A small return after a quiet period

It’s been a bit quiet around here on the blog lately. Honestly, the reason is pretty straightforward: we’ve been deep into other projects, planning trips, and tackling that behind-the-scenes work that tends to sneak up on you and eat away at your time. But now, I’m committed to writing here again — because travel remains one of the most fulfilling experiences in life, even in a world that feels a bit more unpredictable than usual.

I’m Vincent, and for the last ten years, I’ve been traveling while working remotely, always on the lookout for amazing hotels, stunning designs, and some of the most unforgettable spa experiences out there. And there’s one question that keeps popping up more frequently these days:

Is it still safe to travel abroad right now?

In many situations, absolutely! But it takes a bit more awareness than it did a few years back. International tourism is still thriving on a grand scale. According to UN Tourism, international tourist arrivals saw a 4% increase in 2025, which shows that people are still eager to travel, even with geopolitical tensions and regional instability in the mix. Meanwhile, the Global Peace Index 2025 highlights that it monitors 163 countries, representing 99.7% of the world’s population, and its findings indicate that many areas of the world have become more fragile. So, the takeaway isn’t to “stop traveling.” Instead, it’s more about this: travel, but do it wisely.

How to think about travel safety in 2026

When I think about a travel destination these days—be it a luxurious spa hotel in the Alps, a serene wellness retreat in North Africa, or a beautiful coastal resort in Asia—I tend to break it down into layers. First, I consider the country itself. Next, I focus on the specific region. Finally, I think about the routes in and out. This approach is important because while some countries may be generally safe, there are often particular areas that travel authorities recommend avoiding.
Travel advisories usually provide guidance on a regional basis rather than a national one. The UK’s Foreign Office and the U.S. State Department both emphasize this point in their advisory systems.

Parts of the world travelers should approach with extreme caution

As a general guideline, it’s wise to steer clear of places where the official government travel advice is at its highest warning level, particularly if there are serious issues like conflict, kidnapping, terrorism, or political instability. This includes countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, South Sudan, North Korea, Lebanon, and several other areas where the travel warning is “Do not travel” or something similar. Right now, the U.S. State Department has a number of countries listed at Level 4, such as Afghanistan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Syria. These countries are probably not the first that comes to mind when thinking of a spa vacation, but more travel i general.

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that some popular travel destinations have specific areas that are off-limits instead of blanket warnings. Take Egypt, for instance; it’s a major tourist hotspot, but U.S. officials advise against visiting certain places like northern and central Sinai and some border regions. Mexico is another case where travel advice can vary greatly from state to state rather than being uniform across the entire country.

That distinction is really important. A country might still provide safe, top-notch hospitality and spa experiences, but only if you know exactly where to go.

Why official travel advisories matter more than ever

Many travelers still lean too much on Instagram, hotel promotions, or a friend who “visited last year and had a blast.” But that just doesn’t cut it anymore. There’s a reason official travel advice is out there. The UK government warns that if you travel against its recommendations, you could end up with invalid travel insurance. That should definitely give every traveler a moment of pause before booking a trip that looks picture-perfect online but comes with real-world risks.

What spa and wellness travelers should prioritize now

If your goal is rest, recovery, and a beautiful experience, the destination has to support that emotionally, not just aesthetically.

A great spa trip should not begin with uncertainty about border closures, nearby unrest, unsafe transport routes, or whether your insurer would actually help if something goes wrong.

So before booking, I’d suggest focusing on:

1. Stable countries with strong infrastructure

Choose destinations known for political stability, good healthcare access, reliable transport, and clear tourist support systems.

2. Direct or simple travel routes

A peaceful hotel loses some of its magic if the journey involves risky border crossings, chaotic transit hubs, or long overland transfers through unstable areas.

3. Regional safety, not just country branding

Don’t assume an entire destination is safe because one luxury resort district looks polished online.

4. Flexible bookings and proper insurance

In the current climate, flexibility is part of luxury.

That’s it, just a couple of my thoughts and a some guidelines from a pretty experianced traveller 🙂
Check out our other related posts about budget spa travelling find cheap flight tickets. Maybe you can find some interesting and useful information there as well.

Vincent