Turkey (the country) Recommendations, "Don't"s, etc.

[sundance435]

I'm heading to Turkey later this year. Just spending a few days in Istanbul, but I may try for a day trip to Ephesus or Gallipoli. Any recommendations for things to see, where to eat, etc.? Anything I should be aware of beforehand culturally, customarily, etc.? I realize it's probably not the best place to visit at the moment, but I've wanted to go for years and keeps getting worse, so I'm taking my chances now.

Thanks in advance.

[yoni]

Go to the army museum in Istanbul, it is GREAT.

A integral suppressed lever action rifle, was a thrill.

[ABNAK]

Okay, you asked for a "don't".

Don't go there?

[Boy Scout]

One of the officers I work with is married to a Turkish national, with 20+ year old dual citizenship. They go to Turkey at least once a year to visit family. She’s said that Turkey, especially the big cities like Ankara, are very modern and much like US big cities. She also said there is still a Muslim base to a lot of the culture, but much like contemporary Christianity, most are not devout and it does not look at all like is portrayed in media for middle eastern countries. She’s a six foot blonde and blue bombshell and wears jeans and high heels and has never had a problem in a dozen years.

Third party info, but I hope it helps.

[The_War_Wagon]

Okay, you asked for a "don't".

Don't go there?

^^^SECONDED.


I go NOWHERE, where the mohammedans outnumber me. Ephesus, Iraq, Afghanistan, Dearborn - just TOO dangerous. Particularly if I can't go there ARMED!

[soulezoo]

The great mystery for me was how that country could simultaneously have both the most beautiful and the ugliest women in the world.

[Coal Dragger]

Redheads?

[Alex V]

The great mystery for me was how that country could simultaneously have both the most beautiful and the ugliest women in the world.

I think Russia holds that distinction.

[chuckman]

If you are compelled to go, wear European-style clothes and be the Gray Man. Some beautiful areas in Istanbul, street food is incredible and cheap. Crossover of ME and Mediterranean. All that said, I hate Turkey.

[pinzgauer]

Close relative lived in Turkey for years. Speaks Turkish, loves (most) of the people.

Then 3-4 years ago it got too bad, was pulled back by his company. Now in country work is done by locals.

Even before it got "bad" they had a couple of episodes of being hauled to the Police dept for no reason and had to get help to get out.

So no go, for me. Many places I still want to see that are lower risk but also have amazing things.

I hope it changes, but until regime (cultural) changes occur, I'll not be going. Same for Morroco, Egypt, etc.

The majority of people can be pro-western, and have modern cities. Iran and Turkey are similar in that regard.

But a minority in power, and anti west/US, not worth the risk. Plus contingents tolerated/protected who are sworn to kill infidels and the great satan (you and I)

Not saying turkey=iran, just that the risk is a matter of extreme, but is on the same axis and nature.

The way i explained it to my kids who wanted to visit a risky country: if Arizona had rattlesnakes that ignored locals, but bit and killed 1 out of 5000 tourists, would you go? Or even 10k? No, you'd go visit other states you've not seen and hope it changes.

The fact the majority of people are nice and wont hurt you does not change the fact there are some who are actively looking for opportunities to kill westerners. And now have some protection for the powers that be.

[sundance435]

If you are compelled to go, wear European-style clothes and be the Gray Man. Some beautiful areas in Istanbul, street food is incredible and cheap. Crossover of ME and Mediterranean. All that said, I hate Turkey.

Why's that, chuckman? I understand others saying, "Don't go." I'd be lying if I said I wasn't having second thoughts with everything happening over there right now. It's a calculated risk, but worth it to me, especially since I've put off going for so long and it's gotten progressively worse every year...now or likely never.

[BoringGuy45]

Ephesus was awesome, at least for me, an ancient history major. I didn't spend too much time in Turkey, and it was only in that area, as most of my trip there was focused on Greece. However, I thoroughly enjoyed that part. See it if you can fit it in.


The great mystery for me was how that country could simultaneously have both the most beautiful and the ugliest women in the world.

