I agree with Big Red...I traveled to Egypt, with just another female. It happened to be during a big blow up in the Gaza strip, and I admit it freaked me out a little, even though we weren't going towards that side of Egypt.
A few weeks after I was there, there was a bomb that went off in the ancient souk market that I had shopped in during my trip. It was truly disturbing to me, obviously, and very sad as it was such a remarkable place (and has recovered since).
However, we felt safe. We stayed with others, we stayed very alert, we didn't make eye contact with the locals, and I thoroughly researched our guides and tour companies and hotels. There wasn't one time that I felt unsafe or scared, and I think it was because of planning and research. We stayed in very tourist areas and didn't wander off. In fact, even during the souk shopping, we hired a guide, which isn't usual.
World travel always has some level of risk. But not just World travel. We were in Indianapolis for a cheer competition and just about got held hostage by a cab driver and later walked accidentally in the middle of what looked like a gang fight episode of Cops just entering the huge mall that connected to the cheer competition. I felt more unsafe on that trip that I did in Egypt, which is just a short distance from Iraq!
I have also felt more threatened in Nassau by the hair braiding and taxi people than the people in the souks of Egypt or Tunisia. All were annoying but I felt more of a threatening vibe in Nassau, several times. Still heading there next week

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I'm not going to allow fear to keep me or the kids from experiencing the World...it is too beautiful and exciting! I'm careful, though, and always thoroughly research, and am very alert throughout.