| -> | | | | Location: Somalia's east coast |
| Mount Kumgang, Kumgangsan Tourist Region | | | | Why you should go: The beaches that separate |
| Location: North Korea's east coast | | | | Mogadishu from the Indian Ocean rank among the |
| Why you should go: It's an unspoiled spiritual | | | | most beautiful stretches of sand in the world, say |
| retreat. Mount Kumgang and the surrounding area | | | | many of the very few Western travelers who |
| feature exquisite natural beauty, a famous Zen | | | | ever venture there. Coral reefs teeming with fish |
| monastery, and challenging trails for hiking | | | | are easily accessible from the shore (although |
| enthusiasts. Nearby Kuryong Falls plunges 242 | | | | tourists pursuing aquatic leisure should leave all |
| feet before crashing into a series of lagoons | | | | valuables at home in case their boat is hijacked by |
| below. A pavilion allows easy viewing of the falls, | | | | pirates). Back in Mogadishu, visitors can find |
| and mountain paths take travelers more than | | | | virtually anything in the city's outdoor |
| 5,000 feet up for a stunning panoramic view of | | | | markets-except peace of mind. A 2004 |
| the surrounding valleys and the white-sand | | | | Economist article noted that hand grenades go for |
| beaches of the Korean coastline. Enjoy the latter | | | | a mere $10, and other popular items include |
| while you can, as electric and barbed-wire fences | | | | antiaircraft guns and mortars. |
| make access to these beaches rather difficult. | | | | Why you can't: Because a good day in Somalia is |
| Why you can't: Because it's almost impossible. | | | | the worst day of your life almost anywhere else. |
| Americans can acquire visas for North Korea, but | | | | The constant state of anarchy, lawlessness, and |
| the only access points are through China and | | | | piracy is usually enough to deter most folks from |
| South Korea. Tony Poe, a travel agent based in | | | | traveling to Somalia, the world's third most failed |
| Little Rock, Arkansas, says that although the | | | | state, according to the 2007 Failed States Index. |
| North Korean regime has begun to allow U.S. tour | | | | Michael Sailor of intrepid travel agency |
| groups entry, "you're basically under quarantine" | | | | Abercrombie & Kent perhaps puts it best |
| the entire time. American tourists (of which there | | | | when he says that Somalia is "not exactly a |
| have been fewer than 500 since the Korean War | | | | top-of-mind recognition for a travel destination." |
| ended in 1953) are generally restricted to | | | | The U.S. government does not maintain any |
| Pyongyang and the surrounding areas, with | | | | consular presence in Mogadishu, so an American in |
| Kumgangsan essentially off limits. Straying too far | | | | trouble is likely to stay there. Most troubling is the |
| from the tour group is strictly forbidden, and the | | | | fact that with little recognized, governing authority |
| nonexistent U.S. Embassy and Consulate aren't | | | | in Somalia, simply identifying which of the |
| going to be of much help if you get into trouble | | | | seemingly endless string of warlords and criminals |
| with the Stalinist regime's notorious secret police. | | | | has just kidnapped you is an important first step |
| Baracoa | | | | in negotiating your release. Still, the water is lovely. |
| Location: Cuba's eastern tip | | | | Mandalay |
| Why you should go: Baracoa is Cuba's oldest | | | | Location: Burma |
| settlement, founded in 1511 by Spanish | | | | Why you should go: Located far from |
| conquistadors, and is believed to be near where | | | | cyclone-damaged coastal areas, Mandalay's |
| Christopher Columbus first landed in 1492. | | | | impressive central palace, Buddhist pagodas, |
| Important archaeological sites dot the area, and | | | | monastery, and other architectural wonders recall |
| nearby caves provide visitors an opportunity to | | | | the opulence of 19th-century Burma. Mandalay Hill |
| view pictographs and ceramic remains of Native | | | | is home to a number of beautifully constructed |
| American tribes that inhabited the island when | | | | religious buildings, as well as spectacular views at |
| Europeans first arrived. Large forts, built in the | | | | sunset and sunrise. Best of all, traveling in Burma |
| 18th century to repel pirate attacks, provide | | | | is incredibly cheap. Tourists can expect to find |
| breathtaking views of the bay and surrounding | | | | luxurious lodging in Mandalay's city center for as |
| forests. The area is also full of sandy beaches, | | | | little as $40 a night. |
| lush vegetation, and waterfalls, not to mention a | | | | Why you can't: See: Xenophobic, repressive |
| healthy array of musical, artistic, and cultural | | | | military junta. Although there is a U.S. Embassy in |
| happenings. | | | | Rangoon, Western travelers still face a litany of |
| Why you can't: Because it is impossible. For a host | | | | dangers in Burma. Because the ruling junta has |
| of reasons - some of which have the last name | | | | banned gatherings of more than five people and |
| Castro - U.S. tourist travel to Cuba is thoroughly | | | | has recently suppressed peaceful demonstrations |
| restricted. Even travel to Cuba through a third | | | | with bullets and tear gas, the State Department |
| country, such as Mexico or Canada, is technically | | | | has advised Americans to stay away from |
| illegal, and violators can face prosecution and a | | | | anything that looks political. And with the recent |
| hefty fine of up to $65,000 upon return to the | | | | cyclone, even aid workers have had trouble |
| United States. So, although the U.S Guantanamo | | | | getting visas. Until late May-a full three weeks |
| Bay Naval Base is located in the same province as | | | | after Nargis struck the coastal regions-foreign aid |
| Baracoa, American travelers who run into | | | | workers were denied entry. Indeed, for travel |
| problems probably won't find much sympathy. | | | | agents, "Burma is pretty much off the radar," |
| Mogadishu's Beaches | | | | according to Poe. |