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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:
Loopytiles · 29/12/2018 13:42

YABU not to fly because of your anxiety.

Birdsgottafly · 29/12/2018 13:47

You need to get over your fear of flying, but there are better places to visit.

Unless, it's a top resort with lots to do for the children, Turkey is shit.

Jackshouse · 29/12/2018 13:50

We went to Turkey in May. On our return they changed the terrorist threat in tourist areas to ‘highly likely’. I did not feel comfortable at all in Turkey.

I wouldn’t personally return.

LEELULUMPKIN · 29/12/2018 13:56

No, I wouldn't go either and travel is my reason for living. Went once, never again

Deadringer · 29/12/2018 14:00

It doesn't sound like you would enjoy it much so is there any point you going?

UserName31456789 · 29/12/2018 14:02

Turkey is the kind of country I wouldn't choose for safety concerns but I'm a cautious person. I certainly wouldn't be surprised by someone else going there.

CatnissEverdene · 29/12/2018 14:07

I personally wouldn't go there, free or not.

If you're worried about flying, choose a closer destination. We had many happy family holidays in Spain and Portugal and it was only a 2 hour flight. I managed that fine and was able to put on a brave face with the kids.

luckylavender · 29/12/2018 14:07

I wonder how many of you who would never go to Turkey, have ever been? Seems like a lot of judgement being dished out.

whatwillbewillbe03 · 29/12/2018 14:07

I'd go I love Turkey went back twice this year and will more than likely go next.

Hellozzz · 29/12/2018 14:08

Turkey is a beautiful friendly country. The tourists resorts are far away from Syria. I would go to the Fethiye region as more relaxed and less hustle. You would be safe going there as much as any tourist resorts.

Travis1 · 29/12/2018 14:14

We’re booked for Turkey for next year. Love the place and tourist resorts are hundreds of miles away from the Syrian border. As for flying, statistally you’re far more like to have a car accident than be involved in a plane crash

turnipsaretheonlyveg · 29/12/2018 14:15

I had a great break in Istanbul once so have no issue with Turkey as a place but in the current political climate and with the current leadership it wouldn't be my first choice of holiday destination.
Your fear of flying is a separate issue that would need addressing on its own.

PlatypusPie · 29/12/2018 14:19

We’ve been a few times ( sailing, so out from the beautiful Lycian coast ports) and were in Istanbul during the 2013 Taksim Square riots on business (the trouble was confined to such a small area, which was not at all how it was reported). It’s a lovely country, delicious food, friendly people. It’s also a very big country and attitudes in Istanbul are very different to those in the countryside.

The airports are very security conscious ( security to get in the building, , much like many international airports, though nothing quite beats Tel Aviv )

We are debating going sailing there again as we have had such good experiences . I am sad at the desecularisation of the country and the backward march of Erdogan but am also sad for all those local tourist businesses that have paid the price.

ADastardlyThing · 29/12/2018 14:21

Not a chance I'd go.

And it grates on me how fear of flying is just dismissed on here and irl as one of those things you can get over. I know plenty of people with fears of rats, spiders, even one with a fear of buttons but I don't try force them to button my coat up or stick their heads in a spider web Hmm

PowerhouseOfTheCell · 29/12/2018 14:24

Someone I know has just come back from northern Turkey, the only negative of his holiday was he go 'FUCK LIFE' tattooed on his neck Hmm

But if its making you that anxious look at booking some domestic flights

Loopytiles · 29/12/2018 14:28

A fear of flying that people don’t attempt to address can impact negatively on others in the family, if the family would otherwise holiday abroad. I struggle with it myself and don’t want my DC to miss out because of my issues.

glitterfarts · 29/12/2018 14:36

Turkey is lovely - I've been many times and hope to take my 2 DC next year. The people are friendly, it's very secular, mostly you wouldn't know it was a muslim-majority country.
If you are going to Istanbul, it's fantastic - beautiful sights.

I've also been to Syria, pre-current-troubles. The people there were so friendly and hospitable. It isn't how it's portrayed in the media at all.

Imagine if all UK citizens were tarred as being the same as IRA extremists.

Or if all christians tarred as being the same as Westbro Baptist church members, would you be happy with that?

If I was offered a free trip to Turkey, I'd jump at the chance.

glitterfarts · 29/12/2018 14:36

^^ oh and I am tall, blonde and blue eyed. Quite obviously not from the region.

Mayrhofen · 29/12/2018 14:45

I don’t mind flying, but I’ve been to Turkey and I wouldn’t go again, ever.

I didn’t like it at all. I felt very uneasy and very female and vulnerable. Horrible place.

Mercurial123 · 29/12/2018 14:49

Istanbul is amazing I've been four times. Sure you get a bit of unwanted attention but it's not too bad. For those saying they won't visit for political reasons your choice of countries must be very limited.

Yohooo · 29/12/2018 14:50

If the reason it’s free is because someone’s asked you to carry something back from Turkey to the UK for them then it’s probably best not to accept. 👀😂
Can you tell I’ve been watching ‘Banged Up Abroad’

GreyGardens88 · 29/12/2018 14:59

People didn't stop going to touristy areas in Manchester or London after the attacks so why is it different for Egypt or Turkey ?

imamum21 · 29/12/2018 15:00

i went to turkey once and when i told people all i got was oh i wouldnt go there because of terrorist attacks my reply was make sure you dont go to the places in the uk that have had them then as there are same risks everywhere, i loved that holiday but i wasnt sure on the food but im a fussy eater. i have booked again for next year same town different hotel. the people were lovely in our hotel every night they made our table lovely had drinks ready didnt even have to go to the bar to ask they brought them out and the entertainers were lovely came up and sat with us every day, we made sure we left them a tip as they worked so hard and really looked after us

Branleuse · 29/12/2018 15:08

a weekend in istanbul without kids, yep for sure.

Taking my kids for a jolly round the syrian border - nope

Branleuse · 29/12/2018 15:09

but if i only went to places where I agreed with the government, then i dont think id ever go anywhere. Hell i'd even have to leave the UK