Turkey Forum Alive?
 

There seems to be a lack of activity on this forum as of late. Have the recent bombings scared some folks away? We are going next month and have not changed our plans!

I wouldn't change my plans either. Turkey is a fascinating place to visit. Some people are concerned by the occasional incidents, no doubt. But just as I wouldn't hesitate to visit London, Madrid, New York City or Washington DC, I would not be dissuaded from travel to Turkey.

jrlaw10-well, there's a BIG difference in going to NYC, DC, Madrid and going to London at the moment -for one thing, there's no bombers on the loose or imminent threat of a bomb attack either here or in Madrid.

And as far as Turkey goes, no one's saying it's not a fascinating place to visit-(I've spent a goodly amount of time there myself in years past), but is it reasonably safe at the moment, i.e., are there bombs going off and targeting tourists and tourist centers, for one thing?

A bomb, set by a remote control device or a timer, exploded in the middle of an Istanbul cafe this past Saturday that is frequented by tourists, luckily only two people were injured. On the other hand, a bomb also went off in Kusadasi last week, placed under the seat of a minivan hauling tourists, again by timer and remote control. THAT bomb killed 5 persons, including an Irish teenager and a British women. THIS should give one pause.

If you are still insistent about going at this time, I'd definitely be registering my trip on the State Dept. website-www.state.gov-and monitoring the news concerning what is happening there.

It greatly appears that the bombing cycle is starting to ratchet up again in Turkey-most worryingly in the historical tourist centers.

irlaw, it's always slow here this time of year when most take their trips to wherever, and most like me are too busy when there ,to have time posting.

Your problem, Spygirl, is that you are ruled by emotion rather than rationality. If you look at statistics, you are more likely to be killed in a car accident or by slipping in the bath than be killed by a bomb. Yet, I don't see you telling others not to drive or take a shower. When deciding the dangers of travel, leave emotion (and anecdotal evidence) by the wayside. Look at statistics.

I just returned from Istanbul, having driven over the Galata Bridge at least 7 times during my stay (the cafe that was bombed was under the bridge) and I am perfectly intact. I will post a trip report when I feel up to it. I am very busy with work right now.

Ciao, sweetie.

If you really know that there is no imminent danger of terrorist attacks in NYC or Madrid I suggest that you get in touch with the local aurhtorities and let them know. They are operating under a completely different set of aasumptions - but since you're a spy perhaps you know better.

(Do you think the NYC police are doing massive searches of backpacks and tote bags on the NYC subways, trains and buses just for fun?)

I would not change plans to go to Turkey at the moment. But it's not because I don;t recognize that there are potential dangers in any large city at this point. (Frankly if you want to be absolutely safe you need to stay in your own house - and be sure you don;t live near any potential target.)

We are still planning on taking our September trip. I am keeping a close eye on the incidents occuring in Turkey as we will be right in the middle of tourist central whereever we go. Three attacks in as many weeks in tourist areas got my attention. If it continues, I will re-evaluate. Who wants to spend their whole vacation on edge? Luckily, if I were to cancel, all I would be out is the $100 to redeposit our FF Tix back to our account. It would break my heart to have to do it tho.

Personally, I think Spygirl is right in warning that Istanbul is a very likely future target for terrorists this summer. I would like to go there in March 2006 and am watching the present activities very closely.

Thank you SpyGirl for the website to register my travel to Turkey. I have another question for the folks out there worried about travel to Turkey. I purchased trip insurance through the cruiseline however it does not cover terrorist acts and I found a policy that does but I'll have to fork out another $100, no problem really...I just wanted to know if anyone has advice of getting out of their trip contract if there is an act of terrorism in Turkey, 30 days prior to my trip. Any suggestions? Thanks

I live in Turkey and being a Turkish citizen and being in the tourist industry my opinion is ; Turkey is still one of the safest countries in the world. Where ever you go and where ever you are you have different dangers and as we believe if your time is up you can't escape from it. Fate !

I live in Cappadocia and all is very relaxed. I was in Bodrum just passed weekend beaches are full, bars are full, hotels are full. So people are continueing to live their lives.

We all condemn the terrorist attacs anywhere in the world but one shoul also not be paranoid on things so much...

Spygirl ! I find your language very strong and believe your points on seperating countries are invalid. If you die in Madrid or Istanbul or NYC where you go is the same eventually. 1,50 m. under the ground.

So we all have to be careful coutious but brave enough no to be disturb in our lives.

Happy Travelling

Murat

I suspect that a recent lag in Turkey chatter relates in great part to time of year - it is too hot to have a pleasant time there right now. Sure, there is also concern about potential terrorism, but as noted above it is the very nature of terrorism that it is not possible to predict what may happen where. Though I am in general quite a prudent traveler (at least I think so, though I have been known to dine with strangers I met online... http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34652959) and would not currently plan a shopping excursion in downtown Baghdad, I did visit Istanbul recently. Chalk it up to Irish fatalism if you will, but I get a lot of mileage (pun intended) from the "when your time is up, it's up" rationale.
As to registering with the State Departmnet - guess it can't hurt but have never doen it myself.

And, now, TG/ John - hurry and catch up on your work so we can get the sordid details! Food, fun, frocks, footwear, foibles - we want it ALL!

