war and travel to italy...
 

without knowing if/when we will go to war, and what exactly will be the outcome of such an action by the U.S... i have this question, should i, as an american, have any concern (other than the awareness of terrorism throughout the world as entirely possible during this time) with travelling to italy should the U.S. still be at war with Iraq in the spring? what do you people feel?

Velll, I look in my crystal ball, and I seeeee.......ooops.....better stay home.

maybe it's because italy hasn't been an economic "power" that its population is not as diverse as germany, france, england, and others who've had to import a significant part of their work forces (largely from muslim countries). or maybe it's because italy doesn't have significant economic ties with iraq. but, for whatever reason, i've always found italians very welcoming of americans. go....

Not an economic power? Isn't Italy fourth or fifth in the world, and right on the coattails of France?

okay...i'm a demographer, not an economist. The point is still that italy hasn't found it necessary to....let's say, diversify its population with foreign workers.

If the U.S. or countries in some hoped for alliance should &quot;still be at war with Iraq in the spring&quot;...<BR><BR>then the things affected will be anything that depends on petroleum or energy of any kind.<BR>

Not:<BR><BR>Italy is neither fourth nor fifth. It is aprt of the G8, it is for sure in the top 20 raking of the most industrialized countries (and riches countries) of the world, but it is definetly not fifth or fourth, depite what former prime minister (later found guilty of several crimes, in particular corruption, and run off to Tunisia where he lived the rest of his days as a refugee in a HUGE villa) Bettino Craxi declared in the mid-Eighties.

Tough call. Terrorism is spreading throughout the world. It was only a few months ago there was the brouhaha in Bali. More recently the Italians picked up several Moroccans in Rome; as per a recent story on BBC site, Italians are looking into beefing up security in certain areas -- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2689915.stm<BR><BR>

???<BR><BR>Only a few weeks before some more Moroccans were arrested in bologna after being seen with a camera in San Petronio. After two days in prison it turned out that these guys were legitimate tourists and not terrorists. I do not mean to deny the risks of terrorisms, but I think that the damafes that come from the fear of terrorism might be just as big.<BR>In any case the current situation in Italy is very much like the one in the Usa: our government is supportive of the Usa government on the Irak subject, while (just like in the Usa) there are huge popular and peaceful demonstrations for peace. Italy is not a risky country for Usa visitors, althought a large amount of the Italian population opposes the war, we do not oppose tourists, travellers and visitors of no country. Those who oppose the Us government do not oppose the Americans coming to Italy on a holiday, even if involved on a political discussion with an Italian you are likely to find people who will express their opposition to the Us governmet but friendship to single americans. One thing we have (generally, there are exceptions like anywhere else!) very clear is that a country's government is not necessarly that country's people. To this day you do not risk being attacked by itlaians in Italy, not even if hitting a demonstration for peace.

What is a damafe?<BR>

My plans for Europe this summer have been put on indefinate hold. Normally I have bought the tickets by this time of year.<BR><BR>The War could change everything. Not just travel but my job itself. Amazing how a hand full of war hawks and wannabes can change everthing.

Vince, well said - and I couldn't agree more!

Vince, I agree with your comment about the European trip being put on hold. I, too, usually make my reservations or begin to make reservations about now as well. However, I can't not only because of impending war but also because of the effect this war has on the economy and my job as well. Too true your comments are.

I hope all of you who are agreeing that &quot;a few war hawks and wannabes can change everything&quot; are still out there educating your communities and letting your local, regional and national leaders know exactly how you feel about this trumped-up war -- and how pursuing it will impact their returns at the ballot box in the next election.<BR><BR>I'll be in Rome March 6 - 16, but that is a business trip. Still, I would not cancel it if offered the option.

I, for one, Miri am affiliated with one of many anti-war groups that promote peaceful activism. So yes, I hope that does help.

My very first post as a registered uncle sam!<BR><BR>Sorry Miri, but I do not think that this is about &quot;a few war hawks and wannabes&quot;.<BR><BR>And yes I have shared with my elected officials what I think about the coming events...and they agree with me.<BR><BR>And so does a majority of US citizens. And xxx, sorry but an anti war group is not in my future.<BR><BR>And btw, we were in France on 9/11. We planned the trip in advance and obviously did not know that the tragic, horrible events of that day would occur.<BR><BR>And since the US was attacked, as a sovereign nation we can and should and will under President Bush do everything we need to do to protect US interests and citizens!<BR><BR>If you choose to disagree, I suggest you vote in the next election and see if you cannot change that policy!<BR><BR>As for travel...go for it!<BR><BR>Although I'd stay out of Iraq for a while. In a couple of years however, you'll want to go and visit a land of free people!<BR><BR>US

If the world is going to end, or even just flirt with disaster, I can't think of a better place to be than Italy. Plus, if something is going to happen it'll be at the Vatican or some diplomatic office in Rome. But should that stop you from going to Florence, or Venice, or Naples, Capri, Sorrento, or anywhere else in this beautiful place?

