We just returned from a trip to Greece and Turkey. Like so many others we were contemplating cancelling our trip because of the WTC tragedy, and fears about how Americans would be received, especially in Turkey. I am so glad we opted to go ahead with out travel plans! We encountered nothing but goodwill and sympathy from the Turkish people. While we enjoyed Athens and the Greek Isles, we found the Turks to be the warmest and friendliest people in Europe. We went to Kusadasi and Istanbul, and loved them both. We thought Istanbul one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and plan to return one day for a longer stay. I also have to say that the Istanbul airport has the tightest security I have seen anywhere!! Four security checks and this was leaving the country!! <BR> <BR>I would be happy to answer any questions regarding our experiences in Turkey.

Hi Patti!It's interesting to hear your views on Turks being the friendliest people in Europe. Having been all round the Greek Isles we decided to venture to Turkey this summer. While they were indeed friendly my opinion is that I have found Greeks to be far more friendly. However, we travelled before the tragedy and I'm sure that the Turks would have gone out of their way to make you welcome! They must also be petrified of the effect that it will have on their tourism industry.Their currency is in dire straits at the moment! <BR>We went just outside of Bodrum and ,although I enjoyed it, I will not be returning there. I would however go further north or further south- nearer major sites. Would you go back to Kusadasi again?? <BR>

Among my travels to England, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Morocco and Egypt, I found the Turks to be the friendliest (nothing against the others, but someone has to come in first place). We had gone about 2 weeks after the earthquake in 1999, and everone was so happy that we had not cancelled our plans like many other tourists. <BR> <BR>We had lengthy conversations with everyone we came in contact with. If a market tout asked where we were from, we would ask him where he was from. They were so pleased that we were interested, and would proceed to tell us about their family, how they ended up in Istanbul, etc., usually forgetting that they had originally wanted to sell us a rug. <BR> <BR>We had only one bad experience, with a travel agent in Istanbul, but when we went to another, and had the best and friendliest service ever. She even got us tickets on a "sold-out" flight because her sister worked for the airline. After spending 4 days in Istanbul, it took us 2 hours to go around saying good bye to all the waiters, tea garden servers, and salesmen with whom we had come into contact. Truly a delightful experience. <BR> <BR>PS. The mosques, palaces and gardens were amazing as well.

I was interested in more details about trips to Greece/Greek Islands in December? Any opinions on Winter Travel there (from the US)?

Expect rain and average highs of about 56 degrees in Athens in December, about 62 on Crete, the island furthest to the south. If you are thinking of lying on the beach, I would try June or September, also, ferry schedules will be limited. However, crowds will be down in December, so museums and ruins will be more pleasurable. Check weather.com for more weather info.

Lydia <BR>I would recommend that you change the month you go. Many places will be closed.We have just returned from Rhodes which is probably the warmest island . It was late 70s/early 80s. However, many places were beginning to wind down and in Lyndos, where I was, I was told that almost all the tavernas and bars close on the 31st October when the last holiday flight leaves.

This is for Patti and Russ, I couldn't agree with you more about the friendliness of the people in Turkey. We were there this summer and had a similar experience as Russ. We met 2 brothers who owned a leather shop and carpet shop in the old city in Antalya, Just got to talking with them and after about an hour or 2, we exchanged email addresses and phone numbers and I'll be damned if they didn't call us on 9-11 just to see if we were safe and to express their sorrow. And we did not buy anything from them as we had already bought 3 carpets before we got to Antalya. You can be sure we'll be back there someday, I hope sooner then later! And ya, I'll probably buy a carpet from them too. Can you believe how beautiful the carpets are?

I am very interested in any experiences and tips anyone who has traveled to Greece and Turkey (even better if you hit both countries on the same trip, as I would like to). I am considering going for a month of solo travel in May and June. Thanks!

I travelled alone (I'm a middle-aged woman)right around Turkey for 5 weeks last year and found the people to be wonderful. I would go back in a minute, if I had the dough!

Holly,<BR><BR>I did a month in Greece and Turkey a couple years ago. I loved it! You can check out my travelogue and photos at<BR><BR>http://www.advweb.com/kelly/greeceturkey99

Kelly,<BR>Loved your travelogue, wonderful pictures! I was in Greece a few months ago and loved it; can't understand why Athens gets such bad press.(I too noticed the many stray dogs in Athens, but none of them seemed agressive. I wrote in my travelogue about the article on the subject in the Athens News that week.) <BR> The photo-travelogue is on www.costumegoddess.com/travelog.htm<BR>I would go to Turkey in a minute, but there simply wasn't time this trip; had to choose between Turkey and Egypt.

I wholeheartedly agree with the "friendlist" views . . . I've been almost everyplace and Turkey still is on top of my list for the best place I've ever been and the nicest/friendliest people.<BR><BR>I'm not saying other countries are not friendly, I'm agreeing with Russ that one country had to be tops.<BR><BR>In fact, I'm planning another trip back to Turkey for this summer!<BR><BR>To Dina: I'm sorry you had to choose between Egypt and Turkey and chose E. I loved the sites there but did not enjoy (most of) the people. We were bullied, badgered, touched, lied to, cheated, harassed about 95% of the time. Would only return on someone else's money and then I'd have to think hard about it.<BR><BR>We wore long skirts and long-sleeved shirts but were still viewed as "easy" because we were two women (and we're old!) traveling without our husbands. Those of you on tours or accompanied by men were probably insulated against this but let me tell you, it was very unpleasant. We never felt threatened or in danger, just majorly annoyed. And, a polite lo shokrum (or however it's spelled) didn't work.<BR><BR>Yea for Turkey!<BR>Sandy<BR><BR>Sandy

I agree...Greece and Turkey are absolutely beautiful..was there in June, 1997 with my daughter. Everyone was extremely nice and helpful in Kusadasi. Glad to know travel will be still be relatively safe in Europe.

