams and collects in bowls that terrace the decline spilling over petrified cascades of stalactites into milky pools below.
The site of ancient Hierapolis and the accompanying museums are overshadowed by the springs but are nevertheless fascinating. You shouldn’t leave Pamukkale without having a healing dip in the sacred fountain of Cleopatra’s pool. Cleopatras Pool has warm clear fizzy water that bubbles from the source of the springs but these days has now blocked off to prevent divers from disappearing into its hidden depths. On the bottom surface of the pool, you can see the Ancient remains of the Roman columns – Cleopatras Pool is most certainly an Oasis.
After you have explored Pamukkale it's then onwards to visit the astounding site of Laodicea; 3 highways ran through this city that gave Laodicea great commercial prosperity and in the Roman times it was known to be the wealthiest city in the area because of the demand for black wool came worldwide, but in the year 60 AD, the city became destroyed by an incredible earthquake however no financial assistance was required from Rome to rebuild because Laodicea was able to fund it. This city was also famous for its medical school so much so 2 of the doctors were imprinted on coins.
Laodicea attracted many jews to live because of the wealth and mostly so because of its baths, the church was recorded to be established by Paul during his 3rd mission as he was ministering Ephesus. The ruins of this city that can be seen are the stadium, sarcophagi, an amphitheatre, an odeon, a cistern and an aqueduct – the aqueduct was in place as Laodicea had no running freshwater of its own and so had to use the aqueduct system which meant the water was never cold. Most of the city is still waiting to be excavated so keep your eyes peeled for new sightings! As the day comes to an end its time to head over to your hotel in Pamukkale where you will have an overnight stay.
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Day 2
Manisa: Philadelphia(Alasehir), Sardis, Thyatira
Philadelphia(Alasehir), Sardis, Thyatira
Today is a brand new day and with a brand new day comes a brand new adventure, and we will begin our tour today by exploring the area of Philadelphia (Alasehir ) which is recorded to be the sixth church out of the seven and is built on the acropolis it's considered to be one of the 1st Christian churches. Philadelphia was a growing city founded by King Aelius and was famous for its vintages and wines but mostly for its hot springs where people would travel far and wide to visit, the unfortunates of this city was that it was built upon a volcanic area which made it prone to dangerous earthquakes. And in 17 AD, it was an extremely strong earthquake that completely shattered this city as well as 10 surrounding others with tremors that lasted for years, but the Roman emperor contributed to rebuilding the city to which its ruins can be seen today.
After Philadelphia it's then time to discover Sardis which was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia and also one of the important cities of the Persian Empire. Its importance was due because of 3 reasons which were that first to its military strength, secondly to its situation on an important highway leading from the interior to the Aegean coast, and thirdly to its commanding the wide and fertile plain of the Hermus. Christianity arrived here in the 1st century AD and at the site of Temple Artemis you will pass on your right the remains of a small 4th century apsidal church with its brick dome collapsed on top of it.
But most impressively located on the north side of the huge temple there is an intact church where an apse was added to the structure 200 years later. It went on to be buried by a landslide and was only re-dug out in 1912 which kept it in a fine state of preservation. To end the tour for today will be with an exploration of Thyatira known to be that the Greek deities especially worshipped in Thyatira including Asclepias, Dionysus, Artemis, and above all Apollo, in whose honour athletic games were instituted. Among the ruins here is a public building ( basilica ) dating right back from the 5th century AD, with its columns and arches dating back to the 4th century AD.
You will be able to see several greek inscriptions that lie within the ancient ruins of Thyatira, it is known that many ancient coins have been found here which makes it evident that bronze smiths, woodworkers and other working sites were active within the city, you never know you might find a coin here too. As the day starts to come to an end it means it is the end to another day of exploring so it's time to head back on to the bus so we can make our way over to the area of Pergamon, and it's here that you will spend an overnight stay as tomorrow we will continue on our adventure of the Seven Churches.
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Day 3
Pergamum: Acropolis, Asceplion
Acropolis, Asceplion
Your tour of today will be wrapped up by a Pergamum Tour so you can explore all of its incredible findings. This area is famous for various reasons and some of them are that the people of Pergamon were it, inventors, as it was them that built the first-ever Psychiatric Hospital, but also that the Pergamon Library once homed more than 200,000 scripts which you can only imagine the scale of the place. The first place you will see will be the Acropolis which is split into 3 areas, in one of the areas you will be able to explore the marvellous structures of the Library, Gymnasium and of course the well known Roman Temple of Trajan – the structure of this temple was a sign of the imperial cult within the city and was of great scale, the Temple of Athena is also allocated here and legend has it that its construction by the modelling of the Acropolis in Athens and to this day you can still see its magnificent ruins and columns.
