http://www.forbes.com/2003/01/23/cx_cv_0123feat.html

Looking for a fun time in Afghanistan? How about an exotic vacation in Chechnya? Or maybe take in some local color in Colombia ? Maybe go native in Congo or work on your tan in Iraq. Looking for a religious experience in Israel or sample the local cusine in North Korea. Well if none of the above excites you you might have good reason.

Unless you are a member of Hans Blix's weapons inspection team, a war correspondent, a mercenary, or simply an adrenaline junkie, chances are you will not be visiting Baghdad, Pyongyang or Kabul voluntarily anytime soon--but sometimes a trip to one of these destinations is unavoidable.

The reason is that despite the presence of danger, business must go on. Oil companies such as BP (nyse: BP - news - people ) and Anadarko (nyse: APC - news - people ) must continue to dredge in Algeria, despite that country's instability. Insurance adjustors still need to inspect sites. Engineers have to build dams and bridges. When that is the case, companies frequently turn to risk consultants such as New York-based Kroll (nasdaq: KROL - news - people ).

Think you don't need protection? One of the first things to keep in mind, says Kroll's Senior Vice President Kelly McCann, is that the U.S. government is not going to rescue a civilian in the event of a kidnapping or hijacking overseas. "That is a huge misconception," says McCann. "Overseas, there is no responsibility by the U.S. government or its consulates to save you."

The U.S. State Department does issue regular travel warnings, which are recommendations to avoid certain countries. The list is updated constantly in response to recent events. Liberia is currently at the top of the list, followed by Israel, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. While the State Department does not give crime statistics, it offers general warnings. For a cheekier take on travel safety, visit the Web site "Come Back Alive," written by Robert Young Pelton, author of books such as The World's Most Dangerous Places (HarperResource, 2000). Pelton offers a highly political--and politically incorrect--take on current events and volatile countries. [Editor's note: As of Wednesday, Jan. 22, Pelton is believed to be one of three journalists kidnapped in Panama City. Panamanian media said the men were seized on Sunday by a right-wing paramilitary group, the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, just north of the Colombian border in Panama. At press time, he is still believed missing.]

I was almost stabbed in London. It was just wrong time, wrong place.
I was attacked in the Estonian capital Tallinn though, by a Russian gang in the middle of the night. But this was not so serious as my bad experience in London.

I was almost stabbed in London. It was just wrong time, wrong place.
I was attacked in the Estonian capital Tallinn though, by a Russian gang in the middle of the night. But this was not so serious as my bad experience in London.
I have a friend who was almost killed in Barcelona. In fact I know another person who was robbed in the same city.

My cousin was in Rome. He had everything he own ripped off by a gang of Romany. He said the Italian police would not do a goddam thing and the US embassy told him he had to pay $60 for a new passport. Like, all his money was stolen so how could he pay for that... duh!

His advice was to go anyplace in Italy but stay out of Rome.

I have visited Italy several times. I must say that Rome was the most beautiful place for me there. I visited the football derby between AS Roma and Lazio Roma. There was a lot of violence inside and outside the Olympic Stadium but nothing happend to us.
But to compare, Milano was one of the worst places I have ever been in my whole life. People urinating in the middle of the subway. In any corner someone who asks you for your money in a very aggressive way. Dirty streets and houses. In the railwaystation restaurant drug users who made riot and nobody cared. No police at all ...
I can't remember when I was so happy to leave a certain place like Milano.
Compared to Milano, Rome was a paradise. :)

Rome and Barcelona were just fine.

I would guess that the Anbar province is not such a great place.

Hans Blix is a pussy though.

I also think I would stay out of North Waziristan Pakistan, Nepal, Western Sudan & Eastern Chad, whereever Joseph Kony of Uganda is hanging out, Zimbabwe, Soweto, East Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, SouthCentral Watts, Newark, Philly, Harlem, South Chicago, Mississippi.

What's wrong with Mississippi?

been to barcelona 3 times, seemed like a wonderfull city to me... but I am aware that theres a lot of street crime there, if you take the wrong turn.
for the rest, its one of the most beautiful cities on earth, and it would be a shame if youd let anything stop you from visiing. and seriously, it doesnt compare at all to places like columbia or irak.

I survived South Africa as well as Egypt when i visited the extremist side of the Nile which i didnt even know we were going to!
Of course we had convoys as well as police patrolled our Ship during the nights and day.

What's wrong with Mississippi?

Shhh...let the yankees keep thinking we're all crazy down here.