Is it dangerous to drive now? Is it safe to travel in Europe right now? Tourist places and attractions
The situation in Jordan for tourists and how security is ensured in this country, all this is of interest to many travelers who are going on vacation to Jordan in the 2016-2017 season. Is it safe to vacation in Jordan in the 2016-2017 season? Still, this country has borders with Syria and Iraq, and is also located near the Sinai Peninsula, which is also considered a troubled region.
Is it safe to travel to Jordan now? Of course, we will not guarantee you complete safety, so the decision on whether to go on vacation to Jordan or not is up to you and only you. Nevertheless, I would like to note that during my stay in Jordan in cities such as Amman, Madaba and Aqaba, I never even thought that there was a war going on somewhere in a few hundred kilometers. During a trip to Jordan, I never worried about my safety, like many other tourists with whom I managed to communicate in Jordan itself and on Russian forums.
As far as I know, the safety of tourists in Jordan in the 2016-2017 season is in the first place among the goals of the main tourism department of the country. But the Jordanian government is concerned about the safety of not only tourists, but also local residents, so even in non-tourist areas of Jordan you can feel more or less safe. Although I am not used to ruling out anything, I will still tell you why I believe that there will be no serious incidents in Jordan in the near future. First, up to this point, Jordan remained aloof from militant attacks, with the exception of the incident on the Syrian-Jordanian border. Secondly, I believe that the militants do not want to involve the ground forces of another country in the war, and in the event of a serious attack on Jordan, this is most likely to happen. But again, these are just my thoughts.
In any case, the security of tourists in Jordan in 2016 and 2017 will be ensured at a high level, as the country's government understands that at present the entire region of the Middle East remains unstable. You can feel safe in hotels and airports in Jordan. The Jordanian authorities took into account the mistakes in ensuring security at airports that the Egyptians made, so immediately after the plane crash with Russian tourists in the Sinai, they took care of providing the country's airports with additional security systems. With regard to hotel security, Jordan has had to learn from its mistakes in this regard, as several hotels in the country have been attacked in the past.
As for other aspects of security in Jordan, we can say that Jordan is a typical Arab country with friendly and hospitable people. However, it is recommended not to forget about the habits and traditions in an Arab country, so outside of hotels one should try to behave like the locals do, that is, appropriate clothing, adequate behavior, sobriety. We also do not recommend carrying a lot of cash and some kind of jewelry with you, but if you still take something valuable with you, then try not to let anyone see it.
As far as road safety is concerned, in most places in Jordan, traffic is very calm and cars are rare. Only in the area of the city of Amman, the traffic is very heavy, so accidents often happen here. Overall, Jordan is one of the best countries in the Middle East in terms of road safety.
For most, the vacation season is just around the corner, but for some it has already begun, so it's time to be puzzled by the choice of direction and place for summer holidays.
For families with children, young people and people on a budget, Turkey has always been the number one holiday destination. Due to political events not so long ago, this country was closed to Russian tourists, and people were forced to look for an alternative.
However, in the fall of 2016, the tourist flow began to gain momentum again. The upcoming season promises to return the former popularity and love of tourists to Turkish shores, however, vigilant citizens have concerns about whether it is dangerous to travel to Turkey in the summer of 2019. Let's figure out if such fears are justified.
The main external problem of the country is that Turkey borders on Syria, a country in which hostilities are taking place with terrorist groups. The common border, purely theoretically, creates opportunities for radical Islamists to penetrate Turkish territory.
The hostilities in Syria have not stopped at the moment, so the territory of Turkey, bordering Syria, may be restless. However, all resort areas are located in another part of the country at a considerable distance from the Syrian border.
To less worry about your safety, for those who go on vacation, I would like to recommend the following.
- If possible, do not leave the territory of the hotel once again.
- If you go outside the territory, try to avoid crowded places (markets, public transport, mass performances).
- When leaving the hotel, be sure to take a voucher and copies of passports with you (we remember that the police will be very vigilant).
- Many people ask if it is possible to go on vacation now to Istanbul and other cities, in addition to coastal ones. Still, refrain from leaving the resort areas. It is better not to tempt fate and postpone trips to the eastern regions of the country and to cities bordering Syria.
