5 Important Things I Learned As A Solo Female Traveler In Turkey
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I had a crush on Turkey from the second I arrived bleary-eyed on the in a single day practice from Bulgaria. A number of hours later, I’d completed my first Turkish breakfast, and rapidly realized I used to be in love.
After 5 years and 40 nations of full-time worldwide journey, Turkey ranks in my high 10 locations for solo feminine vacationers.
Right here’s why:
1. It’s Safer Than You Assume.
A traveler is 8 instances safer from violent crime in Turkey than within the U.S., even in huge cities like Istanbul and Izmir.
Primarily based on my private expertise touring throughout Turkey, I’d say you’re extra at risk from kofte kebab meals coma or kitten cuteness publicity than any avenue crime right here.
Earlier than coming to Turkey, I’d been cautioned time and time once more with obscure fear-mongering: “ what they are saying about Turkish males.” Let me inform you: nothing may have been farther from the reality.
These widespread ‘warnings’ are discriminatory, inaccurate, and would possibly forestall you from experiencing among the greatest hospitality on the earth.
I’ve felt safer strolling down the road alone in Turkey day or evening than in Italy, Spain, or Greece. There have been precisely two gentle avenue harassment incidents in my 5 months touring in Turkey over the previous 12 months – each by foreigners, with Turkish males who didn’t even know me stepping in to assist.
In fact, vacationers ought to take affordable security precautions in every single place they go. The few issues I wouldn’t advise whereas touring in Turkey proper now are:
- Visiting Istanbul’s Taksim space alone after 10 pm on weekends
- Leaving your valuables weak to straightforward pickpocketing
- Taking drinks from strangers in bars or golf equipment
- Public shows of affection in LGBTQIA+ relationships outdoors of main chain lodges
- Visiting sure elements of southeastern Turkey close to the Syrian border area (because of the presence of terrorist teams and earthquake devastation)
2. Ladies Are Welcome And Protected In Turkish Mosques.
For those who do end up strolling alone at evening and feeling not sure or unsafe for no matter cause, the abundance of mosques in Turkey give you a tremendous protected haven.
Many giant mosques stay open via the evening. So long as you’re dressed modestly, take away your footwear, and have a shawl useful, you possibly can respectfully duck into one in all these well-lit homes of worship to make sure of your security at virtually any hour.
To be clear: I don’t advocate treating a holy masjid as a substitute for a police station. Vacationers in apparent hazard ought to name emergency providers. However for these all-too-familiar grey zone conditions that merely give solo feminine vacationers a nasty intestine feeling, it’s good to know that you’ve got protected locations to show to with out ringing any alarm bells.
3. You Don’t Want To Select Between Tea And Espresso.
It’s no shock that Turkey is a rustic of tea lovers. The common Turk drinks 1,300 cups of tea every year. Turkey is even dwelling to a tea museum within the form of a 7-story tea glass within the ‘tea capital’ of Rize. It ought to then come as no shock that vacationers will discover themselves supplied a heat welcome tea in every single place they go.
The gorgeous factor about Turkey is that this nation embraces each tea and occasional. No have to take sides. Merely take pleasure in each!
From iconic Turkish espresso in an Izmir antique shop to artisan roast flat whites in Moda’s plentiful third wave espresso retailers, there’s some java right here for each kind of traveler.
4. Multicultural Turkish Cities Supply A Secure Approach To Discover Syrian Tradition.
Whereas Syria isn’t a really helpful vacation spot for solo feminine vacationers in the intervening time, multicultural cities in Turkey actually are. They provide a protected and interesting alternative to strive Syrian meals, have conversations with Syrian refugees and immigrants, and be taught extra in regards to the Syrian diaspora.
Beneficial actions embody:
There are about 4 million Syrians residing in Turkey, creating a tremendous multicultural alternative for vacationers. Nevertheless, it’s vital to notice that many Turks will nonetheless make detrimental feedback to guests about Syrians of their nation.
“Turkish society’s acceptance of Syrians has largely been reworked into ‘toleration’ moderately than an understanding of building a follow of residing collectively,” defined a study from UNHCR.
When touring in Istanbul, you could hear locals inform you that Fatih, a predominantly Arab and Syrian neighborhood, is ‘not likely Turkey’ or isn’t ‘what it was once.’ Some Turks will voice considerations about Syrians placing stress on social providers or job markets or bringing what they understand as an incompatibly conservative tradition to their metropolis.
Strive to not let this rigidity forestall you from having fun with two wonderful cultures in a single journey.
5. Turkey Is So A lot Extra Than Istanbul.
Many vacationers don’t notice simply how huge Turkey is. With practically 800 sq. kilometers of historical cities, surreal moonscapes, and extra seashores than you might depend, this nation has a lot extra to supply than its in style capital Istanbul.
Nice locations for solo feminine vacationers embody:
- Bursa
- Fethiye
- Izmir
- Bodrum
- Kars
- Antalya
- Cappadocia
- Pamukkale
- Amasra
- Gaziantep
- Ankara
- Mardin
Let the security and hospitality of Turkey encourage your subsequent nice solo journey!
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