FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Please stay tuned. This page is constantly changing with new updates.
When do we have to arrive for the Camp?
Please arrive on the Sunday afternoon. Registrations, check in and orientation start on this day. Official Training starts on the following day.
How do we get to Turkey? How do we get to Bolu?
Great question. Most people who come to our camp in Turkey will come through Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city.
Bolu is easily accessible by car on a major highway and takes about 3 to 4 hours to drive from Istanbul.
Here are some directions on how to get there, taken from the FIBA 2010 World Championships website:
By Road
Not surprisingly, Istanbul is well connected to every part of Turkey. Buses are frequent and plentiful, and the main coach station (otogar) is at Esenler, on the European side.
There are countless private bus companies, all of whom have a ticket office at the station and the larger ones have offices dotted around town, especially in areas like Taksim, Sultanahmed and Besiktas.
Prices vary slightly regarding quality of the vehicle. There are also departures from Harem, on the Asian side. For journeys further afield, there buses to Greece, Macedonia, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Russia, Georgia, Romania, Bulgaria and Jordan.
Bus Station
Tel: (+90-212) 658 05 05, 658 10 10, 333 37 63, 310 63 63.
Within the city, public transport is a good way of getting around. There are minibuses, buses, taxis, trams (from Aksaray) a new subway (between Taskim and Levent) and a tiny electric tramcar (Beyog(lu to Taksim).
By Rail
Not as popular a mode of transport as buses, with a much smaller network, there are rail connections from Istanbul to Ankara, Izmir and Eastern Anatolian cities. Most of the services are slower than buses, although between the three main cities, there are the mavi tren, mototren or ekspress, which are fast and comfortable.
Reservations are essential for these journeys, and there are several classes of seats and sleepers. International services from Sirkeci (on the European side) and Haydarpasa (Asian side) stations include Vienna, Munich, Budapest, Salonica, (via Eskisehir, Konya, and Gaziantep), Aleppo, (via Tatvan and Van), Tehran, Moscow and Bucharest. Trains heading west leave from Sirkeci, and east from Haydarpasa station.
Sirkeci I.nformation
Tel: (+90-212) 527 0050/51.
Reservations Tel: (+90-212) 520 6575
Haydarpasa I.nformation
Tel: (+90-216) 336 0475/2063.
Reservations Tel: (+90-216) 336 4470, 337 8724.
By Boat
Maritime Lines run both the urban and national transport. Marinas also have connections with European ports.
Urban Maritime Transportation runs ships which operate between the following destinations within Istanbul: Kadikoy – Haydarpasa – Karakoy; Eminonu – Uskudar; Eminonu – Kadikoy; Bridge – Yenikoy; Beykoz – Kavaklar; Sirkeci – Bostanci, Bridge – Prince’s Islands; Bridge – Yalova; Kabatas – Cinarcik; Bostanci – Cinarcik.
Boats operate from Istanbul to the following Black Sea towns: Zonguldak, Sinop, Samsun, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, as well as Izmir. Marmara Lines run to Marmara Island, Bandirma and Mudanya.
Useful contacts:
Port Tel : (+90-212) 245 53 66/249 71 78/249 18 96.
Address: TDY Maritime Lines Agency, Rihtim Cad. Kadikoy, Istanbul
Head Office Tel: (+90-212) 245 53 66/249 71 78/249 18 96.
Reservation Tel: (+90-212) 249 92 22/293 74 54
Information Tel: (+90-212) 244 25 02/244 02 07
By Air
Ataturk International Airport is 20 km from city centre. The new airport is the biggest in the country, with the most international flights. There are direct flights to every European capital, and many to Asia, USA and the Middle East.
The domestic terminal has flights to every domestic airport in the country, with several a day to major cities like Ankara and Izmir. Turkish Airlines (THY) is the national carrier.
Here is a Map where you can see how to get to Bolu.
Do I need a visa to travel to Turkey?
It depends. Many residents of many countries require a travel or visitors visa to enter Turkey for a holiday.
If you go to this Website you will get very useful information about which countries do and do not require a visa to enter Turkey.
What exactly should my child bring to camp for 10 days?
- Basketball shoes (2 pairs if you have them)
- Warm clothes e.g. sweatshirt for cool evenings
- Toiletries e.g. soap, toothpaste, deodorant
- Sports Socks (at least 20 pairs)
- T-shirts and Shorts (1 or 2 for each day)
- Casual clothes e.g. sweat suits, jeans
- Towels
- Medical Insurance card
Should we bring spending money?
Yes. There will be many items you can purchase around the Campus.
There is a New Student Center with 6 different restaurants, cafes, etc. in one place.
They serve 11 different types of food if you get extra hungry.
The most expensive food is 4 dollars.
Do we need to bring our own basketball?
Yes. This is highly recommended but please make sure to label it with your name.
Do you offer transfers from the airport?
Yes. We can arrange to pick you up in Istanbul or Ankara by bus for a small fee, approximately 30 Euros.
Do I need health or accident insurance?
Yes. It is highly recommended.
Can I pick my room-mates or who I share my dorm room with?
We will do our best to place you with your friends. You can let us know on the online registration sign up page.
Will it be hot in Bolu? Do you have air conditioning in the gym or dorm rooms?
Turkey is usually very hot in the summer time but Bolu is in the mountains and is always cool and comfortable.
Can we go swimming during our free time?
Yes, there is a new Olympic sized swimming pool on Campus plus a beautiful, cool lake nearby too.
What else can we do during our free time?
You will have free time because our training sessions will be so intense and you will need time to relax and rest. As mentioned there is a pool, lake nearby, billiards, table tennis, computer lab for internet, soccer field, outdoor basketball and tennis courts. You will never be bored. You can also work on your game with Coaches during your free time.
How can we contact you at the Camp in Turkey?
You can always send us an e-mail. You also always try to contact your children on their cell or mobile phones.
Our contact cell phone while in Turkey will be 0 533 523 17 40 (Turkey Country Code is 90).
Please contact us by e-mail or skype (see below) if you have immediate questions .
Todd Kozinka:
todd@hoop-hype.net
todd@worldsbestbasketballcamp.com
Cavit Altunay:
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