Top Tourist Spots Americans Can’t Visit
- added June 15, 2008
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Looking for someplace special to spend the Fourth of July? FP investigates five fabulous destinations where a summer getaway is next to impossible.
Mount Kumgang, Kumgangsan Tourist Region
Location: North Korea’s east coast : Why you should go: It’s an unspoiled spiritual retreat. Mount Kumgang and the surrounding area feature exquisite natural beauty, a famous Zen monastery, and challenging trails for hiking enthusiasts. Nearby Kuryong Falls plunges 242 feet before crashing into a series of lagoons below.Why you can’t: Because it’s almost impossible. Americans can acquire visas for North Korea, but the only access points are through China and South Korea.U.S. Embassy and Consulate aren’t going to be of much help if you get into trouble with the Stalinist regime’s notorious secret police
Baracoa
Location: Cuba’s eastern tip ;Why you should go: Baracoa is Cuba’s oldest settlement, founded in 1511 by Spanish conquistadors, and is believed to be near where Christopher Columbus first landed in 1492. Important archaeological sites dot the area, and nearby caves provide visitors an opportunity to view pictographs and ceramic remains of Native American tribes that inhabited the island when Europeans first arrived. Large forts, built in the 18th century to repel pirate attacks, provide breathtaking views of the bay and surrounding forests:Why you can’t: Because it is impossible. For a host of reasons—some of which have the last name Castro—U.S. tourist travel to Cuba is thoroughly restricted. Even travel to Cuba through a third country, such as Mexico or Canada, is technically illegal, and violators can face prosecution and a hefty fine of up to $65,000 upon return to the United States.
Mogadishu’s Beaches
Location: Somalia’s east coast :Why you should go: The beaches that separate Mogadishu from the Indian Ocean rank among the most beautiful stretches of sand in the world, say many of the very few Western travelers who ever venture there. Coral reefs teeming with fish are easily accessible from the shore (although tourists pursuing aquatic leisure should leave all valuables at home in case their boat is hijacked by pirates). Back in Mogadishu, visitors can find virtually anything in the city’s outdoor markets—except peace of mind.Why you can’t: Because a good day in Somalia is the worst day of your life almost anywhere else. The constant state of anarchy, lawlessness, and piracy is usually enough to deter most folks from traveling to Somalia, the world’s third most failed state, according to the 2007 Failed States Index
Mount Kumgang, Kumgangsan Tourist Region
Location: North Korea’s east coast : Why you should go: It’s an unspoiled spiritual retreat. Mount Kumgang and the surrounding area feature exquisite natural beauty, a famous Zen monastery, and challenging trails for hiking enthusiasts. Nearby Kuryong Falls plunges 242 feet before crashing into a series of lagoons below.Why you can’t: Because it’s almost impossible. Americans can acquire visas for North Korea, but the only access points are through China and South Korea.U.S. Embassy and Consulate aren’t going to be of much help if you get into trouble with the Stalinist regime’s notorious secret police
Baracoa
Location: Cuba’s eastern tip ;Why you should go: Baracoa is Cuba’s oldest settlement, founded in 1511 by Spanish conquistadors, and is believed to be near where Christopher Columbus first landed in 1492. Important archaeological sites dot the area, and nearby caves provide visitors an opportunity to view pictographs and ceramic remains of Native American tribes that inhabited the island when Europeans first arrived. Large forts, built in the 18th century to repel pirate attacks, provide breathtaking views of the bay and surrounding forests:Why you can’t: Because it is impossible. For a host of reasons—some of which have the last name Castro—U.S. tourist travel to Cuba is thoroughly restricted. Even travel to Cuba through a third country, such as Mexico or Canada, is technically illegal, and violators can face prosecution and a hefty fine of up to $65,000 upon return to the United States.
Mogadishu’s Beaches
Location: Somalia’s east coast :Why you should go: The beaches that separate Mogadishu from the Indian Ocean rank among the most beautiful stretches of sand in the world, say many of the very few Western travelers who ever venture there. Coral reefs teeming with fish are easily accessible from the shore (although tourists pursuing aquatic leisure should leave all valuables at home in case their boat is hijacked by pirates). Back in Mogadishu, visitors can find virtually anything in the city’s outdoor markets—except peace of mind.Why you can’t: Because a good day in Somalia is the worst day of your life almost anywhere else. The constant state of anarchy, lawlessness, and piracy is usually enough to deter most folks from traveling to Somalia, the world’s third most failed state, according to the 2007 Failed States Index
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