Blending East and West: Medical Travel to Turkey

Overview
Turkey is one of the oldest known inhabited locations in what used to be known as Asia Minor. It’s the land of Troy and ancient cultures such as the Hittites. Its history is complete with tales of Iconic Greeks and Persian Empire rule and Alexander the Great and Constantinople. It’s the home of Istanbul and tales of exotic adventures and history. Turkey is a country steeped in tradition and ancient lore that offers today’s visitors a true step into history with her heritage sights and landmarks.

Turkey is fast gaining a reputation of providing superlative medical and health care in many fields, including cosmetic and plastic surgery, cardiac care and procedures, vision, LASIK technology and orthopedics and dentistry, just to name a few. With state-of-the-art facilities located not only in her major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, but scattered along the southern portion of the state along the Mediterranean, Turkish physicians and surgeons offer high class care and expertise to natives and international travelers. The majority of Turkish physicians and surgeons are trained in Europe or the United States, and offer experience and knowledge in new technologies and techniques.

Turkey Basics

• Currency: New Turkish Lira
• Language: Turkish
• Climate: Summers – average temperatures of 86 F and average winter temperatures of 34 F and under. Different regions are warmer or colder depending on altitude and location.
• Capital: Ankara

Electrical
220 volts, standard European plugs and electrical sockets. Many 4 and 5-star hotels in Turkey offer North American style sockets and 120 volts, but go prepared and purchase a plug adapter and/or converter before traveling to Turkey, just in case.

Visa Requirements
Americans traveling to Turkey must have a valid passport and visa to visit Turkey. Sticker visas for visits up to 90 days can be purchased at ports of entry for about $20, according to the Embassy of the United States at Ankara. Visits longer than that require a visa obtained from a Turkish embassy or consular office.

Visitors from other countries such as Germany, some South American countries, Canada, Morocco, New Zealand and Norway may stay up to 3 months without a visa as long you have a valid passport. Residents from countries like Croatia and some Slovakian countries may stay up to 2 months, while those from South Africa, Bolivia, Kazakhstan and the Maldives may stay one month.

Travelers are advised to check entry requirements with the Turkish embassy or consulate office in their country of origin for up-to-date visa and passport requirements.

Money
The main currency of Turkey is the Yeni Turk Lira. Many ATMs are able to dispense cash in Lira from MasterCard, Visa and Maestro credit cards and allows up to €350 per day. However, travelers are advised to carry some cash in the event the town you’re visiting doesn’t have an ATM. Many ATMs are operated by vendors rather than banks. The US dollar is relatively easy to exchange. Credit cards are accepted by major tourist attraction destinations, though you may have trouble in smaller towns or rural areas. American Express is usually not accepted.

Airlines Serving Turkey
Major international airports are found throughout Turkey and include the Esenboğa International Airport in Ankara and the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul. Some of the most popular airlines that fly to Turkey include:

• US Airways
• Korean Air
• British Airways
• Air France
• Lufthansa
• Aeroflot
• KLM
• Royal Jordanian
• Finnair

Turkey Country Calling Code
In order to call Turkey, you may need to dial your country’s exit code. For example, before making international calls, Americans must dial 011. To call Turkey, dial: [011] + 90 + City Code + Telephone number

Embassies in Turkey
Australian Embassy in Turkey in Ankara
MNG Building
Ugur Mumcu Caddesi No: 88, 7th Floor
Gaziosmanpasa 06700
Ankara, Turkey

Canadian Embassy in Turkey in Ankara
Cinnah Caddesi no: 58
06690, Cankaya
Ankara, Turkey
Tel.: +90 (312) 409 27 00
Fax: +90 (312) 409 27 12
E-mail: [email protected]

French Embassy in Turkey in Ankara
Ambassade de France en Turquie,
Paris Caddesi 70,
Kavaklidere – Ankara –
Tel. +90 312 455 45 45 – Fax. +90 312 455 45 27

United States Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey
U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL ISTANBUL
İstinye Mahallesi, Kaplıcalar Mevkii No.2
İstinye 34460 – Istanbul / Turkey
Phone: (90) 212-335 90 00
Webmaster:  [email protected]

10 Fun Things to do in Turkey

• Visit gorgeous Mt. Ararat
• Bask in the sunshine along the Mediterranean shoreline
• Climb the Galata Tower in Istanbul
• Spend the day at the Bodrun, an underwater museum in Istanbul
• Visit the Blue Mosque in Istanbul
• Visit the ruins of the Ancient Greek city of Herapolis
• View the giant burial stones atop Mount Nemrut
• Spend a part of your vacation on Prince Island
• Sightsee the ancient ruins of Troy
• Enjoy the diverse cuisines in Ankara

Conclusion
Turkey offers history lovers and contemporary art and dining or wine aficionados plenty of opportunity to strut their stuff in major cities such as Istanbul and Ankara. Ruins, museums, cultural landmarks and architecture throughout the country enrapture and enthrall visitors of all ages and origins and invite exploration and adventure. It’s almost guaranteed that your first visit to Turkey will not be your last, as something about this ancient land calls and captures the soul..