The world is in convulsion. Let's agree that it was never quiet, but for some time now there are beautiful places that one no longer knows whether to visit or not. He confrontation between Iran and Israel, for example, complicates an entire area that is very attractive and important for many travelers.
So if you still plan to travel, what Things you should keep in mind if you want to travel to Egypt, Jordan or Türkiye soon?
If you travel to Egypt
Iran's attack on Israel on April 13 put a big question mark on the map where the main tourist destinations are. Egypt: Cairo, the Nile River with its cruises, Luxor, Aswan or the resorts on the Red Sea coast of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada, to say some.
Well, these popular destinations today They are considered safe for tourism, but… There are many other regions where traveling is not recommended.r, those that are more on the borders. For example, the border with Gaza in Rafah, a place in which Egypt has built as a buffer zone from the Israeli Hamas offensive.
The truth is that if you have the tickets because you bought them before all this mess or you don't fear much, you can go but be careful. Obviously the common precautions that must be taken when visiting Egypt are still valid: be careful with street robberies or in the bazaar and be careful with the demonstrations or protests. And please, don't stop traveling with good health insurance.
They are also not recommending travel to the North Sinai governorate, which includes the crossing at Rafag, and neither within a 0 kilometer area on the Egyptian-Lebanese border. You can read these recommendations from the communications that countries regularly issue as a warning to their citizens intending to travel to these conflict zones. You will also see that many travel agencies continue to offer and sell tours to Egypt or Jordan, but not to Lebanon, for example.
Tips for traveling to Egypt:
- The best time of year is between October and April as the weather is better. Between December and February there are usually many people due to the low temperatures. From May to August it is very hot.
- Take care of the way you dress, especially if you are a woman: cover your shoulders and ankles, do not wear leggingss, short skirts, shorts or tops.
- Respect religion, especially if you visit religious sites or go in Ramadam.
- Don't forget to tip at least 10 or 15% of the bill: restaurants, tour guides, drivers, snorkeling instructors...
- Be careful with public displays of affection, especially if your partner is the same sex as you.
If you travel to Jordan
While some travelers lean towards Egypt, others do so for Jordan. For example, the agencies record that many American citizens have recently chosen to visit Jordan, although demand for Egypt has remained.
The truth is that Jordan occupies a somewhat strange position in the Middle East since, on the one hand, shares land border with Israel and with the occupied Palestinian territories, without having to do with the conflict directly, although there have been protests and it has had its role of mediator in the conflict. And yes, it is also true that The Jordanian air force has intercepted and brought down those Iranian drones that, violating their airspace, they were going towards Israel.
That being so, I would be more careful if my destination were Jordan. The situation is constantly changing, so we have to monitor the news and what the embassy of our respective country says about traveling to that destination.
The last thing that was recommended before the war was, for example, Do not approach about three kilometers from the border with Syria, but recent events changed things: Israel declared a state of emergency throughout the country and international land borders and areas, also in the occupied territories, could be closed whenever. For this reason, there is always the possibility that the crossings between Israel and Jordan and the western bank could be closed without warning.
Of course The Jordanian tourism sector says it is safe and that we work for the safety of the traveler. After all, it is an industry that pays many dividends and there is no shortage of people who want to visit Petra or the Nabataean tombs or bathe in a restaurant on the shores of the Black Sea or meet the Bedouins... but is it worth getting into the eye of a storm that seems so little predictable?
Tips for traveling to Jordan
- The best time to go will depend on your tastes. The climate changes depending on the region., but in general a good time is spring (March to May), and fall (September to November). The temperatures are pleasant and in spring there are wildflowers everywhere. Be careful with summer, from June to August, as it is very hot. To see the Red Sea it is a good idea to go in autumn.
- It is not advisable to drink tap water.
- Tipping is not mandatory or as popular as in other countries, but it is welcomed. Calculate 10% of the bill.
- While it is safe to travel as a woman, you will get stared at. Staring is not considered rude or rude here, and for a woman to travel alone is a bit exotic.
If you travel to Türkiye
From a time to this part Türkiye It has become a super popular destination for travelers, both from Europe and America.. The prices are super attractive. Great beaches, a city on two continents, gastronomy, culture... everything is divine.
But again, the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel and what happened in mid-April with the Iranian drone attack, makes many travelers with already scheduled tours or paid stays wonder if whether or not it is convenient to travel.
The agreed information is thatMost of the country is a safe place to travelr, although you have to be careful with popular demos that can take place in Ankara or Istanbul since there may be acts of violence. However, What should you keep in mind if you travel to Türkiye soon?
Has Türkiye been a country affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict? It seems not, at least not directly, although there were demonstrations in front of the embassies of the countries in conflict. How Türkiye did not participate in the April attacks There have been no changes to the warnings that countries give to their citizens traveling to this country.
In fact, President Erdogan has stated in front of his party that all parties in the country should call for calm and not have aggressive attitudes or favor an escalation of violence.
Then, Is it safe to travel to Türkiye? For depends on your destination, since in many parts of the country it is still safe. Where is it not? Well, it is not convenient for you to approach the border with Syria, about 10 kilometers, nor to the provinces of Sirnak or Hakkari. Furthermore, it is considered that the possibility of terrorist attacks in the country is high, so even if you travel you should be very careful.
Tips for traveling to Türkiye
- It is advisable to know a few words in Turkish and to know some of its most basic customs.
- It is a country where tipping is almost the rule: between 5 and 10% is left to everyone who provides us with a service.
- Spring and autumn are good seasons to visit, seasons well balanced between heat and cold. From April to May and from September to October.