Izmir Travel Forum

Hello
i know turkey is going through a quite rough election period, and with all political tension that prevails, is it still a good idea to daytrip from Chios island (Greece) to Izmir or maybe should be avoided? I've heard about increased terrorist action, ie explosions in market etc...
thank you

Sorry no terrorist action in any of the tourist areas so where did you hear that rubbish.Way over in the east, near Iraqi border is a problem.
Go and enjoy Izmir, i'm going there in June for a week at least and i'm sure the place will be great.

Come on! What is the reltionship with elections and terrorism. Everything is safe here. No worries. Do you know how many people killed in england or sain in last 2 years? How many in Turkey because of terrorism? The thing I dont understand is nobody concerns the eplosions in England while they are planning to go there, but people keep asking about the safety problems in Turkey all the time. By the way I really havent heard about terrorist attacts. Do you think someone is making fun of your fears?
And as you say elections will be a bit rough but it will be rough for politicians.
I could say that going to New York or London is 3-4 times more dangereous then going to Turkey.
However if you still worry about terrorist attacts maybe its better to enjoy beautifull Greek Islands...

1 killed, 14 injured in bomb explosion at market in Turkey
The Associated PressPublished: May 12, 2007

TAKEN FROM HERALD TRIBUNE INTERNATIONAL, 12.MAY.2007

IZMIR, Turkey: A homemade bomb left on a bicycle exploded at a market in the Turkish port city of Izmir on Saturday, killing one person and injuring 14 others, the state-run Anatolia news agency said.

The blast occurred a day before a planned march in Izmir that was expected to draw hundreds of thousands of secular Turks to demonstrate against the Islamic-rooted government's attempts to raise the profile of Islam in the country.

News to me, didn't make it into 2 of the main papers we read.
Can see no problem as it was something to do with elections not tourists.
Election on 22 July.

To me Izmir is the safest place in Turkey ; But as country we have been struggling with government problems for a while.Leave aside terrorism now our biggest problem is Islamic government and what they have been trying to do.We need to get rid of them right away.That attack occured in big bazaar in Bornova -Not touristic site in Izmir-and many of us believe that it arranged by someone who was against the republican mass meeting.Following elections so very dear to us but its got nothing to do with foreign visitors.We Turks cannot tolarate each other but very concerned about the foreigners and do our best in terms of hospitality.As your planning to visit a day i am not sure you will be involved in any kind of adventure :))me personally postponed my holiday after selections :)))

enjoy your day trip :)

1- The Sea voyage is dangerous. You can not play with sea. There are recent news that 2 passenger ships sunk in a greek island. Think of your live and dont take a greek ship to Turkey.

2-There is a conflict with Greece about main,land-sea-zone. The greeks laid mines on their zone. Just be cereful while crossin by a boat your boat may struck one of those mines and booommbbb.

3- Everyday greek and Turkish fighter jets dog-fighting over Aegean. One of the jets might bomb your ship while crossing the Aegean.

3-The Aegean Sea bewetween Chios and Turkey is very windy and rough. That may upset you and feel sea sick.

Stay where you are.

i just think its a pity being so close to Izmir and not visiting.
I know people that did this from Chios very comfortably..
Now, you frighten me...it cant be that bad with boats and weather and all that...

about mines and bombings i think you must be joking...

That part of the sea is travelled every day by lots of boats, if there was a worry, do you think they would still cross, NO.
As said before Izmir is a great place to visit especially the lanes around Konak so come and visit.
I'm certainly going and will not worry a bit.

More you avoid less you enjoy :) travel is a little risky :) But if your worried about Turkey as part of MIDDLE EAST,here is not middle east :))
i am izmir citizen and raised up without explosions around...

and yes Mr. Sirvictor is mocking you , well partly i like the way of his answer :)))

ooooh, how I love reading SirVictor's replies in threads!

Again, how jealous I am of all of you in the Turkey forums! Here I am, living in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, the city with the second highest murder rate in the very dangerous US of A, and hardly any questions at all regarding safety in my part of the world! ;-)

Sirvictor XOXOXOXOXOX :-) Great answer!!!!
I am really tired of answering these type of questions.I really understand the worries of tuille but I dont understand why people are doing this again and again. I can say I know at least 4-5 different people who changed their mind coming to Turkey from Greece. I personally can say that there is a real unorganised campaign through Greece. In Greece some people say to travellers that Turkey is a dangereous country, people are rude,political and social sttruglings affect tourist in a negative way etc. etc. Its an intersting facts...
I actually would be very hapy to promote Greece to the travelers who came to this geography from 1000's of kilometers. Why dont they do it in Greece. I dont understand...
Whomever planning to Turkey and reading these forum is starting to worry abot these unreal subject.

