Perhaps more than any other city in the modern world, Istanbul embodies the ideal of unification. Somewhere beneath the magnificent waters of the Bosphorus, Europe and Asia meet, making Istanbul the only major city in the world that links two continents and many cultures and religions.

There is, of course, far more than geography to the magical hold of Istanbul exerted over man's imagination throughout its fabulous history. Three separate empires ruled the world from this powerful capital - the Roman, the Byzantines and the Ottomans. Trace of their presence - in ancient walls, imressive hippodromes, royal basilicas, aqueducts, magnificent mosques, brilliant palaces - shape Istanbul's alluring landscape and color its exotic texture. For more than 3000 years, this city has been at crossroads of cultures, a rendez-vous of the East and West.

Today, Istanbul blends the ancient and the modern in a seamless tapestry of life. It stands, in a new world, as a model of free market economics, enlightened social reforms, cultural and religious diversity. In many ways, Istanbul is the capital of the future - a marriage of East and West for the benefit of both.

Istanbul is served by the brand new State-of -the-Art International Atatürk Airport, where more than 50 airlines operate direct flights. For further details, check www.dhmiata.gov.tr.

For partic ipants from some countries, a visa to Turkey may be required. Participants are advised to contact the nearest Turkish Embassy in their country. For some nationals, visa applications are available at the airport. For further details please check http://www.mfa.gov.tr/MFA/ConsularInformation/ForForeigners/VisaInformation/.