I was planning to take my 18 year old granddaughter to Europe as a celebration of her high school graduation. In view of the events that took place on New Years in places such as Cologne, I am feeling apprehensive about it. I'm not sure her parents would even allow her to go after such frightening things happened all over Germany. We would be in the smaller villages along the Rhine and Mosel Rivers, and in Rothenburg. Also travel to Interlaken, Luzern and a few other places in Switzerland. How safe is it? I am not concerned about mass terrorist attacks like in Paris, but rather random attacks of young girls by Syrian and other middle eastern "refugees". I love Europe so much and have traveled there many times, including a solo trip a few years ago. I wanted to share this love of Europe with my granddaughter, but now I am afraid to.

You're safer there than you are here.

Switzerland is ultimately safe for anyone IME- Germany too but the recent events and fact that a large number of German women report in general sexual abuse may give you pause for concern but the chances of becoming involved in something like that is practically nil - now if she is going to be out really late at night on her own clubbing, etc. that is a different story but still probably very safe.

If you are with here and don't stay out to the wee hours don't even concern yourself with that - especially in places you are going.

and I agree with Edward - you are probably much safer than anywhere in the U.S.

I can't speak about Germany but I agree with PalenQ about Switzerland, I travel solo and am female and I have felt unsafe in Switzerland, that includes this last summer.

Nana, I would ignore Whathello's post. It's obvious that your question was out of concern for the safety of your granddaughter (in light of recent violence in Europe that you mentioned), and not due to other reasons that are being implied. I really don't see the need for some Fodorites to post such negative comments toward someone they've never met.

I had some similar concerns about travel safety, but I agree with other posters here that there is just as much (if not more) violence in the U.S. as in Europe. So I am still taking my trip this summer, and bringing my young daughters.

I can't speak from personal experience, but I would not think you would have any issues at all in small villages in Germany, and especially not in the Interlaken area.

Book your trip. Your granddaughter will love it.

Thank you to all who replied to my post. It is such a responsibility to take someone else's (daughter and son-in-law) child (I know she is techically an adult now) out of the country. I am not at all sure they would even let her go in light of the recent violence against women. We would definitely not be out late, and she has no interest in "clubbing". I was hoping to show her castles, vineyards, half timbered houses, beautiful architecture and let her experience a different culture, foods, etc. We would do some easy hikes, especially in Switzerland.

"We would do some easy hikes, especially in Switzerland."

You will find somewhat easier, shorter hikes with terrific scenery in the Middle Rhine Valley both in the valley and along the cliffsides.

Above St. Goar: http://www.rheinburgenweg.com/filead...e_bild1_01.jpg

Rhine Castle Trail: http://www.romantic-germany.info/Rhe...eg.6751.0.html

Hike up to the Günderodeahaus terrace just outside Oberwesel:
http://www.christiane-geldmacher.de/...in2014-003.jpg

Easy walk around Oberwesel's town wall:
http://www.oberwesel.de/uploads/pics...rrundweg_2.jpg
http://www.oberwesel.de/uploads/pics...dweg_karte.jpg

BTW, In the small villages you are visiting I wouldn't worry one bit about the creeps in Cologne (and those other major cities) who committed their ugly caveman crimes there. You'll be rubbing elbows with friendly locals and fellow tourists.

brube

You are a nice person.

I can be too. But sometimes, frankly... I'm fed up of reading concerns about 'safety' in Europe.

Nana :
'I am not at all sure they would even let her go in light of the recent violence against women'

Then don't !

I would not let my kids go to US schools, since they are crime scenes in waiting.

We are more than 350 M people in Europe. It is not because some newspapers show bad things that we should be avoided like the plague and tagged unsafe.

But yes, go to Switzerland, they probably accepted about 102 migrants. less risk.

About CH wanting to reduce the number of migrants :

https://francais.rt.com/internationa...ion-europeenne

I wouldn't have the slightest doubts about going to Germany. In fact, I'm planning to spend some time in Berlin and other German cities in 2016.

I have visited Germany numerous times.

I would not be concerned about personal safety in Switzerland, doing the type of trip you describe. They are extremely well-organized people and it's easy to get around.

My experience is (5 trips) to the French-speaking region outside of Geneva. I never felt any concerns of personal safety visiting there.

The biggest danger in Switzerland by far are road accidents. Around 240 people die every year. That is 0.0029 per cent of the Swiss population.

We just spent ten days in Germany, including four in Munich, at the time that refugees were streaming into Germany in such large numbers that they stopped running the train into Salzburg. In all that time, we didn't see anyone who looked like a "refugee." The government was doing an excellent job of managing the people by getting them to other locations, often to other family members already in Germany.

I think the OP needs to realize that the attacks did not take place "all over Germany" to use her exact words.

I think the OP needs to realize that the attacks did not take place "all over Germany" to use her exact words.>

Well they did also in Hamburg - migrants are not located all over the country but mainly cities like Cologne I think where their labor is needed.

And it was reported that 40% of German women report they were the victims of attempted sexual abuse or sexual abuse and that compromises many areas of Germany I think.

compromises- should be comprises.

It was an honest question given by one who is not a novice at European travel, having been there a dozen or more times. From the reports I have read, the attacks were in more places than Cologne and Hamburg, which was my reason for concern. I'm pretty sure "Whathello" is not a beautiful, blond, 18 year old young lady or perhaps he would show a little more compassion.

I will take my concerns to Rick Steves, where perhaps I won't be vilified for asking. I have never been attacked in this way for asking an honest question.

Do what you want, but don't say it is Fodors' fault if you consider it is mine.

If you don't like my post, you can triangle them (upper right) and report 'abuse'.

Being novice at travel doesn't mean you are a novice at reading information (or infotainment in this specific case) and must believe anything you read on the net.
You are a great-mother, you have lived, you can use your brain.

By the way, a more comprehensive study of the events of Cologne show that there are 500+ complaints, the big bulk of it being theft - helped by sexual bullying. (and still 2 rapes). And not all of them by 'refugees'.

So in my opinion you take 2 wrong decisions
- not taking your daughter to Germany because you read about unfortunate events
- leaving Fodors because you don't like me (which you are totally entitled to).

Clearly I didn't stand your brackets - still don't know why you talk about 'refugees'. My family took refuge in France in 1940 when invaded by Nazi troops. Were we 'refugees' ?

Now, your choice. But you are on a public forum, with its lot of nice guys, of morons, or quicktempered.

Just ignore those you don't like, some guys were more sympathetic than me and gave you advice, didn't they ?

And nah, I'm not a beautiful 18 years old blond girl.

But my daughter is. 17 actually. She went with a female friend to Paris last year. (ok they speak French).