• Key Dates
  11-14 May 2011 Congress Dates
  February 25th, 2011 Deadline for early registration and accommodation
  February 21st, 2011 (12.00pm+2GMT) Deadline for online abstract submission

 

• Accreditation
  The congress shall be credited By Turkish Medical Doctor's Association Continous Medical Training Board ( TTB-STE) and European Hematology Association ( EHA - CME)

 

• Entry requirements
  Provided that they have a valid passport, citizens of most countries do not need a visa or visas can be issued at entry points. For EU citizens, it is recommended that they obtain their visa before arrival, to avoid waiting time upon arrival. We may provide the visa stamps once we have the name list and send them to you.
  
  A Listing Of Visa Requirements Is Available Click Here If In Any Doubt, Please Consult Your Travel Agent, Or The Turkish Embassy Or Consulate In Your Country.

 

• Customs
  Duty-free allowance: 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 gr tobacco; up to 7 bottles of spirit, of 70 cc each, of which not more than three bottles can be of the same kind. Antiques and electronic equipment will be registered in the owner's passport upon arrival and checked at exit. It is strictly forbidden to take antiques out of the country. For this is reason IT IS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE for carpets or other valuables purchased in the country as proof that it is not an antique.

 

• Time Zone
  Turkey is 7 hours before Japan local time, and 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

 

• Currency
  The Turkish Lira is available in notes and coins. The exchange rate is determined daily; several banks and exchange offices are available. Traveler's checks can be cashed in most banks. Hotels and many shops and restaurants accept foreign currency. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that travelers can bring cash. Hotels, most restaurants and shops accept all major credit cards. (American Express, VISA, MasterCard /Euro card, Diners' Club)

 

• Language
  Turkish; it is written with the Latin alphabet.
  English, French and German are spoken in hotels, major restaurants and many shops.

 

• Electricity
  220 volt, 50 cycle. Most hotels have a receptacle with 110 volts. Socket type is European standards.

 

• Climate
  Due to the variety of its physical features, Turkey possesses a mixed range of different climate types. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts have mild winters and hot summers whereas the Black Sea coasts have a wetter climate with rain all year round. The region of Marmara where Istanbul is located, climate is a combination of both with pleasantly warm spring and fall, with hot dry summer and relatively cold winter. Weather is June is very pleasant and warm enough to see the wonders of Istanbul and surrounding areas.

Month	Centigrade	Month	Centigrade
January	6	July	23
February	5	August	23
March	7	September	20
April	12	October	16
May	16	November	12
June	21	December	8

• Communication
  Public telephones operate with tokens or cards, sold at post offices or some booths. Through some of the public phones, there is access to AT&T and some other telecommunication networks - please check with your operator for the latest information. Fax messages can be sent from major post offices, or from the hotel. Cellular telephones can be hired.

 

• Religion
  98 % of the population is Muslim. In the large cities and especially in Istanbul, there are also many churches (Catholic, Orthodox, Armenian, Protestant.) and Synagogues.

 

• Education & Health
  Six of the seventy-three universities in Turkey are located in Istanbul, with faculties offering education in all subjects, from engineering to fine arts, economics to literature. The general level of the education is of high standard. There are also several foreign schools with the advantage of a second language from early years. Istanbul is as much a center from the standpoint of health, with several hospitals equipped with modern instruments.

 

• Clothing
  The dress is generally informal in Turkey ; however for special evenings ladies compete to wear the latest fashion.
  
  For the visitors, it is advisable to bring comfortable shoes and pant suits for daytime visits. The organisers can set the tone for the evenings; in any case it is recommended to bring a cocktail dress. In most restaurants, gentlemen will feel more comfortable with a jacket and tie in the evening and some require formal dress.
  
  In southern Turkey where the summers are hot, shorts, T-shirts and summer hats are recommended.
  
  It can be also noted that, to enter a mosque, it is necessary to take off the shoes.

 

• Turkish Cuisine
  Turkish food is famous throughout the world, the range is enormous, from a number of soups to an astonishing variety of meze (appetisers), followed by meat and fish dishes, many famous Turkish sweets and pastries and Turkish coffee.
  
  The traditional breakfast is a scrumptious combination of tastes comprising bread, olives, tomato, cucumber, white cheese, butter, jam/honey, yoghurt, and sweet black tea.
  
  Tea is the main drink in Turkey, served without milk in small bulbous glasses with sugar lumps on the saucer. For a very refreshing long drink try Ayran, a mix of yoghurt, water and salt. There are also the normal soft drinks and a wonderful range of squeezed fruit juices. Among alcoholic drinks are light Turkish beer, excellent wines, and the national drink, raki (an anisette), which clouds when water is added giving it the popular name of 'lion's milk'.

Examples of Destination Cost of Living

• Price of a coffee bought in a typical café : 3-4 €
• Price of a 50 cl. bottle of mineral water bought in a shop in town centre : 0,5 €
• Price of a ham sandwich : 6-7 €
• Price of a meal in town centre: starter, hot dish, dessert, water, 1 alcoholic drink : 10-18 €

 

• Credit Cards /Cash
  Major credit cards including American Express, Diners, MasterCard, and Visa are accepted in large hotels, car rental companies and major stores. You will need cash (TL) to pay for taxi fares, restaurants and coffee shops.

 

• Safety / Security
  Istanbul remains a destination with no increased risk when compared with other major destinations in the world.
  
  According to a European Union study, Istanbul is the safest major city in the world. The EU Crime and Safety survey for 2006 showed that the crime rate in Istanbul was just 18 percent last year. This compared with 32 percent in London, 27 percent in Amsterdam, 26 percent in Belfast and Dublin, 24 percent in Copenhagen, 23 percent in New York and Stockholm, 20 percent in Brussels, and 19 percent in Rome.
  
  In addition, strict security measures are put in place by the competent authorities in the city during major congresses and events.