Tourist Information
If you plan on spending some time in Istanbul, here is the Turkish Airlines Guide (click here)
For Antalya & Belek:
Antalya first came to the limelight with the discovery of the Karain Cave, one of the oldest human settlements in the world. Antalya was founded by Attalos the 2nd, a King of Pergamum in 159 B.C., who ordered his men to find him a paradise, and the city was also named Attaleia after him. Antalya has been the centre of culture, art, architecture and mythology throughout its history. This city is a cross-road of ancient Pamphilia, Psidia and Lycia and was established in the most fertile geography of Anatolia.
Besides its historical beauties, its natural beauties comprising the blue sea, the spectacular Taurus mountains, fervent waterfalls, boulevards lined with palm trees, its award winning marina, its world-reknown holiday villages are the most attractive aspects of Antalya which make Antalya the capital of Tourism.
Belek is one of the closest districts to the centre of Antalya. Thanks to its natural and historical environment around a thriving tourism area, it has become a shining star of the region. It is situated along a long stretch of sandy beach and shaded by lush pine forests. Belek, one of the most valuable holiday resorts of Antalya province, is often refered to as "Heaven on Earth,” and quite popular among tourists for its temperate climate throughout the year.
The ICOPS 2015 venue, the Cornelia Diamond Convention Center, stands on the beach over the coastal stripe of Belek within the locality of İleribaşı - Belek. The Cornelia Diamond offers the best quality of service within these natural beauties.
Airport
Antalya Airport is located northeast of the Antalya city centre and most international flights are served by Antalya International Airport, but you may have a connection to the Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen or Atatürk Airport. Antalya airport has 2 international terminals and 1 domestic terminal. Our conference hotel — the Cornelia Diamond is 35 km away from Antalya Airport and at a distance of 45 km from the city center of Antalya. The overflow hotel, the Letoonia, is 15 minutes from the Cornelia Diamond Convention Center.
By Taxi
In case you miss the shuttle bus, you may either wait for the next shuttle bus or you can take a taxi to go to the Conference hotel. Licensed taxis in Antalya are yellow and have the registration numbers on the sides. Taxi stands are positioned in front of the arrival exits of all terminals. Taxis at the airport will accept most major currencies. However, you are advised to exchange some money at the airport (exchange rates at the city center are usually significantly better) and pay the taxi in Turkish Liras. All taxis have meters which show the exact amount to be paid. There is no need to pay additional fees for luggage. Tipping is optional. A taxi from the airport to Conference Hotel (Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa) takes between 40-50 minutes depending on the traffic.
Address for Conference Venue
Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa:
Belek/Serik, 07506 Antalya Province, Türkiye
Climate
Antalya has hot and humid summers with expected temperatures of 26-30° C for May. The sun in Antalya can be very strong. Sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher is highly recommended.
Clothing
Cotton or lightweight clothing is suitable for day-wear during summer.
Visas
Foreigners travelling to Turkey will need passports and for many countries visas to enter Turkey. Please visit the visa page for further information.
Language
The national language of Turkey is Turkish. English is widely spoken in Antalya.
Time Zone
Turkey is in the Eastern European Time (EET) zone (UTC+2).
Electricity
220 V – 50 Hz (European plugs: YP-21, YP-24)
Currency
Conference registration is set in Euros, but can be paid in local currency. Local transactions are in Turkish Liras (YTL). Currency exchange services are available at the Airport, the hotel front desks and throughout the city. ATMs are also available at the Airport.
Goods & Services Tax
All prices are VAT (KDV in Turkish) included, from 7% to 18%.
Phone
The country code for Turkey is 90, and the city code for Antalya is 242.
International calls are made by first dialing 00 followed by the country code.
Long distance calls (including from fixed lines to mobiles and vice versa) inside Turkey are made by dialing 0 followed by the 10 digit phone number.
