Turkey?

My Sister used to go to Turkey quite regularly, but having seen it deteriorate quite abruptly and then being the victim of some rather nasty locals who were openly harassing her and who then grabbed her and tried to pull her away from her fiancé and into a dingy backroom of a cafe she hasn't been since. Both of them were lucky to get out of that relatively unscathed physically, bar a few scratches, cuts & bruises, but it has made them both very wary of travelling to such places.

No to mention the fact that when they reported the incident to the police, the police were more interested in making out it was their fault and that a 'donation' might make them see things differently.
 
Malevolence said:
My Sister used to go to Turkey quite regularly, but having seen it deteriorate quite abruptly and then being the victim of some rather nasty locals who were openly harassing her and who then grabbed her and tried to pull her away from her fiancé and into a dingy backroom of a cafe she hasn't been since. Both of them were lucky to get out of that relatively unscathed physically, bar a few scratches, cuts & bruises, but it has made them both very wary of travelling to such places.

No to mention the fact that when they reported the incident to the police, the police were more interested in making out it was their fault and that a 'donation' might make them see things differently.
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Sorry to hear what they went through but this was my point, just because it didnt happened to some doesnt mean it wont happen or its not happening to others. Country is not stable and its not secure enough to take my family there for a holiday just because its cheap.
 
My wife and I visited Istanbul in 2006. We stayed in Sultanahmet, and had a great time. Felt very safe with the Istanbul Tourism Police constantly visible, and very obviously armed.

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We wouldn't go there now, though. Erdogan + civil unrest = recipe for disaster.
 
pokerking said:
I am booking a late holiday for the family for the end of September, all the usual places like Spain, Portugal are around £900 for a 3* holiday.
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Primary reason is less security and more a moral choice around supporting Turkey economically. Place is fast becoming a hole and has become less secular and liberal as the years have ticked by. A real shame.

Cost 1800 sheets for the wife and I for a week between 22 - 29 Sept to Tenerife at a 5* when I booked 3 weeks ago! Clearly, I was seen coming!
 
I'm recently back from Turkey:

  • I would not go to Marmaris etc - full of drunken brits, chavs on cheap holidays.

  • I would not go to a hotel/resort - if anywhere is going to be attacked it will be a hotel/resort where a mass casualty attack would be easier.

We had a private villa and we felt safe there and when walking around town. Check for deals on flights and private villas, a villa that was £1200 last year and always fully booked we got for £500 in mid-August - luxury villa too.

Where we were the shops, bars, restaurants were nearly empty, we never waited for anything and the locals and the service was excellent. You can see how the recent attacks have damaged the tourism industry.

But we had an amazing time.
 
Used to go regularly about 15 years ago. Now I wouldnt. The country is rapidly sliding backwards. All because of everyone's favourite religion!
 
Uther said:
''Further attacks in Turkey remain likely and could be indiscriminate; you should remain vigilant''

Bit like here then...
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OK seems like the general consensus is to avoid like the plague then? It's very tempting mind been soooo cheap.

With the stuff happening in London and Madrid even more so France, places like Portugal caneries etc are a rip off this year. Like double the price of a few years back :(
 
I went in 2014 before all the troubles and loved it. It's very beautiful, very warm and very friendly. I would go back but not while this is going on.

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Also, they seem to be going backwards as evolution is no longer taught in schools.
 
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Just got back yesterday from a fortnight in Oludeniz, Turkey. Been going for the last 8 years and it's beautiful, safe and cheap compared to most places. My wife and I have never had any abuse of any kind or witnessed any, we've always felt safe and go off traveling all over using public transport etc. They do ask you to come eat here, buy this, boat trip etc. etc. and it does get a little tiring saying "no thanks" but it's not enough of a reason not to go.

My only issue is how touristy my beloved Oludeniz has become :( went to Kalkan for a day during our hols and that looks beautiful and more upmarket than Oludeniz so could be an option for next year.

We also went to Alykes, Zante this year and while lovely, laid back and friendly it was expensive compared to Turkey and not much to do besides eat, drink and sunbathe.
 
