My Mother and I are scheduled to go to Italy in November over Thanksgiving week and I am a tad apprehensive. My Mother is ready to go and I am the one a bit uneasy. I am a frequent flyer and traveler, but I am a little uncomfortable with what is happening right now. I have been soliciting the opinions of other fellow travelers to see how they feel, so what better place to do that than here on the Fodor's site! Please give any opinions you can. I have also heard more scares about Italy than any other country. Any info and feelings would be appreciated. Also, if any of you are scheduled to travel abroad in mid November, how are you feeling and are you still on course? Thank you in advance for your help! <BR>Michele <BR>

I don´t really understand you, what scares about Italy? Muslims are a tiny minority there, and Italy itself is not a very likely terrorist target. <BR> <BR>I am going to fly from Sweden to Cuba at the end of November, and I get a slightly uneasy fealing only because the last part of the trip is going to be with British Airlines and the connecting flight starts from London.

Michele - <BR> <BR>My husband and I are big travelers, however we were warned before the bombing started by a friend with the FBI not to go.(the bombing started the next day) He would not say why just DON'T GO. He said leaving the country and flying would be OK, but trying to get back into the country would take forever. We canceled and are out $5000, but as the days go by the problem is getting worse and worse. My adivce is - If you do decide not to go I would cancel before you loose everything. We were told by the travel agent that they unless we are told by our government NoT to travel abroad you are SOL. Good luck - I can't decide for you but I can tell you my tale of whow

Michele, I think a big part of the fear folks are having is the fear of being far away from home if "something happens" and not necessarily the possibility of being an actual victim. My husband and I are wrestling with whether or not to do a scheduled west coast trip in a few weeks and we've both admitted that we're terrified of leaving our college aged son on the east coast and not being able to be with him in the event of some further calamity. It's a tough call with your mom eager to go - good luck with whatever you decide.

Can understand the worry about travelling far from home but not why you're specifically worried about going to Italy. Italy has had its own terrorists for many years yet it hasn't stopped people visiting its cities and beautiful countryside. We're off to Sicily in 3 weeks and feel we want to escape from round the clock war news.

The Vatican is most definitely targeted by the terrorists.

Michele, my wife and I are scheduled to leave for Rome at the beginning of November, for two weeks in Rome and Tuscany. We've been back and forth on deciding whether to go through with our trip, but are pretty determined to go now. However, I am scared. Not of being in Italy, but of flying. But then again, I'm afraid of flying even under normal circumstances. <BR> <BR>I have not heard much about the scares in Italy, but I will say that as the scares pile up here in NYC and the rest of the US, I'm starting to feel I'll be just as safe in the air as I would taking the subway to and from work. <BR> <BR>Anyway, good luck with your decision, and whatever you do, don't beat yourself up either way. Everyone's got opinions and feelings about this (especially on the Fodors's board), but the one that counts is yours.

My wife and I are going to Rome and Medugorje in Bosnia in early November on a tour. I wonder if we should reconsider, but can't think of any specific reason not to go. I haven't heard of any threatening activity there. But there is that "you never know what could happen" feeling in the back of your mind. We're not going to let it stop us. I can live with what I feel is a very small risk. Good luck

Husband and I returned Friday from 2 1/2 weeks in Italy--Rome, Venice, Lake Como, Italian Riveria, Tuscany. On our own, driving. Had a wonderful time. Beat sitting around here being paranoid about anthrax.

Please don't act like she's being crazy to be concerned about Italy. while this doesn't mean that she shouldn't go, it is something to think about: <BR>http://www.usembassy.it/cons/files/pa011002.htm

Thanks for the input thus far everyone. As for EP what don't you understand? If you have read any newspapers lately you would see that there have been many references to Americans being careful in Italy, specific warnings about Italy. I have never been there, which is why I have solicited opinions from Fodorites who might be able to supply me with some suggestions and knowledge. Most everyone else has. Enough said. <BR> <BR> <BR>

My son & daughter-in-law are in Rome right now (they left Oct.11). I spoke with them on Sunday & felt so good hearing the excitement in their voices. They said they were having a wonderful time & are glad they went. Many of the Italian people told them how sorry they were for what happened in the U.S. Tomorrow they go to Florence & then Venice. My husband & I just got back from Spain & Paris and the non-stop flight on Air France couldn't have gone more smoothly. We left exactly on time & arrived on time. No problems. <BR> As far as traveling or not, this is a personal decision that people have to make for themselves.

I have traveled extensively in Europe in the last 10 years and don't intend to stop now. I am going to be in Paris over the Thanksgiving holidays, and although I don't want to be away from home if there is another huge attack, I also don't want the terrorists to control my attitude or actions. I think we owe it to ourselves and each other to do the best we can to continue our lives without becoming paralyzed with fear. <BR> <BR>Italy is wonderful. The odds of being caught in anything there are small. Be careful of the gypsies, though... They pose a greater threat, although not usually life-threatening, than any terrorists there.

Yes, Michelle, I read newspapers. But I read European newspapers, and there are no warnings to travellers, Americans or any other. There are no demonstrations in Italy or any other European country against Americans. The protestors protest agains war, not people. Just like protestors in USA do. And you are not afraid of them. Please do not think that Italian or any other people in Europe are any more anti or pro American now than they have been. Those who have always been anti-American, still are. And the great majority who never have been, still are the same way. Newspapers are worried about possible attacks on locel muslims, but they are not worried about attacks on Americans, because those would be highly unlikely. People can separate politics and individual travellers.

The only people who REALLY know what their targets are are the terrorists - who says the Vatican is a target? <BR>

My husband, other family and friends begged me to reconsider a mid-Nov trip to Italy and that was it for me. Why will I want to go and (pretend) to have a good time, while I am leaving behind aprehension for those I love? As a DoD employee, the desicion was made even easier for me when all scheduled leave was cancelled and caution issued about overseas travel. I gather Europe would still be there when the conditions are right. It's not even about Europe been safe or not, for me is about been home with those I love in difficult times. Instead we are planning a family gathering for Christmas in my home in NY, and will put the money into a local ski resort and visits to NYC. That's how I think we could help our country right now.

Hi Michelle, <BR> My husband and I were in Florence on 9/11, we still had two weeks of vacation planned. The Italian people were all so supportive and sympathetic to Americans, we felt very secure. On 9/13 our only daughter was killed in an automobile accident back home in California. During the surreal odyssey home (with no flights at first and then very limited) the thing that we had the most problem with was language. While on vacation, one can always find a way to order a bottle of wine or how to get to a beautiful sight, but English/whatever phrase books don't help much with emergency situations. My advice would be to go on your long-planned-for vacation, but try to learn as much of the language before you go. <BR> <BR>

Oh, Mizpah, how awful. I am so sorry about your daughter. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Mizpah, my prayers are with you and family.

I am so sorry Mizpah - you have gone through everyone's worst nightmares - flying home knowing someone you love is gone and losing a child, worse again your only daughter. <BR>I hope you have found strength from somewhere - words don't mean anything - I am just so sorry. <BR>