Libya (Photo: Thinkstock/iStockphoto)Why it's Taboo: Last year, Libya underwent a popular uprising against Moammar Gadhafi's governance. The ensuing civil war caused massive instability and unrest throughout the country. Tourist visas were suspended during this time and are only recently being reissued. However, as of September 2011, the U.S. Embassy in Libya has resumed operations.
Why it's Still Worth Going: Jeff Wilson of Libya Travel & Tours currently lives in Tripoli and says, "Libya is a 'virgin' destination that has been long overlooked because of the rule of the past regime. Unlike the other North African countries like Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, Libya has never developed its tourism potential. Libya has all the same components of these other tourism countries—like the Sahara Desert, the beach, and historical sites—but has less than 100,000 tourists per year. Libya has five UNESCO World Heritage sites: Leptis Magna, Sabratha, Cyrene, Ghadames, and the Rock-Art Sites of the Tadrart Acacus. (Leptis Magna alone is one of the top Roman ruins in the world.) The Sahara Desert of Libya is by far better than in Morocco and Tunisia, offering amazing desert oases and lakes. For those travelers interested in archaeology or history, Libya has so many jewels waiting to be explored."
How to Visit: There is currently no independent tourist travel allowed in Libya. To visit, you'll need to go through a licensed tour agency, which will be able to obtain a tourist visa for you and will also book your hotels, transportation, guides, and security. Be advised that Libya does not allow people with Israeli entry or exit stamps in their passports to enter the country.
