Turkey safe to book for July 2011 ??
Discussion
With all the hassle in Arabic countries (Egypt and Tunisia), what's people’s views about booking Turkey? I'm sure it will be ok you just never know, looking to go end of July 2011.
Anyone have any good recommendation for Turkey, looking at Kusadasi at the mo, open to other places.
As we are not too fused where we go, I'm open to other destinations as long as no more than 4 hours flight. Two kids 4 and 6 so would like air con and something for kids to do. Last year went to Albufeira Portugal and particularly liked the old town, something similar would be good. Max budget £2k for a family of 4.
Cheers
Anyone have any good recommendation for Turkey, looking at Kusadasi at the mo, open to other places.
As we are not too fused where we go, I'm open to other destinations as long as no more than 4 hours flight. Two kids 4 and 6 so would like air con and something for kids to do. Last year went to Albufeira Portugal and particularly liked the old town, something similar would be good. Max budget £2k for a family of 4.
Cheers
Casa1862 said:
With all the hassle in Arabic countries (Egypt and Tunisia), what's people’s views about booking Turkey? I'm sure it will be ok you just never know, looking to go end of July 2011.
Anyone have any good recommendation for Turkey, looking at Kusadasi at the mo, open to other places.
As we are not too fused where we go, I'm open to other destinations as long as no more than 4 hours flight. Two kids 4 and 6 so would like air con and something for kids to do. Last year went to Albufeira Portugal and particularly liked the old town, something similar would be good. Max budget £2k for a family of 4.
Cheers
I booked up for end of April just at the weekend.. Hoping to go back over September/October time too, so I hope theres no repeat of the Egypt shennanigans over in Turkey.Anyone have any good recommendation for Turkey, looking at Kusadasi at the mo, open to other places.
As we are not too fused where we go, I'm open to other destinations as long as no more than 4 hours flight. Two kids 4 and 6 so would like air con and something for kids to do. Last year went to Albufeira Portugal and particularly liked the old town, something similar would be good. Max budget £2k for a family of 4.
Cheers
ps: Can your kids handle the heat? Turkey in July will be a fair bit warmer than the likes of Spain/Portugal
Unfortunately (??!!) I am old enough to have been caught in trouble abroad.
Fortuitously I had my son in law with me who is ex Coldstream Guards and served in Bosnia Northern Ireland and the Gulf.
I was TOTALLY out of my depth (Accountant=no hope) without him it could have been very nasty.
I strongly recommend NOT GOING PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY.
Travel companies exist to sell holidays: simple fact is they will look on the bright side but in reality this kind of violence is totally unsuitable for families.
I would not take the risk. If you have children stay safe!!
Fortuitously I had my son in law with me who is ex Coldstream Guards and served in Bosnia Northern Ireland and the Gulf.
I was TOTALLY out of my depth (Accountant=no hope) without him it could have been very nasty.
I strongly recommend NOT GOING PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY.
Travel companies exist to sell holidays: simple fact is they will look on the bright side but in reality this kind of violence is totally unsuitable for families.
I would not take the risk. If you have children stay safe!!
Steffan said:
Unfortunately (??!!) I am old enough to have been caught in trouble abroad.
Fortuitously I had my son in law with me who is ex Coldstream Guards and served in Bosnia Northern Ireland and the Gulf.
I was TOTALLY out of my depth (Accountant=no hope) without him it could have been very nasty.
I strongly recommend NOT GOING PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY.
Travel companies exist to sell holidays: simple fact is they will look on the bright side but in reality this kind of violence is totally unsuitable for families.
I would not take the risk. If you have children stay safe!!
Where would you recommend? Fortuitously I had my son in law with me who is ex Coldstream Guards and served in Bosnia Northern Ireland and the Gulf.
I was TOTALLY out of my depth (Accountant=no hope) without him it could have been very nasty.
I strongly recommend NOT GOING PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY.
Travel companies exist to sell holidays: simple fact is they will look on the bright side but in reality this kind of violence is totally unsuitable for families.
I would not take the risk. If you have children stay safe!!
Steffan said:
Unfortunately (??!!) I am old enough to have been caught in trouble abroad.
Fortuitously I had my son in law with me who is ex Coldstream Guards and served in Bosnia Northern Ireland and the Gulf.
I was TOTALLY out of my depth (Accountant=no hope) without him it could have been very nasty.
I strongly recommend NOT GOING PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY.
Travel companies exist to sell holidays: simple fact is they will look on the bright side but in reality this kind of violence is totally unsuitable for families.
I would not take the risk. If you have children stay safe!!
Steffan, I think that is an unnecessarily mis-leading and scare-mongering post. I'm sure that it accurately portrays the issues you had somewhere once whilst while travelling - but was it in Turkey?Fortuitously I had my son in law with me who is ex Coldstream Guards and served in Bosnia Northern Ireland and the Gulf.
I was TOTALLY out of my depth (Accountant=no hope) without him it could have been very nasty.
