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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you go to Turkey this summer?

114 replies

Lndnmummy · 19/04/2016 15:20

Just that really, would you?

OP posts:
AnneEtAramis · 19/04/2016 22:00

Those worrying about the airport and security being as good as here, let me tell you that you cannot even get into Istanbul airport without going through metal detectors, luggage through X-ray machines and armed security and it has been this way since I was a child.

I feel like we are discussing Turkey 30 years ago, if you are in the big cities or tourist spots I don't usually find men a problem - although that was a problem when we first starting going as children.

Many of the attacks are actually related to the ongoing problems with the Kurdish PKK and again that isn't really new.

My dad is going, but my mum won't this year. Tbh I worry more about it becoming a dictatorship overnight and as a dual national getting stuck. I know that is irrational cote

I will be travelling there over the next year or two though for purposes other than holiday.

SquareDolphin · 19/04/2016 22:11

Anne's points on airport security match mine 100%

DH and I both frequently fly in and out of Istanbul. Constantly shocked by the lack of security getting into Heathrow airport terminals!!!! Anyone can walk in...madness!

Finallyonboard · 19/04/2016 22:12

Not even if it was free!

youknowwhattodo · 19/04/2016 22:14

Absolutely not! Not a country that has ever appealed to me

JennyHolzersGhost · 19/04/2016 22:18

No.
Nothing to do with the airport. There's a massive and very blurred land border with Syria ffs! After Tunisia i don't know why people can't see that poorly policed land border plus lots of beach resorts popular with western tourists equals potentially easy target.
There's also the fact that the Turkish government is using media oppression to suppress reports of terrorist attacks. The whole political climate in Turkey at the moment is very worrying - I do not think we are hearing of all the security problems that are taking place.
I am very concerned about Turkey this coming summer. I've been there and it is lovely but would I go back ? Not right now.

AnneEtAramis · 19/04/2016 22:22

Isn't this based on OPs post about being worried about security, as opposed to whether it's on your list of places to visit?! Confused

All this talk of Islamic countries is a bit kind boggling given it's secular heritage. Despite the current government being more conservative and religious, last year when I was there on the beach etc it really didn't impact at all - in fact these days I feel more conservative than the people I meet when there at times.

AnneEtAramis · 19/04/2016 22:25

There's also the fact that the Turkish government is using media oppression to suppress reports of terrorist attacks. The whole political climate in Turkey at the moment is very worrying

This I would agree with although I worry about it as a Turkish national rather than as a visitor.

Quodlibet · 19/04/2016 22:26

Yes. It's a gorgeous, wonderful country. And also huge, with lots of areas that aren't particularly touristy and which are massively less likely to be the target of an attack than London, where I live and work.

Trooperslane · 19/04/2016 22:33

I'm from NI and grew up during the height of the troubles.

I'd go - but the mega transfer time from airport to resort means I cba.

cleanmachine · 19/04/2016 22:40

Yes I would. And I would go to paris/london/Brussels too. Are posters saying they wouldn't go to Turkey also avoiding Paris?

And where are all these cheap deals to turkey? Our friends have just got back and said it's as busy as ever and slightly more expensive than last year. If anything prices to turkey have risen slightly because some flights have been cancelled resulting in a scramble for seats.

AnneEtAramis · 19/04/2016 22:50

I did go to Paris in January actually. We had a lovely time.

AnneEtAramis · 19/04/2016 22:51

I think OP that it just comes down to if you aren't comfortable then you aren't comfortable. If there was an appeal about Turkey and you haven't said there was what about Cyprus?

hefzi · 19/04/2016 23:18

Laurie the attacks on the beach you mentioned in your post weren't in Turkey...

