GENERAL INFORMATION

Symposium Date
April 15 – 17, 2010
Symposium Venue
The Marmara Hotel, İstanbul
http://www.themarmarahotels.com/The-Marmara-Istanbul/index.asp
Registration and Information Services
The registration and information desks will be located at the reception of The Marmara Hotel, İstanbul and will be operating between 09:00 and 19.00 hours.
Badges
Badges will be distributed at the registration desks. Participants without badges will not be admitted to the congress activities.
Certificate of Attendance
A certificate of attendance will be presented to all registered attendants.
Invitation Letter
If requested by participants, official invitation letters will be sent by interium tourism. Such solicited invitations will not offer any payment of expenses, such as fees, travel or hotel accommodation for the congress.
Passport and Visa
Every foreign visitor entering Turkey must possess a valid passport. Participants from countries requiring a visa for entry to Turkey are strongly advised to make their applications in their home countries at least one month before the intended date of travel. If in doubt, information can be obtained from the nearest Turkish Embassy, Consulate or http://www.mfa.gov.tr/default.en.mfa
Climate
In April the weather is usually mild in Istanbul. The average temperature ranges between 15-20ºC.
Time Zone
Time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2) in Turkey.
Electricity
The current in Turkey is AC, 220 volts at 50 cycles.
Banks and Currency Exchange
The currency is the New Turkish Lira (TL). Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport or the front desk of your hotel. Local banks are open from 08.30 to 17.00 hrs from Monday to Friday. There are also private foreign exchange offices throughout the city that operate between 08.00 to 20.00 hrs.
Credit Cards
All major credit cards (Visa, Master Card) are accepted in Turkey by restaurants, hotels, shops and at the Congress Registration Desks.
Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory in Turkey. However it is customary to add 10% in taxis and restaurants if you are satisfied with the service.
Telephones
The international dialing code for Turkey is 90, and the code for european side of Istanbul 212, asian side of Istanbul 216.
National calls: 0 + city code + telephone number
International calls: 00 + country code + city code + telephone number
Internet
The hotel provides wireless internet connection in all common areas.