YES WE HAVE A TERRORISM PEOPLE SOMETHIES KILL EACHOTHER ITS A FACT. BUT THERE IS TERRORISM EVERYWHERE.

Why do people want to go to aoutheastern asia? There are big earthquakes and tsunamis happening there, but people are going there.
Why do people want to go to Africa. Its too hot there, lots of disease, lots of dangereous animals there.
Why do people want to go to America, Al-Kaide is still planning to bomb somewhere there.
Why do people want to go to South America, people living in favellas are very dangereous for travellers.
Why do people want to go to Australia for surfing? Sharks are too dangereous there for surgfers...
Why do people....
Why do people....

Man, travelling is a disease. When you start feeling that feeling of discover somewhere, you absolutely dont see any dangers. You take your guard but nothing stops you. You always look for a way to go 'there'. Because it calls you...

There is nothing to say more then 'stay home and enjoy your tv'. Outside is dangereous. You never know what will be happen...

Let's assume you'll stay in Turkey for a week. Go take the news from any random week in the past, and look at the number of people killed or injured by terrorists. It will either be zero, or a two digit number. This week was a high point with almost 70 killed/injured in to the Ankara blast.

Population of Turkey is 75 million.

So even in a week with "increased terrorist activity", the odds that you'll be harmed is less than one in a million. Most of the weeks, it is zero.

Wet floor in your bathroom is more likely to kill you than terrorists in Turkey.

Sorrow Sorrow Sorrow

Dear Friends all over The World. I love you all. I was just joking. My joke turned into sorrow. A terrorist bomb exploded in Ulus one of the main centers in Ankara killing 10 and wounding 80.

I hope no more bombings and killing in the future.

Mine turned into tragedy as well. A double homicide three blocks from my house about two hours ago!

We are deeply sadened by the recent events in Ankara and you all make some very good points. However, coming from a small town in Canada, terrorism and bombing are unheard of, as would be the case in the majority of small cities and towns in Turkey. When I watched the news on TV about the bombings in Ankara I was concerned, yet from what I read or have been told Turkey is a safe and beautiful country. So, bombing or no bombing my wife and I leave Saturday for a moth vacation in Turkey and we are looking forward to it.

Yes, I'm saddened to hear the death toll has risen from 6 to 10 in this breaking story. Nonetheless the violence is centred in Ankara where there were demonstations etc when I was recently there. Regardless , I would most definitely travel to Turkey. The people were charming and humourous. You would be missing out if you don't go

There was no violence in any of the election demonstrations. This bomb had nothing to do with the demonstrations. The demonstration in Ankara was a month ago.

I'm really very sorry for the Ankara explosion. It was in a touristic place, as i heard, but this is not important. I hope all will be ok soon.
Of course i think that Turkey is generally a safe holiday destination (in istanbul i went alone 3yrs ago and felt very safe-so safe that i had my mobile phone on the table while i was having a coffee in Taxim-and it was stolen), but it;s obvious that there's some extra tension going on recently.

According to my paper there was a guns and arms fair going on and they were hoping to get some generals and the like.

You never know where a "crayzy" person will put a bomb and then make it explode.
Not sure how many thought I was crazy for going to Istanbul and travel alone in Turkey for 2 months 2 years ago. Well, glad I didn't go to London that summer.
As long as the bombs don't start to "pop" like they did in Paris in the 80's I will continue to go to Turkey.

Merhaba, is there any country in the World that is conflict free - if one was to delve deep enough a skeleton would be found lurking somewhere. I will be in Izmir for 2 weeks starting Sunday coming and can't wait to get back and I actually intend to set up home in Izmir within the next two years. Don't allow a handfull of terrorists spoil your happiness.... candine iya bak.

Absolutely yes..!It's as dangerous as any other place in the world..So you must be careful when you step out of your house...???

i ensure you it is very safe to stay or travel in izmir.
dont hesitate