Travel Middle East

[Dirty Bird]

I'm trying to figure out my trip next year atm, and Im looking at Turkey and/or Egypt and/or Jordan.
But the dfat smarttraveller website has Egypt as a 'reconsider your travel' zone as well as Istanbul.

Are there legitimate reasons to reconsider it beyond the threat of terrorism?
Are kidnappings (like warned in Egypt) an actual issue?

Looking at what the Australian government warns, I've never been to an Orange zone. Been to plenty of Yellow zones though and never felt unsafe.

 

[Great8]

Have been to Istanbul numerous times and have never had an issue although the last time was over 12 months ago so things could have changed rapidly.
Was in Cairo about 2 years ago and am heading back for about 6 weeks next year hopefully. Once again I felt safe there and would have no hesitation returning there

 

[00Stinger]

I never had a problem in Turkey (Istanbul or Izmir). That was 3 years ago though.

To be quite honest I didn't really like Turkey, it was very dirty and run down with feral dogs everywhere.

Having said that, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul was pretty cool!

 

[Dirty Bird]

Turkey was half way down my bucket list
But my love of Mostar has catapulted it near the top.
Still tying to decide holiday 5hugh.

Tough decision

 

[Total Power]

Was in Istanbul 2 weeks ago for business for 5 days. Everything is fine and don't believe in the fear mongering by the media. Things have gotten cheap for us foreigners, thanks to the falling TRL.

 

[revival_mode]

trying to decide whether i should go to Egypt or not this April... bucket list type of thing for me, massively interested. but obviously the safety stuff is a big factor. anyone been in the past year or so?

 

[Hawk Dork]

Ive been to both felt safe and loved both.
Things change and you cant predict mad men being anywhere

 

[revival_mode]

Ive been to both felt safe and loved both.
Things change and you cant predict mad men being anywhere

yeah i think its just something i have to book and not worry so much about. like there's terrorist shit that happens in the big euro cities but you just go and accept that risk. still gotta convince the gf though lol

 

[Ciderhound]

Was in Istanbul 2 weeks ago for business for 5 days. Everything is fine and don't believe in the fear mongering by the media. Things have gotten cheap for us foreigners, thanks to the falling TRL.

This. Was there for a week last July and felt safe as houses. Annoying carpet sellers and wall to wall erdogan propaganda aside, its a brilliant city and i wouldn't wipe my arse with DFAT's advice.

 

[The Dice Man]

Going to Israel and Jordan early December. It's strange I have a sense of worry about it but when you read recent reviews it appears it's US media driven why you shouldnt go to the Middle-East. Any advice for Tel Aviv/Dead Sea.. Day trips ect?

 

[Deliverance]

trying to decide whether i should go to Egypt or not this April... bucket list type of thing for me, massively interested. but obviously the safety stuff is a big factor. anyone been in the past year or so?

3 years since I was in Egypt. Pretty quiet in most places, which is better than most tourist places which are crowded as **** with Asian tourists these days. Totally safe, walked the streets solo at night time and never felt nervous.
Friend of mine went a few months ago and had no drama whatsover. Those warnings are pretty standard these days.
Go for it!

 

[FootyJunkie]

For Egypt, might be best to go with a good tour company with an established itinerary as part of the package. Expect security guards with machine guns to chaperone your tour group, particularly as you enter and exit each attraction.

 

[StingBitten]

Iran is the single greatest holiday I've ever been on.

Do a 2 week tour, you will not regret it.