Turkey is a real highlight, but that's only half the story. Heading into the Middle East, whether South into Lebanon and Jordan or East to parts of Iran or Iraq that are not only possible, but (visa hassle aside) easy, safe and ultra-welcoming.

Don't buy whole heartily into the 'war on terror', 'anti-west', 'anti-British/America' hype, with due care the countries featured on this page (Syria aside) and many others in the Middle East are quite safe, friendly and to be honest - even without the current lack of crowds - amazing.

What needs to be made clear is whereas the majority of the Muslim world is perhaps ardently anti America based on its foreign policy, they are not (loony fractions aside, which are the tiny minority) anti-Americans or westerner in general. The way the loony faction of Islam is operating bombing easy targets, terrorism can and does happen almost anywhere in the world and has never been targeted directly at backpackers or independent travel. On the contrary the majority of attacks are aimed at government/ foreign offices, banks and luxury/business hotels. Or are kidnap related where a high reward is expected, such as with expat workers. Either way by taking care to follow sensible travel advice you should be far away from the major hotspots. Terrorism can and does happen almost anywhere in the world. You might get some funny looks or snide comments, but these are no more different that being called a gringo in Mexico and are easily ignored or explained away.

We've personally travelled through this area many times during and after 9/11, the Iraq wars and wider Syrian conflict, have experienced first-hand and received several e-mailed updates from travellers, all reporting an amazing lack of crowds, great friendly people and no more problems that you would experience in many parts of Asia.

Obviously this is a volatile region and one part of a country maybe perfect safe, while another part is totally off-limits. Obviously, always check the latest governmental travel advice.