CLIMATE       We have 4 seasons in Turkey. Quite hot in the summer time...But Cesme and Eski Foca are very close.

FOOD            Turks accept Turkish Kitchen as 3. great one in the world.  I haven't seen any tourist dissapointed till now.  RAKI is Turk's ; Whisky, Sake, Ouzo,Meakong.. it's 40-45pc alchole...you add water in it then becomes white  ( That's why, Turks called it  * Lion's Milk * ), please drink RAKI,  eating and drinking extra water... no need to have head-ache the day after.( If it happens take an asphine* * if not allergic to Asphirine ** , before you go to sleep with some water. ) Taste ..Döner Kebab..meat slides .. nice !  Click

WHAT TO BUY ?   In the streets of the Kemeralti Market area, it is possible to find fascinating antiques, both fine and fun jewellery, a great variety of clothing, and the dried figs and sultanas for which Izmir is famous. The fish restaurants in this colorful area serve up local specialities; trança and çipura, two types of sea bream. The best modern and most elegant shops line the Kordon Promenades in Alsancak, Karsiyaka and Cumhuriyet Avenue.

Scuba diving   All the cities by the sea .. have scuba diving schools.  In 5 days, you may have an international cerficate and quite cheap. ( About 300 Euro )  Our sharks are syndicated..never attack  

 Places to visit  around Izmir   Bergamum ( History)-Ephesus + Virgin Mary( History + Christianism-  Pamukkale (Amazing nature + Thermal - Cesme(Sifne-thermal pool +sea + fish) )   -   Eski Foca( sea+fish )

I , personally advise you to go to Cesme ( nice beaches and thermal pools )and Alacati very close to Cesme for Windsurf.( By highway..  in 40 minutes you arrive to Cesme !  )AND...don't leave Turkey without" Turkish Bath " experience.

MONEY is Turkish Lira. You may feel millionaire in Turkey, because 1 USD is more than a Million Turkish liras. SEE

Exchance    All the banks exchance All known currencies but better USD or Euro. There are also EXCHANCE OFFICES ..which works faster. Hotels exchance also...but their rates are high.

CREDIT CARDS    

You can use your major credit card to pay for most purchases: hotel rooms, rental cars, auto fuel (gasoline/petrol), airline tickets, fancy dinners, and the more substantial souvenirs. 

The most popular card is VISA, followed by MASTERCARD/EUROCARD. AMERICAN EXPRESS is accepted in many of the more expensive places, such as the luxury hotels.

At fuel stations you may see a sign which reads %0 Komisyon (0% Commission). This means that no credit card service fee will be charged if you choose to pay for your fuel by credit card.

TIPPING   No tips for Taxis. At restaurants.. you may let 5-10pc of your bill. Electricity is 220 W.       Better.. drink bottled water.

POST OFFICE 

Open 7 days a week and 24 hours per day for buying stamps and telephone cards.

For change (cash and post office checks), same hours as the banks.

Telephone between 22.30 and 08:00 and on Sunday is cheaper except from hotels.  To call your country ...add 00 to your country code + city code+ number ( ex.  0041.22.3346062 - Geneva-Switzerland,                0049.7141.536485 Asperg/Germany, 0066.1.6037712 Bangkok-Thailand  ) 

See also HERE