Have you ever been to Turkey? This country of hospitality is a bridge between Eastern and Western civilizations where all live in harmony, an artistic and cultural melting pot of all the people who have ever lived here. Turkey is an open-air museum where first civilization was already flourishing in 9000 b. C. You will visit, just to name a few, Istanbul, the former capital of three empires (Rome, Byzantium and the Ottoman), the Persian, classical Greek, Ottoman and Turkish cultures, unique natural wonders, world famous museums (Archaeological museums of Istanbul and Antalya, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara, Underwater Archaeological Museum of Bodrum), world wonders (the Artemision in Ephesus and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassos in Bodrum), incomparable historical witnesses, legendary places (Troy, Demre - birthplace of Santa Claus, Izmir - birthplace of Homerus, Alanya and its Cleopatra beach).

But this country offers also different activities to those for whom holidays mean something more than just culture: sportive and active programs in the Taurus mountains and at the Black Sea (rafting, trekking), living in an untouched environment, being pampered in one of the numerous spa resorts of the country, or even have a blue voyage alongside the Aegean Sea coasts.

For those who are going to visit Turkey for the first time it is necessary to know few details about currency in Turkey. From January 2005 the currency in Turkey changed to the Yeni Turk Lirasi (YTL), or New Turkish Lira (international symbol: TRY). What was before one million Turkish Lira (TRL) is now just one TRY dropping six unwieldy zeros.

If you want to exchange foreign currency in Turkey plenty of places will do it for you. Currency Exchange Offices are found in market areas. They offer better exchange rates than most banks, and may or may not charge a commission. Shop around for the best rate and the lowest (or no) commission. Most post offices will exchange cash US dollars or euros, and the bigger post offices may also exchange other major currencies such as UK sterling. Banks have the worst rates, the biggest commissions and the most cumbersome procedures, but a few specialized branches may be willing to exchange currencies lesser known than the US dollar, euro, sterling, and yen.

The most convenient way to get money in Turkey is by using your home bank ATM/cash card or a credit card in a Turkish ATM/bancomat/cash machine. Automated teller (cash) machines (cashpoints, bancomats) are everywhere in Turkish cities, and even in many small towns. Choose your language: Turkish or English for sure, and sometimes French and German. Just push a button to get screen prompts in your language. If your password is actually a word, and you're used to pressing the letter keys (ABC for 2, DEF for 3, WXYZ for 9, etc), you'll have to translate your password into numbers because Turkish cash machines do not have letters on the keys, only numbers. Your home-bank account will be debited for the amount you withdraw (plus a service charge, of course).

Note that some machines may not process your transaction on Sunday because your bank may be closed. You may want to get money before Sunday. Travelers? checks (cheques) are more hassle and more expensive to use when you travel to Turkey than an ATM or credit card. First, not all banks welcome travelers? checks. They may send you to a particular branch to cash them. Some banks charge a fee of US$20 per check, or up to 20% of the amount of the check, to cash them! Currency exchange offices will sometimes cash them at the best rates, but may also charge a service fee. Also, Currency exchange offices are only found in the largest cities near where foreign currency transactions occur. Most merchants will take travelers checks, but would prefer cash.

So, now you know enough about currency in Turkey to spend your time with pleasure. Enjoy your vacation without wasting your time for nothing!