Holiday to Istanbul

Akmeeda

Akmeeda

Akmeeda

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Joined
6 May 2013
Posts
361
Location
Edinburgh
A few friends and I have been thinking of travelling to Istanbul this July for a week. We were dead set on the place, but unfortunately have been a bit put off since the attack in Ankara several days ago.

I just want to know if it is safe in Istanbul itself for a group of guys? There also seems to have been an attack in the touristy area of Istanbul back in January. Are we just being paranoid or is it best to avoid Turkey for now?

We were also considering Marrakesh in Morocco, which was the number 1 ranked destination last year according to TripAdviser. However, there does not appear to be a reasonable way to get there from anywhere in Scotland in July. With overnight stay in London Gatwick being the only connecting flight option. Whereas, there are direct and cheaper flights to Istanbul from Edinburgh.

We've considered other destinations but cannot come close to even agreeing on anything apart from Istanbul or Marrakesh.

Would love to hear people's experiences travelling to Turkey.
 
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Istanbul itself should be ok but I'd probably be looking at say the Greek islands or something instead for that kind of holiday with the uncertainties at the moment in Turkey and North Africa.
 
Nothing wrong with Turkey but it does depend where you go. My sister lives in Selcuk which is about 1000 miles from the Syrian border. Only wish I could get out there this year!
 
I've just booked our family summer holiday to Belek in Turkey, after checking out the gov foreign travel advice website and careful consideration I'm happy for us to travel there.
 
I went to Istanbul in May last year and really enjoyed it. Plenty to do and see and I found the place friendly and cheap

Someone I know went about 2 weeks after the last attack. She'd been there before and said the tourist areas in Sultanahmet were deserted and she only saw one small group of Germans and a few very well shepherded groups of Far East Asians

When I was there it was teeming - the change must be very tough on those that make their living from tourism, 'cos by the sound of it they are making no living now

Before I went I did 20 minutes googling of where attacks had taken place and nearly all of them were in Ankara
 
In terms of holiday, we are just looking for anywhere that is hot, easy to get to, has a bustling city with plenty to see and isn't too expensive in terms of flights (Around £200-£300). Sounds like a standard set of requirements for a holiday right? But every other suggested place someone in the group has a problem with. I'm open to hearing suggestions of other destinations still though!

I did read the travel advice on the UK Gov website and it seems all okay on there.

Pipe & Slippers said:
I went to Istanbul in May last year and really enjoyed it. Plenty to do and see and I found the place friendly and cheap

Someone I know went about 2 weeks after the last attack. She'd been there before and said the tourist areas in Sultanahmet were deserted and she only saw one small group of Germans and a few very well shepherded groups of Far East Asians

When I was there it was teeming - the change must be very tough on those that make their living from tourism, 'cos by the sound of it they are making no living now

Before I went I did 20 minutes googling of where attacks had taken place and nearly all of them were in Ankara
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Could the reason it was so quite after the attack be that it was in January and there aren't many tourists around anyway?


Feef said:
I hitchhiked from Edinburgh to morocco, do that instead :p does eat up a bit of time though...
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This may be a bit trickier with 8-10 guys :p
 
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In my view, I must be crazy to take my family to Turkey in the current situation (especially Istanbul) and it's a big pity for us as we don't have to go through the bother of getting a visa for my wife.
 
Turkey is just a horrible place. I hope your wife isn't blonde and the leering men try not to stick their hand up her dress, like the lot that did with my missus !
 
I'm struggling to think of anywhere that's not actually wartorn that I'd less like to visit, and you're going by choice?

Nowt but queer as folk.
 
Gilly said:
I'm struggling to think of anywhere that's not actually wartorn that I'd less like to visit, and you're going by choice?

Nowt but queer as folk.
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I think there's more chance of a terrorist incident in London or any other European capital city than confined to a single All Inclusive resort in Turkey.
 
Loved all my Turkish holidays but wouldn't go again now I have a family, no thank you.
 
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