Travelling in war zones by the Blog Travel Mole

Today is of course the anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the USA.  New York was reduced to a war zone in just one morning.  Which started me thinking about the different war zones around the world that we visit.  Obviously they are war zones no longer but just when does it become acceptable to visit these places without an aspect of ‘ogling’? 

Not forgetting of course that these places were usually tourist destinations and attractions in their own right before any trouble occurred.  Having said that, how many people realised what an incredible place the Falkland Islands were before the Argentine invasion?  I am lucky enough to have experienced the stunning windswept landscapes and phenomenal wildlife of these islands which are part of our Antarctic cruise itineraries and cannot recommend a visit there highly enough.  A superb mix of wilderness, wildlife and, of course, history - both old and new.

You can visit Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland with us on many of our eastern European trips and Anzac cove in Gallipoli on many of our Turkish tours.  We have NEW trips to Angola and also Papua New Guinea following the Kokoda Trail which many Australians will be familiar with from World War II.  Also, a brilliant new combination of Kenya and Uganda on our Gorillas and Game tour.  Who would have thought that Libya would emerge as one of the world’s leading destinations for travellers after Lockerbie and the ensuing bombings?  But hey, if Condoleezza Rice can visit then Imaginative Traveller can certainly put on a great new trip there including archaeological visits to Leptis Magna and Sabratha plus excursions through the desert to the Akakus Mountains for some of the best preserved rock art on earth. 

We also have an intriguing new tour to the little known states of northern India which kicks off in Assam at the World War II site of Digboi before continuing to Nagaland and Meghalaya.

One of our exciting new trips visits Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia.  The events in former Yugoslavia will be fresh in many people’s memories but if you put those aside you are looking at some of the most stunning and dramatic scenery and mix of cultures you are likely to find in Europe.  And mostly crowd-free as the word has not yet got around about what a superb part of the world this is to visit.  Go now!

We will not be visiting Afghanistan any time soon though as there is such a thing as responsible travel.  If you have any questions about the new trips mentioned above then please email editor@imtrav.net.  They will all be launched officially very shortly – but this is a sneaky preview for all you bloggers out there!