My 1st time traveling outside the country to TURKEY !

First, if you don't already have it, be sure to apply for your passport ASAP. You won't need a visa to enter Turkey, just take a $20 bill with you and pay for the stamp when you first arrive at the airport in Istanbul. Turkey is as safe for tourists as any other country, tell your boyfriend to relax and support your decision. You didn't say where you will be going inside the country, but if it's in a large city or anyplace along the western coastline you won't stand out as there are lots of Turkish girls who are modern in their dress and attitudes. Only a small faction follow the fundamentalist dress code and they exist side-by-side with those who have adopted Western ways. Show respect for their customs. If you go sightseeing don't wear tank tops or anything too revealing, especially if you enter a mosque. Turkish people are extremely friendly and hospitable, and if you're with a host family you'll be treated as an honored guest. You'll have a great time.

Hi Kat,

Turkey is a wonderful place to visit partly because it's exotic and different. The people in Turkey are some of the friendliest that you will meet anywhere. This link might answer some of your questions:

Turkety Travel Planner

It's wonderful that you will be able to go to another culture, stay with a family, and participate in your friend's wedding. It sounds like a great opportunity!

kat,

It's difficult to understand what your boyfriend is worried about? The ETBD Turkey tours are the second most popular of all the tours, and everyone that I've spoken with has had a fantastic time there. I agree, your boyfriend is being SILLY! You might try and find some of the Travels in Europe "Turkey" DVD's at your local Library. Perhaps if your boyfriend could have a look at what he's missing, he'd change his mind?

In addition to the website suggested in a previous post, you might want to have a look at the The Guidebook for Turkey, to get some idea on how to travel there (especially as it's your first time outside the U.S.). Europe Through The Back Door would also be a good pre-read, to get you up to speed on the "differences" you'll encounter in Europe.

My advice - start planning the trip (with or without the boyfriend)!!!

I agree with the other posters. Go! With or without your boyfriend. Turkey is a wonderful place to visit. It's not like your going to Kabul... In fact, my wife said that out of all of our trips, one of the places where she felt the safest was in Turkey. The Turkish people were very warm to us. The prevailing attitude towards us was "Wow! You came all the way from America to visit our country? Thank you."

As for tips for things to see, a lot depends upon your tastes. The best advice I can give is for you to buy a guidebook or two and read up on the areas that you'll be in. And don't forget to go to a hamam (Turkish bath) or two. They're great.

Don't let someone try to scare you out of an opportunity of a lifetime. You are old enough to be plenty safe in Turkey even if you traveled all alone, as many young women do today quite successfully. Obviously he's not much of a world traveler if he "freaks out" and thinks you are going to be killed if you do something outside of his small comfort zone. Recently another person wrote to this Helpline to say that his adult children insisted he would be mugged because he used a cane! Honestly, where do some people get their information? You'll have a better time if you leave the boyfriend at home. He doesn't seem to be open to adventure.

This isn't travel advice, but I've never been very good at minding my own business.

Remember a few important truths:
You don't marry someone you didn't date.
Marraige is for life.
Whatever a person is while dating, they are more of that in marraige.

You'll have to draw your own conclusions.

...and.... do the trip! Great advice so far. Start educating yourself on history, customs, travel opportunities -- and go have a great trip!

Turkey is awesome. You're going to love it. The only tips I would give you are not to forget your camera and to keep a journal so that years from now you can remember everything that happened. By the way, there's no better way to visit another country than as the guest of a host family. You are a lucky young lady. P.S.: your boyfriend needs to get out more.

kat,

To add to my earlier post, keep in mind that things will be different in Turkey (and elsewhere in Europe), so try to be adaptable and "travel as a temporary local" (to use Rick's words).

You may also enjoy reading Rick's Travel Philosophy.

Finally, as someone else mentioned you're very fortunate that you'll have a "local Guide" to show you around. You'll probably get a better view of Turkey than most people do!

Cheers!

Kat, What a refreshing, open, and adventurous attitude you have. Yes, go for it! I would recommend that you stay as long as you possibly can get away. Spring/early Summer is a perfect time to be in Turkey. And you have local friends to guide you, what a perfect opportunity. Many Americans are so stuck in fear. We have become a nation obsessed with safety and security, but live in a very violent and crime plagued land. People stay stuck in a routine, a rut, a stagnant little life--every day often looking just like the one before, and then they die. Really. We all know people like this. We are given something like 28,000 days to live (on average) and what makes these days worth living is going out beyond the fence and engaging life. Travel is a special way to leave the mundane behind, and even leave the stale person that we have become behind and go out and greet the world totally fresh and open. Letting go of all preconceptions and being vulnerable, in the moment. Magic can happen "out there" that rarely happens in the safety and security of our little tiny worlds, listening to the fearful voices all around. From my travel in 34 foreign countries, I have never personally experienced a more unsafe place than this one that we call home. We have just gotten use to it. It's easy to fear what we don't know... Turkey is amazing--the people are a delight. Turkey will warm your heart. Follow your own inner voice and don't pay heed to those who are glued to the easy chair and only travel using the remote control.

"Life is either a Grand Adventure--or nothing..." Helen Keller

Rich, your message was beautiful, eloquent and powerful.

I agree Terry! Kat, I'm really impressed with the great advice that you're getting from the men on this forum. It's very heartfelt and encouraging. I hope you're making plans for your trip to Turkey!

..brief hi-jack...

RICH: >>From my travel in 34 foreign countries...<< How old are you? I've just got to know, since you clipped me by 1 country... I've seen 33... maybe I've seen more per year of life... I'm 39... so 33/39 = 0.846 foreign countries per year of life. HA!

...and back to the topic...

Living in fear is no life to live. -- Thomas Jefferson

Ironic that this country, founded on the premise of striking out into the unknown, has become so paralyzed by fear of the unkown. It's up to us Rick Steves philosophy people to rehabilitate our country's sense of adventure... starting with KAT going on this trip!!

Germane under these circumstances... my wife is traveling to Haiti one week from today. That's a little intimidating to us, though we are both seasoned travelers. We simply keep reminding ourselves that anyplace can be safe if you go prepared to fit in. Just prepare yourself, KAT -- you will do fine.

Hi EVERYONE

Thank you soo much for all your postive feedback !!!!! When it comes closer to my time to leave, i will be back for advice on places to SEE.

Thank you everyone !!