Thoughts on visiting Turkey this summer? Safe?
 

I have been contemplating a trip to Turkey this summer and I would appreciate if some of you can share your thoughts on the whole idea & safety. The plan is to spend 5 days in Istanbul & 4 days in Cappadocia.

Prices are dirt cheap and I believe that Turks, in general, are great people, but the country and its relations with western countries seem to be getting more unstable with each passing day. The recent angry outbursts of President Erdogan, in particular, have me concerned. He recently warned that "Europeans will not walk safely" if they keep up their current attitude. Based on recent news, western sentiment in the country appears to be on the rise. Also, the Dept of State (US), among many other countries, has issued a travel warning for Turkey. A couple of recent travelers have said they experienced resentment and verbal attacks from some locals who perceived them as Dutch just because they bore resemblance (light skinned?).

I am a very tall white american (6'6") in my twenties, so I will certainly stand out like a sore thumb. There will be no way to "blend in". If I were to be involved in some sort of altercation, it would be their word against mine and my girlfriend's.

What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance! (I apologize if I offended anyone, that was not my intention) :)

Turkey is delightful, but you are right -- it is changing, and in some ways that are cause for consternation. Have you scanned the last few comments on this thread? It should be a good starting point for you.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-contnents.cfm

Turkey can no longer be considered a free and democratic country, will not be admitted into the EU anytime in the near future, is in a state of war with it's own people (Kurds, as well as its intellectuals), and is on the verge of being kicked out of NATO, so what's there to worry about.

Yes, you'll stand out and be an easy target should you cross the line somewhere, but hey, it could be worth it if you're planning on writing that great novel about your exploits in a repressive country as it slides into all out civil war. Hemingway would have gone for it.

As a petite, white 65-year-old woman, I would go to Turkey in a heartbeat, and probably will sometime soon. But I don't think I'm the benchmark that most people measure themselves against. I do lots of things a lot of people wouldn't do.

I'm with Robert2016 on this one. If you're really worried or if the situation seems worse than expected when you get there, just stay more on the beaten path and you'll be fine.
Also, there's no reason to apologize in advance for maybe offending someone.

Thanks for your inputs. I really want to travel to Turkey, but will certainly need to monitor the ongoing situations.

Better to take a pass on Turkey and visit a country with warmer US relations. A high anxiety level is not going to be fun when you're on vacation.

I wouldn't have a high anxiety level visiting Turkey right now. I'd have a higher anxiety level returning to the USA, which I have no intention of doing. Visiting countries with "warmer US relations" right now does absolutely nothing for me.

In addition to my response on my thread, stay away from the fundamentalist areas of Turkey; i.e. Carsamba.

However, if you're very interested in Byzantine frescoes and wish to visit Chora Church (Kariye Museum) which is in Carsamba, just take a txi to get there and one back. On the route you can enjoy the street with possibly the world's largest number of bridal gown shops.

I do not recommend Asitane Restaurant just by Kariye Museum although it has the best Royal ottoman menu because of their Islamist treatment of single women.

<i>Turkey can no longer be considered a free and democratic country</i>

Plenty of places that can't be considered "free and democratic" that are safe for tourists

Come on, St.Cirq - a higher level of anxiety on returning to the U.S. than being in Turkey? Sometimes Fodorites astound me.

To travelallovernow: If you're going to feel uncomfortable and there's intense political fears of and in the country - why go? There must be other places you'd like to visit that would give you more peace of mind.

@ otherchelebi: Thanks for your comments about Asitane!

As a non Turk and a non US, I'm on the verge of putting both countries at the same level.
Great people in both countries, both non democratic leaders.
Difference ? Turks didn't really have a choice recently...
Safety ? Between a former military declared unstable who gets his firearm and shoots anything in sight in Miami and terrorists who blow mostly soldiers ?
I must say I have (have !) to go to Tureky in April and probably US in may, I look forward to Turkey but not to US.
Strange.

Woin- Erdogen and Trump are not the same. Not equal at all. And no comparison as far as a democracy is involved. Turkey: Prosecution of journalists and "insulting" the country is a crime. Perhaps you should travel to all Isis areas rather than coming to the big bad USA.

Wait a few years Diane...
Adolf was very nice in the beginning. (hum).

And Trump already took on the judges and the journalists will follow - when a guy has 'alternate facts' to prove what he says...

The BIG difference is that USA are a democratic country, so their system will probably/hopefully sustain the attacks of their president, something Turkey cannot do.

And I think Erdogan is smart.

Not smart, just cunning and single-minded like Trump. Erdogan wants to restart the Ottoman Empire and be emperor.

Politics aside, comfort level is very subjective, and is not the same as assessing risk. I would think the risk is low that a traveller who exercises basic caution will come to any real harm anywhere that is not in a state of actual war. So the question becomes, what makes you uneasy and at what point does that anxiety outweigh the pleasure of the trip?

Think through potential problems and how you could handle them. Check your insurance--many policies won’t cover you for travel into areas for which there is a state department or similar warning. If you decide to go, dress appropriately and conservatively, learn phrases in the local language, be courteous and respectful of local customs.

For what it is worth, I have a female friend who travelled independently to Egypt last fall. Tourist sites were practically empty because of the political instability, but she never felt unsafe, and had a marvellous time.

Only you can decide.