Holiday in Turkey?

I certainly would not go on holiday to Turkey. People need to boycott countries and companies whose actions they don't approve of.

We first visited Turkey 22 years ago a wonderful two weeks exploring the rich heritage and archeological sites.

We met a Turkish young women who has become a lifelong friend and we visited her and her family in Istanbul.

At that time (I think 19/20 years ago) her brother had been conscripted into the Turkish Army and was fighting the Kurdish Army on the border.

I believe that the Kurds and Turks have been enemies for years.

Whilst I agree in principle that going there is morally wrong, is it also morally wrong to deny the coastal populations the right to earn their living through tourism? (Many of these feel no affiliation or agree with Erdogen)

I certainly wouldn't go now, but we have been twice.

This was when we were still working, and we have been retired for nearly 16 years, so it was a long time ago.

Saying that though, we had two lovely holidays there.
Sorry, not being much use to you.

I wouldn't go near the place after their treatment of the Kurds. Here is just another straw for the camel's back;

Today
@NATO
Turkey ambushed & murdered Kurdish Future Party leader Hevrin Khalaf. She was a civilian. A politician. Her car was ambushed. She & her driver were taken out and executed seconds later:

twitter.com/AzadiRojava/status/1183121147921158144

Never! Keep away and don't give them any money.

I would never go there even if it was a free holiday . Their human rights are terrible . I am sure the ordinary people would be fine but I would not give the regime my money.

I went to Turkey in 1978 when my parents were working in Ankara.
The country then was wonderful. Very little tourism, extremely friendly, helpful people, and we felt safe everywhere we went.

I'm afraid that I would not go back. Since Erdogan came to power the country has changed, becoming more hard-line Islamic.

Kenmal Atatürk divorced religion from the state and banned the wearing of the fez and the veil. He was very forward thinking and modernising.
Under Erdogan all Atatürk's work is being eroded.?

I've wanted to go for years. I keep thinking things will improve especially as they want to jon the EU but things seem to be getting worse not better.

Minimoon agree with your last paragraph ?

I would not go on a holiday to any country that was involved in active military action. I don't think it would be safe because it is within firing distance from Syria.

It's alright so long as you like missiles buzzing past your ear'ole now and again.

Many many times. When I lived in Bulgaria I would often go with my friend who sold Gold and silver in Bulgaria. Been on several package holidays and taken the motohome there.

I wouldn't go anywhere near Istanbul at the moment ( or for a while) or any of the big resorts.

No chance.

I've been holidaying in Turkey twice a year for about 12 years or more now and fully intend to continue doing so. I may not agree with Erdogan's policies, but neither do a lot of the ordinary Turkish people, and I will carry on supporting them in their day to day businesses. Most of the tourist resorts are hundreds of miles away from the Syrian border - in some cases, it is about the same distance as London to Rome.

Our neighbours have just come back from a holiday in Turkey. They had a prolongued return journey because of the Thomas Cook fiasco. And it has set him back healthwise - he's got throat cancer.
They've been there several times before.
I would like to know more about the situation in Turkey. We have many Turkish and Kurd `immigrants living just round the corner from us.

ps offline now until Wed. am

I certainly wouldn't go given the present situation. A neighbour was born there but hasn't lived there since a few years old. He was automatically conscripted into the army, though, (although he has a business and family here) and had to pay thousands to get out of it (7k I think).

I wonder how Boris feels about his birth country involved in an offensive ?

I've just come back from Turkey it's a beautiful country. Lots of tourists from all over the world, Chinese, Korean, Americans, Russians and Italy. Booked to go again next year. Very safe no trouble at all, clean no litter anywhere and the gardens and parks beautifully maintained.

That is terrible MaisieD.

Perhaps it is Firecracker123 But this is happening-
The UN estimates 100,000 civilians have been displaced from their homes after three days of Turkey's offensive.
Civilians have been reported killed on both sides of the border. The Kurdish Red Crescent documented 14 civilians killed and tens more injured.
Turkish media also reported eight civilians killed in rocket and mortar attacks on the Turkish side of the border.
News of civilian deaths is spreading
Very safe???

Turkey is a big country, I can only go by my own experience and Antalya was beautiful, safe to walk at night, no trouble at all, clean and the Turkish people were lovely.

absolutely no way at the moment, and no USA either!

It's not about being safe Firecracker - been there many times. But would not go now due to what is happening with kurds! Would not go to Israel either.