Visas
All participants in the congress will require a valid passport and a visa for visiting Turkey.
Please contact your nearest Turkey Embassy/Consulate for this purpose. Participants from those countries where there is no Turkish diplomatic representation can obtain their visa at the airport on arrival to Turkey.

Currency
The local currency is Turkish Lira(TL). The exchange rate changes daily. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport, banks, hotels and exchange offices. International Credit Cards are widely accepted.

Banks
Bank business hours are from Monday to Friday, 09:00-16:30. Banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday and Public Holidays. All banks have similar exchange rates.

Security
Based on the data provided by well known statistical institutes of the world for major metropolises, Istanbul is one of the few with a minimum amount of crime. Despite its intensive population and traffic, you can walk through every part of the city without any problems.

Time Zone
Turkish Standard Time is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Climate
Average day temperature in Istanbul at the beginning of September is around 18-20°C. Even though it is mainly sunny you are recommended to bring sweater for chilly evenings and umbrella or raincoat for possible rainy days.

Postal Services
Hotels often provide basic postal services. Post offices are open daily except Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Electricity
General Household electric power is 220 volts.

First Aid & Hospital Services
A Doctor and Nurse will be available to serve all participants in the First-Aid room of ICEC during the congress. In case of emergency, transfer to the nearest Hospital will be provided by private Ambulance.

Insurance
Tho Organizing Committee can accept no responsibility for accidents or damage to the private property of participants. Please make your own arrangements for health insurance and any other insurance desired.

Driving Licence
International driving licences are recognised throughout Turkey. Car rental firms ask for a valid national licence or an international licence.

Restaurant
It is possible to find various kinds of Turkish, Western, Asian, and other cuisine in Istanbul.

Shopping
Most shops in Istanbul are generally open from 09:00 to 19:00, Monday to Saturday. Some of the supermarkets, shops, newpaper kiosks, restaurants and food shops are also open on Sunday. In all the big shopping centers, major credit cards are accepted and your shopping
will be tax free. There will also be some special organised shopping tours by the organisation.

Taxi
All the taxis in the city are yellow colored with a sign “taxi” written on them. As historical places and shopping centers are very close to the hotels, it is quite economical to use this transportation. Taxis have a taximeter system with rates varying during the day and the night.

Group Reservations
There will be a priority given for group reservations. A native group language speaker guiding service, transportation facilities and discount in post-congress tours will be provided.

Tours
Tours will be arranged on site. For further tour information, you may contact the congress secretariat or refer to congress web site www.ssiem2010.org where more information will be available soon. There will be a priority given for group reservations. A native group language
speaker guiding service, transportation facilities and discount in post-congress tours will be
provided.

Transportation
Istanbul Atatürk International Airport is an important destination and transfer point for many international flights from all over the world.

A Welcome Booth at the Airport
A welcome booth will be opened at Istanbul Atatürk Internatonal Airport to serve the congress participants. Guidance for various services including transfers to hotels will be provided upon arrival.