Venturing abroad can be an amazing experience – but it's not without its pitfalls.
From cunning scams to opportunistic pickpockets and costly tourist traps, Brits abroad can face numerous issues. Recently, one traveller highlighted another concern – dangerous holiday destinations.
Ishaq Patterson shared his encounter with what he describes as Tenerife's "most dangerous strip". On TikTok, he captured his daytime walk and offered words of advice to his followers.
He explained: "Right now I'm solo travelling, and a lot of people were saying in the comments that Tenerife is not as bad as I put it out to be. Guys, what you have to remember is, for different people, they're going to find scenarios different.
"For example, if you're a girl by yourself it's going to be very dangerous but, if you're a guy with a group of people, you're going to be completely fine."
Please note, the video below may include strong language:
He continued: "Right now it's completely safe. It's daytime. No places are open right now. You got the kebab shop, you got Veronica's, Oasis - all closed right now.
"And a lot of the people who are potentially going to rob you, or offer you like weed and stuff, they're working right now so they're selling random fake stuff. It's absolutely safe here in the daytime."
He confessed that the area is more troublesome after dark, acknowledging it can be "dangerous". However, from his own experiences roaming the neighbourhood, he believes it's entirely safe during daylight hours.
Ishaq pointed out that personal experiences may vary and should be taken into account. The online comments show a range of opinions as well.
One commenter remarked: "I've walked past Veronica's all times of day and night by myself. Never felt unsafe once." Another chimed in with: "It's safe bro." A third shared: "Done it by myself in July. Never felt scared."
While Ishaq's visit was pretty uneventful, some haven't been as lucky. Warnings on TripAdvisor describe "drug dealers" and "pickpockets", advising people to stay away during the night if they're alone.
Despite this, not everyone perceives the strip as intimidating, with some suggesting vigilance is key. The stories of tourist experiences in Tenerife are quite diverse.
One contributor said: "There are a lot of scare stories kicking about but, to be honest, Veronica's is not that bad. Yes, there are a few dealers hanging around, but they don't bother you. If you don't have mobile phones or valuables on display then the pickpockets won't be interested."
Another weighed in, saying: "People can harp on and say there are drugs, muggings and so on everywhere, but remember that you are in a foreign country where the rules are different to the UK. Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable allowing any of my family to spend a late night on Veronica's, but the choice is yours."
Meanwhile, a third person also wrote: "Avoid this place - it's hell. Full of criminals ready to pounce on some unsuspecting young person."
