Turkey - any reason not to?

[Heathwood]

Hey folks,

We’re looking to book a family holiday for this coming summer and can’t quite decide whether Turkey is suitably safe when compared to, for example, Greek Islands or Cyprus (which is where we’ve been in recent years). I know Turkey isn’t completely trouble free but the core holiday resorts are quite some distance from the Middle East.

I should add that it would be an all inclusive 5* place that we’d rarely leave (probably around Side). It just seems you get a bit more quality and value for money in Turkey, and the Trip Adviser reviews are a notch above comparable Greek / Cypriot hotels.

So, I guess my question is, would you?

[Silverbullet767]

Personally I wouldn't go anywhere near Turkey. I'm sure it would be fine, but it's not for me.

[Ashfordian]

Turkey still allow (holiday) flights from Russia.

That alone is good enough for me to spend my tourist money elsewhere (and I have made this change) while they facilitate that despicable country.

Edited by Ashfordian on Saturday 17th February 14:29

[Your Dad]

I’d happily go on holiday to Turkey this summer. Been before several times over the last 20 years, and see no reason not to go back.

[YorkshireStu]

I nearly booked Turkey and may still do so (going to SA instead) as I see no reason why one wouldn’t.

Couldn’t give a stuff if Russian’s are allowed there; I don’t blame the average Russian for what is happening in Ukraine.

In fact, I’d happily visit Russia.

[PushedDover]

• you’re or you are? ^^^

Anyway insults aside.
Turkey is fine. Go there often on the coast / offshore for sailing, and am doing so too this year.

I have friends who do the inclusive set up you are seeki
G and again, all good

The Turks are good friendly people - why be judgemental about an e tire nation and its people, culture and marvels - solely because of a despot ruler?
(Akin to Russia in that sense)

Seems a little short minded imho.

[Kerniki]

PushedDover said:

*you’re or you are? ^^^


Anyway insults aside.
Turkey is fine. Go there often on the coast / offshore for sailing, and am doing so too this year.

I have friends who do the inclusive set up you are seeki
G and again, all good

The Turks are good friendly people - why be judgemental about an e tire nation and its people, culture and marvels - solely because of a despot ruler?
(Akin to Russia in that sense)

Seems a little short minded imho.

You correct someone’s grammar and then type that?

[PushedDover]

True !
Was in the hot tub typing without glasses !

Still : Turkey is ace and safe !
I recall years ago when a friend vet’s us sailing there, after the London Bombings.

Would we consider the likes of Falmouth or Weymouth as ‘terrorist hot spots whilst atrocities were happening on our shores then and since?

[Sheepshanks]

Heathwood said:

I should add that it would be an all inclusive 5* place that we’d rarely leave (probably around Side).

Sounds like where wife & I went last year - arrived the day Hamas attacked Israel, which put an extra tension on it.

Wouldn't have been my choice but wife was keen as a friend of hers goes often and they were there for the first few days after we got there. All was fine. Was only aware of a couple of Russian couples but they were pretty quiet. Most people in the hotel were German.

We walked into Side a couple of times and got taxis back. Side very laid back to be honest, only one or two of the shopkeepers were up for a haggle.

Taxi ride back to the airport was a bit scary! Oldish guy was a completely mental driver. Every other taxi ride had been fine.

[popeyewhite]

Turkey can be very similar to some of the Greek Islands, but to me rather lacks the charm. I suppose if you're staying within hotel grounds that hardly matters though.

[Heathwood]

Hadn’t really considered the increase in Russian tourism/migration, and how this may influence the ‘feel’ of the place. Hmmm.

[Ezra]

Current situation wouldn't put me off Turkey at all. I think the chances of getting caught up in anything are so small as to not warrant worrying at all. If you're going to one of the all inclusive resorts, presumably with a UK tour operator, you'll not be exposed to anything anyway. There'll be no problem.