Emergency Phone Numbers
Medical Emergency: 112
Police: 155
Fire: 110
Safety
Antalya is relatively safe for a city of its size but you are advised to be on the watch for pickpockets and scams.
Online Travel Guides
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/mediterranean-coast/antalya
http://wikitravel.org/en/Antalya
Must Dos in Turkey and Antalya:
1. Try Traditional Turkish Cuisine: Gourmets should definitely not miss the chance to taste the traditional kebabs, lahmacun (Turkish pizza), pastries, baklava, Turkish delight and the most delicious specialties of Turkish culinary culture.
2. Visit a Roman Theater: Admire one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world – the 2000-year-old Theatre of Aspendos, which is still used today for the annual opera and ballet festival held here from mid-June to mid-August.
3. Experience the Night Life: Turkey offers a highly entertaining night-life. Vacationers in Turkey should not miss the opportunity to enjoy the famous nightclubs in cities such as Istanbul and Antalya.
4. Explore Istanbul's Old City: Istanbul's Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Ethnographic Museum are among the must-see sites that will complete your vacation.
5. Visit Historic Sites in Turkey: Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the extraordinarily beautiful and ancient sites of Troy, Hierapolis and Cappadocia are certainly worth the visit that will give your visit to Turkey its final touch.
6. Drink Turkish Tea: While many might think that Turkish coffee is the most common beverage in Turkey, nothing is more ubiquitous than black tea, or çay (pronounced "chay"). Turkish tea is prepared in a rather unique way using a teapot that has two levels: one to boil the water, and the other to brew the tea. You then pour the tea into the glass and dilute it with the hot water so that it’s made to your taste.
7. Cross the Bosphorus: The Bosphorus is one of the world's most beautiful and important straits. Among the must-see sites of Istanbul and adorned with lights on both sides, the amazing scenery of the Bosporus can be enjoyed by taking a refreshing boat excursion. The Bosphorus separates Turkey's European side with its Asian side.
8. Visit a Hamam and Enjoy a Turkish Bath: A Turkish bath, known as a Hamam, is an experience that should not be missed when visiting Turkey. Relax in the steam room on a heated stone table called a goebek tasi as while the tellak (member of staff) massages and exfoliates your skin with a coarse mitt.
9. Indulge in a Traditional Turkish Breakfast: A typical Turkish breakfast consists of slices of beyaz peynir (white cheese), honey or jam, black olives, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, boiled eggs and piles of delicious fresh Turkish bread all accompanied by hot black tea in small tulip-shaped glasses. It’s a great way to set you up for the day.
10. Go Shopping: There are lots of tourist shops that sell souvenirs, jewelery, carpets and leather as well as markets, and shopping centers where one find merchandise both genuine and not. Jeans, handbags, sunglasses, belts and watches seem to be the most popular purchases and you have to haggle over the price. A tip would be to start with a ridiculously low bid and work your way up until you feel you’re getting a good deal. Some shops have price tags on their goods, you don’t need to haggle in them.
11. Enjoy the Seafood: Seafood lovers should not miss the opportunity to dine at the terrific fish restaurants located on the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, and along the coast in Antalya.
12. Explore Waterfalls: To make your Turkey visit complete, make sure you take a refreshing trip to the magnificent Düden and Manavgat Falls located amidst pristine nature close to Antalya.
13. Eat Turkish Ice Cream: Turkish ice cream is called dondurma which literally means freezing. What makes Turkish ice cream different from other types of ice cream is that it has a rather sticky texture and it is a bit more resistant to melting.
14. Ride the Funicular through Beyoglu Street in Istanbul: If you need to give your legs a little rest, then riding the funicular is a great way to get a glimpse of Beyoglu’s (Pera) main points of interests. The Tunel line is the oldest underground metro line in continental Europe, and the second oldest in the world after London.
15. Visit Old Town (or Known as Kaleci) in Antalya: Spend a morning and afternoon here walking about this immaculately restored old town with picturesque cobble-stone streets.
