Concerned about traveling during war
 

I am looking for feedback - I went to dinner with some friends last night and told them about my plans to travel to Germany for vacation in 2 weeks. They think I am crazy and there is no way they would risk it - I am really exited about this trip but wonder if I should cancel.

This topic has come up for discussion many times in the last month. Obviously a very personal desicion based on your comfort level as far as safety while abroad. Since you have already make travel arrangements, I would not cancel. Just exercise caution. If you feel strongly that you will not be able to relax and enjoy yourself, then cancel. If I was going to Germany in two weeks as part of a tour (group) I would cancel. If traveling independently, I would not.

Maira, why would you cancel if part of a tour group but not if traveling independently? I will be going to France in a month's time as part of a tour group and am trying to decide if I should cancel. Do you truly believe that Americans are at that much of a risk being part of a tour?<BR><BR>Thanks for your opinion.

Please, people. Try to understand that nobody in France and Germany is going to attack you, weather you travel in a group or independently. <BR><BR>I fail to understand what kind of dangers are you expecting. You are in no kind of risk in Europe. Except a possible traffic accident.<BR><BR>

elina, I truly do not believe that a Frenchman will attack me personally. If I thought that, I would not even consider going. I truly believe that French citizens are open and friendly to Americans. I have visited France in the past and had nothing but very positive experiences.<BR><BR>My worry is concern regarding terrorism. Would an American tour bus be an easy mark for terrorists is the question.

100 died here in New England (Rhode Island) in a club fire. I bet they wish they could have been in Europe. The goverment will tell us to stop going when there is a real threat.

I have a totally different take on why your friends are against your trip. They are Jealous and have a good sounding excuse for why you shouldn't go. I have friends and a family member which try to poo poo my trips and I know it stems from jealousy.

No, I don´t believe for a second that terrorists would target tour busses, American or not. How would they know there are Americans inside the bus? I believe they want far bigger and more showy targets. There are only some 40 people – or how many? – in the bus. Not nearly enough victims.

lilbabs;<BR>By all means go! It is your friends who are crazy. You will have an excellent time and be welcomed warmly.<BR>Don't let your fears, or other's fears, ruin a fine adventure!

Thank you for your feedback - I really appreciate all of your comments. As first time vacations oversees, it was comforting to hear your recommendations.

Don't listen to anyone but yourself. I have had a wonderful trip planned for a long time. Flying into Rome, taking a train to Florence, train to Venice and flying to Paris and then home again. <BR><BR>Because I had planned to go by myself and to 4 different places I am canceling my trip. No one has influenced me. I made this decision on my own. I was stranded in Paris during 9/11 and even those the French were wonderful I couldn't get home right away and it was a little unsettling. But that's my choice. Your decision should come from you and no one else.

Especially as this is your first trip, I would definitely go ahead with your plans. At the very most, I would be aware of where the American Embassy is in your city, in case war does start, so that you have a place of safety if EVERYTHING goes bad (which I highly doubt!!!)

I've never heard of such an event in Europe, but terrorists have indeed targeted tour buses in other countries. Why? Because they want to target foreigners and tourists, and that's the easiest way to do it. they also want to disrupt the country and tourism and get attention, and that is a good way to do it. I know they have in the midEast and I think in Pakistan, also. <BR><BR>However, I would not be overly afraid of that myself, to be honest--at least not in Germany. There are advantages and disadvantages to tours. In some cases, they actually can provide you more protection than without them, but I'm thinking of other countries that are more difficult to travel in (again, such as the Mideast). IN actuality, it will insulate you somewhat from the locals if you are afraid of Germans' treatment of you. YOu are more identifiable as a tourist, however.<BR><BR>I don't know what company you are using, but I don't think tour buses usually have any identifying marks on them as to the tour company or nationality. Well, sometimes the nationality maybe, if they are from neighborhing countries, but I think most buses used by tour companies are local subcontracts and the buses don't say much of anything on them, except the bus name. Tour companies don't own their own buses.<BR><BR>I'm going to Europe myself in a while, and am a pretty hardy and experienced, but I probably would not have planned a trip during the exact time Mr. Bush wants to initiate a war. I realize you probably planned this a while ago, however. I'd probably go, however, if I was able to postpone with no financial penalty or very little, I might consider that.

Think of it this way - the biggest potential danger of a war would be terrorist retaliation. If they're going to do something, it is much more likely to be in the US than in Germany, which does not support the war - you're safer over there!<BR><BR>(although I do not think that there is much of a risk in any case. didn't mean to scare you)

The reason I placed more security concern (if I was to place any) to traveling as part of a tour group vs. traveling independently is how much of an obvious target an American group represents. Whether it is homeland or abroad, terrorists have made threats against Americans; is a fact. It is not crazy nor unreasonable to question the safety of traveling abroad these days. Traveling independently makes it easier to change/switch/avoid certain places or situations if you feel there is a need to do so. <BR><BR>I don't know about you guys, but after coming to this forum every day/week for the last 6-7 years looking forward to exciting travel talk, it is heartbreaking to me what's going on. Personally, I have placed on hold all my travel plans. Definitely not going to France (cancelled a 21-29 May trip).

So, are you going or not??? I've had a trip planned for months to both Germany and France and wouldn't THINK of NOT going. Consider this: perhaps your &quot;friends&quot; are concerned about safety because that think the Germans or French or whoever would ACT the same way that some in this country would probably like to act if some of those folks came over here. <BR>You should GO, you'll be SAFE, and when you get back all your buddies will think even more highly of you for having done so.

We are in the same boat right now - We have a tip planned to France and italy at the end of May. We are still planning on going. We might cancel, but probably not. We are not concered for our safety - we are more concerned about unfriendly locals making our trip unpleasant. I would prefer the agression in Iraq to be over before we go. I have read alot of posts on different sites that people say that they &quot;Heard&quot; of americans being harrased and abused, but I have yet to see and article or post by a person that it actually happend to(and I looked!). Either the boards are removing the posts or they don't exsist. Anyone returning from France or Italy - please report.

Personally, I'd be far more afraid of just being on a tour bus with 40 people than I'd be concerned about terrorists blowing it up.<BR><BR>I hate tours..yuck!<BR><BR>US

We will be visiting Germany in May. I expressed our concern about how Germans will react to Americans to a relative of mine there. She said that Germans are not angry at Americans as people, but at Bush and his administration. I suggested to my wife that perhaps we can get buttons made that say, :&quot;Ich waehlte nicht fuer Bush.&quot;

This weekend I'm going to France. I already cancelled one Europe trip due to world events (soon after 9/11), and refuse to do this again.<BR><BR>The world is in a very unsettled state right now, and may not improve anytime soon, if ever. There are no legal restrictions on travel right now, but this may not be true in a few months. Go while you still can! The next time you want to travel, the opportunity may not be there.