Agreed, I went to Istanbul during Ramadan a few years ago and it was fantastic. Highly recommend that city, just a beautiful place and the food is amazing!

Cheers. BB

My Auntie and her “friend” went to Turkey during Ramadan and she said it was nightmare. Agreed that it was a beautiful place and the food was beyond superb.

Got to love Turkish food 🤌

England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Apparently Jordan is quite chill. Haven’t been but have seen a documentary following a guy (Levison Wood) travelling around Arabia and definitely Jordan is more relaxed than some surrounding countries. Also Petra is in Jordan which looks amazing

Egyptians are hard to beat however you slice it.

I dunno, they didn't do too well in the Suez war... And I'm pretty sure the ottomans beat them a couple times too.

Malaysia & Indonesia definitely worth a mention! Very underrated as tourist destinations. Azerbaijan is a fairly secular Muslim nation, with a big drinking culture & nightclubs, same goes for Kosovo. Friend of mine visited both & had a great time. Apparently Kosovans love Brits. Morocco is very regional, but always friendly. I've never been but some of the best & most hospitable people I've encountered come from there - a colleague of mine gave me a big chunk of hash at work once because he was despairing at the shwag I was smoking (pre-LB days!).

My friend went to Iraq before lockdown and had a brilliant time. Iraqis are very friendly and tjough there are issues a well run tour will be worth it. Some of the architecture looks incredible.

Wow as a British Muslim I came here expecting the same regurgitated racist nonsense you see all over Facebook etc. I just want to say it’s a breath of fresh air seeing all these posts. I also wanted to say that first and foremost I would consider myself British, my dad moved to this country 30+ years ago (whether due to prior circumstances or not) and has built an amazing life for us all here in much we certainly wouldn’t have been able to enjoy in his own country.
The problem is you have people coming over nowadays who do not want to intergrate into British society at all, learn the language? No thanks, try some traditional English food? don’t eat that horrible bland food. Claim the benefits? Yes please. I find myself in a situation where I am unable to buy a home, unable to live comfortably while working what I would say is a fairly good job all because 1000+ goes towards deductions and funding these kind of people. These kind of people are the real problem and tarnish the reputation of everyone else.

To the OPs question most countries barring Saudi Arabia are fine for a visit just be sure to obey the local customs. Saudi Arabia is full of bigoted hypocrites so I would steer well clear of there. Some notable examples which are quite liberal are Morocco and Turkey. Istanbul and marrakech are good city breaks and there are also loads of resort towns such as Agadir, Bodrum etc. Further afield you could travel to the northern areas of Pakistan where I am from we have the 2nd tallest mountain K2, hash from the Himalayas beautiful food and beautiful people. It’s an amazing place and it’s safe despite what you hear on the news. Search karakoram tourism if you’re interested

You sounds like you are blaming immigrants for your economic situation. That stuff you don't like seeing on Facebook seems to be seeping in and affecting your views of migrants.

'People coming over nowadays' but not *my* parents - exactly the kind of words we're sick of hearing from Priti and Suella. I promise you, the same will have been said about your dad 30 years ago, I was old enough in the 80s and 90s to remember it.

I think you are confused sir are you for migration or against?
I am talking from first hand experience, I know my dad experienced racism in the 90s and I have experienced it first hand when travelling to more rural parts of the UK. Racists will be racists but I have enough life experience to know not all white people in this country are like that. This is nothing to do with race anyway it’s about British culture and contributing to the society we live in. I have seen myself people come over here, get a council house within 2 months, universal credit, free medical. Add the odd cash in hand job to that and you’re laughing.

We've always had high levels of migration in and out of this country and just to be clear I am more than happy with that, I'm not trying to make some sort of anti-migration point in a weird way.

