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Top tourist sights Americans can't visit
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As you might realize, there are certain countries that are considered "no-go's" for American travelers, be it for political or economic or other reasons. Publication Foreign Policy took a closer look at this question of prohibited places, recently creating a list of the "Top Tourist Spots Americans Can't Visit," a rundown of the top tourist attractions in otherwise "taboo" locations like Iran, Somalia, Burma and Cuba. Who knew Mogadishu had coral reefs teeming with fish just off the shore? Too bad you're likely to be kidnapped by warlords if you try to visit.While this sort of list is a deterrent for many, others eat common sense for breakfast, bringing back some fascinating stories in the process. It's not that they can't see the danger - these countries can be violent, unstable, and often downright nasty places. But that doesn't mean they have nothing to offer. Many have distinguished histories as centers of culture, great monuments and great natural wonders. As Foreign Policy points out for instance, the vast ruins of Persepolis in Southern Iran offer a breathtaking view of the tombs and palaces of Persian rulers Xerxes I and Darius the Great. In Cuba, the settlement of Baracoa was the colonial home of Spanish Conquistadors, and also one of the first places Columbus set foot in the New World.
Check out the list. Nobody is suggesting you should/can make a visit, but these places can offer us further insight into the many subtleties that truly define a location's identity.
The world's dirtiest cities
Filed under: History, Learning, Somalia, Burma (Myanmar), Iran, North Korea, Cuba
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Austin Hill Jun 13th 2008 2:32AM
It's a shame that Americans are prevented from going such wonderful places. It's like not being able to visit your neighbor's house because your dad doesn't like his dad.
Alanna737 Jun 15th 2008 11:58AM
Yeah. I for one would love to visit the tombs of Xerxes and Darius, me being a teenage history buff.
Meanstr Jun 15th 2008 8:21AM
These places are off limits for good reasons,If you wish to go Do it, its your life .But leave your kids home.
Gianni Jun 15th 2008 8:57AM
Americans deserve what they get..they have locked thmselves in a box...Cuba is a paradise of a place..people are wonderful...no drunk US teenagers..but sexy europen girls who look like Goddesses compared to the pale..drunk..drugged US teeagers...get an european passport ang go !
Brett Jun 15th 2008 10:54AM
Cuba a paradise? Guess someone didn't get the word to all the people risking death to boat the 90 miles to the US. Crazy Cubans, Americans know more about their country than they do!
Al Jun 15th 2008 10:33AM
There is PLENTY to see in our own country and the rest of the world without visiting these places!
grumpy19 Jun 15th 2008 4:30PM
Talk about communist regimes. Vietnam is communist and yet we normalized relations with them. We lost over 58,000 good young men there. We never lost any American lives in cuba. We should have normalized relations decades ago. We seem to normalize relations with every country that puts their handout to Uncle Sam for the foreign aid as long as they appear to be doing what is right. Much goes on in these countries that we, The USA, don't see or hear about.
I have traveled throughout the Carribean. You would be surprised how many islands welcome us just for the American dollar. Most people in the Carribean actually hate Americans. They act friendly to us just to get the dollar from us.
Avi Jun 15th 2008 11:00AM
I actually just came back from Iran, and I think not visiting for "political reasons" is sort of an ignorant view. Unless you are affiliated with some sort of government organization that could make you seem like a spy, like, oh, I don't know... if you worked for the DoD, or Homeland Security, Iran may be a place to avoid. But if you're a regular citizen, there should be no problems. Iranians love Americans, and want more of them to visit. Don't think that Ahmadinejad has everyone's support, and also don't think that the party hardliners are working in airport security or constantly stalking tourists. There are many foreigners in Iran, I personally saw many Europeans and Chinese. And I was NEVER concerned about my safety. I say go wherever you can, and if being an American prevents you from going where you want, FIND a way.
To ctmason and Brett, if you really think that a country's government always represents the people, you need to open up ANY history book. First of all, the majority of Americans disapprove of the Bush administration (if you look at current approval ratings), and you shouldn't judge groups of people based on corrupt politicians.
To Al, I'm sorry but it's quite sad if your curiousity is satisfied by the travelling in the U.S. There is so much more to see and do and compared to the rest of the world, we don't really have much of a culture or history given that we are such a young country, unless you call consumerism a culture, and imperialism and racism a history.
