YS

Does anybody have any bad experience while travelling to some country (or city/town) or just think it would be a bad idea to go there?

me

there is no such thing. there is beauty in every country and ugliness as well. that said, I don't think I'd go anyplace like Afganistan where I wouldn't feel safe. (and wherew I would have to wear black cover ups from head to toe)

nancy

Afganistan,Iraq,Sudan. <BR>

xxx

Italia. Hated the people, the people and the people.

bill

England. No bad experience. It just don't feel like Europe whenever I'm there. Also, too much "stiff upper lip" attitude - condescending and not as friendly as the rest of Europe. Thhis is just my opinion - no crucifying, please.

Larisa

How different perceptions could be. <BR>I experienced different unpleasant situations in different places, but London and it's people seemed like the ray of the sun to me. Smiles, politeness, friendliness, english everywhere, they understood us, we understood them despite the difference in accents. Well, I will check on my next trip in November.

Kavey

There are XX groups of countries I am not interested in visiting. <BR> <BR>Those which have a regime which I don't agree with - fundamental Islamic states (not all Islamic states, I have nothing against Islam, just fundamental ones which deny women equal rights); countries such as Zimbabwe where they are dealing with the difficult problem of land ownership following the end of colonial rule by killing white land owners. That said, there are countries in this list which I probably will visit despite disagreeing with their form of government, because not to do so would deny me the chance to see many of the world's treasures, China comes to mind. <BR> <BR>Those which give me reason to doubt my own safety. <BR> <BR>Those where I have had a bad experience (such as racism in Kenya... really bad, really personal). <BR> <BR>Those which just don't interest me - Germany (sorry Art). There arent really many whole countries that dont interest me, there are many regions of a country which dont, such as the Algarve of Portugal. <BR> <BR>OK I better do some work now...

david west

Apart from those that are downright dangerous, or politicaly beyond the pale (eg Burma) I have no interest in visiting: <BR> <BR>Ireland (just not interested, doesn't appeal) <BR> <BR>Lots of South America ( seems a long way to go for not much) But I would be interested in the old aztec/toltec/inca etc sights. <BR> <BR>THe very touristy bits of spain (benidorm, torremolinos etc). Blackpool with sun. <BR> <BR>Youth dominated places eg Ibiza, Ayia Napa, Ft Lauderdale etc. Nothing there for me. <BR> <BR>And I have a complete blind spot about the attractions of skiing. <BR> <BR>I would love to go to Australia and New Zealand, but geography completely puts me off - 24 hours on a plane? No thanks.

Lynn

I'm not interested in going somewhere where I know it will be horribly hot and humid (the last place I went like that was Zanzibar - it was so hot and humid it was very difficult to enjoy seeing the sights). Sometimes that means making sure I go at the right time of year. It means that I probably won't be going to some countries where it never cools off (for example, I have family in Malaysia - they say it never cools off and is always humid. Fortunately, Europe is not in that category! And that is where I prefer to travel anyway - I love European history and will never have enough time and money to see all I'd like to see there.

Sarah

Germany, their recent history needs no explanation but I also find most Germans very self centered rude and obnoxious. I also know this is a prejudice I need to over come. Would love to go to some of the middles eastern countries posted but need to wait until the current political climate changes. Would like to go back to Israel but their treatment of Palestinians also keeps me from putting any kind of money into their economy. Not a very long list that I would rule out indefinitely. I am fascinated with all places the terrible things that are happening now will end, the people may change but the land and all it’s stories will remain.

Cindy

There are several places I have no desire to visit, and I'd be the first to tell you none of it makes any sense. <BR> <BR>China & Japan -- no good reason. But the flights would be long, and I think I'd feel very cramped in Japan. <BR> <BR>New Zealand & Australia -- would it be that different from the US to justify the huge flight? <BR> <BR>Germany -- Spent 10 days there, and I must have really planned badly, because I was underwhelmed. <BR> <BR>Canada -- I may change my mind on this one because it is so close, but again I think it would be too much like the US. <BR> <BR>That does leave the entire rest of the world for exploring, so perhaps my plate is full without the places I mentioned.

dan woodlief

No, I would visit them all if I could. Certainly some appeal more than others, and I would be concerned about a highly violent political situation.

