Some concerns about traveling to Turkey
 

I am a single, 38 yr. old woman and have decided that I am going to Istanbul in February 2003. I have checked numerous travel sites as well as international advisories and have found nothing that would indicate that an American traveling to Turkey would be in danger. I am convinced that I will have a great trip. Does anyone know of any web site that I could direct my family to so they will know that I will not be in any danger. They are convinced that any American in this muslim, though secular country, would be at great risk. I feel very educated and abreast of the current politcal climate as I have, unlike my family, diligently done my research. If anyone knows of a helpful site that would let my family know that Turkey poses no mmore risk than other countries it would be greatly appreciated.

Let me get this straight. You want a web site that will forecast a safe trip for you to show to your family? I don't know of any such thing, but if anyone else does I'd like to see it.

If your family won't believe the official govt. travel warnings, what will they believe? I assume you've told them there is no travel advisory on Turkey and they don't believe it? Ask them if they've read of any incidents against American tourists in Turkey recently. If they were in great danger, that means something must have happened to someone, right? I haven't heard of any but don't keep up on that.<BR><BR>The US is one of their biggest trade partners, so they want to stay on our good side. Of course, the govt. can't always prevent terrorist events, to be sure. I think you are asking for the impossible, since your family won't believe you and you say you've already done a lot of research and the advisories, so they are not going to believe anything else. <BR><BR>Personally, I would not travel to Turkey for political reasons because I don't approve of their govt's attitude and treatment of women, even in official measures, let alone what they allow to go on in some geog. areas (Southern border near Syria I think is bad) without doing anything. I don't believe that you are in no more danger than ANY other country, but I don't think it's excessive danger.

I haven't been to Turkey but they've recently passed a whole series of laws, including getting rid of the death penalty, to bolster up their application to join the E.U. which means they are definately leaning toward the West rather than the East. European tourists have been visiting Turkey for years and I've never heard of any real problems for tourists recently (except for two Leeds FC fans being tragically killed by Turkish football 'fans' a couple of year ago). Keep your eyes out for travel advisories though.

Your family's concerns probably have to do with the facts, regardless of what's posted on travel advisories:<BR><BR>1. The US will be taking off from Turkish airports if/when it bombs Iraq<BR><BR>2. Bush is absolutely foaming at the mouth to bomb Iraq<BR><BR>3. There may be a backlash against Americans in Turkey and everywhere else once the US starts bombing Iraq<BR><BR>Why not postpone your decision for at least a few weeks, or just flat out postpone your trip until this mess is over.

I agree- I saw on the news tonight that positive opinions of Americans are down (I believe) to 23% in Turkey. Whatever the number was, it showed a decline in the amount of positive views toward Americans.<BR><BR>I wanted to also go to Turkey on my next trip, and I am far from paranoid. It's just too close for me!<BR><BR>

You are 38 years old and you care what your family thinks? Most 15 year olds don't care what the family thinks. You've mad up your mind. Just go.

I would say the risk in Turkey is moderate, but not low. However, to me, a moderate risk means that most people will return safely but a few won't. Ask yourself if you really want to go to Turkey more than another country. If so, go. If not, don't fool yourself.<BR><BR>Make sure you either have a good calculator or are good with figures. The Turkish lira is worth a fraction of a U.S. cent.