As you explore around you will come across the Theatre which was built into the hillside, this theatre could hold an audience of up to 10,000 people though its extraordinary 80 different seating levels. Other fascinating sites you will be discovering in Pergamon are Temple of Dionysus and the splendid Altar of Zeus. After lunch, it's onwards with your tour to a see the fabulous Asceplion, which was, in fact, the most famous in all of the ancient world so much so it attracted people from all around the region to try out its Spiritual Thermal Healing Powers. There is also a Propylon here that you can have a stroll around which was known to date from 2C AD, it opened up into a large courtyard that was surrounded by stoas on 3 sides. Make sure you take time to see the Library and also the Theatre here too which truly are amazing ruins.
Now that you have discovered around the historical site of Pergamon and Asceplion its time to head back to the tour bus so that we can start our drive over to Izmir so that you can see the amazing St. Polycarp Church, this church is known to be the oldest church in all of Izmir, the Saint Polycarp was converted by John the Apostle and went onto become bishop of Symnra, he was martyred by the Romans back in 155 ADD and legend has it that they tried to burn Polycarp at the stake but the burning flames would not touch his holy body. This church structure is extremely beautiful on the outside and inside, with a great eye to detail and gives you that spiritual aurora, that will leave you fascinated. As St.Polycarp Church was your final place to see and explore today its time to head over to the resort of Kusadasi so you can have a well-earned rest in preparation for tomorrow as tomorrow you will have the chance to the worlds most famous Ancient City named Ephesus.
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Day 4
Ephesus: Archaeological Site, The House of Virgin Mary, The Temple of Artemis
Archaeological Site, The House of Virgin Mary, The Temple of Artemis
During your tour of Ephesus tour, you will get to explore all of its wonders such as the Artemis Temple which was also known to be Temple of Diana, it was a Greek temple that was built in dedication to the Goddess Artemis and is still known to this present day to be one of the seventh wonders of the ancient world. Once you have seen the ruins of the Artemis Temple we will then move onwards towards the main site of Ephesus foresee such sights as The Odeon – this was a small roofed theatre known to be constructed by Vedius Antonius around the time of 150AD, it was used for plays and small concerts and could accommodate an audience of around 1500 people. The Great Theatre – is situated in the slope of Panayir Hill just opposite of the main harbour street in Ephesus, with its first construction been in the Hellenistic Period but during the Roman Period, the Great Theatre was enlarged to the size that you shall see today.
This Theatre is the largest in all of Anatolia with a grand capacity of 25,000 spectators. You can also find the magnificent Celsius Library - this structure is a wonderful and beautiful site to see as the preservation of this library has been excellent. It was built in 117 A as a monumental tomb for Gaius Julius (Celsus Polemaeanus), the grave of Celsus was beneath the ground floor. There are many other amazing sites for you to see around Ephesus which will include – The Agora, Trajan Fountain, Domitianus Temple and the Roman Latrines. Once you have seen the wonders of this amazing city we will then make a stop for some lunch, where you can indulge in some true authentic Turkish cuisine and afterwards we will continue on our tour by heading over to the very sacred House Of Virgin Mary.
Virgin Mary’s House which is also known by the local Turks as Meryem ana or Meryem Ana Evi, the house was discovered back in the 19th Century and is indeed a Catholic and Muslim shrine located on Mt. Koressos, it was told that Catholic pilgrims visited the house based on the belief that Mary the mother of Jesus was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived out her final years there with him. The structure of the house is not overly large but more of a sacred chapel, and as we enter the chapel you will see one large room where an altar along with a large statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary is proudly displayed right in the centre. Just outside of Virgin Marys House is a wishing/prayer Wall, so if you have any ribbon, cloth or just some paper on you then now’s the chance to write a wish or a prayer and lock it on to the holy Wall, and who knows it might just get answered!
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End Points: Turkey/Izmir; Mugla: Bodrum
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Informations
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What's Included
• Private Professional Licenced Tour Guide.
• Private Deluxe A/C VIP Vehicle.
• Parking Fees.
• Local Taxes.
• Pick up from your hotel or meeting point.
• Drop off to your hotel or meeting point.
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What's Excluded
• Entrance Fees.
• Gratuities to the guide and driver.
• Lunch & Drink.
• Personal expenses.
• Hotel Accommodations.
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Travel Tips
• We recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and comfortable walking shoes.
• 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.
• For the Churches or mosques, a visit to these places require a respect. So proper dressing into such places is advised.
• You can get bottles of soft drinks, it can be scorching hot during the day.
• Hat, sunscreen and umbrella for the rainy or sunny days, especially days can be hot in Archaeological sites.
• Good quality sunglasses are advised and photo-chromatic lenses for those who wear spectacles.
• Cameras (but tripods are not allowed in Turkish Museums and sites).
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Note
• The wheelchair is accessible, therefore just request from us when you are booking your trip.
• You may pay the entrance fees by credit card or Turkish Liras. (The Museums charging only Turkish Liras and Credit cards.)
• This tour involves over a mile of walking on uneven, cobblestone surfaces.
• Restrooms are available at the entrance and the exit of Archaeological Sites.
• The tour document with details and confirmations will be e-mailed after your prebooking.
• This Tour is available all year round.
• Daily, a Private small group tour of Turkey.
• This tour operated with just your party and a guide/driver.
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.)
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