I waited outside this mosque for my male friend to finish looking around: having that morning met up with a woman who had been screamed at for being improperly dressed, I was reluctant to risk the same treatment for some perceived infraction.

This site is of religious importance so I was surprised be the subject of sexual harassment there. I actually conducted an experiment whereby I stood perfectly still and allowed the leering men to circle me ever-closer, in an effort to see just how close they would actually get right inside the busy compound of the mosque.

Before my experiment was really completed my companion returned, and so it only behoves me to say if you are female and visit this place do not be lulled into thinking you will be any less harassed once you get there. After living in Istanbul for one year I can honestly say it was the most dangerous place to be female I have ever been to.

If groups of dodgy-looking men jingling change in their pockets and calling 'How much? How much?' as you nip from your house round the corner to the supermarket in broad daylight on a busy street would bother you then you might want to give Istanbul a miss. If you would be annoyed at being ripped off for every item you try to purchase (forget taking a taxi anywhere), sexually harassed by every man at every opportunity or stopped by police to be relived of your passport and then receive demands of payment for it to be returned, then I'd thoroughly recommend you to go somewhere else. A huge pity, because the city itself is unforgettable.

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Avoid the scruffy and dangerous streets in Grenoble city centre which stretch from the cable car station on the quayside beside the Isere river to
the Cathedrale de Notre Dame. Thiefs loiter here - especially at night, so women don't walk alone in this area!

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This is a friendly, relaxed and comfortable hostel exclusively for women. From the swinging chairs outside in the garden to the multitude of kitchen gadgets (and free coffee, tea and hot chocolate), this is a place to enjoy.

272 Barbadoes Street, Christchurch.
Ph +64 (0)3 3662585

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This is a weekend of learning, discovery, celebration and fun for women of all ages. This annual event takes place in late May (May 25th - 27th, 2007) to coincide with the Celtic festival of Bealtaine.

The weekend honours female energy, ancient wisdoms and has a strong environmental theme throughout. It is inspirational, life affirming and energising. Just what every women needs from time to time - a bit of self space!

There is the option to join an all-women tour of this untainted region of Northwest Ireland.

www.wisewomanireland.com
phone: 353(0)71 913 4913
Located 6 miles from the Nortwest transportation hub of Sligo and an hour from the International Airport at Knock.

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We were met as planned at Delhi airport by Maya – one of our hosts – smiling brightly and welcoming us to Delhi.

A short taxi ride later (once Maya finally found our taxi, but that’s another story) we met our other host Betu. Together they run the guesthouse which to the eye is small, modest and comfortable. But Maya and Betu make it so much more than that with their help, advice, good food, ginger tea and warmth.

They arranged taxis for us, helped us to work out what to see and do in Delhi, answered our questions about India and made us laugh until our sides hurt.

In addition to the guesthouse they run a voluntary organization which provides a helpline, counselling and support to women across India who are questioning their sexuality or identify as lesbian. If you consider the usual issues faced by any woman coming out and add to them the cultural expectations faced by women in India you can imagine how important this work is.

Unfortunately it is not currently funded and so by staying at Naari guesthouse you are contributing towards the running costs. Another good reason to visit!

950 INR (approx 11 pounds) per person gets you and en-suite A/C room.

Tel: 0091 – 11 – 26138316 or 26899262
www.sanginii.org
The contact email of Naari is

(naari_india@hotmail.com)

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The best vantage point to sit and watch the world go by! It's directly on the Djemaa el Fna, with several tiers of balcony, depending on your desired viewpoint. A great place to sit in the sun in the morning with a cafe latte and write your postcards, an even better place to pitch yourself around an hour before sunset and watch as the square springs to life for the evening's activities and soak up the atmosphere. If you're a woman travelling alone it's one of the (sadly) few places to sit and enjoy where you'll feel relaxed and unhassled. Prices are reasonable, the food is pretty good and you won't feel rushed to leave. Be warned though, - get there early! It gets busy and in the evening you can only have a 'front row' seat on the balcony if you are eating.
Also, if you're in Marrakech for more than a few days, escape to the coast to Essaouira. It's a few hours drive away but well worth it, fabulously laid back, with a European hippyish feel to it, this is the place to chill with a beer and watch the sunset over the Atlantic.

Restaurant Argana - on the Djemaa el fna, Marrakech

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Mountaingirl is a great company that offers women's climbing courses and holidays. It's run by inspiring and fun female mountain guides who teach and encourage you instead of just drag ging you up a hill.

They have courses for absolute beginners to high level climbers and are happy to make a "bespoke course" for you and your friends if you ask. They offer a very high-quality experience where you can learn a new sport, laugh a lot, and also get out somewhere incredible!

London office
128 Shoreditch High St,
London E1 6JE
www.mountaingirl.eu

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If you're a woman, then Nice is definitely a place to watch your back. Wearing a skirt at night can lead to all sorts of hassle, especially on the seafront as this is Nice's red-light district. All sorts of undesirables are hanging around ready to (sorry for this) either rob you or rape you ... My advice is to stay away from the seafront at night and if you do have to go, take a man with you!

I wouldn't recommend taking one of the late-night buses either, as they're pretty frightening too (I used to call it the "bus to hell"). Taxis are very expensive but they're the safest way to go home.

All over Nice!

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The hamam is a women-only Turkish bath and sauna where you can have a good, inexpensive massage and invigorating body scrubs/lathers by the all-female Turkish staff. Costs around 13 euros for three hours, with additional prices for massages.

Mariannenstr, just off Oranienstr. close to Kottbusser Tor Underground

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