Visitor Information

Everyone's first stop for comprehensive information on Turkey as well as visa requirements should be the Turkish Embassy website specific to one's country (www.turkey.org or www.tourismturkey.org in the U.S., in Canada, www.turkishembassy.org.au in Australia, and www.gototurkey.co.uk in the U.K.). The Embassy also administers a "consulate online" in English at www.trconsulate.org providing up-to-date information and, although completely unnecessary, visas in advance of arrival.

The Turkish Ministry of Culture (www.kultur.gov.tr) has an excellent website that contains cultural information, events, regional resources, and current-events articles. Two other great sights for current information are www.gatetoturkey.com, which also puts out The Gate magazine available in Istanbul airports, and www.mymerhaba.com, created by expats for expats living in Turkey.

In the U.S., the Turkish Government Tourist Office has a presence in both New York City and Washington, D.C.: at 821 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212/687-2195), and at 2525 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 306, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/612-6800), where you can stock up on maps, brochures, ferry schedules to Greece, and access to practical information via an interactive computer database.

Travel Tip -- Tickets for the main events around town can be purchased through Biletix (tel. 0216/556-9800; www.biletix.com) as well as at the following hotel concierge desks: Divan, Swissôtel, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Radisson SAS, Marmara, and Marmara Pera.

Turkish Embassies & Consulates

In the U.S. -- For residents of Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and The Bahamas: Turkish Embassy, 2525 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/612-6700; fax 202/612-6744; consular section: tel. 202/612-6741; fax 202/319-1639; www.turkey.org).

For residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas: Turkish Consulate, 1990 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1300, Houston, TX 77056 (tel. 713/622-5849; fax 713/623-6639).

For residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington State, Wyoming, and the Pacific Islands: Turkish Consulate, 6300 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2010, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (tel. 323/655-8832; fax 323/655-8681; www.trconsulate.org).

For residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin: Turkish Consulate, 360 Michigan Ave., Suite 1405, Chicago, IL 60601 (tel. 312/263-0644; fax 312/263-1449).

For residents of Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Puerto Rico: Turkish Consulate, 821 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212/949-0160; fax 212/983-1293).

In Canada -- Turkish Embassy, 197 Wurtemburg St., Ottawa, ON K1N 8L9 (tel. 613/789-4044; fax 613/789-3442; www.turkishembassy.com). Also, Turkish Embassy Tourism Section, 360 Albert St., Suite 801, Ottawa, ON K1N 8L9 (tel. 613/789-4044; fax 613/789-3442).

In Australia & New Zealand -- Turkish Embassy, Canberra, 6 Moona Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (tel. 02/6234-0000; fax 02/6273-6592; www.turkishembassy.org.au).

In the U.K. -- Turkish Embassy, 43 Belgrave Sq., London SW1X 8PA (tel. 020/7393-0202; fax 020/7393-0066; www.turkishembassylondon.org). The Turkish Consulate General is at Rutland Lodge, Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge SW7 1BW (tel. 020/7589-0360; fax 020/7584-6235). The Turkish Culture and Tourism Office is at 170-173 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EJ (tel. 020/7629-7771; fax 020/7491-0773; www.gototurkey.co.uk).