Recently the travel world has been marred by reports of violence against tourists. A young mother from NY met an unfortunate death in Istanbul. A group of young men and women were brutally accosted and six of the women raped. In both of these situations, what started out as a vacation of a lifetime turned into a horrible nightmare.
Like most people do when traveling, it is always advantageous to think ahead and try to prevent from becoming a victim. Despite all the precautions you take, bad things can still come about. Hence the reason why it's so important to be as cautious as possible but not overly paranoid.
Before leaving, know where you're going! Know about what areas to steer clear of. Staying in heavily populated areas can help to serve as a protection. Don't be one of those tourists who have " Come rob me" stamped on their forehead.
Just because you're on vacation, this doesn't make you invincible. Don't think that it's OK to do drugs, vandalize property or do other stupid things that you wouldn't do at home. Partying until 3 in the morning sounds like fun, but when it's time to get back to where you're staying, choose the SAFEST way (which might not always be the cheapest, but in the long run, it could mean your life).
Like many people, I travel a lot by myself. However, being alone I try to be extremely alert to my surroundings. Let someone know where you're going, staying and what you're planning on doing. Don't let your guard down just because you're in a group either. Be alert to what the others in your group are doing and don't be pressured to go along with something that doesn't feel right.