I hope the information helped you make the right decision regarding the choice of a vacation spot!
Good afternoon,
I have been traveling in Europe (and not only) for many years, so now I will dispel the main fears about the dangers in Europe.
The European continent came to its high standard of living and safety by trial and error, which is why here the most boring traffic rules, prohibitions and the ubiquitous police supervision of public order.
Roads
In all European countries, roads are of good or excellent quality. Holland is especially distinguished here: their autobahns have a dividing strip, noise barriers, cameras at all interchanges, as well as traffic police that patrol the main roads. The mortality and accident rate here is ten times lower than in the CIS.
Tourist places and attractions
Of course, pickpockets are inherent in any crowd of people: both in the Moscow metro and in the center of Berlin, but elementary security measures will save your belongings with a 100% probability.
Outskirts of cities
In all large cities, there are disadvantaged areas where the level of danger is much higher. But if you do not walk around with an expensive camera at 2 a.m. along the dark alleys of the outskirts, then the chances of getting into trouble are significantly lower than in your homeland.
Migrants
This topic is not presented objectively in the Russian-speaking segment of the media. Migrants are fleeing the war, they are aware of their status and therefore do not want to attract too much attention from law enforcement. They are compactly settled on the outskirts of cities, and given the ratio of the number of migrants and the population of Europe, your chances of encountering them at all tend to zero.
Conclusion: the level of danger in European cities is significantly lower than in Russian ones, which is confirmed by many statistical data. In the city center, in hotels and on the roads - it is completely safe. You can safely go to any country and are not afraid of rumors: they are very exaggerated.
Among the numerous, one might say, paradise corners of our planet, most Russian travel lovers prefer to spend their legal vacation period or weekends in the amazing Dominican Republic, immersed in greenery. Which is not at all surprising, because it is these places that can deservedly boast of a luxurious exotic beach area, covering hundreds of kilometers, which has all the conditions for excellent rest and relaxation.
Of course, it is most convenient for Russian tourists to overcome a decent distance by air transport. However, many are wondering: is it possible to fly to the Dominican Republic now?
Tourists arriving in the country will be able to:
- as long as you like to bask under the gentle rays of the sun, conveniently located on the snow-white coast;
- admire unsurpassed natural beauties, especially coral reefs;
- get acquainted with a very distinctive, but very interesting local culture.
And, of course, there is the opportunity to make unforgettable excursions to the numerous sights of the ancient country, the discoverer of which is considered to be H. Columbus. Wherever the traveler goes, he will certainly expect a warm welcome from the locals, who greet all guests kindly.
In particular, our compatriots were very alerted by the hurricane in the Dominican Republic on the night of September 19, 2017, or rather, by its strength and power. Let's try to analyze the topic of interest more carefully and consider what other dangers are fraught with rest on an island immersed in greenery.
Is it dangerous to rest on a very popular resort island?
If you carefully analyze the main question, is it dangerous to fly to the Dominican Republic now, then it is not so easy to find an unambiguous answer to it. After all, everything that is currently happening on the island is, of course, the restoration of the Republic after the serious damage caused by a natural disaster.
However, some areas that were not badly affected by the hurricane have been almost completely restored and are able to receive guests, offering quite a reasonable price for a vacation. Of course, it will not be possible to fully appreciate the former beauties of the dilapidated Republic, but every guest will be able to see the natural sights.
Whether it is worth going to the Dominican Republic now, of course, everyone must decide on their own. And if the answer is yes, you should definitely find out what dangers the island-resort, remote from Russia, is fraught with, regardless of the time of year, and tour operators are trying their best to hide quite significant shortcomings.
If we take this issue seriously, then the situation in the Dominican Republic is developing in such a way that danger can await a tourist almost anywhere and at any time of the day. However, it is quite simple to secure your vacation and make it really memorable if you familiarize yourself with the main points in advance, which you must, as they say, “get around” and in no case become a participant in them.
TOP 10 dangers that may await tourists in the Dominican Republic
Here are some potential hazards to avoid:
- First of all, do not make contact with French-speaking black citizens, who are quite numerous in the southern part of the island or near the capital. The fact is that they are Haitian migrants who arrived on the island in search of work. Not everyone can find a job in the Dominican Republic, and since money is constantly needed for food, naive tourists can become victims of organized criminal groups.