Jeez perhaps forgets that the process of ageing includes a growth in caring what family members think rather more than a fifteen year old is said to do. I do not know whether your relatives will care what other Ministries say, but here are relevant selections<BR>Australians in Istanbul should be alert to the possibility of pick-pocketing, bag-snatching and minor assault. There have also been incidents where Australians and other visitors have been drugged and had their passports and other personal effects stolen after being befriended by English-speaking strangers of various nationalities offering drinks, food, chewing gum or confectionery laced with drugs. Travellers should be alert to this activity. <BR>Street robbery and pickpocketing are not uncommon in the major Istanbul tourist areas. Beware of approaches from strangers offering food and drink, which may be drugged.<BR>A number of sexual assaults have been reported in coastal tourist areas.<BR><BR>British visitors should inform the Consular Section at the British Embassy in Ankara or the British Consulate General in Istanbul of their travel plans and consult the local authorities before visiting remote areas.<BR>There have been no recent terrorist incidents in coastal resort areas, and the security situation in Eastern Turkey has improved considerably. But there have been sporadic incidents involving the PKK and Turkish security forces, particularly in the Emergency Rule Region (Sirnak and Diyarbakir provinces); and neighbouring provinces in the south east.<BR>Visitors should be aware that there have been occasional politically motivated acts of violence, sometimes causing casualties. These may continue, on a small scale. But we do not at present see them as a deterrent to tourists visiting Turkey.<BR>Travellers to south east Turkey should exercise caution, keep to main roads and towns, and avoid travel at dusk or after dark.<BR>Bomb attacks, targeted primarily against the security authorities, sometimes occur in Istanbul. On 10 September 2001, a bomb attack in Istanbul?s Taksim area killed two Turkish policemen and an Australian tourist. More recently, there have been some incidents involving small explosive devices, but there were not deaths as a result.<BR><BR>Canadians have been put at greater risk by heightened tensions as a result of the Iraq situation, together with increased threats globally from terrorism. Canadians should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times as the security situation could deteriorate rapidly without notice. Exercise extreme caution, particularly in commercial, public and tourist areas frequented by foreigners. Canadians should monitor local developments, avoid crowds and demonstrations, as well as register and remain in regular contact with the nearest Canadian government office (see below) or the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (call collect 613-996-8885).<BR><BR>Petty crime such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, and mugging occur. Avoid displays of affluence, and ensure that personal valuables are secure at all times. Theft of passports is increasing. Store important documents in a hotel safe. Do not accept food or drink from strangers even if wrappings appear intact. Tourists, including backpackers, have been drugged and subsequently robbed. Refuse invitations from strangers and avoid downmarket bars and neighborhoods.<BR><BR><BR>Continued

<BR><BR>Continued<BR><BR>Les Francais. Bien que la situation de s&eacute;curit&eacute; se soit sensiblement am&eacute;lior&eacute;e au cours du second semestre 1999, la premi&egrave;re partie de l'ann&eacute;e &eacute;tant marqu&eacute;e par le proc&egrave;s et la condamnation d'Abdullah Ocalan, il convient de continuer &agrave; faire preuve de vigilance compte tenu de la persistance d'un certain niveau de violence politique.<BR>Dans les grandes villes et notamment &agrave; Istanbul, il est recommand&eacute; d'&eacute;viter dans la mesure du possible les situations potentielles &agrave; risque, telles qu'attroupements, ainsi que les quartiers p&eacute;riph&eacute;riques et la proximit&eacute; des commissariats de police ou des postes de gendarmerie.<BR><BR>Sur la fameuse &quot;route des Balkans&quot;, la Turquie est un pays de transit en mati&egrave;re de produits stup&eacute;fiants (cannabis, h&eacute;ro&iuml;ne, coca&iuml;ne, amph&eacute;tamines, etc...). Il est conseill&eacute; de n'accepter aucun colis sans en conna&icirc;tre le contenu et, &agrave; fortiori, de n'acheter aucun produit &quot;douteux&quot;, les peines encourues pouvant &ecirc;tre tr&egrave;s lourdes. L'usage et la d&eacute;tention de produits stup&eacute;fiants sont punissables d'une peine d'emprisonnement d'un &agrave; deux ans. Le trafic est punissable de peines allant de six &agrave; douze ans. Il existe des circonstances aggravantes (cession aux mineurs, ...).<BR><BR><BR>La prudence est recommand&eacute;e si on est abord&eacute; par des individus qui peuvent avoir des intentions malhonn&ecirc;tes, lorsqu'ils proposent des boissons ou des aliments pouvant contenir des tranquillisants.<BR>

Istanbul isn't Turkey, as New York isn't the USA. If you stay in the centre of Istabul, as you probably will do as a tourist, you stay in a Western city. There is crime, but very little violent crime. I have friends living there (Germans) which feel safer in Istanbul as a lone female in the middle of the night than in some German cities. <BR>The city has a Mediterranean touch, the people are very friendly and the worst thing that can happen to you, as long as you don't behave foolishy or have very, very bad luck, is being ripped off by a taxi driver (but that probably will happen).

