Is Turkey safe these days?
 

Please help! My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon, and we desperately want to go to Turkey. But we are both VERY concerned about anti-American, post-9/11 feelings in Turkey, as well as the instability of the Turkish government. Moreover, we have concerns that the US will be deploying bombs to Iraq from Turkey, and that this will create a volatile atmosphere in Turkey.<BR><BR>We know that Turkey is moderate, democratic and generally pro-American. But these days there is so much anti-American feelings in the world.<BR><BR>Can anyone weigh in here? Are we overreacting? Should we go elsewhere and save Turkey for a less volatile time?<BR><BR>Many thanks.

I wish to heaven I'd visited Turkey 5-10 years ago, because I now think it's unlikely to be safe, esp. for Americans, for the foreseeable future. That said, I'm aware of tour groups going there all the time, but I really don't think it's risk-free.

I just got back from Turkey and went alone. I felt perfectly safe there at all times. I talked to many people and got NO anti-american sentiment in fact it was very pro american. You should most definately go, it was the highlight of my trip.

Yes, turkey is safe, but you want to be sure it is thoroughly cooked.

I think this is the best time to go! Turks loooovvvee Americans, esp. the American dollar. Unless you go to the Eastern regions, you will find it closer in atmosphere to Europe than to the middle east. Their government has never been super stable since it seems that it is either military or corrupt or both, but that does not seem to affect the way tourists are treated. Sinec their economy is not so good right now, it will be cheap!<BR><BR>I was in Turkey and Greece last year, and there were huge protests with amazing military presence in Greece, related to changes in the retirement rules. We felt like we were in a war zone. We felt much safer in Turkey. Istanbul is 10x prettier, cleaner, and greener than Athens.

I agree with Carol. We were there on our own in May & I felt safer there than I did in Athens. The Turkish people are very friendly & I would go back at any opportunity over Greece. There is so much History there & even though they are 98% Muslim you will find alot of Christian history there & they respect it, unlike some countries. Definately go and you will both love it.

OK, if Sari decides to go, part of the issue is the best route and airline to get there. From the usual eastern US gateway cities (perhaps plus Chicago), how would you recommend she get to Istanbul? Which airline, what connecting city (if any)?

There must be adirect flight with turkish airlines...You can check it from the website..<BR>Or you can fly to Newyork first..<BR>Once I took Air France then turkish airlines..But I think Lufthansa and Delta and even British Airways fly to istanbul(Newyork,Frankfurt,Paris or LOndon can be connecting cities up to the airlines)

There are at least 2 daily non-stop flights from Newark International Airport to Istanbul. Try American Airlines. Airfare (in advance is approx $750USD after all taxes.

Thanks, everyone, for your responses. I was in Greece two years ago and loved it, but my fiance and I are positively obsessed with Turkey. We have heard such extraordinary things about it. <BR><BR>Very glad to hear that everyone was treated nicely there. We are Jewish and have some concerns about anti-semitic sentiment on top of everything else. Can anyone speak to that?<BR><BR>Thanks everyone!<BR><BR>PS: We live in NYC and would probably be able to just take a direct flight to Istanbul, I would think. We may have to change flights in London.

Does anyone have experience with Turkish airlines? Good? Reliable? Smoky?

TO KAL,<BR>Me and my vife always using Turkish Air lines and we didn't have any problem with them and cheaper then other airlines. They have free dinner and breakfast and unlimited drinks (beer vine,whiskey)<BR><BR><BR>TO: SARI<BR><BR>My vife is Jewish and we dodn't have any problem in Turkey because there are many Jewish people still living in Big City and they have own Synagogue in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara or some other cities. We are in NYC too but now we are in Turkey now and we will stay here until the 4th of September and we will visit many synagogues in different cities<BR>DON'T worry about "anti-semitic sentiment" in Turkey come (Go) to Turkey and have fun.<BR><BR>ABC

Turkish airlines is no different than any airline, no smoking. I flew them alot, they were always on time.

Sari; you have a good choice Turkey, for your honeymoon. Do not worry about being an American in Turkey... Every year about 600.000 Americans visiting Turkey. Probably you will be feeling more appreciated than where you live. Sincere people & hospitality is a culture here. Iraq is far away to most of the places you want to be in Turkey. We also have concern about it. Especially people in tourism industry. Kind of concerns like you mentioned worries us. In reality Turkey is a safe country. <BR><BR>Turks and Jews lived hundreds of years together. There is a jewish community in the country. Israel is one of the top country that their citizens visiting Turkey very often. <BR><BR>Turkish airlines has connections from the states. Also there are many flight possibilities from major airports of Europe.<BR><BR>Turkish Airlines is one the most reputable and reliable airlines in Europe with non smoking flights.<BR><BR>Anyway, congratulations with your decision to get married and for a memorable honeymoon choose Turkey......

it is if its cooked well enough to destroy salomenalla

I am Uderpa. I am from Urfa. Why you not come and slurpa some chai? Relax, Turkiye is very friendly place to visit. Stroll along the Galata bridge, visit the Golden Horn, eat some mussels on a stick, or some fish from the man on the boats. Go to the Spice bazaar. Savor the aromas, that is what I like to tell people. You remember the smells as good as the sights. I wonder if the same is true when I visit New York?

My family and I just returned from almost 3 weeks driving around Turkey on our own. It is a fabulous country! We always felt extremely safe and in fact received many comments on how sad people were about what happened in America on 9/11. The Turkish people are extremely hospitable and friendly. They are eager to help you enjoy your vacation. They respect people of all cultures. It is not an extremist country. There is so much to see and do in Turkey that you will never be bored. Also, everything is clean -- you may have to pay for a toilet here and there, but its ususally worth it. I recommend that you go!!!! You will not regret it.

Chris, glad to hear you had such a wonderful time. I curious -- what was your itinerary, if you don't mind?<BR><BR>Thanks, all.

TO SARI<BR><BR>The most important thing is where do you want to spent your honeymoon.In istanbul or east-south of Turkey...Where are you going to stay-which hotel?In Istanbul ask the hotel a room with panoromic boshophorus view..<BR>(We stayed at Ciragan Hotel once)<BR>To be Jewish-We are jewish too we always fly first to istanbul then to Tel Aviv.We have so many jewish friends living in istanbul.<BR>Congratualtions

Dear Sari,<BR>My husband and I spent 3 weeks in Turkey last year and felt incredibly comfortable there. We are Jewish and felt very comfortable there. In fact, we were there on Sept, 11 (were flying home, in fact, but had to return) and the compassion people felt toward us was overwhelming. <BR><BR>In fact, I'm finally putting together my photo album from last year, and can't believe how amazing the country is. I hope that you and your fiance decide to go; you won't regret it.