When it comes to summer travel, many of us have one goal in mind: wild adventure. The world offers innumerable opportunities for amazing discovery, and it's never a bad idea to select a less well-trodden destination to explore. That said, it's always necessary to keep safety in mind—especially in destinations with circumstances making travel dangerous. As a case in point, here are three of our favorite spots for adventure—plus advice on how to stay safe.
Myanmar (Burma)
The primary concern for foreigners in Myanmar is medical care. Falling ill in this country could put a serious damper on your vacation, as poor facilities coupled with frequent power outages make for less-than-ideal conditions (The World Health Organization ranked it dead last out of 190 countries). If you're headed this way, make sure to take every possible precaution in terms of vaccines and your first-aid kit. Myanmar is filled with insects such as mosquitoes, so stock up on bug repellant and screens, as well. But so long as you keep your health in mind, you'll have a fantastic time soaking in the gorgeous scenery here.
Chicago
We've included this on the list to remind you that even in thriving first world U.S. cities, safety should be a concern. Consider that over the Fourth of July weekend in Chicago, 82 people were shot in 84 hours—which should be enough to grab your attention. Of course, every big city has pockets of crime, so if traveling to any of them, either stick to the tourist spots or link up with a local to find out the safe hidden nooks worth exploring. As long as you use your head and stay away from the obvious no-no's (no dark alleys, no waving about your new iPhone 5, etc.), you should be fine.
Georgia
Nestled next to the Black Sea between Turkey and Russia lies Georgia, a scenic country filled with rich culture and history (and it certainly doesn't hurt that the first traces of wine were found here). The trick is to steer clear of the Russian-occupied territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as these have been the sites of kidnappings and other crimes. Stick to the well-beaten tourist path, though, and Georgia is a country that will astound you.
As for North Korea, the Central African Republic and Somalia, unfortunately we don't have any solid advice on how to safely navigate these unless you're Christiane Amanpour. These (along with the obvious Iraq and Afghanistan) are among the most dangerous places in the world for American tourists. We recommend sitting out on those trips, and heading somewhere where you can have a safe wild adventure. Hey . . . no shame in traveling smart.
Image: ThinkStock
