I would like to express my feelings about all posted here. <BR>You may think that traveling to Turkey may be dangerous nowadays but I presumed that if you have this idea you have not thought about it enough. <BR>The tragic events in the New York proved that nowhere on earth is safer than Turkey. Here are the reasons why; <BR>1) Turkey has been dealing with the terrorism for more than 20 years and about to end this problem soon. <BR>2) As a result of #1, all potential terrorists are under the control of police and Turkish Intelligence agency is more aware about the possible activities (They are better at least than CIA and FBI - because history thought them to be awake!) <BR>3) Yes Turkish people are muslims (99%) but believe that muslim religion bans to kill and also Turkey is a secular country. <BR>4) Supporters of Taliban and Bin Laden (even Laden Itself) are mostly Arabs not Turks (this does not means all arabs are terrorist) <BR>In Turkey we have an idiom saying: "fear is not the cure for death" <BR>Instead of living the hell on earth with the fear, live your life as much as you can. Don't forget that you could be in WTC and feeling very safe!

Hi Ann, <BR>Well your departure date is just around the corner! I have been to Istanbul two times and holding tickets to depart 11/28/01. I am going. Istanbul is a very metropolitan city. The people will make you feel very welcome. Their scurity is great. Go have a great time, check out the Grand Bazaar!! Please let me know of your decision, and how your trip went. <BR>

Dear Friends, <BR>We are not the supporters of Taliban and terorism. Turkey is standing next to America against Terorism. <BR>Come to Turkey and see how Turkey and Turkish people are. You will never know how you will like Turkey and Turkish people if you do not come. <BR>I am a travel agent in Turkey and I am trying to convince all the people who would like to change their programs. I am trying because when you come and see Turkey, you will definitely recommend our country to your friends. <BR>Hoping to see you in our nice country. <BR>

I too am planning a trip to Turkey in December. Of course I'm a little nervous about going, but I think Turkey will be "safe", especially safer than in the US. There are no gaurantees in life, people take a risk just going to the corner grocery store! After 9/11, everyone in the US is nervous and scared about traveling, but I think it is because it is the first time we have realized that we are as vulnerable to terrorism as the rest of the world. Turkey should be as safe as anywhere as here in the US. I think you should go and enjoy yourself. And please tell us how your trip went if you decided to go! Have fun and live - otherwise they win.

I was in Turkey from 8th Sept till 23rd Sept. We received nothing but condolences from the Turks after the 9th. We were in Istanbul, Cappadoccia, Nemrut Dagi (and drove near the Syrian border), the entire mediterranean coast. Didn't feel threatened at all throughout our trip. And most Turks we spoke to expected a war as the US retaliate against Afghanistan. One Turk actually cancelled his visit to the US cos HE was afraid of being victimised by aggrieved Americans. But I did caution my husband and his dad not to talk so loudly about bombing Afghanistan while we were in Turkey.

Well, just got home from Turkey. What a fabulous trip! And to think we almost cancelled--SO GLAD we did not. Turkish people are very friendly, and I think you would be SURPRISED how many feel toward the Arabs in the Middle East. Our Turkish guide told us that many Arabs dislike Turks because they say there is no such thing as "reformed Islam." I thought that was interesting...Saw no protests...heard not one unkind word and saw some fabulous places. And never felt so safe in the airport in all my life. Good to be home though!!

I wouldn't go to Turkey. Not because of the current situation, but because of their woeful human rights abuses against the Kurdish people i.e. the plans to build the ilusu dam and destroy ancient and important historical sites. Boycott Turkey!

Check out <BR>www.silkroadhotels.com <BR>Basar

Turkey is the safest country in Europe now. <BR>and it is not on the side of Taliban <BR>or Usame. <BR>and the biggest and strongest ally supporting the U.S.

I agree with Belle. We just returned from Istanbul and also visited Antalya. Everyone we met was very friendly and we felt safe. One bit of advice - take with you the written name and address of your hotel - many taxi drivers do not speak English.

Turkey supports anti-terroism campaign. They are sending troops to aid in this campaign <BR> <BR>Read this article... http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...tacks_wr.story <BR>

Read most (not all) the posts here and can add the following. Questions raised are valid in the wake of 9/11 but one has to research before drawing conclusions. Turkey seems to be the most secular and reformed muslim country in the world, with a great desire to take its place in the modern world. There are black sheep everywhere in the world but then again Turks seem to have them under control and check.<BR>People we encountered in the countryside, even in remote black sea villages or in the southeast in the antique cities of Antioch (Antakya) and<BR>Urfa, we encountered genuine friendship.<BR>Locals are ready to share their own meal with you and we are talking of families that earn less than $200 a month. On the urban and more touristy spots, Turkey fared very attractive vs. any other European city we visited. Istanbul is a world city with amenities we, at times, did not encounter in the US. I read that the single largest revenue generating industry in the country is tourism for the last decade<BR>and I would only think it would be <BR>cherished and protected at the highest level. <BR><BR>

<BR>Felt completely safe in Turkey from September 20th October 15th. <BR><BR>All the Turks we met expressed outrage and sympahy for the U. S.<BR><BR>Go!!!<BR>

My boyfriend and I are planning a tripo in March. We are not swayed by current world events and very encouraged by the few who have been thrilled with the reception of the Turkish people. I wasn't sure where we were going to go, but now I know I want to go to Istanbul. For those of you who are afraid to travel for fear you may die at the hand of terrorism, the chances are higher that you'll slip on the soap in the tub and die than the former. I am very glad I read the replies of Belle and the like for my boyfriend and I like to visit places with exceptional people.

Hello, my boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Greece and Turkey sometime next year. Could those of you who have gone please recommend a good itinery (ie. Where in Greece and Turkey should we go & for how long? We plan to go for a total of 3 weeks). We loved Rome because of the architecture and history and want more of the same/also love night life and shopping. Also, could someone who has been scuba diving please let me know where the best diving is. Thank you for your anticipated valuable advice.

to Tammy<BR>You will enjoy Turkey . But please do not belittle other peoples fears.When I first replied it was in September when no-one had a clue how things would go in the world. Making travel plans now is a bit easier as world war does not seem imminent anymore.I never have been worried about travelling( I went to Greece in October and am going on 3 trips this next year) but can understand other peoples fears.

Went to Turkey in late august and came back Sept 1<BR>Had good time. People were great there.<BR>The natives outside the hotel in Antalya were super too. Did some shopping and they treated us great. Took us in and were always talking to me and bringing friends in to meet me telling them i was from the USA. One man came up and shook my hand and said he loved americans. That was in his own words before i said one thing to him. They went and got drinks for us and all treated us great.<BR>I will tell you that i was about the only american at the hotel resort i stayed in. Many Ukraine people and Russian people there. A few of them may not have cared much for me but never said a bad word to me.<BR>The natives were great though. I would go again for sure. <BR>Airport in Istanbul took awhile as they pulled all people going to the USA asside and asked lots of questions and made sure there were no problems.<BR>THis was just after we had did a little bombing in Iraq while i was there.<BR>Funniest thing? They put prices up in US dollars! Not Turkish Lira! When you pay they would check the paper and see how many LIra to the US dollar and that is what you paid in Lira!<BR>also, Russians paying in US money! And i was paying in LIra!!! Somthing funny there i would say!<BR>Have a great time <BR>dan