I know this doesn't answer your question, but consider going to Gallipoli to pay your respects to the men who died there during World War I. Many of them were Australian. Some were Turks.

I just saw on the news that there is now an official warning for Americans in Turkey<BR><BR>http://krd.realcities.com/ads/media/network/home/popup3.htm<BR><BR>

Don't check out that site, anyone. It is an ad for a phone. And I suspect once you go there, it will me sending you future ads unless you have a block against such things. Nothing about Turkey!!!

Wow Ben! Not only do you provide such wonderful info about Europe but you're multi-lingual too! Bright chap you are = ) Thanks for the info!

yet again I apologize- the correct site is <BR><BR>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apwashington_story.asp?category=1152&amp;slug=US%2 0Turkey%20Threat&amp;from=homeAP<BR>

Go and enjoy yourself. I was there this summer and loved Turkey. I preferred Cappadoccia and the coastal areas over Istanbul but that is just a personal preference. There are many women there in western clothing and if you are respectful then you won't stand out. In the Sultahnamet area I did feel I was being stared at and alot of people tried to talk with me as I walked but nothing threatening at all. The Taxsim are was much more cosompolitan feeling and nobody gave me a second glance. <BR><BR>There are numerous posts on this board about safe travel in Turkey. cut and paste a few from people like me that have been there alone and e-mail them to your family.

&quot; I just saw on the news that there is now an official warning for Americans in Turkey...&quot;<BR><BR>No, there is not. Only the US State Department can issue an 'official warning for Americans in Turkey'. Check http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html and you will see that there is no warning for Turkey.<BR><BR>Why would you post something you heard on - TV? Radio? - news without verifying it, anyway? <BR>

Tik:<BR><BR>While I'm not a woman, I did travel alone in Turkey about three months ago. I felt about the same (safety-wise) as I have in either Italy, Greece or France.<BR>I would have no problem if my wife traveled there alone (she's a bit older than you). <BR>I can't speak about the areas off the west coast, but the western coast areas are very safe (where I was).<BR>The people are very friendly and the prices and food are great. <BR>Lastly, check out today's (12/6) issue of the Wall Street Journal - a very positive review of Turkey and gets at your question.<BR>

Maybe Peter please stop crying needs to check his facts:<BR><BR>http://travel.state.gov/turkey_announce.html

<BR>X - I've checked them, and you've only demonstrated that I am correct. What you have linked to is NOT an official State Department warning.<BR><BR>I don't know how to make this any clearer for you, but here is a list of State Dept warnings. Turkey is NOT on it:<BR><BR>Yemen - 11/30/02<BR>Jordan - 11/22/02<BR>Afghanistan - 11/18/02<BR>Iraq - 10/31/02<BR>Central African Republic - 10/31/02<BR>Indonesia - 10/19/02<BR>Cote d'Ivoire - 10/18/02<BR>Libya - 10/7/02<BR>Somalia - 8/23/02<BR>Angola - 8/23/02<BR>Pakistan - 8/12/02<BR>Burundi - 8/9/02<BR>Nigeria - 8/8/02<BR>Israel, the West Bank and Gaza - 8/2/02<BR>Sudan - 7/9/02<BR>Colombia - 7/3/02<BR>Congo-Kinshasa - 7/1/02<BR>Pakistan - 6/26/02<BR>Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina - 6/4/02<BR>Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of) - 5/21/02<BR>Liberia - 5/21/02<BR>Lebanon - 4/29/02<BR>Iran - 1/30/02<BR>Algeria - 12/11/01<BR>Tajikistan - 9/26/01<BR><BR>SOURCE: http://travel.state.gov/warnings_list.html

Well excuse me. It is a &quot;public announcement.&quot; The point is that they are WARNING us to raise our awareness while being in certain parts of Turkey.

