For registrations, please contact to K.U. Leuven University by [email protected] The registration fee for the delegates includes: Access to the scientific sessions, lunchs, coffee breaks, 1 night dinner * The fees do not include any kind of insurance. The meeting organizers cannot accept liability for personal injuries sustained or for loss of or damage to property belonging to the meeting participants (or their accompanying persons) either during or as a result of the meeting. All participants are encouraged to arrange for theiir own insurance. Health and accident insurance or travel insurance is recommended and has to be purchased in your country of origin. For accommodation and transfer, please contact with Mr. Akin YARDIMCI & Cem YAZICI by the e‐mail [email protected] AIRPORT TRANSFER It takes 45 minutes to get from Ataturk Airport to the meeting venue. Airport‐Meeting Center‐Airport transfer price is 50 EUR in one way for one person. For special transfer requests please contact Rubikon Turizm. The prices will be determined seperately. Airport transfers should be ordered and paid in advance. Meeting Dates February 23 ‐ 24, 2012 Meeting Venue Istanbul University, Institute for Experimental Medical Research (DETAE) Meeting Language Offcial language of the meeting is English. Letter of Invitation Upon request, a letter of invitation will be sent to any registered participants. This letter will be sent solely to assist participants in obtaining leave from their institutions. OPT TOUR (60.‐Euro/per person) HALF DAY (Morning) ‐ THE OLD CITY (Treasures of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires) The tour starts with departure from the meeting center at 09:00. Drive to the Hippodrome area (center of social activities during the Roman Empire, where the chariot races were held) and see the Serpent Column, Egyptian Obelisk and the German Fountain. Visit Hagia Sofia (Roman basilica from the 6th century, one of the finest buildings of all times with its mosaics and architecture, today used as a museum). Visit the Sultanahmet Mosque (from the 17th century, also known as The Blue Mosque, famous with its interior decoration of unique blue IIznik tiles). Visit the Grand Bazaar (from the 15th century, also known as the Covered Bazaar, considered as the first shopping‐mall in the world, today it has more than 4.000 shops, famous with its carpet dealers, jewellery, antique, silver, leather and souvenir shops), The tour ends with arrival to the meeting center at 13:00 Optional Daily Tours are tailor made for the participants of our meeting only and will be operated for minimum 8 people. If the number of participants for a single tour is less then 8 the tour will not be operated. How To Get Istanbul? Turkey demands an official entry visa from the citizens of some countries. Before your departure to Turkey it is better to check with a Turkish Consulate in your country to determine if you need a visa. In some cases, you can obtain a visa upon arrival at Ataturk Airport. For detailed information: http://www.e‐konsolosluk.net/visa/visa_query.aspx By Air Almost all international airlines have convenient direct flights to Istanbul from all over the world. Turkish Airlines, which has been carrying passenger and cargo since 1933, today has a fleet of 134 aircraft and flies to a total of 103 destinations, 26 domestic and 77 international. It has consolidated its position on the international platform by linking the Caucasian countries and the Turkish Republics in Central Asia, as well as the Middle Eastern and Asian countries, with Europe, Africa and North America; through the service network hub in Istanbul. Turkish Airlines is a member of star alliance. www.thy.com By Road The road network throughout Turkey is extensive, with motorways, dual carriageways and numerous three‐lane highways. Drivers bringing cars into Turkey must show their registration documents and driving license at the point of entry. If arriving from Europe, visitors must have a Green Card (available from insurance companies) as well as appropriate insurance. Driving is on the right. Seat belts are mandatory and driving after consuming alcoholic drinks is prohibited. The speed limits are I20km/h on motorways, 90km/h on main roads and 50km/h in towns. By Intercity Coach Services Coach services to all parts of Turkey are reliable, reasonably priced and convenient. Istanbul's International Bus Terminal located in Esenler, about ten kilometers from the city center, serves all international and domestic lines. Most of the leading intercity coach companies provide free shuttle services from central Istanbul to the terminus. These leave a couple of hours before the scheduled departure time of the coaches from Siraserviler Caddesi in Taksim, which is also where the ticket offices are located. Visitors can book tickets here any time before departure. Major European cities ssuch as Frankfurt and Vienna are also well