Holiday in Turkey?

Flight to Turkey, from NZ at least, have all been stopped. I have friends who were supposed to fly out in November and they have received letters saying they will not be able to travel.

Quite apart from the unrest on the ground, Russia has, apparently threatened to shoot down any aircraft in or out!

Trump has a new massive luxury Hôtel in Istanbul ...

I thought the leave campaign told us that Turkey were about to join the EU? Surely they weren't lying; were they....?

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.

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

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.

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???

That is terrible MaisieD.

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.

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

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).

ps offline now until Wed. am

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.

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.

No chance.

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.

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

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.

Minimoon agree with your last paragraph ?

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.

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 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.

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

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

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.