You sound like you are against migrants being housed, supported by the welfare state, or provided with medical treatment when they're sick. I'd prefer to live in a country that minimises homelessness, poverty, and illness, regardless of the recipient's country of birth. You've painted a picture of migrants 'coming over here', being provided with the bare minimum to integrate into society, and being happy as a result as though it's somehow a bad thing. Would you prefer that they weren't? Do you not think it hinders someone's ability to become a functioning member of society if they're homeless, penniless, and denied medical treatment? How's that going to help with them integrating and contributing to society?

The beef I have with what you're saying about migrants is that it's no different to what your dad will have heard 30 years ago, and probably no different to what you hear directed at yourself when you're out in the sticks. The comparison I made with Priti and Suella was no doubt unfair, you are surely nothing like as abhorrent as those two, but you use the same words. I ask you to reflect on them and how you feel when those same words are directed at you and your family.

So you think the current system where 10-member families can come over here to claim everything when they have a perfectly fine life where they are is ok?
I agree if there is a genuine need for asylum then yes careful support should be provided but also monitored and tapered off when reasonable. The current system can be more profitable than working a 9-5.

I'm sure we're in agreement that we have a crazy economic situation where working 9-5 at minimum wage is often not enough to survive, and I agree that the meagre levels of support that's provided by the welfare state sometimes exceed that. But it's the low wages and high costs that are the problem, the disparities in wealth distribution in the sixth largest economy in the world. It's not the amounts that are received by benefit claimants that causes problems for those in low paid work. Far from it, indeed it makes society worse for everyone to live amongst widespread poverty.

Reducing the support to those in need is not going to help people to be fully functioning members of society, whether they have migrated here recently or can trace their family tree back to the Alfred the Great. You shouldn't blame migrants and benefit claimants for the dire situation the low paid find themselves in in this country these days, you're directing blame downwards rather than upwards where it really lies.

sorry for the downvotes, you 2 arent unthoughtful but this thread is about travel

Fair point, I wish you all the best S12345 if you are reading this!

You too mate all the best stay toking!

the other day i was at a meeting with a young lady from afghanistan, she is becoming a teacher here, she is most welcome.

Most ‘ordinary’ people are friendly and accommodating wherever you go, it’s the extremist hardline cultists in positions of power that are the cancer. Look at the U.K. for a hardline extremist cultist government!
Anyway, the Turkish are generally friendly.
There’s the Maldives and Tunisia which are also relatively safe.

you had a point till you insulted the bigga

The fact you had to stoop to childish insults shows that actually you are the moron. :)
I’m pretty amused that you got so worked up about a bit of sarcasm, your medula oblongata kicked in before you had a chance to think!

I travelled around SE Asia for a few months and I loved Lombok in Indonesia. We were stopping at a homestead that a Muslim family owned. They don't drink but were more than happy to get alcohol in for us travellers.

Indonesia in general I really enjoyed as well as Malaysia.

I'll vouch for Morocco. You've got to be streetwise of course, but a beautiful country with kind and generous people. You soon tune out the prayer calls.

As an english guy with a house in morocco, I'd definitely vouch for that - I fell in love with the place. Tangiers in the nprth is perfect if you dont want things too hot and youd like to still see alot of europeans, casablanca or marakech if your looking for the arab vibes with old medinas and lots of tourist activities - Fez if you like leather. There are even a few smaller places i like such as chef chawen - the blue city which have some amazing places to see. You could even visit the jabala and see farming as it was hundreds of years ago - youll never meet nicer or more genuine people

Of course im biased!

On a side note, if you biggas are into your smoke, go to morocco and head to places like al hoceima in the rif mountains - they grow everything up there and would happily sell you a kilo for less than £100 😁

Sign me up!

Luton

Malaysia, lovely people

I'd say pick a muzza country you like a go for it.

Being of Islamic faith I'd say most muslims actually really like modern American and European culture, it fits very well with our cultural structures.

As a non Muslim in an Islamic country, as a guest, you will be treated very well.

Only thing I would suggest is inglis88 mentioned Balsall Heath, cuzi is chatting bubbles. Sounds like a hater, it's just like any other urban area around the world, I should know. I just passed through it.

