Visiting Gallipoli

[MrsAvocet]

I know this perhaps a bit niche, but hoping someone may have been before.
Long story short, I want to visit an ancestor's grave in Gallipoli. Would be me, DH and possibly our 2 late teenage sons. We'd fly independently to Istanbul and join an organised tour there probably as my initial research suggests that's what most people do.
However, I have just read the "worst holidays" thread and I am a bit concerned by about how often Turkey features, particularly in terms of harrassment of women.
Obviously we won't be in the popular tourist resorts but I don't know if that is likely to make things better or worse? As I say, we'd use one of the established battlefield tour companies, so I wouldn't be wandering around the countryside alone or anything and I don't think it would be dangerous for me as such, but it would be an expensive trip by our standards and it's also a significant thing for me, not just a regular holiday. I don't want to be on edge and feel hassled all the time. I think if it's going to be like that I would prefer not to go.
Does anyone have any experience or advice?

My reply may not help much as I've never visited Gallipoli or anywhere else in Turkey, but I just wanted to say I think it'd be a shame to let such worries put you off.

It's true that I wouldn't fancy going to countries which have a reputation for harassment of women, but I always holiday alone so I'd likely be more vulnerable. You have a particular reason for going, you'll be with your husband and possibly grown sons and, once there, you'll be joining an organised tour. I really doubt you'd have problems as cowards who pester or insult women are opportunistic and tend to go for easy targets.

One trip I did some years ago, not as an organised tour or package deal, was to visit the war grave of a relative in northern Europe, which was very important to me to do. Now of course the Netherlands is not Turkey, which is why I hesitated to reply, but I'm so very glad I went. If you're itching to do this trip, I'd say go for it.

I read that thread too and it was both appalling at times and amusing at others, but by definition it won't include the many women who I imagine go to these places and have few if any problems.

Anyway, if you do decide to go, I hope it's a rewarding experience.

I haven't been to Gallipoli but we travelled round Turkey for a few weeks as a family and I was never hassled once. At one point I was running round the bus station in Antalya, having abandoned DH, trying to find the bus, the men couldn't have been more helpful and showed me exactly where the bus we needed was. I covered my shoulders and knees (ie tshirt and knee length summery skirt/this trousers) which probably helps if you want to be treated with respect. Now if you said Cairo then I'd have a different answer, but I'm planning a trip back to Turkey next year and can't wait.

I've been living in Turkey for the last 10 years ans have travelled extensively by myself - usually hiring a car. Never felt unfomcfortable or hassled.

When I went to Gallipoli I drove from my home in Istanbul - beautiful drive through wine country (stay in a vineyard for the night). I would recommend staying in Eceabat or Gallipoli and spending a whole day to drive yourself round the battlefields so you can soak it in in your own time.