Chernobyl (Photo: Wikipedia Commons)Why it's Taboo: Site of the world's worst nuclear disaster, Chernobyl in Pripyat, Ukraine, remains a disaster zone 26 years later. Countless people were forced to abandon their homes, and many also suffered extreme health consequences due to the fallout. The area is still considered highly radioactive and will be unsafe to inhabit for another 20,000 years.
Why it's Still Worth Going: The ghost town is still relatively untouched from the day of the disaster. An abandoned amusement park, empty schoolrooms, and ruined houses are an eerie and sobering reminder and a memorial to the disaster's victims. According to Sergei Ivanchuk of SoloEast Travel, "It's not a pleasure trip but it's not a morbid one either. If you like photography, history, or environmental studies or played Call of Duty or watched Chernobyl Diaries, you might consider taking a tour."
How to Visit: You must book a tour, and you need to apply at least 11 days ahead of your visit for a permit. To avoid contamination, you will have to adhere to a dress code, avoid touching any plants or structures, and keep your camera from touching the ground.