I'd second Indonesia and Malaysia as being extremely friendly, but the friendliest people I've ever met are from travelling in Kyrgyzstan, where everyone I met wanted you to either stay with them or to take you out for dinner and meet all their family and friends! I've also heard great things about Tajikistan!🙏🏼💚

Morocco ... been there 8 times
Food is terrific, rich culture, wonderful people.
As with other places, beware of scammers, but the public, wow.
I've travelled a lot in my almost 44 years, Morocco is a must see!
Places I would recommend:
Marrakesh, Take a tour to Ourika, beautiful waterfall up there
Casablanca, buzzing city and the largest Mosque in Afrika
PM me for more info if you like ...

Pakistan is very good country to visit, most travel vloggers has said Pakistan is the most hospitable country out of the 44 countries they visited. Personally I'd travel to northern areas of Pakistan and even go to the area near Afgan border if your wanting fresh pure hash

Definitely would recommend Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Tunisia and Jordan. Malaysia and Indonesia are possibly the friendliest and nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. Also, their food and natural scenery is absolutely top tier. Morocco is a nice place too but I think the others are much better especially for tourism.

All the best,
Tescrow.

Northern Cyprus is good in the summer for a few weeks great food that is inexpensive, for around a tenner you can get a decent 3 couse meal at a nice Chinese for example and really nice backdrops of the sea at most restaurants just don’t upset anyone in the army as they do no fuck about.

I heard a story when I was there about a foreigner who had pissed off one of there neighbours and the neigbour told the army that they had drugs so they got them and held them for 2 days hitting them demanding to know where the stash was buried a proper pistol whipping.

Also be aware if you ever get caught in a Muslim country with narcotics you are on your own no one will risk there reputations to be associated with drugs so no help will be coming anytime soon.

Morocco, Egypt, Turkey and Indonesia are all favourites but a real stand out star for me is Uzbekistan - full of history, especially from the Genghis Khan days as the silk road splits in Uzbekistan where you can go up to Russia/Europe or down to Middle East/Africa, as well as being full of really lovely people. I hope to get back there one day...

I spent 3 years in Indonesia and 3 months in the Philippines with frequent travel to Singapore. Indonesia was like my second home, just stay clear of drugs, which you'll most likely only be offered in bali and the neighbouring islands.
If you don't have an international driving license and shouldn't be on the roads, they'll hand you a piece of paper saying you need to pay £50-100. Don't pay it. Before I lived there and was a tourist I was stupid enough to pay it. You should be paying around £5. Locals pay around £2.
In the 3 years I was there, I only felt unsafe twice. One was on a bus and the people were trying to sell me a fake rolex for an amount of money and they were quite adamant I was gonna pay up. Second time I was out in the sticks with my girlfriend on my vespa and a dodgy couple were following us, clocked them quite early and confirmed relatively soon after they were looking into us. We just headed back to the population. Whether we were somewhere we shouldnt have been and peaked interest, ill never know!

Going back to drugs, my apartment was randomly raided for a drugs test. Not shitting you I open the door to a big team of narco agents and a TV news crew. They were doing random drugs tests in the neighbourhood. Literally take me to my toilet, pass me a plastic cup and watches me with my back turned pee in the cup! Can't make the shit up! Fortunately all was good.

I have highlighted a few of my bad experiences however it can't replace the 100s of amazing experiences I gained. The people are friendly, the food is good. Number 1 rule when visiting Asian Street food stalls, go where all the locals go, if you don't follow the rule you'll end up code brown.
Stay safe. Stay wise. Be respectful. Carry as little as possible and follow the laws, you'll be safe in almost any country.
Also the dude at the airport literally asked for an underhand of £15 to let me through the gates. Explained i had overstayed by one day. Saved me a huge amount of time with all the paper work and was a fraction less than what I would have had to pay to their government! The hilarious thing was he was sat on a closed gate and I skipped the busy queue 😂

Be prepared for the constant megaphone blasting prayers. Try to get a room as high and soundproofed as possible;)

i actually enjoy the meditation breaks, especially the feeling that people all over the world are sharing the moment. as long as i'm in the right time zone ;)

Even at stupid o’clock in the morning when trying to sleep?;)

I have been to a few Muslim places and am now sick of it. Just like if I see another temple or church;)

I hear Baghdad is nice this time of year.

