We are to depart in one week. SFO to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Istanbul. One week spent in Istanbul. The second week cruising in the Greek Isles. Are we crazy to go? Advice please.

I'll probably be told that I'm being alarmist but we were in Turkey in the summer and I fear what might happen there now. They have the attitude of blindly following instructions from the top- and thatinformation is after making friends with several locals.Even without turkey being involved there are many people there who hate Westerners.Even if that is not enough just look at what countries it borders.(and I DID NOT say which side the Turks would be on) <BR>I know I might get shouted down but YOU are the one going. You need the facts and I really feel that many people are refusing to look at what might happen. <BR>By the way, I would consider going to the Greek Isles.

having just done a search on Bin Laden on the net it may help you to know that some of his supporters are Turks.

I, too, am leaving on 9/26 for a yacht charter through the Greek Isles (with a stop at Kusadasi/Ephesus) and then hotels stays in Rhodes and Santorini. <BR> <BR>We have asked our captain not to stop at Kusadasi, even though we were all so looking forward to it. Another time. <BR> <BR>However, at this point, the group seems fairly comfortable with the Aegean itinerary. <BR> <BR>I'll be anxious to hear other thoughts about this. Most writers to the forum feel Greece is reasonably safe - as much as any place is these days.

I cannot say what you should do and I cannot say what the general attitude in Turkey will be. The only thing I can say is we were in Istanbul for a few days before our cruise and while that does not make me an expert on Turkish politics, I was very impressed with the cosmopolitan, civiized attitude and warm welcome we had there. <BR> <BR>Yesterday I received an e-mail from our Turkish guide that we used for all our arrangements in Istanbul. I would like to share it with you as I was very touched by his letter. <BR> <BR> <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; I just wanted to express that we share your sorrow because of the <BR>terrorist <BR>&gt; attacks in the USA. I hope nothing hapened to anybody you know. We take it <BR>&gt; as an attack to the world and to the allies of the USA including Turkey. <BR>We <BR>&gt; are also shocked.. <BR>&gt; <BR>&gt; Best regards <BR>&gt; Mehmet <BR>Turfantastik Tours" &lt;[email protected] <BR>&gt; <BR>

Hello! You posters all say you've been to Istanbul and you all felt welcomed etc etc. Let me get this right before or after the latest terriorist strike?I personally loved Turkey and was just planning a trip in November. However do you realize Turkey is located right next to Syria which is a supporter of the Taliben regime. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE NAPALM!

Sorry, but that is a little ignorant--Just because Turkey is next to Syria does not mean they support the Taliban. That's like saying every Arab is a terrorist. If anything, they are the most "European" Middle Eastern country there is. Someone also stated they wouldn't consider going to Turkey, but they would consider going to the Greek Isles. Well, there are many people from Greece who feel America got what they deserved.

Belle I didn't say all of Syria was like that but why take the chance. The majority of the people of the world are nice/honest people. Is that enough to keep my door unlocked at night. Grow up and quite being so sensative.

Uh, you're exact words were, "However do you realize Turkey is located right next to Syria which is a supporter of the Taliben regime." That implies all--whether you meant it or not. And since you stated that you have been to Turkey before, I guess it didn't bother you that Turkey was next to Syria then did it?

Sorry Ann, these posts aren't very helpful. Unfortunately, we can't make the decision for you. We are in the same predicament and are weighing the pros and cons of going. Of course, there are some things that are out of our hands. I think if we cancel, we will never go, because the situation over there is never going to be great. Do you have travel insurance?

Syria doesn't support the Talibans at all. It can be a dictatorship, but it's a reasonnably secular one.

Kara - Your opinions that are relevant to the question at hand are welcome, but must you spew out thoughtless personal insults? I've noticed quite a bit of venom and hostility coming from you. Perhaps you should seek professional help for that, and find more healthy ways of venting your inner frustrations. <BR> <BR>Ann - I don't think you're so crazy. I was in Turkey recently. The Turkish people were generally welcoming. They're not dumb -- they know how much money they get from tourism. Also, if anything, I would think that the Turkish, as most other civilized peoples, are more sympathetic towards Americans in light of the recent horrible events. There will always be people who are anti-American and who may start trying to cause trouble over time, but I think you should be safe in the near future. And I'm sure the Turkish government is being very vigilent to terrorist threats.

Ann: The Turks genuinely like Americans. Look at their quick response to our tragedy. My reservation is being in that part of the world during our US response. We don't know when or where that will occur. I wouldn't want to be in that part of the World during that period.

Friends are on a honeymoon cruise that just cancelled its two stops in Turkey last week due to the crisis. They substituted other Greek isle stops. I'm not sure how uniform this is in the industry.

A Turkish-American friend had a bbq yesterday, and the Turks generally agreed that the government has the radicals under control - and only the most fundamentalist parts along the Eastern border are dangerous. But I'm having second thoughts about going to Turkey for my honeymoon next April - a lot can happen in 7 months.

I loved Turkey. Would I go there in the coming months? No way. It only takes one person or one incident to kill you. Use your head people. Kara is right on.

So what's the alternative? Basque separatists have started bombing tourist venues in Spain; UK/N.Ireland is heating up again; French youth gangs have stepped up their rioting; Who knows what might happen during Munich's Oktoberfest? But when you think about it, all of these places, as well as Turkey, are safer than the US. I'm actually leaning toward taking my vacation next April, but as I said in my last post, a lot can happen between now and then. Can anyone recommend some good news/advice sources to keep up to date on travel safety? Thanks.

I know this is difficult for many people. We, as a family have decided to go ahead and go. Tomorrow is never promised to us and we must live life to the fullest. This world is not going to to get safer--it's going to get worse. It only takes one person to kill you ANYWHERE--not just in Turkey. Now obviously if there was a major war in Turkey or it was unstable, we wouldn't go. But there has been no indication that Turkey is not safe at this time, nor do we know what the future may hold. But that's just my two cents. I would be lying if I didn't say I was a LITTLE nervous! Bob, you might want to try www.travel.state.gov Good for travel warnings. <BR> <BR>P.S. J--Bravo--Couldn't have said it better myself!

I just returned from Turkey a few days before the WTC. As a flight attendant for a US airline, I would feel safer there than here.Their country knows how to deal with terrorism and security issues, where our country is relatively clueless. There are terrorists living in this country planning attacks against us right now, so if you think that Turkey is less safe than here, you are fooling yourself.Turkey is on our side and we have military bases over there. I would go back in a heartbeat with no fear.

One might want to avoid Turkey in the near future as flying over the middle east could be dangerous if the US starts air strikes over Afganistan or other middle eastern countries. <BR>I was in Lebanon during the civil war in the '70s. All airports were closed to American citizens- had to escape across the border to Syria in the middle of the night in order to fly home. At the time, I was a child so all of this was extemely exciting. Not so sure it would be now.