- Given the confirmed fact that there are numerous infectious diseases on the island, including syphilis, yellow fever, malaria and even rabies, it is advisable to get vaccinated before traveling. On vacation, you need to wash your hands thoroughly, preferably 2-3 times, with soap and water under running water. Men should try not to "contact" with local beauties.
- The quality of the water on the island, to put it mildly, is not the best. Therefore, the use of bottled water is recommended for drinking and cooking. Vegetables and fruits after washing under running water should be thoroughly poured over with boiling water. This has been the case in the Dominican Republic for a long time.
- Typhoons are another danger awaiting guests and residents of the Republic. That is why comfortable hotels are being built not on the coast itself, but at a certain distance. And answering the question of whether it is worth going to the Dominican Republic now, given the possibility of typhoons, you can answer this: the period starting from the end of November and ending in March is considered the safest time to relax on the island.
- In these wonderful places, unfortunately, a turbulent seismic situation is visible. There is a high probability of earthquakes, since the island is located on an incompletely formed alpine zone. Tourists should not be very afraid about this, because special services announce a possible earthquake in advance, but it’s always worth remembering exactly where things and documents were left, and everyone without exception. Studies have shown that the region of Punta Cana and La Romana has the lowest intensity of seismic waves, therefore, if possible, it is best to choose hotels located in these quietest areas of the island for relaxation.
- Tourists who have arrived for the first time must know that the ancient religion is still used on the island, especially in provincial areas. There are many voodoo sorcerers here. Whether it is necessary to seek meetings with its representatives, or, on the contrary, try to protect yourself from such communication - of course, everyone needs to decide on their own.
- A fascinating form of recreation - diving - is available to everyone. Indeed, near the waters surrounding the island, many ships sank, and what kind of adventure lover refuses to try his luck in search of sunken countless treasures. However, before giving your consent to participate in an underwater study, you should carefully consider whether you are ready to entrust your own life to an unknown team, going with it to conquer the depths of the sea.
- An excellent holiday on a magnificent yacht, which can be rented for the entire holiday, will undoubtedly appeal to everyone without exception. But swimming and diving from a yacht into open sea waters should be abandoned by those who value their own health. The fact is that it is in these places that you can often find sharks of solid size that attack water vessels without fear, mistaking transport for ordinary bait. The explanation for the habit of predators can be quite simple - relatively recently, the so-called golden generation of vacationers fed ferocious sharks with the favorite delicacy of predators as entertainment, and right from their hands.
- Given the statistics, the activities of local thieves' organizations are developed in the Dominican Republic. Not to become a victim of criminals, regardless of the area that the traveler has chosen for recreation, ordinary vigilance and caution in dealing with very suspicious personalities will help.
- You should also not use the services of exchange offices operating in private street pavilions if after the end of the holiday period there is still local currency available. This operation should be carried out only in special institutions, despite the fact that street offers will be more profitable. As previously noted, in this Republic the level of fraud is quite high, so the currency of gullible tourists can be easily exchanged for perfectly fake dollars.
You should also not use bank cards to pay for various goods. It is best to withdraw your own savings at ATMs operating inside the hotel complex.
Rest in the Dominican Republic on health, but take into account the risks
It should be borne in mind that if the traveler nevertheless becomes a victim of scammers, then contacting the local police is unlikely to correct the current situation, because for local authorities a tourist is primarily an additional source of income. In such circumstances, it is best to contact the police agency that works directly with tour operators to increase the chance of recovering stolen money or personal items.
Summing up, we can come to the following conclusion: the situation in the Dominican Republic, given the risks, is practically no different from other resort places. After all, the above fears can await tourists in any, even the most modern country.
Therefore, answering the question of whether it is worth going to the Dominican Republic now, you can answer this way: of course, it is worth it, if you familiarize yourself in advance with the risks of staying on a magnificent paradise island surrounded by greenery. Additional knowledge will help create a vacation that will remain in the memory of every tourist, and a lot of entertainment and viewing the incredible beauty of natural attractions will turn pastime in a mysterious country into the most memorable and wonderful adventure. We hope that our article helped you understand what the situation is like in the Dominican Republic for tourists.
