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Türkiye (Turkey)
Limits
| Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Local | Free |
| Foreign | Declare |
Currency
New Turkish Lira (TRY; symbol YTL) = 100 New Kurus (Ykr). Notes are in denominations of YTL200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of YTL1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 New Kurus.
Credit/Debit cards and ATMS
Visa is the most popular, closely followed by MasterCard. American Express is accepted in top-flight hotels, restaurants and some gift shops. ATMs are widely found in most areas. In all smaller restaurants, bars, guesthouses and shops cash is preferred. Many establishments in resort areas will accept Euros.
Culture
The meeting place of the Orient and the Occident, Turkey's unique and very strategic location has had an impact on almost every aspect of its vibrant, often mesmeric, culture. Turkey is a blend of various elements of the Oğuz Turkic and Anatolian, Ottoman which was itself a continuation of both Greco-Roman and Islamic cultures, and Western culture and traditions.
This unique blend is perhaps most visible in Turkish architecture, which juxtaposes Byzantine domes and minarets, Ottoman arabesques and Western skyscrapers with aplomb. Similarly, music is varied and tunes wafting through Turkish streets range from traditional, arabesque music to pop, rock and hip-hop.
Emergency Services
Ambulance: 112
Police: 155
Tourism Police: (0212) 5274503 (Istanbul only)
Fire: 110
Weather
Turkey is a huge country, and its climate varies widely from region to region as well as seasonally. For sightseeing holidays a trip to Istanbul, with its important ancient and medieval sights, is a must. For active walking holidays, the best times to visit are spring (April-May) and autumn (October-early November) when days are generally warm and sunny but not uncomfortably hot. Rainy spells and cloudy days are possible in spring and autumn, so the best months for a sun-and-sea holiday on the Aegean or Mediterranean coast are June to end September. Resort areas are most crowded from June until the end of August. In developing ski areas such as Uludag near Bursa and Palandoken near Erzurum, the best time to visit is between December and April.