World Wide Alert for U.S. Citizens
 

My brother and I have been planning our 3 week trip to Europe for a year now, leaving in one week to go to the following places:
London
Dublin
Zurich
Strasbourg, France
Bruges, Belgium
Brussels, Belgium
Amsterdam
Pisa, Italy
Ancona, Italy
Athens
Limassol, Cyprus

As of today, there is a world wide travel alert for U.S. citizens to travel abroad. Which of these places would be "safe" to travel too? Should we consider canceling our trip or re-evaluting our itinerary?

We have bought our plan tickets and global rail passes already. Our mother is American and father is Cypriot so we have some Greek features. I am proud to be an American, but I am worried about our safety in traveling.

Please share your thoughts.

Life goes on. I am leaving for Europe in a couple of weeks; not a moment if hesitation. Enjoy your trip.

The State Department alert says

>>Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations. <<

You can't rule out the possibility of local demonstrations and protests, but I wouldn't have thought you'ld be in any more danger in any of those places than in any other. By a week from now even any initial showboating by the small number of people likely to be involved is likely to have died down anyway.

Clearly, genuine terrorists may well be trying for what the IRA used to call a "spectacular", but that would be covered by security measures around flights and likely targets, which this alert makes no mention of. It reads like a classic backside-covering "Be careful out there" - but you were going to be anyway, weren't you?

You are doing all that in three weeks and worried about "safety" I would be more concerned about exhaustion.

Thank you for your responses!

It does seem like a lot of places to go in such a short period of time, but a few of the places we will just stay the night to get to the next place. Also we will be in Limassol, Cyprus for 2 months.

You mean this one? http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...worldwide.html

With a statement like this, really, what specific things you are asking can be recommended?

Also, think about some relevant time period, for example, a year starting the three weeks you will be traveling. What are the serious risks during this one year? If you are young, the most likely risk you will be facing is probably getting into an auto accident within 15 mile of your home (http://www.drivingtoday.com/features...hes/index.html). If you agree with the statistical assessment and if you are comfortable with something more risky around your home, does it make sense to take a drastic step to avoid taking a trip?

In the light of today's headlines, presumably remaining at home isn't be quite as safe an option as it might have been last week either... and not only for Americans?

Peter

Hi

I wouldn't worry. We travelled one week after 9/11. It was probably the safest time to travel as the world was on high alert. It would be wise to allow extra time for higher security checks. So allow plenty of time between flights, checking luggage in for storage, possible customs delays etc. and do not inadvertantly bring banned items as "carry on".

This the morning after the death of Bin Laden...wonder what the implications of that is. Probably good advice is the usual...to not be an obvious "American tourist." But indeed exhaustion is a more likely threat to well being...and yet that can lead to carelessness. You do have an ambitious line up ot locations.

Bill in Boston

You will be "safer" in Europe than at home. If there is an obvious target after today's events, it's the USA, eh.

I know Italy is not on the warning list.

I figure the danger from terrorists in foreign lands cannot be a fraction as immediate as that I face from politicians if I stay home.

I'd say Greece and Cyprus are of lower risk, but i guess you know that already beeing half cypriot.....

Go , have a great time, don't worry.
I'm going for 4 weeks at end of May, reading this doesnt deter me.

l worry about some nut on a flight or in an airport, but i've been doing that since Lockerbie!

I would just blend in with others and don't worry about it. I was at Oktoberfest two years ago and my friends at home heard on tv that it had been canceled due to threats. It wasn't but security was beefed up all over Germany due to the elections. I had never seen so many gun toting soldiers. I felt really safe with all the security.

Practice "Gidday Mate";-) No, that won't help, they blow us up too!

If they put you off doing anything, they win, so just go ahead but perhaps be a little wary in high value target areas?

If you can handle your very busy itinerary, I suspect you can deal with anything!

if its real worry just stick the maple leaf on your luggage :-)

unlikely to be a real problem except for a spectacular. A spectacular could be anywhere from Washington to London Tube so why worry.

Your classic greek features will be no protection, these guys don't care what you look like.

I would never cancel a trip just because maybe a terrorist hit might happen. That is crazy. Statistically you're more likely to have a car accident on the way to the airport.

Go and have a great time.

Well, the selfish side of me wants everyone to panic and stay home. Then there will be fewer crowds for me to deal with :)