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Original poster

Where would you have once liked to visit but now wouldn’t go?

228 replies

buddhasbelly · 12/04/2023 09:12

For me San Francisco. Would have loved to visit Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge etc but seeing the reports of the drug epidemic /fentanyl use just makes it seem like it would no longer be a place to feel safe whilst sightseeing.

Where would you no longer wish to visit?

OP posts:
snowydays10 · 12/04/2023 12:35

I really wanted to visit the pyramids and museums in Egypt, but it’s not safe enough for me to deem it worthwhile anymore.

Shufflebumnessie · 12/04/2023 12:36

Russia.
Ecuador / Venezuela / Colombia / Cuba.
I absolutely love to visit Costa Rica and it's on my list, however I do feel somewhat unsure about it.
Mexico (went there in 2008 and had a great time but didn't feel 100% comfortable, and wouldn't go back with children).
Egypt (went in 1995 & 2010, but wouldn't go back at the moment but I hope to in the future).
Jordan

RJ57 · 12/04/2023 12:38

What's happened in Jordan that make is off your list now @Shufflebumnessie ?

I went a few years ago and it was probably the most friendly country I've ever been to.

I've not kept up with the news in that area, so things might have changed that I dont know about.

Ohrwurm · 12/04/2023 12:47

Egypt
Australia

timtam23 · 12/04/2023 12:48

Russia (specifically St Petersburg, I would love to go but it's out of the question)
Iran
Syria
Afghanistan

I visited Egypt (Cairo) on a stopover in 1993 and backpacked through Mexico in 1994. Being younger and more impulsive probably helped me to overlook some of the risks then but I don't think I would visit either again now. Both were beautiful and interesting and I'm glad I did get the opportunity to visit.

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 12/04/2023 12:52

Egypt. I have been, and it was wonderful seeing all the sights, but as a female I couldn't step out of the hotel alone without being constantly harassed. I wouldn't go back.

FrauleinElsaMars · 12/04/2023 12:52

We're just back from Cairo and had a great time. If you get the chance to visit, I'd highly recommend it.

MoroccanRoseHChurch · 12/04/2023 12:55

China.

Sugarmicetails · 12/04/2023 12:56

I know how NATO works.

Zelensky repeatedly told UK and USA governments that the Russians were preparing to invade, we continued to pass it off as ‘peacocking’ for weeks.

Also Finland has only been a NATO country for a number of days! And missiles have landed over the Polish border.

This is not a ‘mad man’ invading Ukraine because he can, this is the start of the next world war. China aim to take Taiwan very soon, this is not some coincidence.

The west is weak, they know this is their chance.

Dodgeitornot · 12/04/2023 12:57

@PermanentTemporary The drugs and crime in SF have become much worse apparently. So much homelessness and crime. Recently the Cash App founder was stabbed and died.

@buddhasbelly For me it's the USA. I've done an East Coast roadtrip and we were planning on a west coast one this year but we are now looking at China or a big Mediterranean roadtrip.
It's a shame but sadly it just seems so unsafe at the moment.

SkyesMama · 12/04/2023 13:03

I lived in Egypt for 8 months prior to the pandemic. The men will talk a lot of crap and try to harass you but trust that raising your voice and saying 'leave me alone' very firmly will embarrass/shame them enough to not bother you again. The pyramids/sphinx/Egyptian museum do all look better on the TV than in real life - it's pretty dusty, unloved and surrounded by poverty in reality. Egypt isn't unsafe unless you go wandering into the desert in the Sinai peninsula.

I always wanted to go to Syria and Iran. Also Papua New Guinea but I could never justify the astronomical environmental cost.

MiniDinosaur · 12/04/2023 13:07

St Petersburg, Tel Aviv, Riviera Maya, the US (opposed to their gun laws), UAE/China (human rights)

I’ve been to some of these places but wouldn’t return now

maddiemookins16mum · 12/04/2023 13:11

China.

PermanentTemporary · 12/04/2023 13:14

I'm in the USA at the moment and as ever having a great time.

SF homicide rate per capita appears to be almost exactly the same as London's in fact. I'm going to check that again because I've been told so much about the terrible crime rate in California.

I do think though that if NATO were at war with Russia I would definitely feel more scared in Finland or Poland than in say Hertfordshire.

RJ57 · 12/04/2023 13:19

Sugarmicetails · 12/04/2023 12:56

I know how NATO works.

Zelensky repeatedly told UK and USA governments that the Russians were preparing to invade, we continued to pass it off as ‘peacocking’ for weeks.

Also Finland has only been a NATO country for a number of days! And missiles have landed over the Polish border.

This is not a ‘mad man’ invading Ukraine because he can, this is the start of the next world war. China aim to take Taiwan very soon, this is not some coincidence.

The west is weak, they know this is their chance.

I dont want to derail the thread by discussing this in depth. Your concern was that Russia could invade Finland which I dont think is likely now that they are a member of Nato (it doesn't matter how long that has been). The missile that hit Poland was a Ukrainian anti air missile, hence no action taken.

I don't - currently - believe that this is the start of the 3rd World War. For one thing, the Russian military isn't up to it and the Chinese military don't have the logistics support (or combat experience) to pursue it in the west. The Chinese are also very dependent on fossil fuels which they primarily get through the Malacca Straits which are easily blocked.

Not sure where you get the idea that the West is weak from. At the moment, NATO could (conventionally anyway) defeat Russia very easily. NATO is the most powerful military organisation in the world.

I think you're okay to go on holiday in Finland anyway.

Newnamenewname109870 · 12/04/2023 13:25

Syria. A beautiful, fascinating country with so much history.

Russia. Feels even less likely in my lifetime.

Iran. Again a beautiful country. Was always less likely than the other two so never really expected to. However for all I know that may be more possible in 20 years.

Newnamenewname109870 · 12/04/2023 13:26

PermanentTemporary · 12/04/2023 13:14

I'm in the USA at the moment and as ever having a great time.

SF homicide rate per capita appears to be almost exactly the same as London's in fact. I'm going to check that again because I've been told so much about the terrible crime rate in California.

I do think though that if NATO were at war with Russia I would definitely feel more scared in Finland or Poland than in say Hertfordshire.

Walking through the tenderloin in SF is the scariest thing I’ve done.

BiscuitLover3678 · 12/04/2023 13:26

Hong Kong. And China.

blackpearwhitelilies · 12/04/2023 13:27

Why can't people visit Canada?

BiscuitLover3678 · 12/04/2023 13:27

spacechimp79 · 12/04/2023 10:31

Canada. Wanted to go for three weeks to celebrate my 50th.
Will think of somewhere else now, maybe Japan.

What’s wrong with Canada? It’s amazing! I’d live there in a heartbeat.

Whichnumbers · 12/04/2023 13:29

Mexico for a sunny winter holdiay

but with the cartels fighting one another and shootings on the beaches as never before - no thanks

WimbyAce · 12/04/2023 13:29

Used to fancy Dubai but not now all the z listers go there.

Whichnumbers · 12/04/2023 13:32

Iran. Again a beautiful country. Was always less likely than the other two so never really expected to. However for all I know that may be more possible in 20 years.

I would have visited here, as an alternative thinking about Azerbaijan

BarrelOfOtters · 12/04/2023 13:43

Husband and I wandered around Cairo on own for 4 days and loved it. And a Nile cruise that was amazing. Hurghada - never need to go again - could have died of boredom...too rough to snorkel when we were there.

BarrelOfOtters · 12/04/2023 13:44

Scotland now...I suppose none of us will be allowed back there any time soon.