My husband and I would like opinions from fellow travelers about the wisdom of leaving on Oct. 4th for a trip to Turkey. Thank you

read the posting just below on Istanbul trip. Sorry my advice would be no.( But I am a bit of a coward)I loved it when we were there in the summer but would not dream about going now.

Suggestion: Read before you post. Someone asked the same question at 4:27 am on the 16th. The headline is Istanbul go or not or something like that. Go check it out. Than again get a map out of the world and look to see where Turkey is located. Who are their neighbors?

Thanks for your suggestions...Philip thanks for pointing out all the obvious things I overlooked. I'm not thinking too clearly.

The US has not publicly accepted any offers of international aid. <BR> <BR>But for some, it is a chance to repay past American kindness. <BR> <BR>Turkish search and rescue group AKUT assembled a team to assist US relief efforts, its chairman Nasuh Mahruki says. <BR> <BR>The United States donated millions of dollars in aid to Turkey after deadly earthquakes in 1999 killed at least 18,000 people. AKUT played a key role in efforts to rescue people from collapsed buildings. <BR> <BR>The Turkish people owe a great debt to the American people and our country prays for the thousands caught up in this outrageous attack.

Well, we are planning to go to Turkey on October 5th and these are my thoughts: <BR> <BR>The situation we have is not going to get better--if anything it will get worse. If we postponed our trip for say, 7 months, this problem is still going to exist and it could have escalated by then. We want to be prudent, but at the same time, we can't stop living either. Turkey is a very diverse country and is not as "fundamental" Islamic as other countries. They also are in full support of America and I believe they are part of the European Union. This war is not going to be primarily "military." It's going to be an intellectual war that will take years. Unless there are more hi-jackings or there is a possibility we won't meet our connections, we will go. Of course, alot can change in a week or two!!

Tell me which idiot is going to feel comfortable that close to hatred. I've been to Turkey before and I loved it. If someone gave me a free trip to Turkey I would pass it on to my enemy. Yeah the majority of the Turkey citizens will treat you with kindness but do you really want to take the chance with your life. Is it the money situation?

If there is hatred, it was there long before this attack--in fact, it was there when you were there, my friend. Do you really feel safe in America? I sure don't.

Belle <BR>YOu are obviously braver than I am!My main worry is not what the Turkish govt would do necessarily but what might happen to that country. Also there ARE Bin Laden sympathisers there. <BR>Yes I enjoyed it in the summer,but no way would take any risks now, after all would it be worth it just for a holiday?

belle <BR> <BR>Just 2 minor clarifications. <BR>1) Turkey is not European Union member <BR>2) Turkey is a member of NATO.

Thanks for the clarification. I think they are trying to become a part of the European Union. <BR> <BR>I guess my point is that there are Bin Laden supporters all over the world and he has been blowing up things long before this tragedy occurred. We have been changed forever. We can worry and say, "What if this happens or what if that happens." But life is too short. We take a risk every day we walk out of our doors. Unless we get into a Middle Eastern War (which may happen a few years down the road, but I don't see it happening by Oct. 4th) I don't see how it is any less safe to go to Turkey now then it was a month ago. And if you postpone now, you will need to be prepared to face this same dilemma 7 months from now, because the situation will be the same if not worse! But I guess I am playing devil's advocate. <BR>If you do travel, be safe and enjoy!

The Turkish generally do seem to like Americans, although there will always be exceptions. The Turkish authorities are also used to dealing with terrorist threats, albeit primarily from the Kurdish population, and I hear that Kurdish terrorism is down (b/c the Kurdish people have been squelched?). I think you should be safe over there and, as one person already pointed out, it could get much worse a few months from now after our country attacks Afghanistan and public sentiment amongst Middle Eastern Muslims turns against the US. My suggestion is to do as we did in Turkey recently -- tell everyone (except those who see your passport) that you're from Canada. We found that people generally love or hate Americans, but they were stumped when we said we were Canadian. No one seemed to have much of an opinion of Canada.

Just an update...still thinking about it but leaning to not going..have had several conversations with highly educated people on the politics of Turkey and the response has been 100% negative about going now..this is sobering..not to mention reaction of adult children who are really frightened about the possiblity of our still going..not only frightened but question our ability to make intelligent decisions

Reenie: <BR>Difficult decision to make but I do think you are making the right one.Go there when all this is past( ar at least returning to some semblance of normality). It IS a great place to go in normal times. is there somewhere else that you're thinking of going to?

Reenie: I would normally say "go". But, we don't, yet, know what our American response will be, nor when it will occur. To be in Turkey while the response is under way would be foolhardy to say the least. I would pass at this time.

As a Muslim nation AND a member of NATO, Turkey is in a uniquely vulnerable position for getting caught up in this conflict. <BR> <BR>http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/bus...00/1548660.stm

TURKEY?!!YOU MUST Be CRAAAZY!!! ----------No I'm just kidding, have a nice trip.

Reenie-- <BR> <BR>Good luck in whatever decision you make. If you like, I will let you all know how it was after we get back. My parents and I had a long family discussion about this and we have decided to go for it!!

I forgot to ask--are you traveling with a tour group or on your own? I think that makes a big difference.

We will(would) be on a sail boat along the Agean and Med...with hikes inland with a group of about 12 people. I suppose this doesn't make a difference on the safety issue..I wonder if one can ever stop looking over his or her shoulder if there..does that add up to a vacation?