Unless there was specific advice from the Foreign Office against travel, nothing would prevent me from travelling to a country I really wanted to visit. Before going to University I spent a year in Africa with VSO and I can honestly say it changed my life. Since then, I’ve travelled far and wide, including to those countries people have already mentioned as potentially unsafe.....such as Israel, Egypt, Istanbul....After all, if you’re concerned about attacks on tourists, would you also avoid London? And yes, India is hot...and I did experience more than a touch of Delhi belly....but so worth it for the magnificence of the Taj Mahal, the intricate architecture of the Amber Fort, the hospitality of the people. Travelling by bus in Cuba, staying with locals and providing much needed currency. And the wonders of the Galápagos....China, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and more...all sources of marvellous memories to share with the grandchildren .....Many of these trips were solo travel, incidentally.......In my experience, it’s so much easier to meet people and really experience the country’s culture and hidden places.