To travel or not to travel? That is the question

In today's world you hear about so much violence in the news.  It is everywhere from small towns to large cities, sporting events to nightclubs.  It is not just in other parts of the world but here in the USA.  Do you travel or stay home?  My question to you would be.  Where you live can something happen to you?  A few years ago a student from Australia was in Oklahoma and killed by a few kids having fun in a drive by shooting.  Here in Wisconsin we had a woman returning home from the Dell be shot as they drove down the road.  We have Orlando and other shooting here in the states.  Other countries are now warning their citizens about the United States. 
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Recently on one of our my industry chat rooms a fellow agent was scheduled to travel to Turkey.  She asked the same question to us.  Would you go?  Most of the agents on the chat stated that they would go even with the unrest.  I myself would have gone.  Until the next day when the fighting broke out.  I am thinking she got her answer.  So here is for first tip: looked at the politics in the area you are researching.  Turkey has been on the watch list for a while. 
To  find out if the country you are looking at going to is on  the USA watch list visit this site:  click the photo to go directly to Travel State GOV

Would I personally not go to a destination just with just the State Departments warning?  No.  The reason is because the state department is fast with putting them up but slow with removing them.  The real question would be:  Would I let me children travel to a destination that the State Department has a warning?.  The answer is, it depends on my research of the area they want to go to.  Here are a few examples:
Let's look at Mexico it has been on the watch for a number of years.  My daughter and I have been to various remote areas within Mexico,  most tourist do not go to.  Do I recommend Mexico to my travelers?  Sadly, it would only be the prime tourist areas and not all of them at that.  Things have happen that are not always reported with the media. .  So in the prime areas I give the warning of being vigilant as if you were in a different city here in the states.  Also not to travel on your own outside of the area.  You want to see the ruins take a tour.  On the whole the Mexican people are wonderful, the food is amazing and the sun!  What can I say. 
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Mexico

What about Europe you say?  In November I traveled with my children (18 & 21) to Germany.  I would have NO issues on letting them go alone or with friends.  Yes, there are a lot of issues going on there.  France has been hit hard, recently Germany and also Brussels.  If you look at the attacks on the whole they were at locations that many people would be at.  So I would advise them to stay away from large events and enjoy the country.  That is what we did when we traveled there. 
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If you are looking for destinations that are safer you could try Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or maybe  South Africa would be a wonderful replacement locations that you could feel safe.  REMEMBER to keep in mind to be vigilant as if you are traveling to a different city in the USA like say Chicago or New York.  Would I send my children to any of these destinations?  Yes in a heartbeat.  Of course I might have to tag along because they are such awesome destinations. The airfares are the biggest factors but if you are flexible they are not that bad.    
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Auckland, New Zealand

Are there places I would not recommend or be hesitant at letting them go to?  Yes!  But that is another story.  I will suggest any country where there is a language barrier you might want to go on a tour especially South & Central America.
Do you remember as a child when your parents taught you to look both ways before crossing the street.  I still do it today when I am walking.  Do you!  Use your common sense and remember that bad things happen no matter where you are.  Be it in my small town in Wisconsin or new town in Arizona to the furthest of cities the world, always remember to be alert when out and about.  Before you travel do your own research for the area that you are going,  If you are traveling internationally ask a travel professional what they may have heard or recommend.  Once you have all the facts then make your decision.  Enjoy today and what the world has to offer.
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