Before I call the Rick Steves office in Edmonds, has anyone heard any news about possible tour cancellation to Turkey? We are scheduled for the tour in March 2024 and wondered if it might be a wait and see situation. Thanks for all your input.
Posted by
Atlanta
5174 posts
That's almost six months away. I'm not sure the RS office has made any decisions about that trip yet. Since there is plenty of time before the trip, why not just shoot the office an email and get the info straight from the horse's mouth?
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2673 posts
See responses to similar question here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/turkey/is-travel-to-istanbul-safe
Also, if you're really concerned, purchase travel insurance ASAP and read the fine print about reimbursements in the event of cancellations.
Posted by
Minnesota
562 posts
Since RS is still running tours in Turkey this fall (I just returned from one a few days ago), I can’t imagine they would be thinking about cancelling a tour scheduled for six months from now.
I would just wait and see, but if you are concerned, you can cancel without penalty at this point. Or you could transfer your deposit to a different tour. Trip insurance is unlikely to pay just because you’re nervous about a situation, and war is not usually a covered reason.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14609 posts
I agree with Renee. If this is making you nervous then cancel while you can still get 100% back or transfer to another tour. Is this your first RS tour?
I, personally, would not be worried about going to Turkey as it is fairly distant from Israel but each of us has different comfort levels. I'd go to Paris tomorrow if I could and I know there are some people skittish about various closures there.