I visited Egypt in June 1998, a few months after the massacre of tourists at the Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor in 1997. I went because the prices on offer were amazing: 5* hotel (I think it was the Hilton) on the Red Sea for £250. The World Cup was on, the lobby of the hotel was decorated with all the flags of the participating countries and yet there were only about 8 people staying. It was very, very depressing. The staff - local people - were philosophical about it and that made us feel a little better. We discussed the Middle East situation with so many of them and of course, Princess Diana and Dodi (Dodi being Egyptian), because they had died recently. There were a lot of laughs. We toured Luxor with hardly any other tourists - indeed we had the Valley of the Kings to ourselves. The Temple of Hatshepsut was empty - you could still see the bullet wholes. It really made you think.

I think we benefitted from a nasty situation and saw this part of Egypt in such a unique way. I hardly think our paltry contribution to the local economy did anything at all but I was sad to see so many people cancelling their vacations, which obviously did have a negative effect. After the Asian tsunami, so many people defended their decision to keep travelling because local people needed the business. I think this is true. I also agree with FauxSteMarie - it's an emotional situation and very personal decision. What I'm saying is that basically my experience in Luxor taught me to keep travelling: it brings you joy, it connects you with people and in the end, I believe you'll be glad you did.

Also, there are terrorist incidents every day, all over the world. Sure, the spotlight is on Europe at the moment but where will the spotlight shine next?

No way am I canceling my trip to Czech Republic in two weeks and six days (but who's counting?). HOWEVER I would not ridicule anyone who chooses to cancel their trip. I just don't know about understand people who have to judge everyone else by their own standards.

We are leaving for England in 9 days. Flying into Heathrow then heading for the countryside. We will spend a week in London too. No Fear!!

Oh Ally, I am so jealous...I was supposed to go to Israel then, and my university CANCELLED the trip because of the bombings.

I would have gone. At the time, they didn't ban my contact lense solution on carryons!

bonzhoor - I write to you from the top floor of a building on Berkeley Square in London. I have a perfect view of the west, with the planes (!), flying into Heathrow. It's partly cloudy. Right now, Hyde Park looks like the desert - there has been NO rain. We had a brief monsoon on Sunday but that has made little difference. Other than that, it was weeeeeeeks ago when I last used my brolley. Of course, anything can happen but I would say bring a lightweight windbreaker, at the very least. The hot weather has definitely broken but it is still pleasant.

We're flying into Heathrow at the end of this week. I'm planning on being unable to have any carryon. A small price to pay for the privilege of traveling.

E_M - what a shame for you. Of course, I am loathe to say how great it was because it was tinged with a lot of sadness - many people died a horrible death. And I have to say that I was completely naive and unprepared for the outcome - I really didn't think the tourist economy would hit rock bottom like that. I certainly didn't visit in any brazen "I won't let the terrorists tell me what to do" kind of way. And Egypt was probably never safer: I saw loads of armed police and soldiers everywhere. If anything, that trip gave me the urge to tour all of the Middle East, if and when I can. In fact, I really regret not visiting Beirut - all my magazines kept printing up articles on how great it was going (I like visiting Roman sites and Lebanon was on the list..) My husband thought I was nuts. For him, Beirut equates with 'destruction'. And I want to visit Israel as well. It's just so sad..

BTW, handbaggage restrictions have changed as of this morning. You can bring on a laptop type bag with notebook, cellphone, etc. No liquids.

I have to travel every month to Europe or give up my job - no chance! The fact is that they foiled the plot and security is more vigilent then ever before.

I HATE flying on a GOOD day, I fly economy and THAT sucks, so nothing much has changed for me!!!! LOL I'm going to Paris the first of November, and it really has nothing to do with terrorists, or no terrorists.

Nope. Not cancelling my trip to Italy that I've been dreaming about for years! 45 days to go!
I don't even care about the new baggage rules. Annoying yes, but I'll adjust.

Still going to Portugal on 8/26. No way would I cancel at this point although I can understand why some would. Personally, IMHO, right after an incident is the safest time to fly, when security is at its highest.

No. As has been said before, if we do "they" win.

No, I would NEVER cancel MY trips, but I can understand those that do. I am "Good to go"! to Provence in 4 weeks!

I went to Paris soon after 9/11, and we're looking forward to our Spain trip this fall.

I'm going to London next month and from there Italy. I have been planning this trip for one year but I am considering canceling. I will be very sad if I do but I'm not the least bit concerned with the "letting the terrorists win" rant.

So Micheline, why would you cancel?

We certainly aren't cancelling our October trip to Spain, but we're purchasing airfare that doesn't take us through London... just to be on the safe side (as in, less hassle with carry-ons).

I might cancel because this is a holiday and I might not be willing to put up with the stress and inconvenience. If I don't feel safe I'm not enjoying my holiday. Like it or not it's the way I feel.

We're flying into London next month and planning accordingly.

The essence of travel includes flexibility.

I actually hope <b>a lot of people</b> cancel so the place won;t be as overrun as it sometimes is.

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The issue was not really fear of terrorism but rather lack of desire to put up with even more stress at checkin and on board, esp. in economy class.
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exactly...as much in vogue as it is here to say &quot;everything is normal&quot;, the truth is that it is not...at least not if your trip involves travelling to or through london heathrow.

10,000 bags were lost over the last 6 days at heathrow. the whole airport has been gridlocked and is in chaos (i experienced it myself twice over the last 6 days). this is not being alarmist, it's the truth. the airlines and the airport operator are fighting over who is to blame for everything. it has been reported that thefts from bags has become a very big problem throughout all this chaos. people whose bags are lost flying out of heathrow had just their passport and eyeglasses...no phone, car alarm fob, laptop...nothing.

i cannot blame anyone for changing their plans if they involve LHR. in fact, i rearranged some business trips to avoid it. you can think everything is normal and well run but that is not the truth.