Danish girl going solo to Turkey and Syria
I am planning a trip on my own through East Turkey and North Syria. The twist is that I am 23 years old, Danish, female and travelling on my own.
Do you reckon it a good idea to go?
B Posts: 29
I am dreaming of going through Turkey, over Aleppo, to Tbilisi in Georgia. The catch is that my nationality (Danish) hasn't really been favoured in parts of the Middle East lately. At the same time, I'm a solo female traveller.
I am quit used to going on my own and have been to both Albania and Morocco. Albania on my own. I have also visited Turkey before (istanbul) and know how friendly people are there.
But I am still a little concerned for those few times I might have to show my passport.
Can anyone here tell me of their experiences as a solo female traveller or of their adventures in general. And give me advise on whether to go or not and what procautions to take.
Kind regards Anna Reply to this
I am quit used to going on my own and have been to both Albania and Morocco. Albania on my own. I have also visited Turkey before (istanbul) and know how friendly people are there.
But I am still a little concerned for those few times I might have to show my passport.
Can anyone here tell me of their experiences as a solo female traveller or of their adventures in general. And give me advise on whether to go or not and what procautions to take.
Kind regards Anna Reply to this
N Posts: 1
Hi Anna
I'm Danish as well, and will be in Syria for twelve days in early May - and will be happy to let you know of my/our experiences there when I get back. I've done extensive research though - and found no indication or testament to being Danish being a security issue.
As for being a solo female traveller, I'll let someone else answer that.
Kind regards,
Birgitte
Reply to this
I'm Danish as well, and will be in Syria for twelve days in early May - and will be happy to let you know of my/our experiences there when I get back. I've done extensive research though - and found no indication or testament to being Danish being a security issue.
As for being a solo female traveller, I'll let someone else answer that.
Kind regards,
Birgitte
Reply to this
N Posts: 4
I travelled through two Muslim countries with Western women. It was not pleasant. In the end it took six men to surround the women in the group and stay between the muslim men/boys and the women in order to make it down the streets. That was a while back but I can't imagine that its changed very much. Im not sure I would call it dangerous because I don;t think anyone measn any harm, but you will be harrassed to the point of exhaustion. Reply to this
B Posts: 3,062
I'm male and just left Syria - I met a solo female Japanese traveller in Damascus and she was having a fantastic time - no issues at all. I found the Syrians friendlier than the Kurds who are friendlier than the Turks. However, that is not to speak negatively of any group - it is just varying degrees of friendliness.
The Syrians are the gentlest of the Middle Eastern people I have met, and so wouldn't think that being Danish would harbour any problems - I met two Danes there and they wished to stay longer in Syria instead of risk the trip into some parts of Jordan. It may be prudent to lie about your nationality in some situations, but think it would be unlikely in Syria.
Just use your usual caution when travelling, answer diplomtically if the issues your allude to are raised - and all should be fine - Syria is an amazing country. Reply to this
The Syrians are the gentlest of the Middle Eastern people I have met, and so wouldn't think that being Danish would harbour any problems - I met two Danes there and they wished to stay longer in Syria instead of risk the trip into some parts of Jordan. It may be prudent to lie about your nationality in some situations, but think it would be unlikely in Syria.
Just use your usual caution when travelling, answer diplomtically if the issues your allude to are raised - and all should be fine - Syria is an amazing country. Reply to this
B Posts: 29
to the travel camel
thanks for your comment and advise. i have heard that the syrians should be extremely friendly. And I do think of taking the trip. Or I might just regret not doing it later. I'll be cautious and diplomatic.
Anna Reply to this
thanks for your comment and advise. i have heard that the syrians should be extremely friendly. And I do think of taking the trip. Or I might just regret not doing it later. I'll be cautious and diplomatic.
Anna Reply to this
B Posts: 53
Hi,
If you dress modestly and show respect for the customs and traditions, you should be OK. Parts of Syria are very traditional and a single woman alone in public is unusual and attracts attention.
