The Top 10 Destinations on the US Travel Advisory List Part II

5) Saudi Arabia

The fact that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not grant independent tourist visas makes it all the more intriguing to go there. Just like their women, Saudi Arabia is a land cloaked in mystery and hidden behind closed doors. The home of Islam, oil wealth, and endless sands has a lot to offer for the persistent traveler. Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina are off limits for non-Muslims, so unless you're willing to convert there's not much hope of catching a glimpse of these cities. Conversion should not be taken lightly, as converting from Islam is considered as apostasy and can be punishable by death. Enjoy the sea breeze while strolling through the old city of Jeddah, explore the ancient ruins of Madain Saleh, marvel at the modernity of capital city Riyadh or take a 4WD tour through the perilous Empty Quarter.

4) Cuba

Okay, so Cuba is not technically on the US Travel Warning list, but since US citizens are n banned from Fidel Castro's island abode, it certainly deserves a place near the top. American citizens, other than those granted licenses by the Treasury Department, attempting to visit Cuba from a third country could be criminally prosecuted upon return to the states. See if salsa is still alive in this communist nation, and enjoy sipping on mojitos by the white sands of the Caribbean. Plan your trip between December and April and be sure to avoid the hurricane season. Dance the night away in Havana and admire what remains of Cuba's colonial history.

3) Syria

You're sure to receive a warm welcome in the home of Hamas, Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. You may be surprised but testimonies of many foreigners who have lived in Syria portray this as a place very different from merely a terrorist haven and staging ground for suicide attacks. Go straight back to Biblical times by traveling the Damascus Road, browsing colorful markets, exploring the ancient ruins of Palmyra or chatting with shopkeepers over tea. An added bonus is that Syria is dirt cheap to travel in and budget travelers can get by on about $25/day. For a mid-range traveler $40-$50 a day will go a long way and even afford you some creature comforts.

2) Pakistan

The land of the Silk Route, K2, Punjabi Bhangra dance and spicy biryani is a place that anyone with a thirst for the wild side of the world must visit. Peruse ancient forts, barter over silk saris in the fabled Anarkali market, or trek in any of the three world class mountain ranges boasted by this Islamic Republic. Gaze in awe over the greatest concentration of 7000m plus peaks in Concordia, or enjoy chai in a flower-filled garden surrounded by snowy peaks. The truly daring can tour Peshawar's arms bazaar and try to help find where Bin Laden has been hiding out for all this time. Avoid expensive hotels, restaurants frequented by foreigners, public demonstrations, and large groups of angry bearded men and you will find Pakistani people to be some of the most hospitable people you will ever meet.

1) Iran

Splendid Islamic architecture, amazing historical sites, and the sing-song sounds of Persian help make Iran the number one travel destination on the list. The difficulty factor is a huge draw, as currently it is near impossible for American citizens to get a visa without signing up for a costly prearranged tour and being accompanied by a government assigned minder. The 16^th century Persian proverb, "Isfahan nesfeh jahan" meaning "Isfahan is half of the world" should be enough to entice you to this country steeped in history, culture, and art. You'd do best to hurry up and find a way to visit Iran, before a certain government decides to send this nuclear armed country the way of Afghanistan and Iraq...or maybe even worse.

Sources:

Lonelyplanet.com

Travel.state.gov

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Kenya