Saddam Hussein went out shopping one day. Upon his return he was greeted by Uday, who said “what’s in the bag dad?”

your brother, now behave

From my own experience Muslims are very friendly people in general

Just abide by the culture and norms you will be fine

Mary <3

Turkey & dubai are very welcoming to tourists.

The worst islamic destinations ive been to is tunisia & london.

Heya Muslim here albeit not so much a practising one anymore.

If it’s Muslim history and culture you’re after I would say Istanbul (research Ottoman Empire before you go). Also Jordan has lots of history dating back to the time of the crusaders. Do a bit of research on the crusade and salahuddin ayyubi before you go (he’s a bit of a hero amongst our Kurdish brothers).
Egypt has more history about the ancients than Islamic history. Believe it or not Saudi Arabia has very little. Non Muslims are also forbidden to enter Mecca - the holy capital.
Jerusalem would have been a good shout had it not been for the current conflict.

Please let us know where you decide!

Oman. Friendly not super paced people are chill very beautiful scenery

Savile Town is friendly

Barcelona, without a doubt. Have a hunt on socials, plenty of clubs about, give them a shout beforehand.

Be discrete, it’s not the same as Amsterdam, and do not buy off the street.

Spain is very well known for cannabis usage and clubs. Clubs are awesome but won't allow you to take anything out with you

It's also the easiest place to score though - never had an issue finding hash by asking locals if they knew where to find "chocolate" (ie hash)

So no clubs let you take it out of the shop?

Not officially, but bossman might turn a blind eye if you show face a lot and he likes you lol

Counter suggestion - go local?
I'd even consider ordering from a Spanish vendor if you have a home address on your holiday

Check out thegoodstuff and drtonychopper they both ship out of Spain so you could send yourself some goodies if the accommodation is fitting 🙂

Totally, yeah I know these places aren’t supposed to let you leave with it but… ye know.

I’ve wondered about getting stuff delivered to a villa or a P.O. Box but always been wary of that. Like holiday villas never get mail eh, and timing it right is awkward - knowing my luck it’ll arrive 2 days before I leave haha.

I think most sellers avoid PO boxes. It's annoying cos most UK vendors offer same day delivery but it seems like not to Spain. Might be worth speaking to them directly as they might be able to sort you out with the delivery?

The Alps, there are zillions of empty spots for every budget some have glaciers and they all have thrilling mountain rides that you only get in the summer.

French alps in winter is potentially my favourite spot

Albania

po!

Wow albania is definitely a place Id love to visit one day

Well worth it familia x

I used sunweb for my skii trip in the alps, all inclusive 5 star resort with lift pass, flight, transfer and snowboard equipment for approx. £500 for 5 days. Absolute bargain! One of my favourite holidays. Lake Como in Italy is also great, been there twice now 👌 stunning views and immaculate vibes!

Just set off in your car and see how far you get 🤣

Start in Holland obviously.

Truly agree, when you throw away expectations everything - good or bad -becomes adventure.

Explore the unknown that's available, especially places you've never considered. There is plenty to pick from once you open your mind. The best and most affordable trips start just this way.

Croatia, Italy or Switzerland tbh but depends on your vibes

Wait til the kids go back to school! …September in the Greek Isles is top! 👍🥰

100 percent I think september is the new august anyway now lol

I know there’s some amazing bud available in nerja, my experience of clubs in the city centres was mire expensive than the dam and run by ego clique knobs. Me and hubby spent 600 euro in an hour and never went back but weedmaps showed us really cool places in surrounding areas well worth the coach or tram ride - sound interesting people with a selection of not bank breaking bud, lovely hash eggs in the Moroccan quarter of Granada on the street corners too if you visit

Nice one, thanks Emz2460!

