INEE Global Consultation 2009 Travel and Accommodations


The following information will assist delegates in making travel plans for the upcoming Global Consultation. The official dates for the consultation are 31 March-2 April, 2009, and selected delegates are expected to participate in the consultation in its entirety.

There will also be additional meetings and events taking place on 3 April 2009 that you are encouraged to attend (Click here for additional information about these meetings).

Click here for Planning Your Trip, which includes all of the information below in one easy to print document.


INEE Global Consultation Agenda: Schedule-at-a-Glance
31 March 2009 Opening Plenary and Concurrent Sessions (evening reception) 8:00 hrs – 18:30 hrs
1 April 2009 Plenary and Concurrent Sessions 9:00 – 18:30 hrs
2 April 2009 Concurrent Sessions and Closing Plenary 9:00 – 17:00 hrs
3 April 2009 Additional Side Meetings (e.g. INEE Task Team Business Meetings) 9:00 – 17:00 hrs

Travel Visas

Most nationals from other countries will need a tourist visa to enter Turkey. We strongly encourage you to secure your visa at least one month prior to your departure to Turkey for the consultation. Please check the country listings on the following Ministry of Foreign Affairs web page for visa requirements: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa. If you need an official letter of invitation for the INEE Global Consultation, please contact Mary Mendenhall at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Yanki Travel Agency

The Yanki Travel Agency is providing in-country logistical support to the INEE Secretariat and the travel agents at Yanki Travel are available to assist delegates with their travel plans. Please feel free to contact them with questions about hotel accommodations, airline reservations and travel within Turkey.

Tel: +90 312 425 54 32 / 132

Fax: +90 312 417 68 93

Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Website: http://www.yankitravel.com.tr/odeme/the-inee-global-consultation-meeting

Places to Stay (Please make your reservations by 1 February)

Blocks of rooms have been reserved at the hotels listed below until 1 February, 2009 (after this date room bookings are subject to availability). The rooms have been temporarily reserved for the following dates: 31 March – 4 April, 2009. Be sure to make reservations well in advance.

You may make reservations for hotel accommodations (and airport transfers) on the following website (provided by Yanki Travel Agency): http://www.yankitravel.com.tr/odeme/the-inee-global-consultation-meeting

You may also complete the Accommodation and Reservation form and submit to the Yanki Travel Agency at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

You may pay for accommodations by credit card or wire transfer. Wire transfer details are enclosed in the accompanying hotel accommodation reservation form. If you need to make special arrangements for payment (e.g. in cash on arrival), please contact Yanki Travel directly to discuss the possibilities.

The INEE Global Consultation will take place in the Marmara Hotel (details below). The other hotels are in the nearby vicinity of the Marmara Hotel.

The Marmara Hotel*****
Tel: +90 212 251 46 96
Fax: +90 212 244 05 09
Website: http://www.themarmarahotels.com/
Single Room including Breakfast: 195 € per night
Double Room including Breakfast: 220 € per night 		Green Park Hotel Taksim*****
Tel: +90 212 238 05 05
Fax: + 90 212 237 76 46
Website: http://www.thegreenpark.com/tr/index.asp
Single Room including Breakfast: 95 €
Double Room including Breakfast: 110 €
Nippon Hotel
Tel: +90 212 313 33 00
Fax: +90 212 313 33 33
Website: http://www.nipponhotel.com.tr
Single Room including Breakfast:130 €
Double Room including Breakfast: 160 €		 Lares Park Hotel****
Tel: +90 212 313 51 00
Fax: +90 212 313 51 51
Website: http://www.laresparkhotel.com/
Single Room including Breakfast: 100 €
Double Room including Breakfast: 110 €
Savoy Hotel****
Tel: +90 212 252 93 26
Fax: +90 212 243 20 10
Website: http://www.savoy.com.tr/
Single Room including Breakfast: 100 €
Double Room including Breakfast: 125 €		 Taksim Square Hotel****
Tel: +90 212 292 64 40
Fax: +90 212 292 64 49
Website: http://www.taksimsquarehotel.com.tr/turkish/
Single Room including Breakfast: 95 €
Double Room including Breakfast: 110 €
Madison Hotel
Tel: +90 212 238 54 60
Fax: +90 212 238 51 51
http://www.themadisonhotel.com.tr/
Single Room including Breakfast: 85 €
Double Room including Breakfast: 95 €		  

Budgetary Considerations

Currency exchange rates have been listed below. For up-to-date rates, please check the following website: http://www.xe.com/ucc/.

  • 1 Euro = 1.79 YTL (Turkish New Lira)
  • 1 US Dollar = 1.30 YTL (Turkish New Lira)
  • 1 United Kingdom Pound = 2.31 YTL (Turkish New Lira)

Meals

Please note that two coffee/tea breaks and lunch will be included each day of the global consultation (31 March – 3 April, 2009), including one evening reception. Breakfast is included at all of the hotels listed above. Delegates will be responsible for dinner each night as well as meals for any additional days they are in Turkey. Average cost of meals: $10-$20 US dollars.

Climate & Attire

In spring (April-May) you may encounter rain, and the air may be cool or even chilly at night, but comfortable during the day; bring a warm jacket or a sweater.

Average Temperatures in March/April:

 Lows/Highs:
3/11 Celsius
37/52 Fahrenheit

Turkish society is modern and predominantly secular. In Turkish cities—as in New York, Sydney or London—most of the local people will be more stylishly dressed. Many observant Turkish Muslim women (perhaps 30% of the female population) dress in tesettür, a headscarf and light cover-all topcoat, when going out in public. If you plan to visit any mosques during your trip, dress modestly as you would to visit a church (long trousers, skirt or dress; women should wear a headscarf). (Sources: http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/index.html, http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=8544)

Getting Around

Buses

City buses, which are green or red, and private buses, which are blue, run regular routes from such central areas as Taksim, Mecidiyeköy, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy and Bostancı to many different parts of the city. The price of a single ticket is 1,3 YTL

Taxi

The fee for taxi rides is calculated with a taxi meter. The taxi meter begins at 1,73 YTL and increases by 1,25 YTL for each kilometer traveled. The standing-rate is after five minutes 20 YKr per minute. It is important to have change on you when you board a taxi, as drivers will often not have change for large bills. After midnight a fifty percent increase in the taxi rate comes into effect.

Private Car Service

The travel agents at Yanki Travel can also assist with airport transfers and other in-country transportation needs. The transportation fee for a one way trip is €40 per standard car for 1-3 persons (http://www.yankitravel.com.tr/index.php?yenidil=ing).

The Marmara Hotel also offers a private car service. The fee for airport service is €90 + tax (€106 total) one way. Delegates will be picked up from the airport in a luxury car. An airport greeter will be waiting for you at the International arrival gate in Atatürk International Airport. The airport is approximately 25 km from the hotel and the journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Please allow at least 45 minutes for this journey during rush hour. To make a reservation, please contact the hotel directly at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Traveling in Turkey

For those delegates interested in exploring Turkey before or after the INEE Global Consultation, we have included a few resources for you here.

  • Yanki Travel Agency: http://www.yankitravel.com.tr/index.php?yenidil=ing
    • Email address: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  • Republic of Turkey: Ministry of Culture and Tourism: http://www.turizm.gov.tr/EN/
  • Travel Turkey: http://www.travelturkey.com/
  • World Travels: http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Turkey/Basics

Other Helpful Links