GENERAL INFORMATION

Dates
September 4 - 8, 2010

Venue
Istanbul Lutfi Kirdar Convention and Exhibition Center-Harbiye
Address: Harbiye-Şişli Istanbul, Turkey
For further information please visit the homepage www.icec.org or click here.

Istanbul
The strategic setting of Istanbul, the only city in the world built on two continents, has formed its destiny as an imperial capital for 1600 years. From the empires of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, this metropolis with its rich history and natural beauty, offers a friendly welcome and genuine hospitality. Numerous museums, ancient churches, synagogues, basilicas, mosques, mausoleums, palaces, bazaars and baths are standing today as the pride of all civilisations. With more than ten universities and many institutions, Istanbul is the most important centre of Turkish science and culture.

Banking and Exchange Facilities
Foreign money can be changed at banks during normal business days (09.00-17.00 Monday-Friday) as well as at hotels, at the airport and in exchange offices. Exchange rates are set daily by the Central Bank. All major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Automated bank machines are available at many points throughout the city and at the airport.

Climate and Clothing
Daytime temperatures are in the range of 22-28°C and evening temperatures are 18-24°C. We recommend you bring light clothes.

Currency
The Turkish currency is Turkish Lira.

Electricity
The electrical power supply in Turkey is 220 volts.

Language
The official language of the congress is English.

Restaurants and Turkish Cuisine
There is a wide choice of restaurants in Istanbul offering a broad spectrum ranging from excellent national cuisine to first class international dishes. Traditional Turkish cuisine is famous for its many specialties prepared with fresh vegetables. There are lots of quality restaurants as well as fast-food shops in the vicinity of the hotels reserved for this meeting.

Shopping
One of the most enjoyable parts of a trip to Turkey is shopping for the rich variety of Turkish crafts. Istanbul is a shopping paradise with its Covered Bazaar as well as the modern malls. Turkish carpets, kilims, suede and leatherwear as well as other items of clothing are the best buys. Copper, silver, brassware and jewellery are also choices for buying, along with works of ceramics and the famous Turkish meerschaum. In the Covered Bazaar bargaining over the sale price with shop traders is expected.

Telephones
Pay phones and credit card phones are available at the meeting venue as well as in the city.

Time
Turkey is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Tipping
Although service charge is included in most restaurants, leaving a tip at one's own discretion is appreciated.

Travel within Istanbul
Public airport shuttle buses (HAVAS) run between the airport and the city center (Taksim Square) from 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. every half hour for an approximate fee of Euro 5.- per person (to be paid on the bus in Turkish Lira). It takes about 30 min from airport to the city centre. Taksim Square is 3-7 min by walking from the main congress hotels. Transportation within the city centre is by bus or by taxi. All taxis have taximeters, and the rates are reasonable.

Istanbul's ambitious plan to have a modern rapid-transit system is well under way. Though it is just the beginning, there are currently systems running within the city as shown in the map. To get from the airport by metro and tram, 3 lines have to be changed and below route should be followed.

• From Airport to Akasaray by metro
• From Aksaray to Kabatas by tram
• From Kabatas to Taksim by tram

Taking a Havas Public Bus to Taksim Square might be more recommendable for a trip to/from airport. The quickiest and comfortable way to cross Bosphours, the water channel between Asia and Europe, could be considered as taking public boats which depart from Besiktas, Eminonu, Karakoy on the European Side and Kadikoy, Uskudar, Bostanci on the Asian Side. Please refer to the hotel consiege or the staff at the convention center for more information while planning your trip within the city.

Visa Requirements
Participants are requested to check with the Turkish Consulate in their home country or with their travel agency or at www.mfa.gov.tr  for visa requirements. Entry visa to Turkey can also be obtained at Istanbul Atatürk Airport for a number of countries.

Credit Cards
All major credit cards (Visa, Master Card) are accepted in Turkey by restaurants, hotels, shops and at the Congress Registration Desks.