Imagine a land where the fertility of the soil is boundless. A land which open-handedly gives you bananas, tobacco, strawberries, peanuts and orange beet root in abundance. Imagine that from this rich soil comes earthenware pottery from Paleothic Ages, Assyrian metal coins and statues that decorated the Hitit cities and ancient Greek libraries.

A land where tiny principalities became huge countries, where one empire was destroyed and another arose. And on this soil the paths to the Mevlevi dervish lodges cross those leading to churches that host Christian pilgrims.

In this land there are so many voices to be heard and so much inspiration to be found. You hear the Balkan accordion melodies in Trakya (Thrace), in the Karadeniz (Black Sea) region with its painted into the wind coming from Aral or the Caspian touches your face. It is difficult for anyone to take themselves away from the appael of Istanbul but there is a long road to go. White walking through an olive field in Ege (the Aegean) the ruins of an ancient Greet city rises before you and the very first questions of philosophy echo in your ears.

Your travels between the islands and the shores of the Akdeniz (Mediterranean) region will introduce you to warm and sincere people who are as bright and lively as the waters of the coast on they live.

You follow the light. There is more under the Middle East sun, where the calendars are marked with sorrows, in the dozing south eastern cities there are hidden fairy tales. Your trip continues as if flowing through all ages, all geographies. Before you get to the giant eagle monuments on top of a mountain, you meet cats with one blue eye and one green, waters rising from lakes and you think you are lost in a series of fairy tales. But believe it, it is true!

Believe it when you see the Caucasians, Pushkin's Bahçesaray Public Fountain, Central Asian palaces, mountains in snow, the medreses (Islamic schools) lying next to cathedrals and citadels. Believe in the fact that the land and its history could have such a dreamlike unity! Believe that all these could be one country!

Enjoy pushing back the limits of time and distance while travelling in Turkey.

When and how to go?

Climate

Along Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coastline there is a Mediterranean climate, which is characterised by long, hot summers and mild though rainy winters.

Istanbul, which is in the Marmara region, has temperatures in average 23 'C (73 'F) for summer and 0 'C (32 'F) for winter.

In the Black Sea region the climate is mild and rainy.

In the Central Anatolian, which includes Cappadocia and ankara, a continental climate previals; with hot and dry summers and long cold winters.

In Eastern Anatolia longer and colder winters are common. South Eastern Anatolia records the country's hottest summer temperatures, averaging 30 'C (86 'F) or higher in July and August, though it also experiences the extremes of climate by having very cold winters.

Getting there

There are plenty of ways to get into and out of Turkey by air, sea, rail and bus, accross the borders of seven countries. There are international airports at Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and some of the Mediterranean resorts.

By Air

Turkish Airlines has direct flights from Istanbul to major European cities as well as the Middle East, North Africa, Bangkok, Karachi, Singapore and Tokyo.

By train or bus

The daily Istanbul Express links Munich, slovenia, Croatia, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria to Istanbul. Major European cities such as Frankfurt and Vienna are as well served by Turkish bus lines. There are daily train and bus connections between Athens and Istanbul via Thessalonica. You can also travel by bus to Syria, Georgia and Iran.

By boat

Turkish Maritime Lines runs weekly car ferries from Antalya, Marmaris and Izmir to Venice, Brindisi, Bari from May to mid-October. Private ferries run between:

• Ayvalık - Lesbos
• Çeşme - Chios
• Kuşadası - Samos
• Bodrum - Kos
• Marmaris - Rhodes
• Kaş - Castellorize

There are also ferries to Girne in Northern Cyprus departing from Taşucu and Alanya. Entry and exit

Customs

There are no limits on the amount of Turkish Liras or foreign currency visitors are allowed to bring into the country. On departure, they can take US$5000 or its equivalent in Turkish Lira. Amounths above this gave to be registered with authorities. While entering the country five litres of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco; 1.5 kg coffee, 500 grams of tea leaves, 1 kg chocolate, 1 kg desert and five bottles of perfume can be imported duty free.

Specific personal belongings such as electrical goods, items with a value over $15.000 and antiques must be registered in the owner's passport while entering. The import of narcotics, sharp implements and weapons is prohibited. Sharp instruments for capming can be brought in on application.

On departure, a certificate from the directorate of a museum is necessary for the export of carpets and old items.

A refund of the taxable portion of purchases bought at a duty free shop can be made upon the presentation of receipt at your point of departure.

Electricity

220 volts AC 50 Hz, throughhout Turkey.

Time

GMT/UTC plus three hours in summer and two hours in winter.

Time differences from Turkey;

• Australia : +9,
• Germany : -1,
• France : -1,
• England : -2,
• Italy : -1,
• Japan : +6,
• Austria : -1,
• USA (East Coast) : -7

Weights and measures : Metric system.

will be updated soon!

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