Rick Steves Best of Turkey Tour 4/25. Safety concerns

I am also scheduled for a Best of Turkey tour, though it's in the fall. At the very least, I will wait until the last minute to get currency, ideally at ATMs in country as needed for that day.

And I will be even more reluctant (than usual) to pay in advance for anything in Turkish Lira, lest the refund be less than the original payment. We saw this in 2020 with refunded payments in Russia when that currency fell and we could not control the timing of refunds. Fortunately, the Ruble had not fallen at the time of our refunds as much as the Lira is declining now, relative to the US dollar.

I understand your concern, but I am extremely confident that Rick Steves tours is not knowingly going to take a tour group into a dangerous area. They have multiple contacts on the ground in Turkey. I would suggest contacting them with your concerns.

I would concur with Carol. The Steves group is not going to put a group in a risking situation. If they decide to go, it will be safe. As to timing of currency, get it via a debt card when you get there.

Collapsing economy? Exactly what are you concerned about? Get your Turkish currency at an ATM in the IST airport on arrival there.

I understand the concern that a collapsing economy can make a region or country less safe. That is a reasonable consideration for making travel plans. I do agree, however, that RS tours is not going to go there if they deem it to be unsafe. It is too much of a liability.

I returned from Turkey on November 13, just as the Lira began its current free fall, and I am going to return there in May. Like you, I am monitoring the situation carefully.

Regarding Covid, I am as comfortable in Turkey as anywhere. The night before I entered Turkey I had to fill out a form to get what they call an HES code, which is linked my passport. Oddly enough, I don't recall exactly what I had to declare on the form, but I was fully vaccinated and had recent results from a PCR test. I think that the HES code is aimed more at Turkish citizens, although I am fairly certain that had I tested positive while in Turkey that the results would have shown up on the HES code. Anyhow, you had to have the HES code for a lot activities: taking the streetcar, entering a museum, or going to the grocery store. They would scan the HES code on your phone, or, in the case of the streetcar, your transit card was linked to the HES code and you couldn't load the card without the HES code.

With omicron rearing its ugly head, I have no idea what the situation will be like in several months.

Regarding the crash of the lira, I am very concerned. When I left the US in October, the lira was about $0.11, and it's now less than $0.075. The middle class is having a hard time heating their houses, buying groceries, and such these days. If they don't turn the situation around --- and Erdogan shows no signs of doing so -- it's going to start creating civil unrest eventually. Generally, I avoid talking politics while in Turkey, but I had one discussion there that led to think that the government is quickly losing support from its conservative "base." I have no idea what will happen, but I am feeling uneasy right now. Things could get very ugly. Or not.

All I can advise is to continue to keep an eye on the situation.

The current FX rate according to Google is one Turkish Lira = $.072 US or $1 US is about 13.88 lira. When I was the about 2010 $1 US was worth about 1.50 liras.

Thank you so much for all of you who replied so far! This will be my first Rick Steves tour, but I have heard good things about Rick and his organization. I am concerned about growing civil unrest in Turkey, as well as worries about how travel is affected by Covid restrictions/ and the risk of catching Covid and being stuck overseas. I am glad to hear about the precautions Turkey is taking requiring PCR test & issuing an HES code. The vaccination rates in Turkey look reasonable as well at around 60%.
I am hoping we can visit Italy just before the trip, but not sure how easy it will be to get PCR test in Italy.

@gcko -- One clarification. Turkey required a PCR for me because I was coming from Egypt. Last time I checked, they did not require a PCR test coming from the US or Italy. Of course, those rules change all the time. Turkish Airlines' homepage points to a good page that shows what all the current rules are.

My experience in both Egypt and Turkey was that you could easily arrange a PCR test through hotels. In both countries, I just asked at the front desk and they made an appointment for someone to come to the hotel to administer the test. I imagine it's similar in Italy.

Marie,
Thanks for clarification on the PCR test and how to arrange one if needed.
Cheryl