I'm with you, fly. I was in Paris, staying in Pigalle, right after the bombing of Afghanistan started and had no problems. To be sure, I didn't go waving my U.S. passport, but that isn't something I would do even if the U.S. wasn't at war. <BR><BR>

Uncle sam: I will not dispute with you on the support to USA politics, and decision about war, although I very strongly oppose to this war as well as to any wars. But I want to ask you a question, as an American citizen supportive of you government politics, you think that it would be dangerous for you to travel to Italy, a country that is part of NATO, whose government supports yours and which has been an ally of the USA for fifty years? If not, why? The subject of this discussion is this, so let's stick to it.

Alice, please save your lectures for someone else please!<BR><BR>I was responding to her comments. <BR> <BR>As for travel I told her to go for it...I would!<BR><BR>US<BR><BR><BR>

Uncle sam:<BR><BR>It looks like the only lecture I might give you is on the difference between a lecture and a question. Mine was a question. You know, I am very curious person, I like asking question on things I know too little of and on things I do not understand. Since I know next to nothing about you and that you seem to have a very strong opinion, which I do not share but which is fully legitimate, in a sense, I am curious to understand more. You know, asking questions such as this helped me a lot ingrowing up and in leraning new things. I hope the same happened to you.

We've put down our deposit for a trip in May to London, France, and Italy. We feel that if there's a war it will not start after the end of February and will be over before it gets so terribly hot in Iraq. Therefore, we will know before we give out any more money if we should just cancel and forfeit our deposit ($400).<BR><BR>I was glad to read about Mr. (somebody -I forgot) who was in Paris during the war in Afghanistan without any problems. Don't know if this war will make any more difference.<BR><BR>I'm in my 60's so I can't postpone traveling - I may not have that many years left, who knows? I will say a prayer and trust in the Lord to protect me from harm and, if He doesn't, I know He has a room waiting for me in His mansion.

Pasquale,<BR><BR>Amen to this:<BR><BR>&quot;I will say a prayer and trust in the Lord to protect me from harm and, if He doesn't, I know He has a room waiting for me in His mansion.&quot;<BR><BR>And Alice,<BR><BR>sorry but this sounded like a lecture to me.<BR><BR>&quot;The subject of this discussion is this, so let's stick to it.&quot;<BR><BR>US

Our own political stances on the subject of war (in general and specifically this upocoming one) are not in topic. And it is a good thing to stick to the topic of the thread.

Alice,<BR><BR>Registration is enough...why must you play &quot;thread monitor' when none is needed?<BR><BR>US

To Alice- thank you very much for your attempt to keep the forum focused, and for all of the other amazingly helpful TRAVEL information you have posted here in the past, and for your well-expressed views on Italian hospitality in tiomes of war or peace. I look forward to my next trip there!! <BR><BR>

It's been said before by many others on this forum, but the last thing we'll do is let the terrorists win by controlling our personal lives. If a war occurs before our March trip, cancelling would still not be an option for my family. We will fight for our personal freedom at any cost, and in this regard at least, we have some say. This is not to say there won't be some prayers, and an awful lot of hoping that this world can become more peaceful instead. But, giving up our plans and succumbing to fear just isn't going to happen...they'd have to close the doors at the airport first!

Amen to northerngirl--no way I'm cancelling our trip in March to Spain or in May to France unless the airline won't fly us there. I caved in to my somewhat paranoid husband last year and cancelled a long awaited trip to Italy, and nothing happened except I didn't get to go to Italy.

What you Americans forget is that security in central Europe and UK is much better than in US, I have just booked a six day break in May to Rome, if its your turn, you could get hit by a bus outside your own house, don't be so pathetic.

I say go to Italy. If you don't then I think the Terrorists have won. They want people to feel scared so that they feel in control.<BR>Just be aware of where you are,who is around you and what is going on. I think the same would go for Europeans visiting the US. We have crime in the United States that has gotten more violent over the years. <BR>Have a nice trip and try and relax!