Safety Traveling to Sicily and Malta

Terrorist attacks can happen anywhere at any time and you can't extrapolate a terrorist attack in one place to other places that may be in the general area. Sicily and Malta are no less 'safe' than anyplace else in Europe - or anywhere else for that matter, including North America.

If you normally travel alone I don't think you should change that just because of this latest incident, just being with a group or tour isn't necessarily going to make you any safer (note that terrorists don't normally attack lone travelers). Your best action is to travel as you normally would, take normal precautions, and hope for the best - that's all any of us can do in this crazy violent world we live in.

I'm an older woman and I travel alone. None of the recent terrorist attacks would make me change my travel plans.

I haven't been to Malta yet, but I will be returning to Sicily in May for three weeks, solo. Nothing to worry about.

I wouldn't F--- with the Sicilians if I were ISIS.

Could there be an attack in Sicily or Malta? Possibly, just like in London or New York or basically anywhere else. I don't think geography is an issue here - Sicily and Malta are European and if they are targeted it will be because they are "western" not because they happen to be close to areas of conflict. I see no reason to be more (or less) concerned about these places than anywhere else in USA or Europe that draws tourists. I also don't think a tour would help. If your concern is terrorism, what is being on a group tour going to do? You will be in the same or similar places, and it's not like terrorists avoid groups...

Travel the way you want to, group or solo, take normal precautions but it's my opinion that we can't live in fear all the time.

I tend to think your concerns in sicily and malta should be theft, assault, ordinary violent crime - rather than terrorism.
To safeguard yourself = practical, not paranoia. But worrying about terrorism? Unproductive.

In general most people are very poor about risk assessment so tend to focus on the sensationalism as the greatest risk when, in fact, it is the least risk. Your greatest risk of bodily injury will be the drive to and from the airport or the taxis in Sicily or Malta. You will be fine in either place.

.... +1 ......

I am a woman currently 63 years old and have travelled all over not only Italy, but also Spain, and France, both with female friends my age (and older) and also with my 70 year old husband. I've been to Sicily twice, and have felt safer there than anywhere else I've ever been. (Including Mexico) Agree with Roberto = wouldn't "mess" with the Sicilians. When I was in Paris, I felt more vulnerable to pick pockets, etc. Most parts of Italy, felt vulnerable to pickpockets, beggars, etc. Never saw them in Sicily. Ever. Not tolerated.

In Sicily I based myself in Taormina, and literally, you can walk the streets at 2am unaccompanied. I used this website to rent an apartment and do tours: legendofsicily.com. Google Taormina, it's an absolutely beautiful place! There's a beautiful ancient Greek Theatre right in the town, and the Med is beautiful from their Main Piazza. Then check out the website. They also offer tours to Syracuse, Mt. Etna, and pretty much the entire East Coast of Sicily. From Taormina we took the train to Cefalu, stayed a few days then on to Palermo. If you DO decide to go alone - to Taormia, they also offer a sweet BnB they use for solo travelers. I prefer to travel with at least one person, however. PM if you want hotel info. or have any other questions. I like traveling with a partner, it's less epensive, and I always have a dinner companion, but I found the people in Taormina Very nice.

I've never been to Malta (yet) so can't offer advice there. Sicily can definitely keep you busy for two weeks. PM me if you want more info. I know someone near Palermo who also gives private tours, also a local, but they're only there in the summer.

"such as Tunisia and other European countries" - Tunisia is not in Europe.
And even if it were, one attack in one place does not make it a dangerous place. Things always sound worse if viewed from a distance.

Given my solo travel experience in Europe, Morocco, and Turkey, and your own solo travel experience in many countries, I would not give this issue another thought. Proceed as you usually do. Rick Steves Europe is guiding many tours to Sicily this year, but only because we feel it's safe enough for anyone, whether in the group or independent. Rick has also been know to say, "Terrorists don't target Pedro's pension; that's where they sleep." FYI, he is going back to Egypt this year to see how things have settled down and to film a new travel show.