Ive just got back from Malaga. The best clubs are outside the city due to tight policing. Use weedmaps to find good spots. I went to a beautiful place called "moodclub420" In Benalmadena. Its 100% worth the travel.

Cheers Baa48 :)

Can recommend Dog room CSC. In Benalmadena. Try out Manzana de Freia if available

Hey! I used them once while there... they are legit, but I wouldn't say the weed was the best I've ever seen lol. But it did the job and the service was good.

Cool, thanks epix :)

lmao, I was clearly super high when I answered this... was thinking of Algarve in Portugal for some reason.

But in Marbella I went to the Cali Smookers weed club, it was actually pretty decent stuff they had there, highly recommend. It's about an hour away from Malaga...

I do think they said they had some in Malaga as well, but haven't tried any there.

Hahaha, no worries epix!
That's great, thanks for the recommendation, I'll look em up :)

porto for shuro

Agreed, so much culture here and you can take a metro to the beach.

Wow! I might have to stay aboard the northbound train for a few more hours next time

weed is legal there now. got some lovely bud from a shop in the town centre of porto last year.

Not THC heavy weed I believe though. I was in the Algarve recently and they have had weed shops for ages but they only sell the CBD heavy products. Strictly no THC.
I would love to be wrong though 🤷‍♂️

Not made it as far up the coast as Porto yet but I really have a love for Lisboa 😍
Beautiful city, architecturally stunning in parts, safe, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere and some not too bad hash 😉

Hey rtbobbyt. Any recommendations on where to score some nice hash in Lisboa? Cheers :)

Hi mate, sorry don’t have anything sensible to recommend! Hash smoking and street dealing was pretty open in a couple of areas. I got offered a €10 deal from a guy who had a handful of these thin slices of blond hash all bagged up. Was
pretty nice so I got a couple more off him. It was a little sketchy
I’m sure there’s 1000’s of stories of people getting robbed using this same method

Thanks mate. I managed to get some lovely hash in the end, although had to barter with the guy (tried to sell me what must of been 5gs for 100 Euro's!) I've heard lots of stories of people selling total shite so guess I was fairly lucky in the end :)

seems easier to get cocaine, was offered it in the streets everywhere. not sure whats up with that

Been to Lisbon, loved the aquarium and sushi restaurants. The one I went to had a robot that served you which was hella new to me.

Buildings are cool to look at and the mall is pretty nice. Only other thing I can think of to mention is to check out the yellow castle on the mountain but I can't remember the name. The architecture is cool and they have a awesome garden setup which would be heavenly to smoke in if it was a perfect world.

Montenegro, Albania, Slovenia, Romania, Gambia, Israel

wasn't really enthused as these were all group trips but fucking hell they were all sick. You could tell em you were going to Somalia and i would probably go with you nowadays, the world is vast, interesting and beautiful

Romania is fantastic👍….Transylvania genuinely spooky…lively and young street drinking culture…stunning women (all vampires obvs)…

I'll second that. I travelled from Cornwall to Bucharest by train last year, them onto Bulgaria. Romania is bloody stunning, especially as the train line followed the Danube and you could see across into Serbia.

Aosta Italy: friendly un-touristy, Lambrusca by the gallon and the Alps at your feet.

krakow poland exemplifies many eras of europe with castles, squares and poignant reminders of ww2. the people are very friendly and the salt mines are a wonder of the world - the spot in the pic is carved out of salt hundreds of feet below ground.

Vietnam or Laos. Vietnam blew me away. Favourite spots were Hoi An, Tay Ninh and Can Thó. Stunning.

I'm with you on Vietnam, been there three times. Absolutely beautiful country.

Detroit, laugh all you like but this city has great architecture, music, food and people.

….and some great value real estate in certain parts!👍

Please god don’t leave the city centre/Cape Town it’s like a different world outside of the capital but I’m from Cape Town ( originally) it’s actually a very western cosmopolitan place like London with a cool “woke” downtown full of expensive bars and Islington/camden style living.

