tedgale

We had a wonderful stay in Istanbul and along the Mediterranean coast in shoulder season - April 2012.

Much has changed since then, none of it for the better. I've read otherchelebi's thoughtful reports. Several friends say they won't travel to Turkey now.

I don't fear actual violence. But I wonder if we'll feel unwelcome and whether the atmosphere of Istanbul and the coastal tourist areas has worsened.

I've also read dreadful reviews of IST airport, whose replacement opens in late Oct 2018? Reason enough to delay for a year, perhaps?

We're (elderly) Canadians, so the visa standoff doesn't affect us.

I can't find many recent trip reports here. Can anyone with recent travel experience give me a personal "take" on Turkey?

One option might be to transit through IST to Izmir and start and finish our trip there, avoiding Istanbul, the site both of the 2016 terror attack and recent political confrontations

Your thoughts?

tedgale

I do realize IST airport was the site of the worst attack. But we'd be there only for a couple of hours when transitimg. Not a worry.

MmePerdu

I can only give my impressions, in Morocco at a time of huge uncertainty very shortly after 9/11. I'd had the trip planned prior to the attack and it didn't occur to me to cancel it. I arrived to find Morocco very nearly empty of tourists, the occasional German and me is how it seemed. It was a disaster for a country whose primary industry is tourism. I was approached on the street and thanked by people just for my presence in their country.

All that to suggest I strongly suspect you'll find much the same feeling in Turkey, wherever you decide you'll be comfortable going.

tedgale

Tourist visits were around 26 M in 2010. They soared to about 40 M by 2014.

In 2016 they were back to 26M. Probably lower this year - just a guess but things are obvioudly getting worse on several fronts.

So tourist traffic isn't dead. US visits down by about a third. UK numbers still much higher than US.

MmePerdu

If unclear, by "much the same feeling" I meant, not that it will be empty of other tourists, but that you'll be welcomed.

Christina

I fail to see the connection between Morocco in 2001 and Turkey now. Morocco had nothing to do with the WTC nor al-Queda. Morocco had a coalition govt in 2001 composed of several factions including socialist and leftists. Turkey is run by Erdogan who is extremely limiting freedoms and the right to protest or even have a concert in public, and little freedom of the press. dozens of people were killed by ISIS attacks this year, and dozens last year at the airport, including over a dozen foreigners. An American journalist and her mother were just killed there a couple months ago, etc., etc.

MmePerdu

You seem, Christina, to go out of your way to "fail to see" any point of view not your own. And why, I suspect, you're largely ignored.

xcountry

I'd go in a second. Fascinating place going through tough times.
It will be quiet:

"Singing songs, singing the national anthem in a disturbing way, screaming slogans, arranging press conferences or doing such acts in any way is strictly forbidden,"

http://www.newsweek.com/you-cant-pro...-policy-700333

tedgale

"Singing the national anthem in a disturbing way"...
What would Mr. Erdogan make of US (or Canadian) sports events?
My musical sensibilities are frequently outraged ;-)

Nikki

Tedgale, I don't know much about Turkey, but I do know this: you aren't elderly.

tedgale

Thanks, Nikki.
I am, however, a senior citizen, as of 2 weeks ago.
In the eyes of millennials, I'm virtually one of the walking dead.
BTW were off to Paris in 10 days. I still think of that dinner at Bistrot du Peintre and that great rental flat of yours -- near the Boul. Henri IV, wasnt it?

Nikki

That's right. A fun evening. We were all a little less elderly then.

AnselmAdorne

hi tedgale. I can't offer any recent experience, as my last visit was in 2010. But from your other post on the Aeroplan Rant thread, I think business class on Turkish Airlines will give you fast track security on departure from IST (and, perhaps, fast track passport control on arrival, but I may be wrong on that. Regardless, I didn't find IST immigration particularly difficult when I arrived all those years ago. Just be sure to look at the visa fees for Canadians and have the ready in Euros or US dollars.)

IST departure was a bit of a zoo when I was there, but once you have run the gauntlet of exit stamping and security, you will have access to the Turkish lounge, which is usually described as over-the-top.

kja

I would go, but I'm not as risk averse as some. I would, of course, be sure to keep up-to-date on otherchelebi's posts. You might want to carry a Tim Horton's mug in clear view so people will know that you're from Canada, not the U.S. ;-)

pariswat

How dare you eat in Paris with Nikki without me !

Anyway I was in turkey the day if the attack in Israel - was taking a flight from the other airport.

Went back onc more recently.

I just love turkey (not only fir thanksgiving) and Turks and dislike Erdogan about as much as Putin or trump.

Yet I am also scheduled to go to US soon.

Bottom line : people are great and you'll be welcome. Same way I'll feel when I go to US under this presidency ...

Nikki

Pariswat, at the time of the dinner in question, Tedgale and I were younger, but you were still a child.

Where are you going to be in the US?

xcountry

“You might want to carry a Tim Horton's mug in clear view”

I’d bet a few donuts that Tedgale does not have a Tim Horton’s mug. I’ll drop one off at his place for Xmas.

kja

@ xcountry: That would be great - I'm sure it will come in handy! Mine came compliments of my brother, back in the Dubya years. I also learned to pronounce the Canadian "eh" and use it with reasonable appropriateness. ;-)

tedgale

Xcountry: You guessed absolutely right. No mug and I don't drink caffeine, so there are few places I can ever drink coffee these days.

Anselm: the visas are sold online nowadays. You can buy them from a machine on arrival but reportedly most of the IST machines are bust.

yestravel

You elderly? Very funny!
I asked my friend who just left Turkey after 2 years. She said, "Go, you will be welcomed and treated beautifully. The tourist industry needs the money. Stick to the Med."