I strongly recommend NOT GOING PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY.
Travel companies exist to sell holidays: simple fact is they will look on the bright side but in reality this kind of violence is totally unsuitable for families.
I would not take the risk. If you have children stay safe!!
It doesn't sound like it to be honest - that sort of thing doesn't really happen in Turkey - except down in the South East (very Asian & muslim) area of Turkey where a long-standing issue with the PKK/Kurds has been rumbling for a long time now. And even then the issue is a regional/ethnic one and not one that typically impacts toursists (it's not a tourist area).
Turkey is secular, and (almost!) democratic and any religeous/ethnic strife that does exist is typically limited - at the moment it's no worse than the UK - and is rarely seen or heard in the tourist regions.
I would be astounded if Turkey went the way of Egypt - it is a far more advanced nation, politically, commercially, and socially, and I just can't see it happening.
I'm likely to be back there again this year once or twice, so I'm not worried in the slightest, and I've got three kids.
I just suggest erring on the side of caution.
Up to the individual but Caveat Emptor
The Middle East is something of a powder keg. There is a huge amount of bitterness and envy just under the surface. These are not democracies.
We tend to think life here in the West is paralleled everywhere else. It is not. I think the current trouble will rumble on for months with greater protests and more countries becoming involved. I fear the economic pressures will produce serious unrest
Nothing against Turkey I just think it will be threatened by the troubles.
I hope it will not.
I may be wrong but I think holidays in this area are better left for a time.
Up to the individual.
But if you do not want the heat stay out of the kitchen.
Up to the individual but Caveat Emptor
The Middle East is something of a powder keg. There is a huge amount of bitterness and envy just under the surface. These are not democracies.
We tend to think life here in the West is paralleled everywhere else. It is not. I think the current trouble will rumble on for months with greater protests and more countries becoming involved. I fear the economic pressures will produce serious unrest
Nothing against Turkey I just think it will be threatened by the troubles.
I hope it will not.
I may be wrong but I think holidays in this area are better left for a time.
Up to the individual.
But if you do not want the heat stay out of the kitchen.
Steffan, you no doubt had a bad experience at some stage in the past, but sometimes you can be so cautious you do nothing. The difficulties in Tunisia & Egypt has largely been an internal problem, not something that is directed at foreigners. These issues are very different to other Middle Eastern problems. I would have no problem with taking a family on holiday to Turkey now or in he forseeable future. I would have no problem with going to the Red Sea Egyptian resorts either. As ever it is always an individuals perception of risk that determines what they will do.
Indeed.
...and Steffan, I certainly wouldn't label Turkey as middle Eastern even though it's at much the same longtitude as Egypt - it's much further north, seperated by the Med (Istanbul further North than Madrid or thereabouts) and not generally grouped with the usual middle-Eastern countries.
It's a huge country and is famous for having a foot in both camps as it were -go to Istanbul and you will see half the city is in Europe, the other half attached to continental Asia, seperated by the Bosphorous.
Culturally it's a very different place and I wouldn't compare the two.
...and Steffan, I certainly wouldn't label Turkey as middle Eastern even though it's at much the same longtitude as Egypt - it's much further north, seperated by the Med (Istanbul further North than Madrid or thereabouts) and not generally grouped with the usual middle-Eastern countries.
It's a huge country and is famous for having a foot in both camps as it were -go to Istanbul and you will see half the city is in Europe, the other half attached to continental Asia, seperated by the Bosphorous.
Culturally it's a very different place and I wouldn't compare the two.
pc.iow said:
Try http://www.teletextholidays.co.uk/
All inclusive inc flights from around £220 pp.
Just a heads up... nearly every one of those i called up ended up being an extra 150 on top of the price quoted on teletext by the time you add on transfers, baggage allowance AND getting a room with a window (yes that is correct, this was an option on lots of them)All inclusive inc flights from around £220 pp.
Steffan said:
Unfortunately (??!!) I am old enough to have been caught in trouble abroad.
Fortuitously I had my son in law with me who is ex Coldstream Guards and served in Bosnia Northern Ireland and the Gulf.
I was TOTALLY out of my depth (Accountant=no hope) without him it could have been very nasty.
I strongly recommend NOT GOING PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY.
Travel companies exist to sell holidays: simple fact is they will look on the bright side but in reality this kind of violence is totally unsuitable for families.
I would not take the risk. If you have children stay safe!!
What a load of bFortuitously I had my son in law with me who is ex Coldstream Guards and served in Bosnia Northern Ireland and the Gulf.
I was TOTALLY out of my depth (Accountant=no hope) without him it could have been very nasty.
I strongly recommend NOT GOING PARTICULARLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY.
Travel companies exist to sell holidays: simple fact is they will look on the bright side but in reality this kind of violence is totally unsuitable for families.
I would not take the risk. If you have children stay safe!!
ks.Have you been to Turkey? Clearly never. Where and what was the trouble you had?
