I cancelled our trip to Paris
 

Sad but true. I cancelled our family trip to Paris and we would have spent a week there over Easter. After the attack in Belgium this week it took the wind out of my sails. A couple other factors played in but the attacks sealed the deal. So, no Paris this spring. I was able to cancel the hotel and should be able to rebook tickets for a later date to Paris or somewhere else. We live in Europe so it's not difficult to travel to France and I hope to experience the city with my family in the future.

Safe travels everyone!

Too bad, but we already have so many tourists that I personally am relieved when the number drops a bit.

Good for you. I'm still going, myself. The odds of me dying in a terrorist attack are 1 in 20 million. I'll take my chances.

If I die, I know Fodorites will remember me as the intrepid traveller who defied terrorism and will forever hold me in their hearts. ;(

I'm afraid the number will drop, temporarily, a whole lot - folks may think twice about flying into Europe - especially some airports - sad but you may be real happy with a whole lot fewer tourists to plague Paris.

That said the chances of being killed or hurt in such an attack for any one person is infestimal yet folks are scared easily - gee they may have a better chance of dying while driving in their home country but I understand the OP completely.

I once long ago organized group trips to Europe and after the Lockerbee bombing brought down the plane over Scotland we had a drove of cancellations - the response is always way out of proportion to the danger - any day in Paris crossing a street you have more chance of being hit than in a terrorist attack!

You may do a lot of cancelling in the future.

Still going but I understand. It's more wearying for me than frightening. This morning I tried to picture myself at home, instead of in Paris, and knew then I wouldn't cancel. However, I must say, it's the first time I've gone as far as pondering the possibility. But I think that's more a question of being older, with less stamina, than fright.

Every tourist that cancels a trip to Europe means ISIS wins even more - economic impact will be huge and that is one of ISIS' goals. Think of all the billions of dollars the world has spent after 911 on security at airports, border crossings, etc. Good for a stimulus for the economy I guess!

I'd have to get a personal note signed "ISIS" before I'd cancel my trip.

I'm hesitating for the fall but like MmePerdue, when I think of myself staying at home, I like that even less.

I am always very vigilent when I travel... last September while in Paris, I went to Starbucks every morning as it was close to the apartment I was staying. One morning I spotted a suitcase in front of the cash register seemingly abandoned. I have to say I grabbed my coffee and headed out of there asap. Nothing happened, but that stuff scares me.

I have to say I grabbed my coffee and headed out of there asap.>

Good move especially in an American symbol.

That's selfish, Ruby. You could have at least warned other café-goers before you made your escape, or screamed "suitcase" on your way out.

>That's selfish, Ruby. You could have at least warned other café-goers before you made your escape, or screamed "suitcase" on your way out.

Yes, I could have, but everyone in line had to step around it.... it's not like it was hidden. Anyway, I told the story to a few friends and everyone thought I'd overreacted. Well where was the suitcase at the Brussels Airport yesterday?!

Just weeks after the Paris massacre I went to Germany & France, ending our trip in Paris. While I was in Europe Islamic terrorists killed 14 people in my home county. I will continue to travel as if my life depended on it.

FWIW, I think you misreacted, Ruby. Next time, tell someone before you flee.

I understand but I am going in December. I decided that before Brussels when Paris was attacked in 2015.

Everyone has to do what they think is best for them. For me, it means I live my life and I'll do what I can to stay safe. I don't want to be held hostage at home out of fear.

Sorry, kerouac...one tourist that won't be dissuaded! ;-)

I work in a US Courthouse. I feel more at risk at work everyday than I do when I travel. And a murder/suicide occurred two weeks ago at my husband's company, albeit at a different location. We are not cancelling our May trip to Italy, but I understand why others are cancelling their plans.

My tour guide this morning in Milan was quite dismayed by the U.S.State Dept's travel warning as it will mean a significant drop in business. She said after the Paris bombing business dropped by 45%.

I am not going to stay home personally. I might die of boredom.

Sadly from what I read and hear on the news, I think Europe will be a "hotspot" for quite some time to come. Some countries more vulnerable than others. That said, I agree the chances of being killed or hurt in a terrorist attack is extremely small.

I think everyone has to decide for themsleves whether they go on a planned trip or not. I went to Paris less than a week after the attacks and never once thought about cancelling our 3 weeks there. (I might add our flight was empty and no lines anywhere in Paris & we got last minute reservations at many hard to get reservation places.) I have visited other countries during a variety of crises. However, right now we don't have any trips planned to Europe and I have to say I actually thought I'm glad that's the case.

I agree about notifying someone if you see something that seems like potential trouble. While a stupid slogan --"see something, say something" is the way to go.

I also understand. I knew before I started reading the replies, that the OP would get some grief. I just got back from a week exploring the Netherlands, and many people here (my community) questioned why I was still going. (And since yesterday, more people have an opinion about my travels...)

Going forward, I would be wary of going to Paris or Brussels. I might be less wary if I hadn't recently been to both places. We are still going to Rome in the summer, supposedly another ISIS target.

I want to travel more b/c of selfish want...not to prove that I am not cowered by terrorists. Because the truth is, I am worried about terrorism.

Leaving in ten days for a couple weeks the Netherlands and Belgium (not Brussels) ... haven't considered canceling, and hope not to come to that point.

That said, I am not happy that any of this is even a blip in my consciousness.