Advice for the Woman Traveler The following is an excellent guide speficially for women travellers. Introduction Lessening the Culture Shock Travel Light, Travel Smart Extra Security Makes Sense Air Travel Accommodation Networking Along the Way Dress Sense Avoiding Harassment Alone After Sundown Maintaining Connections Staying Healthy Coping with Foreign Bathrooms The Pregnant Traveler Traveling with Children International Adoptions The Older Traveler Businesswomen Abroad Advice for the Woman Traveler

Alone After Sundown

Women rightly tend to be more cautious about going out after sundown. However, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't go out at all. Simply take precautions. For example, in planning an evening out, arrange in advance to have a taxi take you there and back. When deciding where to eat dinner, choose a restaurant that is close to where you're staying.

Since it's always interesting to experience the sights and rhythms of a place after dark, consider joining a sightseeing group. Check with the local tourism centre for any appropriate tours or cultural events that are available. Make sure that the tour bus picks you up and drops you off at your hotel or hostel.

Alternatively, you may appreciate matinée performances, which are far less expensive and may give you an opportunity to meet others.

If you're not comfortable eating alone in the evening, have your main meal at lunchtime when even the finest restaurants offer their specialties at more reasonable prices.

During the day, why not stop at a market or supermarket and shop alongside the local women? You can learn about the food specialties of the area and put together a meal to eat as a picnic in your room. Even with wine, it's less expensive than eating out every night.

Understand that, in some parts of the world, "respectable" women don't go out alone in the evening. In these places, a flagrant rejection of this custom could very well put you in jeopardy. Instead, after a long day of sightseeing, welcome the opportunity to rest, relax and rejuvenate yourself, so you can be ready to enjoy another full day of new experiences.

Tip / Info: In Saudi Arabia, a woman must wear an abbaya (a long black dress that covers the body from the shoulders to the toes). A scarf should be carried at all times to cover the head when requested.

In Saudi Arabia, a woman is not allowed to drive a motor vehicle or ride a
bicycle. She must have a male driver.

Please choose from the following sections:

Introduction
Lessening the Culture Shock
Travel Light, Travel Smart
Extra Security Makes Sense
Air Travel
Accommodation
Networking Along the Way
Dress Sense
Avoiding Harassment
Alone After Sundown
Maintaining Connections
Staying Healthy
Coping with Foreign Bathrooms
The Pregnant Traveler
Traveling with Children
International Adoptions
The Older Traveler
Businesswomen Abroad

Canuck Abroad takes no responsibility for the information or accuracy contained in this section and suggest you go to http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/her_own_way-en.asp for the latest information.

Email this page to a friend

Sign up for the CanuckAbroad Newsletter