Favourite destinations for solo female travelers? Emirates' timeless beauty

I'm honoured to host on my blog a guest post by Stephanie Lee, the author of "The Art of Solo Travel". Not only she gives very useful tips for any woman traveling alone, but I'm happy she has chosen the United Arab Emirates, one of my most favourite destinations.

When embarking on the adventure of solo travel for the first time, one of the first things that spring to mind is health and safety. As a solo female traveller who’s been around the globe, interestingly two of the cities in which I felt safest were Abu Dhabi and Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Despite what the media frequently portrays, these cities in the UAE are forward metropolitan hubs with modern conveniences, friendly people, and have their fair share to offer any solo traveller without compromising on personal comfort and safety.
Some of the factors that contribute to this:

The city never sleeps

These two cities are high rollers with a busy and vibrant nightlife. Because there is always something going on in the city – be it 24-hour restaurants or clubs, the presence of people out socializing in the evenings and nights provided me with reassurance when going out after dark.

An international crowd

If travelling alone, it is guaranteed that you will meet other like-minded souls in these cities. Whether a fellow traveller or a working expat, making friends is easy, therefore there was never any reasons to feel lonely or unsafe. There are also ladies night in many places meaning free cocktails!

Day safaris

Join the plethora of day tours available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Try your hand at crab-hunting in the Arabian Sea, go dune-bashing in the exotic desert, or watch belly-dancers entertaining you in front of a local feast. Whatever you decide, you will always have a small group of people enjoying a similar activity with you.

Visit the new wonders of the UAE

It is always safe to visit popular monuments as there will be many others doing exactly the same thing. Along with many other tourists in the city, spend a day or two visiting the new Burj Dubai, or gawk at old ones like the Burj-al-Arab and the Atlantis Hotel. Alternatively go shopping at the fantastic Mall of the Emirates where you can also go skiing.

Watch a concert at the Emirates Palace

With thousands of other screaming fans, it is impossible to feel unsafe. Many popular artists frequently hold concerts at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, and from personal experiences it is pretty spectacular to watch your favourite band put on a show for you in the middle of the desert.

Take the taxi

Taxis are cheap, clean, and the drivers in a smart uniform are polite, helpful and courteous. Don’t take the bus.

Other obvious things

Besides keeping in mind the obvious such as not walking down a dark alley or tunnel alone, and never bringing your valuables out with you, it is almost impossible to feel insecure or unsafe in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Although not the cheapest places to visit, a few days there wouldn’t hurt. So head over there and party like it’s 2011! Happy New Year to all solo travellers!

You can buy "The Art of Solo Travel" here.

Travel safe: B&B or luxury hotel?

Recently I've written an article about a robbery at the Hilton Hotel of Fiumicino Airport and I happen to think about it now and then. I've read about robberies and I've also been a victim sometimes, but this story has something unusual.

First of all, the fact that it happened in the Hall of the Hilton Hotel is definitely not common. Travelers, in fact, expect to get robbed more at the bus stop, on the tube, near a dodgy train station, but at the Hilton, we (at least, I) would expect some security guards around.

As I've described in the article, after the robbery, the staff of the hotel didn't rush to help the victims, proved reluctant to cooperate and their security guard appeared after half an hour. This makes me wonder: is it possible that at the Hilton is so easy to rob? Is it possible that a worldwide chain employs so unprofessional people?

According to the victim, Mr Carecci, the hotel refused to show the CCTV, so they are still waiting to know the police response.

Are we so exposed when we travel? Also, how exactly does it work at the Hilton Hotel: anybody can come in? Are there not security guards at the entrance?

After the robbery, Mr Carecci run after the thieves, who have had plenty of time to flee. What was the hotel's staff doing that particular moment? Why was the place so unprotected? Do these events happen often?

Finally, the thieves aimed directly at Mr Carecci's briefcase. Usually briefcases contain working-papers relating to companies, pretty much useless to common thieves, that's why pick-pocketers rather prefer personal bags: did they know they would have found a so high amount of cash?

This event is very unpleasant, first of all for Mr Carecci and his family, but quite ugly also for the other business travelers regular customers of the Hilton Hotel.