Suggestions are welcome.
Anyone in the recent past had a visit in Turkey or planning visit now ? Am planning to visit Istanbul,Kusadasi, Pamukkale & Cappadocia by end of this month and considering the current political tension between Turkey & Syria not quite sure about how judicious the decision would be.
Look on the map how big is Turkey and where is Syria. You have nothing to be affraid of.
Well I wouldn't say Turkey is a dangerous country,
however, for sure it is not important for safety matters that it has a big territory,
and of course because of Syria the situation can change rapidly.
What is very unlike to happen till the end of the month, however.
Anyway, for sure Greece in terms of safety and international standard is more like Switzerland.
Turkey has one of the biggest army in the world. If something had to happen, I wouldn't be worried for one second. Syria has enough inside trouble to start war outside with a country like Turkey.
Al Assad is crazy but not stupid.
how many days is good enough for istanbul?
That's why Greece needs a big well equipped army, too.
The point is that in an asymmetric-like conflict, you can have the army you want, it won't help much if social and/or political issues in the given country have somehow a link to a conflict abroad. And Turkey has loads of them (PKK, Alawite minority, Arab population all down from Adana, bad relations with Armenia, Israel, Greece, Bulgaria, now Syria ...). And there have been bomb attacks all over the last decades in all regions of Turkey, also against tourists.
Nothing like this in Greece.
It won't depend on him alone, however.
Cheap flights to Turkey through Pegasus Airways, with modern planes, good service and connecting flights through Istanbul SAW. http://www.flypgs.com/en/default.aspx
Just returned from Turkey 2 weeks ago (2 days after Syria shot down Turkey's fighter jet). I never once felt in jeopardy and would still feel quite secure to go tomorrow if I could.
I've been to Istanbul several times over the last 5 years and I still feel there is always something new to see. You can see plenty of the major sights in 2-3 days if you have a limited amount of time to schedule there. So few days will probably just make you want to return there in the future.
Cappadocia will be HOT -- I mean HOT by the end of July.
Turkey is a beautiful country, and I feel at home every time I arrive there. Have fun!
Turkey is a beautiful country - have been there twice. Once when in high school, the other time on our honeymoon. Very outgoing, friendly culture. Loved Istanbul - you have Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, the archaeology museum - each can take at least half a day. Then you have the covered bazaar. Great restaurants.
Also went to Greece on our honeymoon (half the time in Greece = Athens, Mikinos, Paros and Santorini - the other half of the time in Instanbul). Not to upset anyone but I disagree about Greece being more like Switzerland. Both my wife and I far preferred Turkey. The people were far more friendly, the culture was more outgoing and people were happy. Also felt much safer in Turkey. Also everyone spoke English in Turkey, the Greeks we dealt with seemed surly and moody. Maybe it's the difference between Socialism and Capitalism.
We would go back to Turkey in a heartbeat - not so much Greece.
Pammukale sucks; take your time in Cappadocia or go well off the beaten track and head towards the isolated, wry, mystical city of Konya.
I did not say that I would not like Turkey, I am none of those even who want it to stay out of EU neither.
My message is in 180° opposition to that following statement
as all statistics confirm that Greece is by far the safer country, on all issues. If you stay away from Syntagma Square you needn't to fear anything in Greece, however in Turkey I wouldn't be so sure, especially if going out with children.
It's - at least from the tourists' side - the difference between showing some interest for the country and knowing (at least a bit of) the language or giving a damn about it and celebrating the proper ignorance.
Those child eating Turks!
Sewiously, Turkey's easy. Have a lovely time.
Turkey can be easy, and I did it enjoy myself.
However, I never ever would go there with children, already because of the traffic and the crap cars running on TR's streets.
Not to mention hospitals, health care and I don't know what else,
it is far from being any similar to any of EU-17 countries.
And then you still have the political issue with PKK, Cyprus, Armenia, Israel and now Syria.
I disagree with this... just been there 2 weeks ago with 2 small children (1 and 3.5) in a tourist village type thing and felt safer from a safety and health standpoint than going to southern Italy where before taking a small child to a public bathroom you need to prey....
And I am italian so no comments about me not knowing what I am talking about!
The turkish people where friendly, professional, helpful, doc was on call and the cleanliness was spectacular.
Granted we were not "off the beaten track" but as said, have seen worse in some of the EU countries for sure.
K
Public bathrooms in Southern Italy? Do they exist?
Or are you referring to the bagno turco maybe, in railway stations e.g.?
Of course it might happen that it is better than the average standard in other countries (especially if we are talking tourist villages),
however, mostly it does not.
everyone speak English in the touristics area.
Sorry, but it seems to me like you are trying to politicize the thread, since this is the second time you've brought this up. No one took the bait the first time either.
The OP was inquiring about the safety of the areas in which s/he would like to venture. Period. And I think he's gotten plenty of responses to put him/her at ease.
Istanbul has a great International hospital (formerly known as the American hospital) which has top of the line care and facilities. If there was a serious enough condition or emergency, one would be medi-vaced there.
As for bringing children there, I would not hesitate for one second. Just because some of the locals don't follow the local law of using car seats or proper safety when it comes to their children in cars, does not mean you have to do as the locals do.
Well, I lived there for 4 years, in a very typical not even reaching middle class type of neighbourhood and I always, I mean, ALWAYS felt safe and sound.
I went back 2 years ago with my daughter and it was amazing how great people were with her. I got the single life experience, the married and the pregnant experience in Istanbul. I got later the 1 child experience and in fall, Inshallah, I'll get the 2 kids experience.
Oh, yes I forgot that bit! Health care in Istanbul is excellent! I always had top notch services!
If you might have a look on the opening post, you could easily realize that this is a political thread, so no need to politicize it from that side.
Yes, and all Turkey is and has been a place where bombing attacks also against tourists have been an issue, Istanbul inclusive.
I don't care how locals make their children sure in their crappy cars, my concern was for Turkish traffic issues that do not guarantee most of European standards at all so for children and persons on the sidewalks (if there are sidewalks).