Deb

I learned a vital lesson several years ago when someone FINALLY persuaded me to go to Italy. I found out I loved it! (I even went back the next year.) <BR> <BR>The only reason I would choose not to visit a country would be for safety reasons (prime examples being Afganistan & Iraq). Every country I have visited (and I've visited some 30+, I have been able to find SOME redeeming value).

eva

This is the method an east -european can obtain a visa to U.S. <BR> 1.To call the consulate.Phone fee /min is <BR>20 times higher than the normal fee.Waiting on line 1-2 hours. <BR> 2.to fix an apponitment in 2 weeks time <BR>3.Going to the appointment, taking the papers which we have to fill and give them back <BR>4.To go to the tax office,to take an official paper about the last 3 years' income,poving them I am rich <BR>5.To go to the real estate property office to take an official paper proving that I own a house or a flat <BR>6.To take the official birth certificate of the children <BR>6.To go back to the consulate, give all these papers, and leave there the passport for 2 months,until it will be decided to give the visa or not to give the visa <BR>People who do not have 10 times higher income than the average,who do not own a house, or do not have a child-or have a child but want to take the child with them-are likely not to get a visa. <BR>I travel a lot , 4-5 times a year,every year London,every second year Paris and Rome, There are so many things to see iin Europe+ Mexico,South America,Japan-all of them without visa-so I've decided the USA is NOT worth this frustration. <BR>Eva

Capo

Interesting to see you mention Zanzibar, Lynn. A fairly recent article in the Seattle Times' Travel section said this about Zanzibar... <BR> <BR>If you're looking for debauchery, don't go. Zanzibar is a traditional Islamic land, and social norms are conservative. ... Local women leave only portions of their faces uncovered, and female tourists who wish to avoid harassment should consider following suit. Our skirts reached our ankles, but we still felt naked. "Dear tourist ... Please no mouth kissing," pleads a sign typed in English and tacked to a gate by the Palace Museum. "Street love is highly offensive." <BR>___________________________ <BR> <BR>I don't think I'd care to visit a country where kissing in public is considered "highly offensive" since I find that philosophy highly offensive. <BR> <BR>As far as countries in Europe area concerned, there aren't any I can think of that I wouldn't want to visit, although, of the countries I've yet to visit, some appeal to me far more than others.

Natalie

I do not think there is a place I would not want to visit. <BR>Ok, there are places I like better than others, and I would rather spend my money in those places than others, but I had nice experiences everywhere. I consider every trip an adventure and a learning experience. <BR> <BR>I would consider going to Afghanistan, Sudan and Iraq even though I am woman. I like going to places that are so alien and so different than what I am used to everyday. I would wear a black cover up from head to toe (every day on a 100 degree weather). It would give me a different perspective on the culture and I would experience what these women are suffering (if you can call it that from a western woman's point of view) not just reading about it. <BR>I would make sure to take my husband and several male friends and family members with me so I can feel somewhat protected, they will speak for me and have to accompany me at all times. <BR> <BR>Kavey: <BR>We were considering going to Kenya someday, but after reading your post I was hesitant. If you do not mind, can you elaborate a bit on the racism issue?

Art

There are few if any places that I would not want to visit given the time and them money, but I will stay away from areas like China unless it is on a tour. My mouth almost got me shot in East Germany years ago and I know that I would not be able to keep it shut in some other countries. The other constraint would be places in the midst of civil war or places that I would definitely not feel safe.

Lynn

Capo - The humidity wasn't the only awful thing in Zanzibar. It was a pretty scary place, besides being ungodly hot and humid. However, it does have some very fascinating history and I am glad I saw it. Go back? Never. I was with a small tour group and as we walked through small alleys, etc. I felt certain that if any of our group didn't stay together, they would certainly be mugged. The people there were so poor and, of course, to them we looked so wealthy. Most of the women did have their faces covered and we were not allowed to take pictures of anyone. I, of course, had this romantic notion of what Zanzibar would be like -- after all, I saw "The Road to Zanzibar" with Bob, Bing and Dorothy...

StCirq

Having yesterday been invited to go to India (a place and continent I know nothing about) to give a seminar, I think I've thought through this question and arrived at a "There's no country I wouldn't go to" answer. No matter what the country's politics or culture, I think I would at least find it fascinating, even if abhorrent.Not to suggest that I think India's politics or culture abhorrent, either. I just mean that I think I am curious enough to go ANYWHERE no matter what the country's political stance. Given the recent violence in the Middle East, I think I would steer clear of Israel and Palestine these days, though.Any place where people are blowing each other up with regularity doesnt make my "want to visit" list. <BR>I'd go to Sudan and Iraq and Iran, with reservations, sure, but I'd go. I think the only way we can transcend the differences in our cultures is for us to know what those cultures entail. They may be abhorrent to us, but we must know what they are.

gana

I would not choose to go to certain Islamic countries like others, the middle East is to a woman what Germany once was to a Jew. i would not degrade myself and my kind by having to be accompanied by a male relative as I travel, I refuse to visit a country where young girls and woman are imprisioned because they were the victims of rape. Islam is the only religion I know of where a prophet gave specific civil rights to women, rights which have been perverted and destroyed along with Islam itself. Woman not only don't have equal rights they have none. Woman being shot by there own family for being raped? Because she has brought shame on the family? Do you know the only way to prove rape in an islamic country is if 4 good islamic men watched it. I just can't go on. I would be open to most cultures and people no matter how primative, or bizzare. I can find beauty in most things, but not in islam or the people, i can't believe any decent person would feel comfortable in a country where terminating young womens lives goes on each day.