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Frightening terrorist attacks: an explosion in Cairo, a shootout in Luxor - a popular tourist destination, a terrible tragedy in Sousse (Tunisia), a bomb explosion in Thailand - led to a huge number of refusals of trips to hot spots. The armed conflict on the border of the Sinai Peninsula has put many tourists to a standstill. This is understandable, because from the places of clash of armed groups to Sharm el-Sheikh is within easy reach. The Egyptian authorities, trying to prevent the fear of future guests of the country, say that the troops are in full control of the peninsula. They can be understood. Three billion dollars annually entering the Egyptian treasury is the contribution of our compatriots. Question: "Is it dangerous to go to Egypt now?" asks every sane tourist. We will try to answer it. Our story is based on authentic reviews of Russians who spent the summer of 2018 in Egypt.
flickr.com/soyignatius
Sofia Egorova (vacated in Sharm in July 2018):
“The whole resort is peaceful. The only thing that immediately caught my eye was a large number of roadblocks. On the outskirts of the city, at the entrances to entertainment centers, at the main attractions, there are armed men in black uniforms. I never heard a single warning or word of a threat.”
flickr.com/davidden
The country is really restless. For 4 years, messages about Egyptian military events have constantly flashed in news releases:
Chronology of events
Winter - 2011. Revolution in Egypt. Resignation of President Hosni Mubarak. Street demonstrations, thousands of victims.
flickr.com/ [email protected]
In February 2011, about 40 thousand Russians rested in Egyptian resorts. However, Moscow firms stopped selling tours to Egypt.
Summer 2013. The overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi, anti-government demonstrations, riots. A state of emergency has been declared in the country.
In Egypt, began the evacuation of tourists from Finland and Norway. Tour operators in these countries have canceled the sale of Egyptian tours. The Russian Foreign Ministry recommended that Russian citizens refrain from traveling. Rostourism was not involved in the evacuation, because, according to him, Russian tourists are in no hurry to go home, despite the state of emergency introduced in the country. Excursion programs: a trip to Israel, Cairo, etc. - are prohibited, but the curfew at the main resorts has been canceled.
flickr.com/titanjad
Summer - 2015. June 10 - Suicide bombing at Karnak temple in Luxor. July 1 - Violent clashes broke out between government forces and Islamist militants in the Sinai Peninsula.
flickr.com/ericbowers
The huge tourist flow of tourists in Egypt resembles mountain rivers exactly the opposite. In bad weather, rivers seethe and overflow their banks, and on fine days they become smaller. Tourists in a political lull go to Egypt in orderly rows, or rather, airplanes, and in turmoil these ranks noticeably thin out. But they don't run out! Some citizens are attracted by tempting discounts, others by the low occupancy of hotels, etc.
Two perspectives on the same situation
The country is “storming”, and our tourists continue to rest in Sinai. What is it - a stupid Russian "maybe it will carry over" or something else? We publish two views on the situation with the sale of tours to Egypt in the summer of 2013.
Official
REN News 24 program:
“Russian tourists, apparently, have adopted the principle: Egypt is a godsend for extreme people. Despite everything, they go to a country engulfed in war. Rostourism provided data that no more than 2-3 people do not come to the flight. Those who are already resting on the Red Sea are not going to return ahead of time.”
flickr.com/ [email protected]
Informal
“I bought a tour to Sharm six months before the trip. I was attracted by the early booking system - I wanted to save money. A month before departure, having learned about the unrest in Egypt, she was horrified. How to fly with a child to a troubled country? I ran to the agency to hand over a ticket or redirect the tour. But, alas! “Until the Federal Tourism Agency bans flights, we will not refund money if you cancel the trip!” - such was the answer of the tour operator. I was reassured that the resorts are carefully guarded, that it is safe there and there is no cause for concern, in general, they persuaded me. I flew with a heavy heart. And, although everything went well, even excellent, I decided for myself - never use the early booking service, our world is too fickle.”
flickr.com/fdotguido
August - 2016. The situation in the resorts of Egypt
The heat, the sparkling sea with a dozen boats on the horizon, tanned tourists haggling furiously with stall sellers - this is what Sharm el-Sheikh looks like today. And although the situation in Egypt today is calm, soldiers with weapons are a common sight on the streets of resorts. For the Egyptians, tourism is a huge, and sometimes the only, source of income. Therefore, they care about the safety of vacationers. D. Medvedev, having visited the opening of the Suez Canal in early August, recommended that the Russians definitely go to the Red Sea.
