Traveling Outside the Box: What's Safe, What's Not?With the Western world’s growing leeriness of terrorism, many alluring destinations experiencing social unrest conjure up more fear than gusto. But how dangerous are these places, really?
Part of the equation depends on who you are, where you're from, and where you're going. A good friend of mine recently enjoyed a two-week vacation in Iran. She visited the mountain capital, Tehran, went to the awe-inspiring Persepolis ruins near Shiraz, and got a great tan on the shores of the Caspian Sea. I should mention that she's a second-generation Iranian-American, speaks fluent Farsi, and has family in Tehran. Even so, she was hassled regularly by both police and private citizens, mostly for being an improperly covered woman.
Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member writeonthespot.
Places like Dubai, on the other hand, have made foreign tourism a priority. With numerous luxury hotels and mansions lining the shores of the recently constructed Palm Islands, Dubai has successfully drawn in many Western tourists. Celebrities such as Michael Jackson, David Beckham, and Naomi Campbell are all rumored to have bought luxury vacation homes there. Still, the allure of Dubai remains limited because it is an Islamic emirate, part of the United Arab Emirates federation in the Middle East, and as such elicits wariness from some Western tourists (despite its being a relatively safe tourist destination).
The safety of other destinations varies according to what part of the country you decide to visit. The Philippines, for example, are in many ways a tourist's paradise. Beaches are gorgeous and pristine, local culture is lively and colorful, and English is widely spoken by friendly locals. Only certain areas of the Philippines, such as Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, are rife with religious violence, and should be avoided by foreign travelers.
It's best to do up-to-the-minute research if you feel your safety might be at risk. Check the State Department's Travel Warnings web site for current and comprehensive information. And keep in mind that traveling is always moderately risky, which is half the fun, right? I say avoid the most dangerous spots, but explore other outside-the-box locations to your heart's content as long as they’re relatively low-risk. What do you think?
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Comments
Hey Jessica,
You're absolutely right; you cannot let fear determine where you go and what you do. However, you also must pick your destinations sensibly and keep your wits about you at all times.
I grew up in New York where a certain amount of danger is always present. However, if you keep your head up and your eyes open and you don't go looking for trouble, you're bound to be just fine.
You can't let random acts of violence, disease, terrorism, social unrest, or even the occasional mishap keep you from living your life and seeing the sights. There is certainly a line between being the adventurous traveler and the agoraphobic worrier. Travel smart and travel safely and, by and large, you'll be fine and will probably meet some amazing people along the way.
Cheers,
Charlie
Whether I'm traveling stateside or in a foreign country, I always rely on the concierge at my hotel or a trusted local to mark the "danger areas" on my map before I head out to explore. It gives me peace of mind and a little extra insider guidance. Oh, and don't forget to keep that map hidden. A map screams tourist!
hey Jessica ;
It can't be denied that some destinations are actually dangerous and should be avoided. But I've learned that the traveller's safety also rely on his own behaviour and knowledge of the local "customs". To me, humility and open-mindness to other ways of life are key factors of a safe and enriching trips abroad.
Florent (Bordeaux, France)