Judy, NYC Jun 15th 2008 11:50AM
Tragically, the one place you neglected to visit here in America is a library. That is, if you can read, which I doubt. Perhaps then you would know something about our culture, our society, you ignoramus. Meantime, please do us all a favor and go to those countries our government warns against visiting.
John Howell Jun 15th 2008 11:09AM
Cuba is indeed a paradise of a place. It's easy to tell by looking at the thousands of Floridians who risk their lives to leave the hellhole that is their homeland on rickity rafts in shark infested waters to get there.
As though the readers need to be told, there are some incredibly STUPID people posting on this site, and it's easy to tell who they are.
TravelBot Jun 18th 2008 2:28PM
Like you!
Lisa Jun 15th 2008 11:24AM
It's unfortunate that anyone would stereotype an entire nation, however, I understand why Americans carry a negative stigma. I try not to take it personally, because I know it doesn't apply to me. Our society can be obnoxious and rude. It's one of the reasons I avoid certain public places.
There are lots of wonderful places to visit, domestically and internationally. It doesn't offend me that I'm not welcome in some of these places. I have too many other places to go!
E. Jun 15th 2008 12:46PM
Places not to visit??? I think Cairo should be on that list. I was there and thought it was the sewer of the world...
Mel Jun 15th 2008 11:38AM
Its very sad that our leader of this country has screwed things up so bad for us. Thanks to all who voted for Bush look what has happened. We think the Iranian president is crazy has anyone taken a good look at our own president?
rmoyuela Jun 15th 2008 11:48AM
MEXICO IS 100 TIMES MORE DANGEROUS THAN CUBA.
bill Jun 15th 2008 11:56AM
America is filled the the brim with Cubans that hate Cuba. You think anyone that loves Cuba swims out of it? Perhaps if Americans were acually allowed to travel freely they would see Cuba and enjoy its pleasures. I can only hope that one day Americans will be allowed the same freedoms as others in other countrys and can travel freely and see the beautiful island of CUBA
bill Jun 15th 2008 12:14PM
The entire world travels freely to Cuba. Only Americans cant travel freely. Most Americans arent even aware that the vote in the UN every year is 180 countrys vote end the Embargo to the 1 vote of no that comes from the US. Perhaps America is smarter then the rest of the entire world, yes thats it only Americans know whats right,the rest of the world are idiots!!
standinsmoke Jun 15th 2008 5:21PM
Americans are unable to travel to Cuba because of the American government's embargo on Cuba and everything they produce. Americans are not allowed to spend their dollars supporting the country and the dictatorship through imports or tourism. It is a stance against Cuba created by Americans. If you disagree notify your government of the hypocrisy considering we visit/import Iranian, Chinese, and Saudi goods all of the time.
huero58 Jun 15th 2008 9:33PM
Us Americans were disliked long before bush came into the picture. We will be disliked for any and every reason possible. Its the burdon we bare for the power we carry. I have visited many places where americans werent liked and yet I still am alive. So Go.
NY Traveler Jun 15th 2008 9:40PM
I hate when people say "Americans are dumb" yet these same people are the ones who say you shouldnt generalize a whole country but just "some people". I have traveled to South America, Europe, Canada, and USA, and let me tell you dumb ignorant people can be found everywhere. There is racism in Europe, as well as in USA, as in South America, people think people are different in other places of the world, but in reality, our environments change but people will always be people. As far as Cuba - it is a beautiful place, with beautiful people and culture. Unfortunaetly the citizens are horribly stiffled by their Government, they live on $20 a month, but thankfully if you've been following news, they are becoming extrmely quickly modernized and embracing capitalism, Fidel is DEAD.
Americans arent the only people who think they should never leave their land and everywhere is shit. Ive met many Brits who feel the exact same way, and dont even get me started with the Argentine and French. Yet these same people are only hurting themselves from not traveling outside their comfort zone. So lesson learned, keep an open mind, America has a vast amount of culture and history, but so does every country in the world, from a first world to a third world nation so no one on either side should be ignorant enough to put down the people or the culture of any land, its all worthy of recognition.