I write this BEFORE going to Istanbul.  My opinions are subject to change after I am there.  But, this is how we have planned our stop in Istanbul.

Review travel warnings.  Not just from YOUR government, but from a global perspective.  For us we have been keeping an eye on http://travel.state.gov AND https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice .There ARE current warnings for the country, but not for the location we are visiting.  US Warning and British Warning.

Know your geography.  There is no excuse for not knowing your surroundings, at least enough to know that we will be far far away from the current and active warning areas.  (about the same distance as Milwaukee to Nashville for reference)

Realize that there are more good people in the world than bad.  You can be cautious and not live in fear and still travel.

Sign up for alerts.The US State Dept. is really good about keeping up with interested citizens.  It’s in their interest for you to be safe.  Register for the locations along your route so the State Dept. knows who is in a given area.  And put the Consulates and Embassies along your way in your contacts on your phone AND have a printed copy in a bag somewhere.

My goal is like what I would tell the kids as they would head out with friends:  Have fun.  Don’t make the news.  Do I really want to test the State Department’s ability to save my stupid ass if I do something stupid?  I’d much prefer to not be stupid in the first place.