I am departing for Turkey on Aug 11th for 2.5 weeks and have no plans to change at this time. As suggested, I am registering my trip on the State Department website.

I am very excited about this trip and want to make the most out of this adventure. I'm flying into Istanbul and may spend a day or two there. Then, I'll be outside of Izmir in the country area for 5 days visiting family, on a yoga retreat right outside of Bodrum in Göltürkbükü for 8 days, and finally, when I return to the US I have a 6 hour layover in Amsterdam. Any suggestions on how to make the most out of my trip? I am a young woman - with red hair (definitely attracts attention) - traveling alone.

Note - the yoga retreat is with "Health & Yoga Holiday's" anyone have experience with them?

Thanks!!
Cara

We're still planning to go to Turkey in September. And where the heck is ThinGorjus' trip report? We are all waiting!!!

We're also still planning to go in September. I expect that there's a lot of uncertainty just about anywhere in the world these days.

I will start working on my trip report on Saturday (July 30) afternoon. Sorry, but I have a job, husband, and child to contend with.

Hey! I was on that bridge last Sun night and had dinner . . . didn't look like anything had happened there to us . . . restaurants were all packed.

We spent 2 weeks and just got home Tues night, even spent a day and a half in London on the way back.

Turkey was GREAT . . . so was London. Our safety can't be guaranteed anyplace . . . I'm going to keep on keeping on.

Happy travels,
Sandy (in Denton)

My wife and I were in Turkey for the entire month of May. Started driving from Istanbul with a car to Safranbolu, then to Ankara visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and see the Kale (Ankara Fortress) where they have little shops, antique shops, restaurants, then 3 days in Cappadocia, one day in Kayseri, 4 days in Antalya (Aspendos, Perge, Side and the beach in Belek - Hotel Viva Lindita), then to Fethiye for a Blue Cruise (one week Fethiye-Kekova-Fethiye, some of the villages we landed and walked around, like Gocek, one feels like you are in England!.... They must have come from London!... Where are the Turks? Then to Pergamum, Troy and crossed the Dardanels to Gallipoli to see the Anzac Cove, then to Edirne and back to Istanbul. My wife had to go back and a friend arrived on the same day and he and I drove to his village that he had not seen since 1958. And this village is Gonduren Koyu, of Divrigi Kazasi of Sivas Province. In Central Eastern Anatolia. From there we came to Cappadocia, via Konya (visited Mevlana's Tomb, the founder of Sufizm), then to Didyma. I left him there and I drove up to Manisa, Balikesir and took the fast ferry boat to Istanbul. On my third tour, I went back to Cappadocia and from there I went to Yahyali Town between Kayseri and Nigde provinces, where they make excellent Turkish Carpets and bought 6 pieces (two of them pairs, one is praying rug, one is Cheyrek, means quarter of a rug, in other words a small one). Came back to Urgup and went to Nevsheir and bought another carpet from Adnan in Anatolia Carpet Shop. This one was a large size Tashpinar, a village of Nighde Province. From there I came back to Istanbul, stayed 8 more days, and walked all over in Taksim district where the streets are full of restaurants and thousands of thousands of Turks having dinners, beer, wine and older ones drinking Raki(Uzo). During the day time, I walked from Taksim, down to Galata, to the bridge, Spice Market ended up in Covered Bazaar. Visited museums, in Sultan Ahmet area, took public transportation, the street cars, and even the metro and the metro at the end of the Istiklal St. that was built about 100 year so ago and still running which takes you down to the Galata Bridge area in 3 minutes. Every time I walked across the Golden Horn, I walked under the bridge where those restaurants are and several times, I set and had a glass of beer and watched the busy harbour.

The point!.... I am still alive. I would not luck myself in. I am in this world to live, as long as I can and see the world as much as I can.

Also, I read a lot of questions about driving in Turkey in this web-site and others. Once you are out of big cities, roads are fantastic. It appears that they are spending a lot of money to make double lane highways with a strip in the middle separating them, there are toll roads. The village we went in Sivas, the road was absolutely beautiful. You cant even find the name of this village in an Atlas. However, I would not recommend driving at night, not because a terrorist will plant an explosive but some trucks are not well equipped with proper lights.

I AM GOING BACK WITH A GROUP OF JOURNALISTS IN SEPTEMBER and we will be doing grand tour of Turkey for 17 days. While eating and dining in finest Ottoman/Turkish food in selected restaurants, we will visit the historic sites in between time. AND WE ARE NOT CANCELING OUR TRIP.

My wife and I were in Spain and in Portugal 2004 for a month, and last November we were in India for a month. My father in law got pick pocketed in Paris Metro, my daughters back pack were picked in Prague.

Would I go to LONDON? Yes, I would. Couple of times, I have been there already. Would I go to Baghdad? No, that is obvious is it not......

Just look around the world, where is safe?

Two explosions wound 8 in Antalya yesterday - 8/2. Jeesh.

Yes, Happycheesehead, but what about the plane crash in Toronto yesterday?? Are you going to start telling people not to fly? I am sure several hundred Americans died in car crashes yesterday. Should I be terrified to drive???

I don't believe I recommended that anyone not fly in an airplane, drive in a car, or travel to Turkey. I would not begin to tell others what to do or how to feel.

I was simply updating other travelers that might be interested in current events in Turkey.

Jeesh.