I am in the process of planning my trip to Turkey in November. And I was wondering if it would be safe to go now given the situation between Syria and Turkey. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

Turkey is a big country, and your question indicates that you are not the adventurous traveler wanting to see the eastern part of the country. I would not worry about the situation when it comes to visiting the standard tourist sites.

It may flippant but how long is a piece of string? Anywhere can be unsafe at any given time but if we think like that none of us would go anywhere. Keep planning your trip and have a good time. Just keep away from the south and maybe parts of the eastern side. Check your government's website for any warnings.

If you avoid the far Eastern end there is very little risk.

I agree with above comments, and will try to advise if I hear of anything adverse or feel that there is any risk for travelers on the beaten path.

I am glad that we managed to get to Gaziantep and Urfa last March. I very much regret that we did not travel to Syria in early 2011 as we had planned.

One of my former professors from the United States will be visiting an area about 200 miles from the Syrian border in November with his family, and he is not worried at all although he is a professor of Middle Eastern politics and advises the United States government at times.

An additional factor which will inrease yor safety will be that I and DW may still be in the United States when you arrive. LOL

Those of us (and there are at least a dozen) who've planned our Turkey trips and have been there over the past 2-4 months have wondered the same thing just a little. But all I would say is...just go and enjoy your trip. Like others have mentioned, unless you are planning to travel to the southeastern part of the country, I wouldn't see any problem. I visited Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, the Turquoise Coast and did get to the far northeastern part of Turkey to visit the Sumela Monastery. I just though Turkey was a fabulous, amazing country. Go and enjoy!!!

I appreciate your concerns. I have felt the same mild apprehension while our trip is less than 2 weeks off. I feel the only risk we could face might be some demonstrations, which happen randomly in US all the time.That said we have friends who think we are crazy to go to this part of the world now. OC, please keep us posted if anything else happens. I am curious of the mood of the people of Turkey. How do they see this conflict? I am sure what news we get in the US is slightly biased I for one am very excited to see this lovely, historic country.

I'm concidering spending Christmas in Luxor at the moment. While I would not go to Eilat right now, I'd still happily go to Tunisia for example.

80% of the Turkish population are against any Turkish involvement in the civil war in Syria. The government, unfortunately, may have other things on its agenda. However it is kept back by United States and EC words of caution as well as hidden threats by Russia and China and obvious threats by Iran.

On the other hand, there are over one hundred thousand refugees in Turkey right across from the Syrian border. Some of these are also fighters against the regime under the guise of refugees. Some of them are regular folk who have some means and they have managed to settle in some border cities. Others are in refugee camps supported almost only by the Turkish goverbment.

The local residents are not at all happy with the Syrian insurgents walking around in border towns, sometimes wearing arms and/or uniforms, obviously supported by the Turkish military an police. These people who look like Taliban cause problems with the local merchants and people or landowners.

The open support of the Turkish government for the Syrian insurgents may have already resulted in some terrorist activity against Turkish military and police buildings, vehicles and personnel.

So the provinces near the Syrian border are not the best places to visit right now. Nor are places near the Iraqi border. If you have a map, draw a line from Mersin in the South to Kayseri, continue to Amasya and then to Kars to the Armenian border at the Ani ruins. I would not advise visiting the area to the South or East of this line.

I shall be leaving to the United States for almost a month starting October 9, but will keep track of what's going on from friends and my daughter. (I already started a trip report, and we have a small GTG at Brattleboro, VT on October 14.

OC, thank you so much for your response very informative as always. I have one last question, when we have traveled in the past I have found people in other countries amazingly informed and interested in the politics of the US. It has made me uncomfortable at times as I believe god and state sacred subjects. We will be traveling until just up against our election. This a strange question, but how do the Turkish people see our government? I am considering printing I Love Canada t-shirts just in case..HAHA
Thanks again for all your help, and safe travels

Thanks to everyone for your responses, OC, thank you in advance for offering to continue to monitor the situation. I will periodically be on a lookout for any further developments. Thanks again to all.

Happy travels to you, OC! Brattleboro is lovely, as is all of Vermont and New Hampshire this time of year. We spent two happy weeks in Maine, NH and Vermont a few years ago and had a wonderful time. Sorry we will miss each other, as I will be in Istanbul while you are in Chicago. And, except for the usual election shenanigans, things are quiet enough here!

I am scheduled to travel to Turkey Monday 10/15. Will be visiting Istanbul, Cappodocia and Bodrum areas. Today's headlines are making me nervous. OC said to draw his line through Kayseri which is the stepping off point for Cappadocia. Will it still be ok to go through there? I know that that there is little chance of ending up in a war zone. I am more worried that air travel could be disrupted etc. I know there is possible danger traveling anywhere in the world but this is the first time I am visiting a country that is threatening war with a neighboring country. I really want to visit Turkey as everyone I have known that has been there all say how wonderful it is especially the friendliness of the people. Thanks.