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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To travel to Turkey or not.

53 replies

iseveryoneelsemadorisitme · 14/06/2015 22:07

I have booked a family holiday in August, all paid. However I am getting a bit anxious about all the new warnings about "only travelling there if necessary". In fact very anxious should I cancel?!Or am i being a drama queen?!

OP posts:
AnyoneForTennis · 14/06/2015 22:08

I wouldn't go. Why take the chance?

ssd · 14/06/2015 22:08

whats happening in Turkey then?

lastqueenofscotland · 14/06/2015 22:10

Isn't that just the border with Iraq they are suggesting that for, rest of it still safe.

Hassled · 14/06/2015 22:10

The Foreign Office isn't saying only travel if necessary, I don't think. See the map - only certain areas.

Happynow · 14/06/2015 22:11

Haven't heard anything ... was there last year. What warnings?

ssd · 14/06/2015 22:11

sorry just googled the news

Fatmomma99 · 14/06/2015 22:12

contact the foreign office. Also find out if you can get your money back!!!!!

Ingles2 · 14/06/2015 22:15

I don't imagine you are going anywhere near the Syrian border are you?? So no problem.. We've holidayed in Turkey recently and had a brilliant time..

MyPelvicFloorTrainsItself · 14/06/2015 22:16

I wouldn't go there this year.

Patapouf · 14/06/2015 22:17

I'm assuming you're travelling to a tourist resort? As long as you are in the south eastern coast or eastern part of the country you'll be fine. I've just come back from a few weeks there and it was fine!!

Original poster
iseveryoneelsemadorisitme · 14/06/2015 22:23

I'm booked for Iclemer. I'm just worried it might put a dampner on the holiday. My daughter has really bad anxiety and think if she got wind of some of the articles i've seen she'd meltdown. So far she hasn't seen anything! Think some of what I've read is media hype but its still a bit worrying!

OP posts:
Pyjamaface · 14/06/2015 22:28

Unless you are planning to travel close to the Syrian border, you'll be fine. I was in Kusadasi last month and it was fine

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 14/06/2015 22:29

We went to Turkey last year and had a great holiday. You'll be fine in a tourist area.

bigbuttons · 14/06/2015 22:29

I went to icmeler last year.and had a fab time. It's very touristy and safe. I think you'll be fine.

Original poster
iseveryoneelsemadorisitme · 14/06/2015 22:30

Aren't these more recent threats though? My family went last month no issue. I know there has always been a risk but has it not just increased significantly? Or am I reading scare monger articles!

OP posts:
Anaisa · 14/06/2015 22:33

We just got back from Antalya - no issues there. If you are travelling to the usual Dalaman or Antalya areas, I personally wouldn't worry.

Patapouf · 14/06/2015 22:37

FWIW the foreign office do err on the side of caution. Majorly. I spent nearly a year in a country that's on the "only if necessary" list and it was fine. The only interesting incident was a non violent student protest in the capital. There was a civil war there over two decades ago and very rarely in certain towns there's a skirmish between ethnic groups.

My point is, take it with a pinch of salt. Tourist centres are hardly an IS hotbed.

Original poster
iseveryoneelsemadorisitme · 14/06/2015 22:38

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/584278/Terror-threat-MILLIONS-holidaymakers-ISIS-target-TURKEY-Foreign-Office this is the article which filled me with fear. Disclaimer I don't usually read Daily Express Blush.

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 14/06/2015 22:43

I'd ditto patapouf I'm obviously not saying to pop over to Central african Republic for a break, but because somewhere the other side of the country is at a slightly heightened risk doesn't mean anything is going to happen. Tourist resorts are often spectacularly safe, think sharm elsheik and cancun, Egypt and Mexico in midst of huge problems far far greater than Turkey but both of those are still deemed safe to travel.

thegreylady · 14/06/2015 22:44

My son lives there. He has lived there for 22 years and he says that it is only the far Eastern borders that are unsafe. The rest of the country including all the tourist destinations are as safe as Europe. I go several times a year.

HelenF350 · 14/06/2015 22:44

I wouldn't be going to Istanbul or anywhere near the Syrian border but the tourist resorts I would definitely still go to.

ordinarylives · 14/06/2015 23:10

Hmm isn't the UK on high alert?. Been to Turkey numerous times since 1990, never an issue. Would stay away from the Syrian border on the eastern side. Going again in August, have absolutely no concerns and certainly wouldn't take any notice of a so called newspaper.

thenightsky · 14/06/2015 23:17

I'm going next week (Oludeniz). Not a worry at all in my mind and I'm looking forward to it massively.

I am/was also planning Makadi Bay in Egypt for September but now getting cold feet after the suicide bombing by person aligned with Isis at the Temple of Karnak last week Sad

revealall · 14/06/2015 23:24

There is a massive difference between an " incident" in the UK and in Turkey. You get a bomb in Turkey and you rely on goodwill and luck.
A bomb in London has emergency dervices you can recognise, an NHS and you're nearest and dearest will be able to get news straight away.
Having said that many friends are going to Turkey all the time. Personally not worth the stress for me. Tons of places that are more reliable should something occur.

Thancred · 14/06/2015 23:28

Goodwill and luck...? It's not a third world country, Turkey actually has a decent health care system, emergency services, and various other agencies. You'd be just as safe there as in London should a terrorist incident occur.