Would you go to Turkey this summer?

[Lndnmummy]

Just that really, would you?

No but then it's not somewhere Ive particularly been desperate to visit. In the last couple of years we've made a conscious decision to choose 'safer' places when travelling with the children. I appreciate nowhere is completely safe but some places are more risky than others.

I wouldn't have gone anyway for ethical reasons, Turkey has a very poor human rights record and I don't like the way they treat the Kurds. I used to live in an area which had a large Kurdish population and heard some terrible stories, but particularly about suppression of the Kurdish language and I really couldn't go in good conscience.

I wouldn't go for security reasons either, the US has released these warnings:

travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings/turkey-travel-warning.html

People are very naive about what the level of threat needs to be before the UK will issue strong warnings and generally assume that safety of travellers is the prime motivation for which they are made/not made. In fact, and particularly in the case of Turkey, there are all sorts of political and economic concerns which mean they often aren't issued until after the horse has bolted and people are already dead.

I wouldn't go to mainland Europe either. The porous EU border means too many arms have already come in from Eastern Europe for it to be safe. The U.K. is much safer because our border controls mean these haven't come into the UK in any significant numbers. Our security services are also much better organised and more effective. Apparently they've all but given up targeting London because all the plans are spotted and foiled.

Only having a staycation this year as will be quite heavily pregnant, but I think I would anyway.

Bookings down 50% apparently.

www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/mar/23/turkey-tourism-industry-summer-holiday-bookings-fall-50-percent

I also wouldn't go primarily because of their government's attitude to human rights and the media. Don't intend to reward that with my custom.

I could (and nearly did) have written this yesterday OP. Looking for somewhere in July and had ruled out Turkey and Egypt for safety reasons but the travel agent really talked me into Turkey!
It would be be the Western edge further away from the Syrian border, but I still feel very nervous at the thought.
It's so difficult to decide-especially because of the kids. Maybe I could leave them at home alone

We're going at the beginning of June, DH talked me into it, and I really really wish I could back out!

Can I ask which region you're visiting Poo?

We went last year and we're going back next year. I would go this summer, but we'd already made plans. We go to Dalyan which is lovely and fairly quiet but with tons of things to do if you want to be kept busy. We rent a villa and although we are going to Orlando this summer I actually wish it were Dalyan instead!

We're going to Bodrum this time, normally we go to Lara Beach, but we're meeting up with friends who picked a different resort this time.

I had a huge amount of hassle in Turkey from men when I went to Istanbul in my 20s. I don't suppose it would be anywhere near as bad now I'm in my 40s and have small DC with me wherever I go, but those of you saying Turkish men don't hassle tourists are mistaken. I wasn't immodestly dressed either - it was November and not very warm so I was covered up. Maybe its because I was young and blonde and didn't have a man with me, but I did have my 50-something aunt!

There are some super cheap deals to Turkey out there at the moment! Every other last minute deal on the Thomson site is to Turkey and they're super cheap. Even my friends who go every year aren't going this year.

"I have been in plenty of sweaty nightclubs in Turkey and never had a man lay a hand on me"

Me, too. Many many nightclubs in Turkey's three largest cities + many seaside resorts and not once has anyone touched me. Tried to chat me up if I was (or looked) alone, but no hassling or groping.

Compare that to the South of France. When I first moved here I was at the number of men literally grabbing me and pulling me down to where they were sitting as I walked past them. I would have to physically push away the men who were pulling, squeezing, rubbing against me etc which would be unthinkable in Turkey.

I agree with CoteDAzur. In Nice I had men approach me even though I was obviously 6 months pregnant. In Northern Cyprus, nothing at all.

NO. It is too near Syria and an easy target.

Personally no I wouldn't, whilst I get that pretty much anywhere is a terrorist target, I do feel that some areas are more risky than others. So unless I had to go to a hot spot (e.g. London) for work daily for example, then I wouldn't.

Lots of people feel differently though, and it will depend on individual levels of anxiety etc.

I do think that the Western European countries are far more likely to be targeted given it's those countries that ISIS has the issues with.

The fact remains though that if it makes you feel uncomfortable then don't go.

I wouldn't go to mainland Europe either. The porous EU border means too many arms have already come in from Eastern Europe for it to be safe. The U.K. is much safer because our border controls mean these haven't come into the UK in any significant numbers

I agree with your post but I wouldnt be too confident about our border controls.

If you have an EU passport your pretty much waived through.

"Warning of the risks posed by the current procedures, he said: 'The controls for EU citizens are pretty minimal. The Border Force glance at your passport and wave you on"

Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3549327/Britain-s-border-security-tightened-safe-terrorists-warn-security-experts-EU-migrants-just-waved-checks.html#ixzz46NCsI8oo
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Isnt it sad that the world - has come to this?

Isnt it just so awfully hideous and dreadful?

Me, too. Many many nightclubs in Turkey's three largest cities + many seaside resorts and not once has anyone touched me. Tried to chat me up if I was (or looked) alone, but no hassling or groping

Is that because your in the main areas?

No. If the government thinks they can attack demonstrations for International Women's Day, fair enough, but they won't be getting my money, then.
Unless the government changes ... nope, no Turkey for me.

We went two years ago and absolutely loved it. My dd (25) is going in June for a friend's wedding and I'm sure all will be fine.
Anything can happy

Sorry posted too soon
A terrorist attack could happen anywhere in the whole world. If people stop travelling then they have won.
Having said that, Turkey's human rights record is not great either!
And also agree with pp about the absence of the Russians.

I assume most posters are talking about the main areas re: men. If I go to a far flung Eastern village or even my own village I don't go clubbing and the men certainly wouldn't glare at me.

We go to a domestic holiday destination that doesn't have foreign tourists really and even though when I was younger it was groups of girls and groups of boys it still didn't happen.

I'd love to go to Turkey this summer, or any other summer. I don't see the security there as any more of a problem than anywhere else.

I have never spotted a thread on Mumsnet saying "would you go to the US this summer", despite the fact that gun death there is ridiculously high (I saw a claim recently that more Americans are killed every year by toddlers finding their parents' guns than are killed by terrorists). I have never seen "would you drive on holiday this summer", despite many more people being killed in mundane road accidents than in terror attacks. Risk is relative.