MONETARY SYSTEM

       The national monetary unit is the Yeni (New) Turkish lira (YTL). The coinage is in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 kurus and 1 lira pieces. Bank notes are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 YTL. The exchange rates for foreign currencies are published daily. Euro checks can be cashed immediately; so can traveller's checks upon producing identification. The most widely accepted credit cards are Euro card, Diner's Club, Visa, American Express and Mastercard. Exchange offices in touristy places are generally open until midnight.

       Note you may exchange traveller's checks at Post Offices in touristy places and at certain banks.

WHEN TO GO;

       Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts: These coasts have typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The swimming season becomes shorter the further north one goes Marmara and North Aegean - June to September, South Aegean and Mediterranean - April to October.

Black Sea Coast : Warm summers, mild winters and relatively rainfall.

Central Anatolia : Steppe climate with hot, dry summers, cold winters.

Eastern Anatolia : Long snowy, cold winters with mild summers.

Southeast Anatolia : Hot summer with mild, rainy winters.

AVERAGE AIR AND WATER TEMPERATURES FOR MAJOR REGIONS IN °C

WHAT TO TAKE :

• Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts: Light, cotton summer clothing and cardigans for evening.
• Black Sea, Central and Eastern Anatolia : Summer wear, warmer clothing should be taken for cool evenings at night attitudes.
• Comfortable shoes are necessary for visiting archaeological and historical sites.
• Sun bats and sunglasses are advisable in the height of summer.
• Women for visiting mosques should take headscarves.

POSTAL SYSTEM AND PHONE CALLS

       Turkish post offices are easily recognisable by their yellow "PTT" signs. Major post offices are open 8:00 - 24:00 hrs. Mon.- Sat. ; and 9:00 - 19:00 Sun. Small post offices have the same hours as government offices (see below)

Poste Restante

       Poste restante letters should be addressed "proterestant" to the central post office " Merkez Postanesi", in the town of your choice. It is only necessary to produce an identification card when collecting your letter.

       It is possible to use this service for sending or receiving documents from other countries.

Fax Office

        It is possible to use this service for sending or receiving documents from other countries.

Valuable Dispatch

        It is possible to use service for sending valuable belongings or valuable important documents.

Other PTT Services

       It is possible to exchange money at some branches of PTT at the current international exchange rate. International postal orders and traveller's checks can also be exchanged.

       An express postal service ( Acele Posta Servisi - APS ) operates from Turkey to 72 other countries for letters, documents, and small packages.

       Stamp collectors will be delighted with the wide range of special stamps available to them.

Phone Calls

       The most economic way to telephone in Turkey is from a PTT telephone booth ( found in all towns) Jetton in three sizes for local, inter-city, and international calls can be purchased from all PTT offices. Telephone cards are also available.

OPENING TIMES

        Government Offices 8:30 - 12:30 (closed Sat. and Sun., open daily in tourists areas)

       13:30 - 17:30 Banks 8:30 - 12:00 (closed Sat. and Sun., open daily in tourists areas)

       13:30 - 17:00 Shops 9:30 - 19.00 ( In tourist areas, closing times vary, some close around midnight) Covered Bazaar - Istanbul 8:00 - 19:00 ( closed Sun. )

On the first day of the religious holidays ( Seker Bayrami 3 Days and Kurban Bayrami 4 days) all shops and bazaars are closed.

Summer Hours

       In the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey, government offices and many other establishments are closed in the afternoon during the summer months. The province governors fix these summer hours each year.

MUSEUMS

       Most Turkish museums are open every day of the week. In order to receive permission for photos or films in museums or at ancient ruins, a fee, which varies according to the entrance fee, is charged. The photographing or filming, for commercial use, of yet unpublished objects, which are copyrighted, requires a special permit from the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums. In Ankara most museums are closed on the first day of religious holidays.

"Closed" Days in ISTANBUL

Monday St.Sophia & Dolmabahce Palace

Tuesday Topkapi Palace

Wednesday Sadberk Hanim & Kariye Museum

Thursday Dolmabahce Palace

Sunday Kapali Carsi & Misir Carsisi (Grand Bazaar & Spice Market)