It’s also on the beach with a Mediterranean style climate 1 hour from most national park and safaris.

Despite what you hear in the new it’s actually a pretty good place to live

I was lucky enough to work on festivals/concerts and did a tour of Denmark that place surprised me really nice people, amazing beaches , also the outer Hebrides had amazing beaches

Tblisi

Majestic!

Kolkata. Didn't expect to like it. It is now my favourite city. So intense. Wonderful people. Great food. Amazing architecture.

Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands, stunningly Divine!! is that underrated though? 😂…

Lisbon, Portugal is quite underrated. Lovely place, great sea food and amazing views. Although my favourite destination ever is either Tokyo or Toronto. Best holidays I ever had, Tokyo for tourism and Toronto for partying!

West Co Kerry, Ireland. All along the wild atlantic way, Kenmare, Sneem, Glenbeigh, Killarney to name a few stops. So many good spots to stop, fire one up or have a pint and enjoy.

Honestly County Clare in Southern Ireland, my uncle married an Irish girl and moved there.

It really is like father ted there, your neighbours not for miles but you go into the local village and it’s just five pubs all joined on to each other.

The friendliest people I’ve ever met, it almost made not having anything to smoke for a week bearable…almost.

Kampot in Cambodia, went for a week last year and stayed for 3 months.
Beautiful scenery, can blaze pretty much anywhere in most western owned restaurants and bars at least. 50cent beers and a wacky expat crowd. Going back later this year too hopefully for a year 😜

Dont forget kep if youre in the neighbourhood

Think they've finished the concrete road now!

I'm in SR now, for the long haul I hope 😆

What a romantic city, enjoy bigga.

If you’re South Asia bound , Laos although has a clear tourist path nowadays very easy to leave it , Borneo for amazing wildlife that if we carry on will probably be gone in a few years, Hampi in india like being on a weird cross between Mars and ancient civilizations , jailsalmer india again ancient city, for the smokers the himilayas in india

New Zealand is easily the most beautiful place I've ever been. Absolutely stunning. I wasn't particularly excited about going there at first, I thought it would be a bit boring, but after spending a few days on the North Island I completely fell in love with it. I even considered living there for a while.

We drove down from Auckland to Wellington and must have taken thousands of pictures. It's breathtaking. Probably the best two weeks I've ever spent abroad in my life.

When we left Wellington we flew to Melbourne, Australia, (which i was really excited about visiting) and it has to be the single most overrated city on the planet. Couldn't wait to leave. Absolute dump.

Funny how these things turn out sometimes!

Just my opinion though. No offence Melbournians 😉

Cheers BB 😊👍🍻

But did you get to South Island BB?….a whole other world again down there!…

I didn't, but oddly enough my phone did!

I left it on the plane from Wellington to Melbourne which flew back to Christchurch where the airport staff found it and mailed it to Aus for me. So my phone has been to more places around the world than I have!

I definitely plan to go back and visit the south island, I've heard only great things. Its such a long way away though or I'd go there all the time.

24 hour flights.... 😒

Cheers BB 😊👍🍻

I’d love to visit NZ, I can speak a bit of Maori because I used to play online with some Maori mates and they’re some of the nicest down to earth people I’ve ever met

Considering it’s just a ferry ride they are completely different worlds…north is all sheep, rolling plains, and long beaches.. South is mad glaciers, extreme sports & penguins…just crazy 🤩👍

Have to say some great picks in this convo the one for me personally is cornwall on a warm clear night the sky is amazing to just be at one with nature and look up at it ;)

Croatia is mesmerizing!

Margate.

It’s a really nice place. I’m not even joking.

Montenegro. Stunning. Also just came back from the Island of Menorca. Stunning place also.

Ceep to the 55th street cuh

If you go full old style smelly hippy, Goa and Kerala still really deliver...

Laos is an amazing place with inexpensive accommodation, food, and recreation, all of which you will enjoy.