serviced by Turkish coach lines, and there are daily bus connections between Athens and Istanbul via Thessalonica. By Rail There are trains from Sofia, Belgrade, Bucharest and Budapest(connections from Munich and Vienna) to Sirkeci Station in Istanbul. Main services are: Bosphorus Express: from Bucharest, daily TransBalkan Express: from Budapest via Bucharest, daily Prietenia Express: from Kischinev, daily Balkan Express: from Belgrade via Sofia, daily 1C 90/9 I: from Pythion via Thessalonica, daily (connection from Athens) Istanbul Express: from Munich via Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria There are two main stations in Istanbul: Sirkeci Station on the European and Haydarpaşa Station on the Asian side. These historic station buildings are nostalgic gateways to the city. Both stations are well equipped with restaurants, newspaper kiosks, waiting rooms and ATMs. Both stations are conveniently located. Haydarpaşa Station on the Asian shore is connected to the European shore by ferry to Karakoy, and Sirkeci Station is a short walk or taxi ride from Eminonu ferry terminals. Suburban trains also run from Sirkeci and Haydarpaşa stations. By Sea The Bosphorus Strait divides Istanbul's Asian and European shores. Central Istanbul and the historic walled city are on the European shore, which is itself divided by the natural harbour of the Golden Horn (Haliç). Tiny fishing boats and day cruisers share the Bosphorus with enormous international cargo ships, navy vessels, tankers and giant luxury liners from Europe. The two largest quays, Eminonu and Karakoy, are on opposite sides of the Golden Horn and linked by the Galata Bridge. Karakoy is where luxury cruise ships headed for the Aegean and Mediterranean dock, as well as smaller CIS vessels. Local ferry services mainly depart from Eminonu, Karakoy, Besiktas and Üskudar. International ferry services to Turkey; Istanbul – Ukraine ‐ Odessa Venice ‐ Izmir Athens ‐ Izmir Brindisi ( Italy ) or Ban ( Italy ) ‐ Cesme ( Izmir ) Various services from Turkish coastal towns to Greek islands LETS MEET WHERE THE TWO CONTIT NENTS MEET "There, God and human, nature and art are together, they have created such a perfect place that it is valuable to see." Lamartine's famous poetic lines reveal his love for Istanbul, describing the embracing of two continents, with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe. Istanbul’s beauty lies in its ability to embrace its contradictions. Ancient and modern, religious and secular, Asian and European, mystical and earthly all co‐exist here. Mother of All Cities: With it's history dating back to 658 B.C., Istanbul has been in uninterrupted existance forming the cross‐roads of creative exchange between Europe and Asia. This spectacular city with it's diverse identities has given rise to many legends and inspired countless works of art. Two Empires ‐ Two Capitals: Istanbul has been the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, leaving behind a multicultural sediment of civilisations and faiths in the forms of aquaducts, cisterns, palaces, churches, sinagogs, mosques and above all, cultural tolerance and harmony. Modern Touristic Establishments and Conference Facilities: Istanbul today is the focal point of industry, commerce and cultural life in Turkey. It has many internationally acclaimed hotels, meeting centers and offers state‐of‐the‐art meeting facilities. The city is connected to the world by two international airports, international harbours, railways and Trans‐European‐Motorway. Shopping and Entertainment: Being one of the cheapest cities of Europe, it is a shopping paradise. Ranging from oriental tastes of Grand Bazaar to outstanding shopping maalls, Istanbul offers a wide variety of choices. Bosphorus is not merely a strait dividing two continents but also a crown that adds a Mediterranean flavour to this breathtaking city by it's seaside cafes and fish restaurants. Istanbul also offers a vibrant night‐life with its outstanding night‐clubs and bars. Turkish Lesson 1, Greetings! Here are your first ten words of Turkish. You can learn them in just a few minutes today and you'll use them every day ‐ several times ‐ during your travels in Turkey: 1 Hello Merhaba MEHR‐hah‐bah 2 Good morning, good day Günaydın gew‐nahy‐DUHN 3 Good eveing İyi akşamlar EE ahk‐shahm‐LAHR 4 Good night İyi geceler EE geh‐jeh‐LHR 5 Goodbye Allaha ısmarladık ah‐LAHS‐mahr‐lah‐duhk 6 Bon voyage Güle güle gew‐LEH gew‐LEH 7 What i your name? Adınız ne? AH‐duh‐NUHZ neh 8 My name is… Adım… Ah‐DUHM… 9 How ae you? Nasılsınız? NAHS‐suhl‐suh‐nuhz 10 I'm fine, thank you. İyiyim, teşekkür ederim. ee‐YEE‐yihm, tesh‐ek‐KEWR eh‐ dehr‐eem Turkish social interaction tends to be very polite. Turkish Lesson 2, Pardon Me, Words 11 to 20, gives you the words you need: 11 Pardon me Affedersiniz,, pardon af‐feh‐DEHR‐see‐neez, pahr‐DOHN 12 Yesno Evet/hayır eh‐VEHT/HAH‐yuhr 13 Please. Lütfen. LEWT‐fehn 14 Help yourself.