Hi, <BR> <BR>I'm thinking of going for a short trip to Istanbul, but for the first time since I began to travel, I'm a little wary. Turkey seems just a little to close the Middle East and it is an Islamic country. I do realize that Turkey is different most Islamic countries, but what is thier immigration policy? Are there any fundamentalists ? Is there bound to be anti-american sentiment. <BR> <BR>Should I just go visit Iowa ? <BR> <BR>I would realy appreciate your opinions. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Michael <BR>Only you can decide whether you feel safe travelling. For me there was no question, I am going to Istanbul for a week at the end of this month. <BR> <BR>The way I look at it is that statistically it is probably safer to fly now than it has been in a long time. The chances of anything happening to a plane that i will be on are pretty low. I probably have more chance of being involved in a car accident on the way to the airport (you haven't seen me drive). <BR> <BR>Will something happen when I am over there which will make it difficult for me to get home? Perhaps - but again I am prepared to take the risk. I was out of North America on Sept 11th and didn't get home until the Friday. <BR> <BR>Turkey is too close to the Middle East? Well it's not really that close. <BR> <BR>You know it is probably safer to go to Istanbul at the moment than it is to visit Washington! There is no way of telling... <BR> <BR>So it's up to you - but for me ther is no question - I am going and plan to have a great vacation. <BR> <BR>Good luck! <BR>Jan

Dear Michael, <BR>My husband and I were in Turkey a month ago; we were returning from Istanbul on the day of the attacks. They returned to Istanbul and for 4 days, Turkish Airlines put us (and about 60-70 other stranded passengers) up at the Renaissance Hotel. The outpouring of concern and compassion for us, individually and as a country, couldn't have been greater. We are NYers, and definitely felt safer in Istanbul at that moment than we did at the thought of home (tho we would've still preferred to be home). <BR> <BR>Yes, they do have fundamentalists in the country, though you won't feel it in the western part of the country. There is also terrorist activity that's related to the problems in prisons; ironically, there was an attack in Istanbul on September 10 that killed 2 policemen and a tourist/bystander. Although we were in Istanbul at the time, we didn't learn of it (sadly enough) till the next day. <BR> <BR>No one can make the decision for you, but despite these problems, I do think that Turkey is one of the safer places to be and the people that we met were very west-leaning and pro-America. And their security in the airport, even before Sept. 11, is something that we should all aspire to!

We just came back from a Windstar cruise from Istanbul to Athens, which we really enjoyed. <BR> <BR>We arrived in Istanbul Sept 27, stayed at the Hilton (lovely hotel). People we encountered were unfailingly kind and hospitable, and expressed their sadness about the events of 9/11. I was reassured by security precautions in the hotel. The ripples of the attack on the US spread wide, and sadly have many adverse consequences for folks whose livelihood is tourism. Turkey is a NATO ally, supporting US actions - it is good for us to have bridges of trade and communication with them. <BR> <BR>We're glad we went, and enjoyed our time in Istanbul - excellent food, too!

I'm not sure. I heard on CNN this morning that they were having anti-american demonstrations in Istanbul yesterday. You might want to check out the news and see what other information is available. I agree, I would be wary.

Annie is right; there are anti-US demonstrations beginning to take place in Turkey. Here is the address to the Turkish Daily News:http://www.turkishdailynews.com/FrTDN/latest/heads.htm <BR> <BR>This would give me pause in deciding to travel to Turkey, but would not be the only factor. Remember that the overall support is pro-U.S., but it's not surprising that there is anti-US feeling there, too.

Turkey does not have a very good record in human rights issues and treatment of women. They recently instituted virginity tests for females in some schools and other situations from what I've read, there are also "honor killings" in this country, espec near Syrian border. Here are news/media links on these issues: <BR>http://www.geographical.co.uk/geogra...01_turkey.html <BR>http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/wor...00/1457919.stm <BR>http://asia.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europ...irginity.test/ <BR>http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/...al_turkey.html <BR> <BR>Human rights abuses are one of the reasons Turkey has not been allowed into the EU.

Hi Michael, <BR>Just wanted to let you know that we went ahead and went to Turkey and are enjoying every minute of it. <BR>Istanbul is a very metropolitan city. The people will make you feel very welcome. Their scurity is great. Go have a great time. <BR>We used www.turkishtourscentral.com to book our private tours and hotels for Istanbul Cappadocia and Ephesus. Their prices were very good and their tour guides were just the best! <BR>