Is travel to Turkey safe?

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arndtheworldgrl

I, too, am traveling to Turkey (in Feb 2009). It's sad how defensive everyone got when you asked a simple question such as "Is it safe?" It's not fun for people from Turkey to hear that Americans are scared of their country. However; it's important for everyone to get a grip on the fact that U.S. so-called "world" news channels sensationalize and skew what goes on in the mid-east and Turkey all the time. It's all a matter of what information you are spoon-fed.

My humble suggestion for you is to curtail some of that lingering paranoia by watching BBC World News. Stay away from CNN and CSPAN for a while until your trip. And when ignorant people ask you why you'd want to go to such a "dangerous" place, tell them that they need to read a book once in a while. I hope you have a great time on your trip!

The Babe is Armed!

If you're a card-carrying member of the PKK, it's not safe at all.

If you're an American who behaves yourself the way you would at your grandmother's house - be polite and mind your manners, you'll have a great time.

I don't think the Turkish Air Force is engaging targets in downtown Istanbul, but I'm not there. :P

istanbul bogazi in the Queendom

If i ask you: Is travel to US safe? What is your answer going to be?
What do you think Turkey is? Turkey is a civilized normal country like any country in Europe. What do they teach you at schools? What is your media and politicians doing to you?
Of course Turkey is safe!

â™¥ â˜¼ â™« Ibrahim â™« â˜¼ â™¥

I suppose that I would have serious reasons to worry about my security if I was walking by night in Glendale,CA, in certain little remote towns of Kentucky,or in Harlem...

Do you think I should hire some bodyguards when I come to the US ?

Do you advise me to sign a protection contract with Blackwater when I want to drink a coffee in Glendale?
I probably need a bulletproof vest and at least 3 armoured Humvees and 12 men with 2 M-16 each and amunitions for 2 weeks...Ok, thank you...

Qu'est ce que tu pense?

As an American who constantly visits Turkey, I can reassure you that Turkey is perfectly safe, as long as you don't try to make trouble for yourself. Don't expect good treatment when you are rude or cause arguments. On the other hand, if you're kind and polite, most Turks will greet you with open arms.
Also, it wouldn't be a problem to say that you are American. I say it all the time when I'm there, and look, I'm still alive! :)

Alwin E

The tourist areas are safe, don't worry. Thousands of Europeans (like me, I'm from Germany) visit Turkey each summer. I haven't been there yet, but friends told me they liked it very much. They've been to Antalya; maybe you take a look:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antalya

---

Afraid because you're American? Don't be. Maybe you shouldn't actually mention it to those Turks wearing long beards and a turban; but you probably won't even meet them. Contrary to what the media would like to make us believe, they're a rare species.

? ? ? I. A. ? ? ?

Sorry, your question is a total non-sense !

I think that the Bronx, certain neighboroods of LA or Miami are 100 times more dangerous than Turkey...

By the way, you should listen to the advice of my friend The Babe, because he knows what hes talking about ( as he's your fellow citizen).

24 year old newlywed

I'm a Latin-American and visit my friends in Turkey at least once a year. I don't know about everywhere but in Ä±stanbul you'll be as safe as you would in New York. Even safer in Bodrum (a holiday place in Turkey)

Enjoy your travel ;)

Ã§etin

yes,of course TÃœRKÄ°YE is safe better than San Fransisco in Usa!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7160113.stm
Wellcome to TÃ¼rkiye.
here are some info about TÃ¼rkiye .
i hope, help you!
http://www.myturkiye.info/
http://www.worldturkey.com/index.php
http://www.enjoyturkey.com/index.htm
http://aboutturkey.com/TurkeyForum/
http://www.guidetoturkey.com/
http://turkish.homestead.com/
http://www.tourismturkey.org/
http://www.turkishpeople.com/
http://www.360tr.com/
http://vdo.mynet.com/video/1013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Z2bVuEYUY
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=G9rnMP2tUeE
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dWxYzzMsgfY
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=l7CM8BikWgM
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=g-USkTcgp9w

SUPERMAN

It is very safe...You have nothing to worry about..

These links will be helpful:
http://www.tourismturkey.org/

http://www.kultur.gov.tr/EN/Default.aspx?17A16AE30572D313D4AF1EF75F7A79681D9DD78D03148A6E

http://www.gototurkey.co.uk/

tikilady

I'm American and have lived in Turkey for 3 years. I feel safer here than I did living in California. When you visit Turkey, you must be cautious about things like petty theft (don't leave your purse/bag open, etc) but that's just common sense no matter where you go!

Turkish people are generally very friendly and being American doesn't really matter to them. They are not big fans of the Bush administration, but everyone I have ever met has been able to separate the problems of governments vs. the people. Usually, Turks are very happy that Americans come to visit because they know it's far and Americans (perhaps like yourself!) have many misconceptions about what Turkey is actually like. I know when I first visited, it was quite different than what I had in mind.

Turkey is an amazing country and you shouldn't miss it!

geear (

yes..

sasha r

I check out this US govt travel site to find out what countries are welcoming to americans. It also has tons of info for international travel. So far Turkey isn't on the 'do not travel/be weary' list .

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

expatturk

I'm American and I live in Turkey. I feel safer here than when I visit large cities in the States.

miha_80

Yes, it's safe ... I've been in Kusadasi and everything was ok

Totally Blunt

Especially if you go around in that scuba gear, yes. People will take you for a crazy person and won't touch you.

ipek

What a surprise I am going to and I'll stay two mouths. Did I mention that I am American and Turkish. Maybe I see you over there. I'll be at the southern Turkey. Last but least I am afraid of anything.

Mopar440

Yes!! Turkey is an awesome travel destination! I recommend the lagoon at Olu Deniz, absolute paradise...

Also, WE ALL LOVE ATATURK!!! And I am British, lol!
Ataturk was a good man!!

The statue of him on his horse also has big testicles, yes!! LOL GO TURKEY, GO ATATURK!! WOOOO!!! Yes I am hyper. lol

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