nancy_m

I have been looking forward to visiting Turkey for years and planning a late September trip (and, this forum has been invaluable.) In the last week, my husband has been concerned about any potential impact the current middle east situation may have. Normally, I never worry about those things, but this time it has been nagging at me. This would mean dealing the trip to late spring, hoping the situation will improve. Thanks for your input.
Nancy

milliebz

Nancy, I secretly share your concern. My husband's business has some input as to where he is able to travel. I am not too afraid of terrorism because I think that can happen almost anywhere at anytime. I am more concerned that I am investing very early for a trip next year and the situation may further decline and restrict our ability to travel to Turkey.

ira

Hi,

There are no guarantees that there won't be problems next year, or the year after, etc.

As long as there are no bombs going off in Turkey, I suggest that you not change your plans.

Dukey

I agree with Ira. What is the "potential impact" of the situation on Turkey or on any other country close to it such as Greece?

Some of us are far more concerned about the "potential impact" here in the US and I'm not even talking about terrorism.

Keep planning your trip.

AliH1

I am planning a trip to Turkey in September 2007 and I am also worried about the current situation and potential danger. I realize that bad things can happen anywhere, but I might wait and plan my vacation in another locale.

Alison

FainaAgain

In May 2008 The State of Israel will be 60 years old! Anybody wants to join me? I'm going if only planes will be flying!

nessundorma

I think it is too soon to know and folowing the situation is not unreasonable if Turkey is your destination. Turkey has been frequently named as a possible contributor to an international force in Lebanon. How the Turkish people will react to this, should the talk get more serious, is an interesting question. I think you should continue to ask around until your mind is really settled about it, one way or the other.

JulieVikmanis

I've had sort of the opposite idea. Seems we should push up a trip to Turkey and the sooner the better just in case things get worse. I say that recalling how long it took to finally get to dubrovnik when we didn't go when we first had the idea. In fact, for a while I all but despaired of ever getting there.

W9London

I understand your security concerns, but neither State Dept or FCO released warnings on travel to Turkey. (After all, Turkey isn't THAT close to Lebanon, if you check a map...)

You may just want to use common-sense caution, stay alert in crowded place, and don't hang around near US Embassy.

Faina, we'll be there next yr, IF I can SURVIVE Haifa and Rosh Pinah in October...

pittpurple

I'm planning a trip to Israel in January and am not nervous at all. With the way things happen in that region, there's no way of telling what the future holds. For me, that means that I might as well plan a trip! Even if things were perfect today, next month they could be entirely different.

I've heard how beautiful Turkey is and can't wait to plan my own trip there as soon as possible! Have a wonderful time.

aeiger

Hi
We planned a trip to Isreal for early sept. 06. We've changed our mind for this year. we've been to Istanbul and found it to be a great city to visit. The only place we have ever had a problem was Paris several years ago, when a tear gas bomb was set off near us, in the bldg next door to the cafe we were at. My wife ran inside, wyws tearing and coughing, as did I and other people sitting around. The police came quickly and the person were not caught. This is as close as I've been or want to be to terrorism.

HookedNTravel

I hate to bring this up, but I'm more worried about being Istanbul during the "big one" earthquake. Here's a headline from August 19, 1999, and the 1st paragraph from Science Daily:
MIT Researchers Monitoring Earthquakes In Turkey Say Istanbul Could Be Next Target

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- This week's earthquake, which killed thousands in northwestern Turkey, increased the likelihood of a future earthquake near the metropolis of Istanbul by increasing the forces on the fault just south of the city, say MIT researchers who have been studying earthquakes and tectonic deformation in Turkey since 1971.

If you're still reading, the url is:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0819070426.htm

For the record, we are going next summer.

artlover

nancy,

I have some friends that just got back from Turkey and they said that they were "welcomed with open arms" because tourism is down due to such concerns as yous.

My daughter was just in Israel and for the first few weeks it was fine, and then Lebanon happened and I wanted her out, but she felt safe in Jerusalem (she kept telling me that it's THEIR holy city too), though I had to get a Rx for valium til she left (and is now safe in Italy). The day after she got to Rome, the Jewish Federation was attached by some crazy person here in Seattle and one person was killed and five injured...it's just (unfortunately) a sad, crazy, angry world (sometimes).

So, if you really want to go, I'd say, go for it...

W9London,
The rabbi and congregation of the temple I go to here are still planning to go to Israel in Sept. I lived near Rosh Pina and it's very special, but while I was thinking of maybe going back next Spring, I'll probably wait awhile, but as others have pointed out, there are no guarantees anywhere really--good luck with your plans.

ImitationOfChrist

I just returned from Israel on July 11. I would go again tomorrow. I am now planning a trip to Cairo for Christmas. I want to have a picnic, on an Hermes cashmere blanket, under the gaze of the Sphinx on Christmas day.

I was in Istanbul last summer and would have no hesitation of getting on a plane an going back this week.

Bullocks to Hezbollah.

Gardyloo

I agree with you, even if I might use different spelling .

AP6380

I totally agree with you, Thingorjus!!!!!

nessundorma

It's Lebanon that is being destroyed.

W9London

Ah, my Rosh Pinah plan for October is off for the time being--though I sincerely hope life returning to normal (in relative terms).
DH found out from an organisation called hofesh-latzafon that hotels in northern Israel have announced a kind of "futures option", where one makes a reservation (and prsumedly pay) now, and redeems the voucher that's valid till June 07. If you're flying El Al from the US, you'll get $100 discount as well.

W9London

Apologies, re-posting it to Middle East forum.

RufusTFirefly

I don't think anyone can predict with any degree of certainty what will happen next year (or next month for that matter).

However for what it's worth: Our son's girlfriend is vacationing (independent travel, not a tour group) in Turkey right now.

So far she reports that people have been very friendly, and in the few conversations she's had with Turks concerning the Middle East situation, they've been very supportive of US policy there--though less supportive when Israel is mentioned.

No bad incidents at all, yet (knock wood).