Terror Concerns on England/France Trip

[scottmel]

I really have wanted to do this ABD with DD who will be graduating from HS in 2017. I am concerned though about the terror level threats in France and the basic unrest over there. Anyone else have the concern and not going or have the concern and going or not concerned at all? My cousin just returned from the UK and told me how hard it was getting OUT and the travel delays etc. and urged me to go elsewhere...

 

[wilma-bride]

Really? I live in the UK and don't know anything about those kind of threats. Did your cousin say what had caused the travel delays? They can be caused by all kinds of things, not just terrorist threats. I honestly think you are worrying unnecessarily.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Just travelled through Heathrow a couple of weeks ago and didn't have any delays. It was quite smooth actually.

 

[tgeorge]

I have a couple of work colleagues who just returned from a trip and they also left from Heathrow. They said it was very smooth and was very happy with it.

If you're thinking along the lines of the foiled attack on the train a month or so ago...all I can say is that can, unfortunately, happen anywhere at anytime. Go out an enjoy yourself, treat your daughter to an amazing experience and live your life. You won't regret it!!

 

[sayhello]

I also just flew through Heathrow 3 weeks ago, and there were no issues (besides the threat of a Tube strike which, fortunately, did not occur).

Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris is a horrible airport no matter when you go. Just something you have to deal with if you fly out of Paris.

I agree with tgeorge, the foiled attack on the Paris train is something that could happen anywhere. I wouldn't not travel to France or to Europe based on that.

My feeling is, don't let the terrorists win. You being too afraid to travel to places even if it's safe is exactly what they want.

Sayhello

 

[TXTransplant]

If you're worried about having to cancel your trip in the event of some sort of attack, there are travel insurance plans that cover this very thing. Not all of them do, though, so read the plan details carefully.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

There is no basic unrest in France or Great Britain. It's not hard to leave either country; I don't know what your cousin is talking about. Maybe you would be more comfortable staying home.

 

[carpenta]

Statistically you are more likely to be struck by lightning than terrorist plot........but saying that I can understand your parental instinct when protecting your offspring....We don't worry too much either but it is still "there".

 

[DisneyKevin]

Leaving in 3 weeks for two weeks in France.

Haven't heard anything at all concerning travel.

 

[Woodview]

Lets look at the first post again. & put it into a different scenario.

I wish to travel to the USA but I hear that there is a Huge Fence being built in Texas to keep out undocumented people

Do I Fear to travel to USA .......... NO .


Remember most ( 99 .9 o/o ) Europeans do not use guns .

Violence is usually in confined areas .well away from where most people get on with life.

BUT if you visit & go looking for " trouble " & I mean go right to the trouble spots , then you will find violence.

Travel in Europe ... by air , by train , by car by peddle bike & by walking is very safe.


My advice is ....... Turn off your TV ( News ).......... buy your passports ..... Book your ABD Tour

And relax & enjoy the planning & asking questions of us Europeans

 

[AquamarineSteph]

I'm already looking forward to my European travels next year, and I wouldn't think twice about traveling to Europe. Major airports will always have delays and long lines depending on the time of day. I remember when we came back from Dublin the lines took twice as long as expected, but we also went through customs pre-check for the US so that we didn't have to clear US customs once we landed in the US. (Which in the end saved us a bunch of time between our connecting US flights once we'd arrived back Stateside.)

You can be hurt here just going to a movie these days. I'd say go and just exercise the same caution you'd exercise in any major city. Life is too short to live in fear of the nebulous what ifs.

 

[Rapunzellover]

I cannot even begin to express how many "warnings" I have received as a solo female traveller about European travel. I frankly feel safer in Europe than in parts of the area I live and work in.

Go and live life.

 

[scottmel]

There is no basic unrest in France or Great Britain. It's not hard to leave either country; I don't know what your cousin is talking about. Maybe you would be more comfortable staying home.

Or maybe somewhere in the USA...Just not sure I guess. I am glad no one else shares the concerns as I do. As I really would like to go over next summer. it was my dad, who is a pretty rational guy, pointing out terror cells are over in france now and it seems like the threat level is higher than it was say a few years ago. Funny thing, he was over there maybe 2 years ago and the pictures he shared WERE NOT the pictures I am envisioning of France. It was very slum like and depressing...Hopefully we are not over that way! My cousin literally JUST got home last week, ran into her at a wedding, and I don't know WHAT airport she flew home from but she indicated several delays and a big pain and said it was security related. I didn't ask in front of my DD.

This is the article that started my concern but I don't know the magazine's reputation, perhaps it is the equivalent to the STAR in the states.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/sunda...faces-biggest-threat-from-terrorism-in-decade

Then I found this
http://m.huffpost.com/us/news/france-terrorism

So I just worried a little bit but am glad none of you are! Makes me feel better

 

[larissawbb]

I really don't think your concerns were unfounded at all. Especially with the migrant/ refugee situation in France. You really don't know where that is headed.

 

[LinderInWonderland]

Anything could happen (bad/good) anywhere. Just be aware of yourself and your surroundings. You don't have to be paranoid or hypervigilant, just paying attention. I never had any issues with theft/loss/harassment in Europe, but my SIL had her backpack stolen in England because she assumed the guy she gave it to worked for the bus line.

 

[carpenta]

I left my heart in Venice.............

 

[GAN]

It's no more dangerous in Europe than in the US ....live your lives!

 

[tgeorge]

The other thing to consider is that you'll be with a large group the majority of the time with two guides who know where they are going and will help to ensure you're safe. If your worries are getting stuck in a bad part of town, etc.

Yes, anything can happen, but like TX transplant pointed out, if you buy trip insurance that covers unrest in the area you are traveling then you are covered.

 

[Rapunzellover]

Terrorist attacks can happen without warning. In fact, they almost always happen without warning. I'd say it's when people aren't concerned at all, that's the time to worry.

 

[Rapunzellover]

The other thing to consider is that you'll be with a large group the majority of the time with two guides who
know where they are going and will help to ensure you're safe. If your worries are getting stuck in a bad part of town, etc.

Yes, anything can happen, but like TX transplant pointed out, if you buy trip insurance that covers
unrest in the area you are traveling then you are covered.

And Disney's gonna cancel if they can't keep people safe.