[Vasco]

Heathwood said:

Hadn’t really considered the increase in Russian tourism/migration, and how this may influence the ‘feel’ of the place. Hmmm.

It all used to be a bit different and enjoyable. Unfortunately Erdogan is someone who rather dislikes opposition and his actions over the past 10 years have now clouded much of the pleasurable times that had been evident in the earlier happy years.

[hairy v]

If you stay away from the Syrian and Iraqi borders, should be OK according to the FO:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey

[justin220]

We went last year to an AI resort and it was Fantastic. We never actually left the resort, no real reason to.

Great weather, great VFM compared to the usual European places. We'd definitely go back

[omniflow]

I think there are two different questions being answered here. The first one, which is what I think the OP actually asked is along the lines of "Is it safe to go on holiday to Turkey". I think the answer to that one is yes.

The other question, which a number of people have answered is along the lines of "should I go on holiday to Turkey", and the answer to that one very much depends on whether or not you have a social conscience. Personally, I would never holiday in (or visit) Turkey or Northern Cyprus.

[Vasco]

justin220 said:

We went last year to an AI resort and it was Fantastic. We never actually left the resort, no real reason to.

Great weather, great VFM compared to the usual European places. We'd definitely go back

....'You never left the resort'.....

So, you could have been just about anywhere with a similar climate. I think many people would prefer to visit somewhere with less problems for the resident population.

[Zaichik]

YorkshireStu said:

I nearly booked Turkey and may still do so (going to SA instead) as I see no reason why one wouldn’t.

Couldn’t give a stuff if Russian’s are allowed there; I don’t blame the average Russian for what is happening in Ukraine.

In fact, I’d happily visit Russia.

Being married to a Russian means places like Turkey (and indeed Russia) are some of our only options for holidays. It is currently almost impossible for us to visit Europe as the EU now makes it nearly impossible to obtain a visa (which is required if Russian).

Visiting relatives (and recently having to return for a funeral) was near impossible because the only flights (to a location just over the border from Northern Europe) were either via Turkey, Dubai or Beijing. Madness.

Doesn't excuse the murdering tts in charge in Russia, but it doesn't mean this is how the rest of the Russians behave or feel.

[justin220]

Vasco said:

justin220 said:

We went last year to an AI resort and it was Fantastic. We never actually left the resort, no real reason to.

Great weather, great VFM compared to the usual European places. We'd definitely go back

....'You never left the resort'.....

So, you could have been just about anywhere with a similar climate. I think many people would prefer to visit somewhere with less problems for the resident population.

That's correct, but don't think you'd have got anything like the quality for the same money elsewhere.

[Mikebentley]

Zaichik said:

YorkshireStu said:

I nearly booked Turkey and may still do so (going to SA instead) as I see no reason why one wouldn’t.

Couldn’t give a stuff if Russian’s are allowed there; I don’t blame the average Russian for what is happening in Ukraine.

In fact, I’d happily visit Russia.

Being married to a Russian means places like Turkey (and indeed Russia) are some of our only options for holidays. It is currently almost impossible for us to visit Europe as the EU now makes it nearly impossible to obtain a visa (which is required if Russian).

Visiting relatives (and recently having to return for a funeral) was near impossible because the only flights (to a location just over the border from Northern Europe) were either via Turkey, Dubai or Beijing. Madness.

Doesn't excuse the murdering tts in charge in Russia, but it doesn't mean this is how the rest of the Russians behave or feel.

My last family holiday was 4 years ago in an all inclusive 5* near Side. It was great as a left field choice for us and was very relaxed. The absolute only negative were the rude, ignorant Russians who made up about 25% of guests. The pushing in whilst others waited and horrendous way they spoke to the staff was difficult to observe. I would like to return but don’t think I could stand to be around even more of them as their travel choices are now restricted.

As to the poster above married to a Russian I understand your difficulties at the current time however restrictions on the general population/passport holders might be the only way to get through to them. They are mushrooms kept in the dark and fed on st.