Brian. Reply to this
If you dress modestly and show respect for the customs and traditions, you should be OK. Parts of Syria are very traditional and a single woman alone in public is unusual and attracts attention.
Brian. Reply to this
B Posts: 20
no one will hassle you......just know the rules of the game.....dress modestly, you are not in Brazil or London, and you'll be alright. Reply to this
d Posts: 2
ı live in turkey and also went to the allepo ,damascus..etc . if you are interested in ,,ı can answer your questions..
Reply to this
Reply to this
B Posts: 18
Dress VERY modestly with absolutely nothing tight (including jeans & shirts) and keeping your legs and upper arms covered. I don't know much about Turkey & Syria, but in Arab countries like Egypt there are problems with western women being harassed (a quick grab or feel of the butt, and not always discretely).
Other than the times you have to show your passport, you should tell people you are Swedish, Norwegian, or German just to be careful.
If you travel in southeast Turkey, there are military checkpoint on all roads (to control Kurdish 'terrorists').
Georgia is very nice and you will have no problems there. Reply to this
Other than the times you have to show your passport, you should tell people you are Swedish, Norwegian, or German just to be careful.
If you travel in southeast Turkey, there are military checkpoint on all roads (to control Kurdish 'terrorists').
Georgia is very nice and you will have no problems there. Reply to this
C Posts: 7
ops as i am Syrian i will just say you are wellcome , and i will repeat what Shane Dalas told you first
Syria is nice,
Reply to this
Syria is nice,
Reply to this
N Posts: 28
It's funny. As an Israeli I never thought Danish citizens would have problems anywhere :) Reply to this
B Posts: 24.4K
In some countries, I tell people I am from whichever European country they seem most familiar with, unless they speak quite well in English. When I was in Kyrgyzstan France and Germany seemed to be those countries. Maybe Sweden, Norway and Germany are the well known ones in Syria.
Saying I am from Ireland, too often is responded to with ''so you are English then''. Too annoying to ignore and too complicated to discuss with a person who hardly speaks any English. Reply to this
Saying I am from Ireland, too often is responded to with ''so you are English then''. Too annoying to ignore and too complicated to discuss with a person who hardly speaks any English. Reply to this
H Posts: 1,433
1 posts moved to this new topic: Do you ever lie about your citizenship? Reply to this
N Posts: 1
Hi, I am 27 years old male from Czech republic and I have similar plan - go to east Turkey and may be Syria.
It is a provisional plan, because I should had to go to Iran, but did not got the visa (and my friends yes, the reason is my profession...). But the provisional plan could be also very good in practise.
May be we could join our plans and go together. What do You think? I want to start the trip in the end of september.
Jan
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It is a provisional plan, because I should had to go to Iran, but did not got the visa (and my friends yes, the reason is my profession...). But the provisional plan could be also very good in practise.
May be we could join our plans and go together. What do You think? I want to start the trip in the end of september.
Jan
Reply to this
N Posts: 5
English time hahahha
so anna how abut your trip
ok anna you are welcome in syria and see you in Aleppo .
ya do you have profil for CS ok if you don't have you have to do it will be esy for travil
my profil at www.couchsurfing.org
ranidavidson
[Edited: 11:29 - Jo Trouble - English only in the forums thanks.]
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N Posts: 1
Hi every one
it's me Syrian cowboy i just want to say welcome to my country.
it's me Syrian cowboy i just want to say welcome to my country.
[Edited: 13:45 - free81cowboy ]
Reply to thisS Posts: 1
hello,
i am ALEX from UK, i am planning to travel to Syria this year, anybody have an ideas about living in old damascus?
any information will be appreciated.
regards
ALEX
i am ALEX from UK, i am planning to travel to Syria this year, anybody have an ideas about living in old damascus?
any information will be appreciated.
regards
ALEX
[Edited: 14:42 - Mell - No contact details on the forums please. ]
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