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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Europe
- Turkey
- Izmir
Izmir
Izmir is Turkey's third largest city, a busy port, commercial
centre and gateway to the Aegean Coast, but despite its size
(population around three million) and importance it still retains
enough holiday ambience to draw visitors to linger. Izmir is lively
and cosmopolitan, and it is also scenic with palm-lined promenades
lining the bay, backed by graceful avenues and attractive
horizontal terraces rising up the slopes of the surrounding
mountains.
Visitors come to see the sights, haggle in the colourful bazaar,
and dine on delicious meals at the many waterfront restaurants.
Formerly known as Smyrna, Izmir is ancient, dating from around
3,000 BC, but today is thoroughly modern, having been almost
obliterated by a fire in 1922 and rebuilt. There is still some
worthy sightseeing to be done in the city, however, like the
19th-century clock tower, the 18th-century Konak Cami mosque, and
an archaeology museum. A must-see is the city's landmark public
elevator, linking Mithatpasa Street with the summit of the hill at
Halil Rifat Pasa, from where there is a stunning view across the
city and the bay. The best way to enjoy Izmir is to join the
promenaders in the balmy evening air strolling on the esplanade, or
jogging along in a horse-drawn carriage, between Konak Meydan and
Alsancak.
Information & Facts
Language
Turkish is the official language, but English is widely
understood in the main tourist areas.
Money
The official currency is the New Turkish Lira (TRY), which was
introduced on 1 January 2005, whereby six zeros were dropped from
the TL and the sub-unit New Kurush was created. Currency can be
exchanged at banks, exchange booths, post offices, airports and
ferry ports; banks have the worst rates and highest commissions,
but will exchange lesser known foreign currencies. Banks open
mainly Monday to Friday, but some are open daily in tourist areas.
ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas, but
Turkish ATM keypads usually do not have letters of the alphabet on
their keys. Most bank branches have ATMs which accept Cirrus and
Plus. Major credit cards are widely accepted; the most popular are
Visa or MasterCard, but American Express is accepted in many of the
more expensive places. Travellers cheques can be exchanged at some
banks and currency exchange offices, but are not as welcome as cash
or credit cards. US dollars or Euros are preferred. Some pensions
and hotels in the most popular destinations accept US dollars as
payment.