Seeing as the Italian police have warned today about - apparently - concrete threats on European beach resorts (not to mention the possibility of CBRN attacks on the UK) this summer, it's really not much different if you're after a beach holiday, in all honesty. Where do you stop drawing the line, at the end of the day? People go the Maldives and Mauritius, where there are periods of severe political unrest, as well as Islamist instability in some cases, but don't care (or, more likely, have no idea, even before they go) as they are tucked up in their all inclusive resorts. Thailand has an Islamism problem (as I assume that's really what the OP is about), as does North Africa, East Africa, West Africa, the Philippines, parts of China, parts of India - etc etc etc

Speaking personally, I think it's only a matter of time before something happens in a Turkish coastal resort: but then, I strongly suspect it's only a matter of time before the next attack in mainland Europe, and sadly, it's definitely only a matter of time before the next attack in the UK. Remember, a terrorist only has to be lucky once- the security services have to be lucky all the time. The only advantage of Turkey, in that respect, is the minimal respect for human rights that Erdogan and his cronies have, so you can be sure they smack down hard on anyone they don't trust - so at least you'll be safe from the PKK Hmm

It's your holiday - you've got to do what you feel comfortable with: but statistically speaking, you're still safer now than at any other time in human history - though I appreciate that when you become one of the statistics, that's not much comfort.

UptownFlunk · 19/04/2016 23:24

After what happened in Tunisia I wouldn't go there for safety reasons but, to be honest, I didn't enjoy my holiday there a few years ago anyway. I found the men leery and generally unpleasant when I was on my own whereas they were respectful and polite to me if I was with my husband, it really irked me.

I also hated the constant hassling you to buy something. I came home with more money than I've ever come home from a holiday with as I just couldn't be arsed with going into shops and being pressurised to buy something from the moment I walked in the door.

Mummyoftwo91 · 19/04/2016 23:34

I am going this year, threat is just as real in this country or anywhere else in Europe at the moment, all this scaremongering and stopping people living their life means they win

Ipigglemustdie · 20/04/2016 05:09

Wouldn't go if you paid me. But not because of security reasons.

CoteDAzur · 20/04/2016 08:02

I'm Confused at complaints of leering men hassling women and being constantly pressured to buy stuff.

Where have you all been in Turkey that all this happened? I have lived there for many years and visit at least once every year for several weeks.

SquareDolphin · 20/04/2016 08:14

I know cote...I get hit on by random strangers far more often in London than Istanbul...what am I going wrong? Grin

Some comments here read like memoirs from a 1975 wild weekend in Marmaris...

Mummyoftwo91 · 20/04/2016 08:19

Totally agree! Been on a night out in London and had way more pervy men my way! Some people have some sort of snobbery against turkey and it pisses me off, my husband is from a Turkish Cypriot family and we have been to turkey many times and they are the warmest most generous people I've ever met

Mouseinahole · 20/04/2016 08:19

Yes I am going to Istanbul later this year.
I am going to London on Saturday.
I feel the same about both places, slightly nervous.

debbiedidit · 20/04/2016 08:27

No chance, I won't even change in Istanbul airport. Same goes for Dubai, Egypt etc. Just not worth the risk.

debbiedidit · 20/04/2016 08:30

Although I should add, even before all this I would never have visited Turkey because of its appalling record on women's rights.

We too have actively chosen not to fly with Turkish Airlines this summer - they must be feeling it.

AnneEtAramis · 20/04/2016 08:31

Some comments here read like memoirs from a 1975 wild weekend in Marmaris...

I have been in plenty of sweaty nightclubs in Turkey and never had a man lay a hand on me but then that's why we have the slow music hour.

But, I guess if that's what others say has happened who am I to judge.

Salene · 20/04/2016 08:31

As much as no way I would go to turkey now when I have been in the past , I really enjoyed it and found the people including the men nothing but friendly and welcoming

I certainly wasn't hassled like some people say. They like to banter with you, trying to sell you stuff, get you into the restaurants ex but there is nothing wrong with that. It's all in good fun and by no means sexual harassment.

expatinscotland · 20/04/2016 08:31

I'd go. But then, I go to America every year and it's full of violence.