I remember when I went into a bazaar right outside Ephesus, and I wanted to buy a t-shirt from one of the local vendors. He obviously recognized that I was American and very young (I had just turned 22), so he cranked up the price, figuring I wasn't going to haggle. He wanted 30 American dollars. I offered $5 (I wasn't going to pay more than $10, but I wanted HIM to reach $10). We went back and forth once or twice, then suddenly, he remembered he had something important to do and said called his daughter over to continue working with me. His daughter was about my age and was, to this day, probably the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Like Miss Universe/SI Swimsuit/Victoria's Secret beautiful. Sexy accent too, naturally. Anyway, the guy was obviously hoping I'd turn to putty in his daughter's hands and be willing to pay a higher price. The thing is, while I'm as attracted to gorgeous, exotic women as any other heterosexual man, I had a girlfriend back home in the states (who is now my wife), and even if I was single, it wasn't like I was going to be able to hook up with her. So, to make a long story short, she was charming, but I got the reasonable $10 price I was hoping for ;).

[chuckman]

Why's that, chuckman? I understand others saying, "Don't go." I'd be lying if I said I wasn't having second thoughts with everything happening over there right now. It's a calculated risk, but worth it to me, especially since I've put off going for so long and it's gotten progressively worse every year...now or likely never.

There are areas that are definitely anti-American, not entirely anti-western. If you look European and can pass as European, you stand a better chance of just being left alone. In the cities you likely will be fine. Standard SA rules: don't draw undue attention to yourself, avoid area that don't pass the smell test, etc. I will say this: for a "fringe" state, it's as safe as any other and safer than many. But Istanbul, I think you'll be OK.

I also have some other insight: that preacher who was jailed for a couple years that Trump got released? His sister is my wife's best friend, lives about 10 miles from us. When he left the White House he came south to visit the family, we went to see him. He loves the Turkish people. He thinks the Turkish government, especially leadership, is paranoid and looking for ways to create rifts with the US, and trying to play all sides off one another. Some of the leadership have the "all Americans are spies" vibe.

[sundance435]

There are areas that are definitely anti-American, not entirely anti-western. If you look European and can pass as European, you stand a better chance of just being left alone. In the cities you likely will be fine. Standard SA rules: don't draw undue attention to yourself, avoid area that don't pass the smell test, etc. I will say this: for a "fringe" state, it's as safe as any other and safer than many. But Istanbul, I think you'll be OK.

I also have some other insight: that preacher who was jailed for a couple years that Trump got released? His sister is my wife's best friend, lives about 10 miles from us. When he left the White House he came south to visit the family, we went to see him. He loves the Turkish people. He thinks the Turkish government, especially leadership, is paranoid and looking for ways to create rifts with the US, and trying to play all sides off one another. Some of the leadership have the "all Americans are spies" vibe.

Thank you, that all makes sense. That's my normal MO for anywhere I travel and it won't be my first time in the Near/Middle East. I'm probably just staying in Istanbul and I purposely picked a hotel in a quiet neighborhood on a pedestrian street that's walking distance to the major attractions. I get mistaken for a German inside and outside Europe, so I guess I've got that going for me, too. Interesting insight from your wife's friend. It's amazing how different that country has become over the last 10 or so years since I first looked into visiting. It used to be "Top 5" non-European countries for Americans to visit.

[pinzgauer]

He thinks the Turkish government, especially leadership, is paranoid and looking for ways to create rifts with the US, and trying to play all sides off one another. Some of the leadership have the "all Americans are spies" vibe.

Bingo.

If you're in a big tour group you're probably fine, other than potential random violence.

Traveling on your own, you may get to send some time sitting on a bench. Or maybe not.

Yes, it's safer than a bunch of other Islamic countries.

But it still has people there looking for opportunities to kill infidels from the great Satan. And also officials/gov looking for ways to poke a finger in the eye of the US.

This is a huge sea change from as recent as 10 years ago.

Unless you've exhausted travel in Eastern Europe, etc., there are many other places that I would go. (And have)

Just remember that Egypt which is about as Pro-US as you can find has had cases where Americans have been caught in riots and or singled out.

Slash attacks against Western tourists in Israel.

Guess it's just a matter of how lucky do you feel. I would consider it like walking through some of the worst sections in problem US cities.

The majority of the locals don't want to bother you. But there are some looking for people like you, and they don't want to be your friend.

Myself, I'd go hang out in Budapest and surrounds. Trieste. Slovinia. Prague.

There are a ton of neat places to see in Eastern Europe that are very different from Western Europe, yet are very easy to travel in with no risk.

It's sad, but that's our reality currently. Hopefully it will change at some point.

[HardToHandle]

Budapest. Good looking girls, great food, great history. Enough folks have good English to make it pretty easy.
I believe I missed the window to explore the Levant. That is beyond my risk tolerance these days.
If you do go, please report back.