The Foreign Office has issued a ‘no travel’ advisory for 24 countries, effectively putting them off-limits for UK holidaymakers. The list includes some expected entries as well as a few surprises. At present, the Foreign Office strongly advises against all but essential travel to these 24 ‘blacklisted’ destinations: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, and Niger. Also on the list are North Korea, Palestinian territories, Russia, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.
In its advisory for Afghanistan, the UK Foreign Office warns that “the security situation is volatile” and travel through the country is extremely dangerous. British nationals are also at a “heightened risk of being detained” in Afghanistan. The Foreign Office further advises against all travel to Russia due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, describing the situation there as “unpredictable”.
Remember, your travel insurance may be invalidated if you travel against Foreign Office advice, and consular support may be limited in some cases. Responding to the list, one anonymous British tourist shared their positive experience in St Petersburg, urging others to consider visiting the city once the ongoing war concludes. Another Brit recommended the Church of Our Saviour on the Spilled Blood in St Petersburg as a must-see attraction. It’s crucial to stay informed about travel advisories before planning any trips abroad.