Faith Treks

Guidebooks are now being published to assist and encourage tourists who want to travel to the hot spots around the world — like Kabul, North Korea and Baghdad. Makes you wonder: Where in the world will our faith take us?

Still planning your summer vacation? Pack your flak jacket.

A growing number of adventurous vacationers around the world are opting to holiday in some of the world’s most dangerous hot spots. Places that dominate the headlines have suddenly become desirable destinations.

Think of it: biking in Baghdad, eating kebabs in Kabul, picnicking in Pyongyang or even tanning in East Timor. It’s not as sanitized as Disneyworld, but the rides are a lot more thrilling!

Travel writers are picking up on this trend. Bradt Travel Guides has recently published guides to places like North Korea with advice like, “You’ll be asked to pay respect to the statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il ... just do it.”

The Afghanistan guide calls Kabul the “hottest city east of Suez,” but be careful because “land mines are still a roadside hazard.” A Bradt guide to visiting Baghdad is due out soon.

Other guides direct vacationers to the North or South Poles or even to the outer reaches of the universe. The Rough Guide to ...