Families on a holiday most likely won’t take the risk of travelling to warzones and other unsafe spots in the world.  We mean, they intend to relax, have fun, and come back alive, right? In fact, most people won’t even consider it for the sake of longer life. This is the reason why they are also not difficult to convince to abide by the government’s advice not to go to such dangerous places.

However, businessmen who see a lot of opportunities in these countries are not as easy to convince, even though they are warned that the reward would not be worth the danger.  Besides, no travel insurance would even dare to cover them no matter how high the price.

Here is just the top ten on the extensive list of countries to avoid travelling to, and the reasons why:

10. Liberia - No travel insurance provider would risk offering you cover if you choose to visit Liberia because of the current economic hardship they are experiencing there.  Outbreaks of violence are common and affluent foreigners are high-risk victims.

9. Nepal - For those who want to get travel insurance, Nepal is off-limits because of occasional acts of terrorism and political violence there.

8. Haiti - Here in Haiti, there is a high risk of kidnappings and civil unrest is prominent. Some kidnappings have ended in physical and sexual assaults and shootings. The potential for spontaneous protests and demonstrations has also been known to result in unexpected violence, day or night.

7. Yemen - Westerners are advised to not to travel to Yemen due to the high levels of terrorist activity.  But if this is not possible, measures to avoid attacks or kidnapping should be taken, such as keeping a low profile and remaining vigilant.  The US Embassy often restricts American citizens from certain hotels, restaurants and shopping areas.

6. Israel - The immense violence seen by the Gaza Strip and West Bank between Israeli and Palestinian factions, as well as shootings, kidnappings, and violence demonstrations, make it impossible to obtain travel insurance to Israel.

5. Democratic Republic of Congo - Violence, neglect and corruption has left Africa distinctly damaged, and that is very much apparent in the democratic republic of Congo.

4. Burma (Myanmar) - Ethically speaking, Myanmar is place that is not easy to visit because of its human rights situation.  Anti-government protests had turned violent and even made it to international headlines.

3. Colombia – A high crime rate, illicit drug trade in urban areas such as Cali and Buenaventura, a high risk of violence, and a higher risk from narcoterrorist groups who will often kidnap civilians to use for ransom or to gain media attention… You still want to go there?  You might as well just starve yourself to death.

2. Afghanistan - Many of the disbanded Taliban and Al-Qa’ida forces are still opposed to the new regieme, hence Western tourists are obvious kidnap and assassination targets. Tribal groups, explosive devices, landmines, military operations and acts of terrorism also prove this country unsafe.

1. Iraq – Iran has kept an impressive profile for western kidnappings by various insurgent groups.  There are also regular acts of terrorism and hostility to Western troops.  The instability is caused by various groups – Ba’ath regime remnants, transnational terrorists and criminal elements have been known to attack convoys en-route to venues, hotels, restaurants, checkpoints and police stations.

If after reading this, any of you would still insist on travelling to Iraq, Yemen, Burma, Haiti, or to any of those countries mentioned above, remember that you will have to give up your travel insurance and go off at your own risk.  Bon voyage!