While travel in Europe may seem pretty uneventful, if Brits plan on exploring further afield in 2025, they should consider the unusually high level of volatility across the world.On top of ongoing crime, armed conflict, and political oppression in places such as the Middle East, Ukraine, and North Korea, recent developments have seen other countries wiped from the Foreign Office’s “safe to travel” lists.
In recent months, governments have been toppled, civil unrest has broken out and natural disasters have deemed countries once regarded as relatively safe to explore a no-go destination. In a report released by risk analysis companies Safeture and Riskline, researchers concluded that the "security situation has deteriorated in 77 countries" around the globe. Revealed below are 12 countries that were once loved by tourists but are too dangerous to visit this summer.
In the 1950s and 60s, Lebanon was a favourite destination of wealthy jet-setters. They holidayed regularly in Beirut, choosing the city for its 5-star hotels, luxurious restaurants and beach clubs, Paris-style cafés and buzzing nightclubs.
Among its fans were famous French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot and English actor Peter O'Toole, who enjoyed Beirut's "Paris of the Middle East" vibe.
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However, when civil war broke out in 1975, the country's touristic fortunes were dramatically reversed and have remained unstable ever since.
Today, the FCDO advises against all travel to the areas near its borders with Syria and Israel and all but essential travel to much of the rest of the country. Areas to be avoided in their entireity include Tariq el Jdideh, Bir Hassan and Mraije.
Although a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hizballah came into force on November 27, the security environment remains unpredictable. Israeli Defence Forces continue to conduct airstrikes and artillery fire at targets in Lebanon, including the South, near the Israeli and Syrian borders.
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Ethopia was once a history lover's paradise, home to a plethora of ancient landmarks including Lalibela, home to numerous ancient churches which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visitors could enjoy the scenic beauty of Lake Tana - Ethiopia's largest lake and visit the island monasteries dotted along its shores.
A hike through the Simien Mountains National Park would reward you with views of dramatic cliffs, valleys and unique wildlife including the endangered Gelada baboon.
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However, tensions in Ethiopia’s Tigray region have escalated significantly, threatening to reignite conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea and destabilize the Horn of Africa. The Tigray war lasted from November 2020 to November 2022, between the government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
The FCDO now advise against all but essential travel to all areas of Tigray region which lie east of the Tekeze river, except for within six miles of the border with Eritrea, where they continue to advise against all travel.
(Image: Getty)