To the OP, Turkey is a fantastic place with great people. I spent two weeks there travelling around and loved it. Never did I feel in danger - certainly much less than walking around some other major Western European cities.
Thanks for all the info. It's not really an issue and I'm thinking if you worry about every little thing you'll end going nowhere. Any ideas what would be good for a family of 4. Dalman looks very nice but not sure if anything much for 4 and 6 year old.
I'm looking at Cyprus (Protaras) or Portugal (Alvor) also.
Look at Teletext holidyas but nothing that cheap for 25th July onwards.
I'm looking at Cyprus (Protaras) or Portugal (Alvor) also.
Look at Teletext holidyas but nothing that cheap for 25th July onwards.
I would thoroughly recommend Dalyan - do a search to learn more as we've discussed it many times on here.
It's perfect for younger kids, plenty to do and see for them;
My kids are older now, but have been many times over the years, since the kids were 1 upwards.
God, I sound like an advert!
It's perfect for younger kids, plenty to do and see for them;
- Pottering on boats on the river, catching crabs
- Fabulous beach down river
- The lake up river and mud baths
- Turtles! More turtles!
- Quiet, traffic free, child-friendly town
- Child friendly night-life (family restuarants, bars, etc)
- Exploring the ruins across the river at Kaunos
- 30 mins transfer from Dalamn airport
My kids are older now, but have been many times over the years, since the kids were 1 upwards.
God, I sound like an advert!
I don't wish to be a prophet of doom but has anybody noticed the descent into chaos in Libya, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen etc etc etc. over the last three weeks? All seems to be one way traffic currently. The wrong way.
It would `seem to me that, for whatever reason, my observations about this area being something of a powderkeg are proving singularly accurate.
Let us hope all this is resolved without further bloodshed and misery.
I entirely accept that Turkey is as yet not seriously affected in this way. IT is a soveriegn country and may be unaffected.
I think unfortunately this whole are is now at risk.
And would I risk my family in this area currently. Not a chance.
Nor I suggest nor should anybody else.
Otherwise you may find yourself relying on the UK Foreign Office who have once again covered themselves less than total in glory.
How come Belgium is better than we are at assisting their travellers? And France, and Germany and virtually everybody else in Europe?
Do we actively seek absolute idiots in the Foreign Office or is it just natural ability to cock things up?
It would `seem to me that, for whatever reason, my observations about this area being something of a powderkeg are proving singularly accurate.
Let us hope all this is resolved without further bloodshed and misery.
I entirely accept that Turkey is as yet not seriously affected in this way. IT is a soveriegn country and may be unaffected.
I think unfortunately this whole are is now at risk.
And would I risk my family in this area currently. Not a chance.
Nor I suggest nor should anybody else.
Otherwise you may find yourself relying on the UK Foreign Office who have once again covered themselves less than total in glory.
How come Belgium is better than we are at assisting their travellers? And France, and Germany and virtually everybody else in Europe?
Do we actively seek absolute idiots in the Foreign Office or is it just natural ability to cock things up?
Steffan said:
I don't wish to be a prophet of doom but has anybody noticed the descent into chaos in Libya, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen etc etc etc. over the last three weeks? All seems to be one way traffic currently. The wrong way.
It would `seem to me that, for whatever reason, my observations about this area being something of a powderkeg are proving singularly accurate.
Let us hope all this is resolved without further bloodshed and misery.
I entirely accept that Turkey is as yet not seriously affected in this way. IT is a soveriegn country and may be unaffected.
I think unfortunately this whole are is now at risk.
And would I risk my family in this area currently. Not a chance.
Nor I suggest nor should anybody else.
Otherwise you may find yourself relying on the UK Foreign Office who have once again covered themselves less than total in glory.
How come Belgium is better than we are at assisting their travellers? And France, and Germany and virtually everybody else in Europe?
Do we actively seek absolute idiots in the Foreign Office or is it just natural ability to cock things up?
And the common denominator of all of the countries that have experienced trouble is that they are not democratic. Turkey is, and has been for a long while.It would `seem to me that, for whatever reason, my observations about this area being something of a powderkeg are proving singularly accurate.
Let us hope all this is resolved without further bloodshed and misery.
I entirely accept that Turkey is as yet not seriously affected in this way. IT is a soveriegn country and may be unaffected.
I think unfortunately this whole are is now at risk.
And would I risk my family in this area currently. Not a chance.
Nor I suggest nor should anybody else.
Otherwise you may find yourself relying on the UK Foreign Office who have once again covered themselves less than total in glory.
How come Belgium is better than we are at assisting their travellers? And France, and Germany and virtually everybody else in Europe?
Do we actively seek absolute idiots in the Foreign Office or is it just natural ability to cock things up?
But you carry on doing your Private Fraser impressions, it may bring prices down for the rest of us.
Steffan said:
Can't seem to find Turkey mentioned on that map.
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