'x' is right about the Public Announcement; however, the region it refers to is the southeastern area of Turkey, which is generally not visited by many tourists and has been an area where the government has had many security issues over the last few years. <BR><BR>While it would be foolish to deny that there are real threats to Americans, it helps to realize where the problems lie. In this case, we're talking about a region that a typical tourist would unlikely be visiting. It is, however, clearly directed toward the US Military.<BR><BR>I'm copying the announcement that was recently published on the US Govt. website:<BR>---------------<BR>PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT<BR>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE<BR>Office of the Spokesman <BR><BR>------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>Turkey<BR>December 5, 2002 <BR><BR>This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to a possible terrorist threat in Turkey. This Public Announcement expires on January 2, 2003. <BR><BR>The U.S. Government has received unconfirmed and fragmentary information that suggests unknown terrorists may be planning to conduct a terrorist incident in southeast Turkey against official U.S. government facilities or personnel. American citizens should be particularly cautious if they travel into or out of the Gaziantep airport. The airport in Gaziantep is being used as an alternate airport while the runway at the airport in Adana is under repair. The Adana airport is expected to reopen on January 1, 2003.<BR><BR>The Government of Turkey has already taken all prudent measures to address this possible threat. The U.S. and Turkey continue to consult and cooperate fully together in the war on terrorism.<BR>

Ok. I'll admit it. I didn't even tell my family I went to Turkey back in 1985. They didn't want me to go to Greece after a terrorist incident there, so I went to Turkey instead. Most unique travel experience I have had. You have one life to live. If your family can't stomach it, just go without telling them.

I am a New Yorker, 28 caucasian woman and I just went to Turkey solo for 10 days. Itravelled pretty extensively while I was there without booking anything in advance. It was my best trip ever and it was the first time that I travelled alone and did not get lonely. The people are intelligent and wordly they know the difference between an American and American policy. I talked policy with many people and they were always very polite. The only thing you need to worry about is the men in Istanbul. They are relentless. I figured it out by the time I left, they all either want to sell you something, marry you or hook up with you and once in awhile they just want to chat with an American and hear their perspective. I met so many men (and very few women)! The role of women in Turkish society is a bit hard to stomache. <BR><BR>Unlike other trips I have taken I never once felt unsafe (except going 100 mph on an overnight bus on hairpin curves through the mountains). Enjoy your trip you will come back a changed person.

Spent 2-plus weeks in Turkey this past summer and have to say I never felt threatened or in any danger at any time. We rented a car and drove all over Western Turkey (no reservations anywhere -- no problems) and only found friendly, helpful people and not a hint of anti-americanism. I would definitely go again, as Turkey was spectacular. Just use common sense as you would anywhere in the world. The only part of Turkey I might avoid (might) is the border area in the southeast. Go, go, go. And don't worry. You'll have a fabulous time. I took my young teenage daughter and she said it was the trip of a lifetime. (PS, I was also there a couple of years ago with a friend -- two women in Istanbul -- no problems at all.)

I'll have to agree with Jen and Chris, Turkey was by far the most spectacular and enjoyable trip I've ever experienced. I was there last August with a friend (two African-American females-40ish). We met so many wonderful people and never did we worry about safety. We can't wait to return.<BR><BR>After we left Turkey, we flew to Rome and immediatly encountered thieves. We again had to deal with safety issues when we got to Milan. The other parts of Italy went off without a hitch. We then went to Paris and then London. <BR><BR>While we enjoyed our times in Italy, Paris, and London, we wished we were back in Turkey. The people, food, and history are unbelievable. It was the one place where we really got to intermingle with the people - spend time with many. <BR><BR>If you decide to go, enjoy yourself...I know you will.

Just returned from a day vacation in Istanbul.It was a wonderful trip...Warm and friendly who where happy to see visitors from the USA...If there is a war everyone should be on alert EVERYWHERE....but I am planning on going back to Turkey in April and this time visit other cities south of Istanbul...