A dozen lucky people are going to Afghanistan!

Bored with the usual travel fare? Get in touch with Poland-based Logos Travel, and you could find yourself in Afghanistan for two weeks. All 12 spots have been purchased – at prices of up to $3,700 each. Poland’s Foreign Ministry doesn’t think this is a bright idea, though, and issued a travel warning … as if one were necessary.

In case you didn’t know, people are fighting over there. With guns and bombs and grenades and everything else they can find. In fact, a shipment of cigars for U.S. soldiers serving in Afghanistan was delayed because of the intensity of the fighting.

Currently, 1,600 Polish troops are among the NATO forces fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

According to Marek Sliwka, owner of Logos Travel, security measures are being taken, including armed guards. The trip starts on May 2, but it could be scrapped if the fighting becomes too intense. Stops include Kabul, Herat, and the site of the two giant Buddha statues that were destroyed at the turn of the century. The Tora Bora caves were once considered a possibility, but this was cut from the itinerary for safety reasons.

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US gov’t: Americans should avoid Mexican hookers

The travel advisory is back. An increase in violence has led the U.S.-Mexico border has led the U.S. State Department to renew its warning to Americans heading south of the border. But, this doesn’t mean you should scratch Mexico from your list (I’m even heading down in a few weeks). You should just be careful.

The announcement suggests that American tourists stick only to legitimate business and tourist areas. Areas with lots of prostitution and drug dealing are best left off your itinerary, according to the State Department. This is pretty good advice anywhere, but it makes even more sense along a border where the bad guys have used weapons and grenades.

So, go to Mexico. Have fun. Just don’t pay for sex.

[Via MSNBC]

Travel Warnings for Americans

Not that I regularly browse these kinds of Web sites but the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Web site actually has some handy information, for example the countries for which Americans have visa requirements.

Among other things, they publish a list of countries with “travel warnings” for Americans. Those countries currently are:

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Chad
  • Colombia
  • Congo
  • East Timor
  • Eritrea
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Kenya
  • Lebanon
  • Nepal
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Philippines
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Uzbekistan
  • Yemen
  • France (just kidding)