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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to turn down a free holiday

65 replies

Whatcouldpossiblygowrong · 29/12/2018 12:58

We have the option to go on holiday for free to turkey.
I have a fear of aeroplanes which has been worse since LOs were born.
I’m also worried about tensions with Syria and the threat of terrorism.
Am I being wise or stupid?

OP posts:
coconutpie · 29/12/2018 13:00

Wise. Never mind free, you couldn't pay me to go to Turkey. Far too unstable.

RedHelenB · 29/12/2018 13:00

Stupid! Obviously check FO advice before you go by I bet all will be fine and you'll have a great holiday.

MyPoodleisWorthTenofYou · 29/12/2018 13:03

You’re not being wise or stupid.

You’re probably being way too over-cautious on the terrorist front though. I’d go.

I’m not a particularly anxious person though and it sounds like you are.

MacarenaFerreiro · 29/12/2018 13:03

Millions of people fly in aeroplanes and visit Turkey each year. It's a massive country - the main resort areas around Antalya, Bodrum or Fethiye are 500 miles from the Syrian border. So being scared of going to Turkey because of Syria is like being frightened to go to Edinburgh because there have been stabbings in London.

AlpacaLypse · 29/12/2018 13:03

I'd check the destination out on Trip Advisor, and of course be guided by Foreign Office advice. You do need to address your fear of aeroplanes sometime or another.

PotteringAlong · 29/12/2018 13:03

Go go go!

Lazypuppy · 29/12/2018 13:05

YABU. Regardleas of destination don't let your fear of planes get passed onto your kids, or have a nagative impact on their childhood

Amanduh · 29/12/2018 13:05

Wise. I wouldn’t to to Turkey either. And it’s nothing like not going to Edinburgh because of stabbings in London either.

Branleuse · 29/12/2018 13:06

depends where and when

setAsProfile · 29/12/2018 13:07

I'd ignore FCO advice having been an expat for years and realised that they often post 'advice' to cover their own backs.

I'd look at crowd-sourced opinions such as Tripadvisor or Lonely Planet.

I don't have any phobias and am reasonably bold but understand (or empathise) with that aspect. Do you want it to hold your family back though?

I'd always take a free holiday. I spend my time thinking about the next trip.

Cherries101 · 29/12/2018 13:07

Turkey is thought of positively by most Syrians because they are the only Muslim country to allow unrestricted numbers of refugees from Syria. Most of the terrorist incidents you hear about are homegrown and similar to the ETA incidents in Spain and IRA in NI. Statistically France has actually had more terrorist attacks recently than Turkey has.

ThatPeskyElf · 29/12/2018 13:08

I wouldn’t go to Turkey if it were free, if you paid me, or even if the alternative would be living next door to Teresa May for the rest of time.

And I hate planes too.

lucky88 · 29/12/2018 13:13

I wouldn't go to turkey at the moment. It's not that long ago travel companies had suspended holidays and flights to Turkey.

Have been several times previously but in recent years have chosen other holiday destinations. Wouldn't go there with my DC even if I was being paid!

DianaT1969 · 29/12/2018 13:16

I was in Turkey this summer (Antalya region). No sign of any if the Syrian troubles in the tourist resorts. Personally, I'd be more reluctant to go to Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt if terrorist attacks is a factor in the decision making. Although as PP said, going to Belgium or France is probably statistically less safe.
Do think about seeing your GP for anti-anxiety medicine for the flights. It would be a shame if your family had to turn back from the airport if you couldn't face it. My sympathies, I imagine that's difficult to overcome.

70sbaubles · 29/12/2018 13:19

Go

thebaronetofcockburn · 29/12/2018 13:22

I'd go on my own but I wouldn't take little ones even if it were free. And I have no trouble flying at all.

Knittedfairies · 29/12/2018 13:25

Wise.

Touchmybum · 29/12/2018 13:29

Does it have to be Turkey? I think I'd go though.

I worried a bit about going to Paris but I've been three times in the last 14 months and loved every minute.

Also lived through the 'Troubles' in NI.

You can be in the wrong place at the wrong time anywhere in the world.

I agree with Macarena.

DeepanKrispanEven · 29/12/2018 13:30

You're at greater risk every time you cross the road or get into a car.

Crinkle77 · 29/12/2018 13:31

I wouldn't go to Turkey just because I hated it when I went there about 12 years ago. Couldn't see the attraction.

Witchofzog · 29/12/2018 13:32

Erm were flights and holidays to Turkey suspended? That was Egypt not Turkey.

I have been to Turkey twice this year and it is is a beautiful hospitable country. The tourist resorts are hundreds of miles from Syria. Terrorism has occurred in many EU countries over the last few years including ours so you are not one hundred percent safe in any populated area.

I would go personally but if you feel you can't, as another poster said, try to conquer your fear of flying, maybe by starting with travelling somewhere else an hour or so away.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 29/12/2018 13:32

You shouldn’t go to Turkey due to the terrorism and safety issues, but you shouldn’t allow your fear of flying to negatively affect your children.

Witchofzog · 29/12/2018 13:33

*That should read When were flights to Turkey suspended?

nicoala1 · 29/12/2018 13:39

I would not set foot in Turkey because I wouldn’t dream of supporting the dictatorship of Sultan Erdogan.

viques · 29/12/2018 13:41

I wouldn't go to Turkey because I wouldn't want to prop up a mysoynistic, repressive wannabe dictator of a president who is turning his country into a place where women are put firmly back into the barefoot/pregnant/kitchen view of femininity.