Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Some concerns about traveling to Turkey

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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. 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: Yemen - 11/30/02 Jordan - 11/22/02 Afghanistan - 11/18/02 Iraq - 10/31/02 Central African Republic - 10/31/02 Indonesia - 10/19/02 Cote d'Ivoire - 10/18/02 Libya - 10/7/02 Somalia - 8/23/02 Angola - 8/23/02 Pakistan - 8/12/02 Burundi - 8/9/02 Nigeria - 8/8/02 Israel, the West Bank and Gaza - 8/2/02 Sudan - 7/9/02 Colombia - 7/3/02 Congo-Kinshasa - 7/1/02 Pakistan - 6/26/02 Bosnia & Herzegovina - 6/4/02 Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of) - 5/21/02 Liberia - 5/21/02 Lebanon - 4/29/02 Iran - 1/30/02 Algeria - 12/11/01 Tajikistan - 9/26/01 SOURCE: http://travel.state.gov/warnings_list.html

Well excuse me. It is a "public announcement." 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. 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. I'm copying the announcement that was recently published on the US Govt. website: --------------- PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Turkey December 5, 2002 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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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...