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Nadezhda (I had a rest in Hurghada hotel Palm Beach Resort in August 2016):
“I'm glad I chose this hotel on the advice of my relatives! Animation is luxurious. We were not allowed to be bored. The hotel photographer gave us a photo session that we envied ourselves: we turned out so happy and beautiful. Rest for 5 +”.
Andrei (traveled to Egypt in 2016):
“Everything was good. I didn’t like two points: ants in the room and the lack of sunbeds on the beach.”
As you can see, Russians go to Egypt on vacation and the political situation worries them less than the lack of sunbeds on the beach, and ants seem to be the main problem of the Egyptian vacation. Therefore, to the question: “Is it possible now to go to the land of camels?” we answer: "Yes!". The situation in 2015 is not easy, but it does not pose a danger to tourists. About what is really dangerous in Egypt, we will tell further.
flickr.com/archer10
Forewarned is forearmed
Warning 1. Beware of sunlight!
There is a lot of talk about the Egyptian heat. In August 2016, the earthly luminary broke all records - it warmed up the Arab air to + 55 C °. Protective creams, panama hats, umbrellas should be packed in a suitcase first.
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Warning 2. Don't rent a car!
It is convenient, after leaving the hotel, to get behind the wheel and drive along your route. You can be free, not depend on tour operators and taxi drivers in any country in the world, with the exception of Egypt. The rules of the road for the Egyptians either do not exist at all, or they are drawn up according to laws unknown to the whole world. We do not recommend dealing with them. Sit in a minibus, and you will be driven for a penny in any direction. Buses that overturn on the highways, you will not see them and will not become passengers. The country's authorities have banned long trips until the situation for tourists in the country becomes more favorable.
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Warning 3. Be picky about your food!
Horror stories about food in Egyptian hotels are rocking the internet. These are fairy tales in which the truth reaches no more than 2%. The chef of the restaurant is responsible for the quality of the buffet. Not everyone can be called a master of their craft. Therefore, reviews about nutrition are so opposite. Sometimes tourists confuse poisoning with overeating, because the symptoms: nausea, bloating, diarrhea are the same for these conditions. Remember! The volume of a single meal should fit in a regular glass, no more. Use only bottled water for brushing your teeth and drinking. You can read more about food in Egyptian hotels.
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Warning 4. Beware of poisonous aquatic life!
It's really dangerous! Stinging cages that corals release at night, stone fish, electric rays, poisonous fish and hedgehogs - acquaintance with these representatives of the Red Sea should be avoided. "Don't touch anything in the water!" - this is how Arab guides begin excursions in Egypt.
flickr.com/julesnene
Warning 5. Sharks!
The Red Sea is among the outsiders in the list of areas where the attack of toothy predators on people is not uncommon. The first place in this list is occupied by the coast of Australia, America and South Africa.
flickr.com/michaelaston
Alexander Kasumyan (Doctor of Biology ):
When going on vacation with your beloved child, you need to be prepared for any surprises, and when you are going to rest on another continent, you need to be fully equipped not by 100, but by all 200%! What medicines to take with you, what to feed the child, what clothes to pack, what to do if the child suddenly falls ill - these and many other questions torment parents. To avoid trouble, before departure, we recommend reading the tips for those traveling to Egypt with a child.
And finally
The purpose of our story is not to scare, but to warn of troubles that can disrupt a relaxing holiday. Foreign trips from Russia for economic reasons decreased by 30%. Egypt, according to the statistics of Rostourism, lost only 14% of potential tourists. Our compatriots, trusting the advice of friends and relatives, boldly fly to Egypt. The Red Sea is amazing and everyone should see it!
Jun 6, 2018 Katia