My friend and I were in Istanbul in November before a Med. cruise. We also thought the Turkish people very friendly. We thought Istanbul beautiful and so interesting. We felt very safe and no sign of politics. We used a private tour guide for aiport pickup and touring. He was recommended on this board. He is wonderful and reasonable. He does whatever type of tour you would like. Istanbul or full Turkey tours. We shopped a lot and he insisted on carrying all of the packages for us. He got us great rate at the Hotel Arcadia which has glorius views of the Blue Mosque and the sea. His name is Mehmet Ozbalci, email at [email protected]. He and his wife have a travel agency. He also does specialized tours for photographers. Again, I recommend him highly for knowledge, dependability and friendliness. ggrant

Sandy, I had quite a different experience in Egypt (Cairo); it was wonderful. That page is not on the travelogue yet. I wasn't with a tour, but did have my husband with me, so that may be the difference. On some outings we had a cab driver recommended by a friend, and he was wonderful, as he also acted as interpreter/guide, and I suppose, protected us from the hundred other would-be cabbie/guides and haggled with vendors for us. But even on our own we never felt harassed or uncomfortable. People were friendly, even children. Yes, vendors are agressively trying to sell their wares, but that's their livelihood; never was anyone less than polite when turned down firmly. I did wear loose, modest clothing and a headscarf when in public. I saw some tourists wearing shorts or tight capri pants and sleeveless tops, which I thought was disrespectful to the locals. <BR>I know from reading these posts that people disagree often about their experience in a particular locale. The short time in Cairo was thrilling for us, probably thanks to the exceptional guide.

Holly:<BR><BR>A few friends and I finished the last three or so weeks of our Europe trip in Greece and Turkey. As amazing as the first half in Western Europe was; partying till 6am in Barcelona, sipping cappuccino along the Champs Elysees, and being whisked down a canyon in the Swiss Alps, Greece and Turkey will leave the deepest make on me. And I think my friends will agree with that statement.<BR><BR>After becoming fed-up with the filth of Roma we cut our time in Italy and headed for the sun and clear waters of Corfu. 18 hours later we were in a psuedo-paradise (everywhere has short comings). The island had nice vistas, decent beaches and cool clear water. It was inhabited by an odd sort, not the native Greeks we were looking for, but instead Brits, pleasant Brits. I would recommend taking a scooter around the island ($10) and wear the helmet they nonchalantly offer. <BR><BR>From Corfu to Athens on the ferry/bus ride from hell. I never thought I would sleep in the isle of a bus head to foot with five of my closest strangers and a few roaches. After hearing the horror stories about Athens we unfortunately only spent eight hours there before catching a ferry to Ios. This was a bit of a mistake Athens was a nice city; it beat the pants off of Rome. I recommend spending a night or two there, but I know how the islands can call your name.<BR><BR>An eight hour whirlwind of several thousands years Athens history came and went an we were on a boat to Ios… a boat with at least 50 drunk Austrian recent highschool grads. A very tiring trip, but I did learn some Austrian soccer chants and enjoyed some drink.<BR><BR>Ios is a big party (especially during the summer solstice, when all the Swedes come down)… enough said.<BR><BR>Getting from Greece to Turkey is hell, but well worth it. Since the Greeks and Turks hate each other they make it difficult to spend your money in the other country. So be ready for expensive boats and large visas.<BR><BR>We sailed into Kusidasi five hours late because the world riches lady (not much of an exaggeration) pulled up in here 175 foot yacht and decided she wanted to buy the ferry that we were going to take Turkey (I guess Turkish water was not good enough for her boat). Apparently we weren't sophisticated enough to ride with her and she took it all by herself (yeah this pissed us off). Kusidasi is not Turkey or at least a poor representation of it. I have animosity towards the town, which I am not going to share.<BR><BR>I sorry but I'm tired of writing so I'll paraphrase. Spend a week in Bodrum lying in the sun all day and partying all night. Go on a day boat trip there, they are cheap and fun. Fly from Bodrum to Istanbul… it's cheap and quick. Spend at least a week in Istanbul and don't spend too much time in the Aye-sofia Blue masque area. Get off the beaten path in into the city. I have never felt safer in any other city, especially not Washington where I am from. Visit the Universities, Especially Bogazici University, it is a nice piece of nature in the middle of the city. If you want some names of some good bars e-mail me. The Subway was the most astatically pleasing I have seen in Europe, although not too extensive. Istanbul is great.<BR><BR>I think it is important to note that I am half Turkish by blood (yet very American) with a name the Greeks would know is Turkish, yet almost all the Greeks were very kind to me. I will go back to Greece and certainly Turkey may time. Enjoy your travels,<BR><BR>Tolga<BR>

Have travelled in most countries in Europe and almost all nationalities are friendly. However I would have to say that the Turks are definitely the most friendly and welcoming of all.It's a shame they don't get on with the Greeks because Greece is such a super place to visit too !

tp

Dear Tolga,<BR>No intention of starting an argument about it, but I had to mention,with all due respect, it'd be unfair to both people to say they hate eachother. Unless of course you have actually witnessed it, because otherwise I'd call it prejudice. Don't y'all agree? As far as I know/saw, they don't have a hostility against eachother. Have a nice day

My fiance and I have been to Rhodes and Kos and loved them both. This year (in 27 days) we are going to Kusadasi.<BR><BR>We have been a little fightened with regards to terrorism etc. too. Also I hera Turkey suffers from earthquakes. However we are really excited. Can anyone offer any hints and tips?