GENERAL INFORMATION

Ankara

The city of was founded in ancient times by the Phrygian ruler King Midas. In the time of the Hittites, it was used as a garrison. During the centuries that followed, Ankara was a major defensive center for the Lydian, Persian, Macedonian (with Alexander the Great), Roman, and Byzantine Empires. In 1073 A.D., the city was conquered by the Seljuk people, and in 1304 A.D. it became part of the Ottoman Empire.

Ankara was an important governmental center during the War of Independence (1919 to 1923). On October 13, 1923, the city was designated the capital of the Turkish Republic. Today, Ankara is one of Turkey's most modern centers. It is the seat of Turkish government and boasts several large universities, an international airport, modern public transit, a vibrant industrial sector, museums and artistic venues, and interesting downtown shopping areas, both old and new.

The city is located in central Anatolia, and lies 830-850 m above sea level. Ankara is Turkey's second biggest metropolis next to Istanbul, and with its 24 districts is home to an estimated 4 million people.

Venue

The 9th Meeting of The Turkish Transplantation Society, will be held at the Hotel and at the Başkent University Bağlıca Campus on July 4- 6, 2007. The Opening Ceremony and the first day’s presentations will be held at the campus site in Ankara.

Patalya Thermal Resort, the congress hotel, is located near the town of Kızılcahamam, which is a 1-hour bus ride from Ankara. The hotel was built in 1996, and has 156 rooms and 6 bungalows. Each room is equipped with a telephone, TV, security box, mini bar, thermal bathtub, and hair dryer. Beautiful open-air and indoor thermal pools can be accessed from directly within the main building. Other amenities include a Turkish bath, Finnish sauna, beauty parlor, fitness center, tennis courts, soccer fields, and a small zoo. Guests can arrange for special massages and baths. Within the hotel are two inviting restaurants and two bars, one with a large wood-burning fireplace. Also available on site are currency exchange facilities, a post office, a business center for photocopying, Internet, and faxing, and parking facilities.

Arrivals

Transfers from the Ankara Esenboğa Airport to the congress hotel will be provided by Valor Congress Organizations.

For congress delegates and accompanying guests who travel in their own vehicles or by other means, the addresses for the meeting are as follows:

First day of congress only: Bağlıca Campus, Eskişehir Road, 20th km

Shuttle bus arrivals/departures: Fevzi Çakmak Caddesi, 10. Sokak, No: 45, Bahçelievler, Ankara

Congress hotel (days 2 and 3 of congress): Patalya Thermal Resort, Soğuksu Milli Parkı, Kızıcahamam, Ankara

Transportation

Kızılcahamam is 80 km (approximately 1 hour’s drive) from Ankara city center. Complimentary bus services will be available to participants and accompanying guests from to (BUAH, see address above) in the city center, and from BUAH to Bağlıca Campus, which is on the outskirts of Ankara. On July 4, 2007, buses will depart from BUAH to the Opening Ceremony at Bağlıca Campus approximately every hour starting at 0730 hrs. Shuttle services to and from , and to and from the campus will be running regularly throughout the congress. The schedule for these services will be posted at the congress hotel, BUAH, and the campus.

Registration Desk

The Registration Desk will be located at . The hours for registration are 1300 to 1900 hours on July 3, 2007, and 0800 to 1800 hours on the following days. Pre-registered participants who go directly to Bağlıca Campus on the first day of the meeting will receive a congress badge. Complete congress kits will be available only at the Registration Desk at Patalya Resort, and can be picked up there upon arrival.

Language

The official languages of the congress are Turkish and English. Simultaneous translation will not be provided.

Time Zone

Local time in Turkey is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Weather

It is usually warm in July (15-20ºC at night, 28-32ºC in the day). Rain is rare at this time of the year, but there are occasional showers so you may want to bring an umbrella just in case.

Passport and Visa

A valid passport is required, and visitors from some countries may need a visa in order to enter Turkey. Please obtain the relevant information from the Turkish Consulate in your country.

Local Currency

The local currency in Turkey is the New Turkish Lira (YTL).

Electricity

The electrical current in Turkey is 220 V– 50 Hz AC.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

Emergency - dial 112; Police - dial 155; Fire brigade - dial 110

Insurance

The congress organizers cannot accept liability for any personal injuries sustained, or any loss or damage of property belonging to congress delegates and/or accompanying persons, either during or as a result of the congress. Please ensure your personal insurance policy coverage is adequate.