My brother and his girlfriend returned a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it as they always have. Think they went to Kalkan this time and said (as above) that it was quite upmarket actually.
 
Went to Didim, Turkey for the first time in July for a week. All-inclusive, mid to low 40's, loved it, all the staff were friendly, helpful and happy to chat. The resort was beautiful, had it's own private beach with security. You knew they were there but always in the background. There wasn't much around the resort, hotels, a few bars/restaurants and then a residential area. We went out for a walk one of the days, popped in a few shops, never once felt uneasy or hassled by shop owners.

I would love to go back, never really been bothered about Turkey before, only booked it because it was 5* and a great price. The only time I thought I was going to die was thanks to the bus driver on the way back to Izmir airport, bloody mental.
 
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pokerking said:
Couple of informative post thank you! Really proving to be a tough choice :(
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i feel your struggle. it's also a thought for me to go there. i went to egypt a few years back and loved every second of it. cheapest but one of the best holidays i've ever had. while there, every russian was evacuated in the area due to security risks. i never felt in danger. i feel this would be the same for turkey. the chance being so small. i think to myself, ok lets say i went today on holiday for a 2 week trip. in 2 weeks from today i'll look back and think, see nothing happened, so should just book a holiday and go, however i also thought the same with going back to egypt a while ago, but then the next week a plane was blown up. I thought ah a one off, then considered egypt again and i think it was another plane hijacked. i haven't considered egypt since.

such a tough choice. but over all i guess at the moment i'm thinking, a holiday should be relaxing. will i be more worried while trying to relax on the beach every loud noise? all for what is actually only a small saving? We arent talking £2k down to £500 between say spain and turkey. £300-£400 saving really isn't worth it if you are in any doubt and have kids etc.
 
Fairly sure the answer is no said:
i feel your struggle. it's also a thought for me to go there. i went to egypt a few years back and loved every second of it. cheapest but one of the best holidays i've ever had. while there, every russian was evacuated in the area due to security risks. i never felt in danger. i feel this would be the same for turkey. the chance being so small. i think to myself, ok lets say i went today on holiday for a 2 week trip. in 2 weeks from today i'll look back and think, see nothing happened, so should just book a holiday and go, however i also thought the same with going back to egypt a while ago, but then the next week a plane was blown up. I thought ah a one off, then considered egypt again and i think it was another plane hijacked. i haven't considered egypt since.

such a tough choice. but over all i guess at the moment i'm thinking, a holiday should be relaxing. will i be more worried while trying to relax on the beach every loud noise? all for what is actually only a small saving? We arent talking £2k down to £500 between say spain and turkey. £300-£400 saving really isn't worth it if you are in any doubt and have kids etc.
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I guess if I am asking a question like this then I probably won't visit Turkey, I have a feeling it seems wrong. Been mega cheap 5* holiday for £700 vs Rhodes 3* for £900 it has to be cheap for a reason.

It will probably be amazing but as you say it's the what if. I am asking this before I go, if I do I can't imagine I would relax properly. That isn't a point of a holiday.

But it appeals because of the price, LOL I'm a tight git. :)
 
the what if is pointless, do you go what if when you visit london. also the entire country is not at the same risk level. Most of it is absolutely fine with extremely nice and friendly people.
Media really is to blame for the unrealistic levels of fear a lot of people have.

Also the argument your supporting a regime is nonsense, do you do the same with companies with appalling human rights, of course not. How about all the people there who are nice and need money. Would lead a very sheltered live if you go with that attitude of never spending money in such places.
 
Glaucus said:
Also the argument your supporting a regime is nonsense, do you do the same with companies with appalling human rights, of course not. How about all the people there who are nice and need money. Would lead a very sheltered live if you go with that attitude of never spending money in such places.
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yeah i lold when i saw that. never even thought anyone would link the 2 but apparently so.
Glaucus said:
the what if is pointless, do you go what if when you visit london. also the entire country is not at the same risk level. Most of it is absolutely fine with extremely nice and friendly people.
Media really is to blame for the unrealistic levels of fear a lot of people have.
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although true, if the thought is there it's very hard to get out, especially if taking family.
 
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