Has anyone changed plans about traveling to Greece? My wife and I were to spend the month of May in Athens, Central Greece, Corfu & Mykonos. This is our first trip to Greece and we are excited about going ... but now are having serious second thoughts. Even if the bombing stops we are concerned that residual anti-american feelings will make us feel unwanted and uncomfortable. We are also puzzled by what seems to be Greece's support of Serbia's policy of ethnic cleansing and we are beginning to wonder if we really want to spend money in a country that seems to support this reprehensible policy. Is any one else facing this dilemma?

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My wife and I are wondering the same thing. We're planning a trip at the end of April and beginning of May and already have our tickets. Would hate to cancel but would hate even more to have to endure hostility for the whole journey. Any advice?

Husband and I traveled in Greece in 1997, and have had continuing contact with our friends in Athens. I've faxed them to ask their opinion of whether or not there is danger in Athens and other parts of Greece. Email me if you want me to pass along their response. <BR> <BR>Personally, I would not cancel your trips. When we were in Greece, we were treated wonderfully. The Greek people were always clear in naming Americans as their friends. Our sailboat captain was a socialist with whom we talked frequently about various politics including Albania. I have only the highest respect for that man. <BR> <BR>We returned last evening from Italy and France. Heightened security everywhere, but no hostility towards Americans. <BR> <BR>Greece was our most wonderful vacation. If you are going to be worried the entire time, cancel. If you can forget the headlines and focus on your trip, stay the course. <BR>

I just returned last night from two weeks in Italy, and the papers are filled with news of all of this, but there is nothing "on the street"...no hostility, no anti-American sentiment...you would think all is fine. We even read about a huge riot last weekend at Planet Hollywood, which we had walked by several times, involving 5000 rioters and a policeman was hurt,etc., but we detected nothing...no hostility, etc. Saw a couple of posters, etc., but nothing else. I can't speak for Greece, but Italy was great! The people were incredibly friendly and wonderful to us, and you just wouldn't know anything is going on.

Charlie: <BR> <BR>Just came back from Paris and Berlin and my parents were worried also because of the media coverage here. We did walk into a protest, but we just walked around the block. We probably just looked like a couple of college kids back packing and no one bothered us. I am not sure how it is in Greece, but my opinion is it is fine in Paris and Berlin. Otherwise, just say you are from Canada - ha ha. Maybe you can stick with groups of people on tours and such, and not wander around at night by yourself. <BR> <BR>I agree with your statement about Greece's support, but why should American's be singled out when this NATO not just America. Good luck.

Thanks to all who responed to our message ... we feel like we've gotten good advice from friends even though we don't know you. We decided to cancel after all. We concluded the ill-feeling toward NATO & Americans will continue even if the fighting stops and that it wouldn't be much fun to be constantly on guard and anxious. The good news is Delta waived their cancellation fee ($150 per ticket); Auto Europe refunded %100 of our money; and all the hotels we had reservations at honored our cancellation request ... so all we lost is all the time spent planning the trip. <BR>Perhaps the best part is that we got a terrific deal from American Airlines to Spain, where we'll spend a month less a 7-day detour into Morocco. All's well that ends well (we only wish the poor ethic Albanians in Kosovo could say the same.) <BR>

We too are undecided and having a terrible time with this mess. Do we go or not? Our reservations are 4/29 and we have been planning for 1 year. Opinions seem to be 50/50. My uncle who lives in Athens is concerned about riots and anti Americanism. His advice was if Slobbo allows peacekeeping forces in everything will be ok, otherwise stay home!!

<BR>High Risk Alert - Athens, Greece - Demonstrations by the Greek communist party and <BR> others have placed US citizens at risk of spontaneous violence. US Government officials, <BR> particularly military service members, are at risk of political assassination by motorcycle <BR> riding gunmen or bombs from the Terrorist group November 17. Increased security <BR> precautions should be taken to raise awareness.

I will be traveling to Greece with my 3 children in June to July. As far as going to Greece, I recommend that this is the ideal time. As far as Serbia goes, the Greeks know it firsthand not spun on CNN. I have traveled many times and know that any Greek would love to talk politics but never be threatening or harmful. Greece is one of the few remaining places one can find true freedom of speech. You have a chance not only for a great vacation but to learn something too. The basic sentiment is Might does not make right. (btw Ethnic cleansing, Charlie is not supported but neither is hidden agendas of divide and conquer politics.)

I had the same concerns before I left for my trip on April 8. Athens was completely safe. Didn't notice anything that would pose a danger. Plan ahead and enjoy!

Tia <BR> <BR>How was the trip? Was the cruise what you expected? <BR> <BR>Bill

We decided we did not want to spend our money in a country that gave, at the least, tacit approval to ethnic cleansing and so we cancelled our trip to Greece and travelled to Spain instead. Boy,, did we ever make a good decision. We had 30 perfectly wonderful days in this beautiful country and used it as a springboard for a very exciting week in Morocco. Delta airlines also waived their $150 penalty and gave us a complete refund. Our fair to Spain was just $435 from San Francisco! about half what we would have paid to fly to Greece, a savings so large we that we could make a donation to the ethnic Albanian refugees. It's unfortunate that politcs should play a part in travel plans but, like it or not, politics is part of life and we have absolutely no regrets that we cancelled our trip to Greece.