Warren Buffett famously said to be greedy when others are fearful. The same logic applies to travel.

There is a lot of fear around travel right now. And I want to be clear — wherever you go in the world, you need to feel safe. Everyone has different comfort levels.

But when a destination makes the news for the wrong reasons — political tension, a period of unrest, a rough stretch of headlines — travelers cancel or avoid it. Hotels sit empty. Tour operators get hungry. Prices drop.

Right now, that describes several destinations that are genuinely wonderful and, frankly, underpriced. If you are willing to go where others will not go, here are a few destinations to consider right now. (I’m eyeing Turkey and Morocco myself. Direct flights to both from MIA!) Ready to talk travel? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

Mexico — But You Have to Be Specific

Mexico is something of a paradox. It's one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for Americans, and yet it generates more fear and hand-wringing than almost anywhere else. The reason the conversation gets so muddled is that Mexico is enormous — and the advisories are assigned state by state, not country-wide.

Some states in Mexico are genuinely dangerous. Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Colima — these carry Level 4 advisories, meaning the State Department says do not travel there. I'm not going to argue with that.

But here's what most people don't realize: none of those states are where you're going on vacation.

The Yucatán Peninsula — Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mérida — is a completely different world. So is Cabo. So is Oaxaca City, which has become one of the most exciting food and arts destinations in the Western Hemisphere. These areas have active tourism infrastructure, local economies that depend on visitors, and safety track records that reflect that.

Mexico as a whole sits at a Level 2 advisory — "exercise increased caution." You know what else is Level 2? France. Germany. The United Kingdom. Belgium. ITALY! If the Level 2 designation is keeping you out of Mexico, it should theoretically be keeping you out of Paris too. Most people don't think about it that way — and that's exactly where the opportunity lies.

Nearly 80 million tourists visited Mexico last year. Fear is keeping some Americans away from places that are genuinely wonderful and, right now, very well priced. Do your research, be specific about where you're going, and buy good travel insurance.

Also, for context, Mexico is a country of 132 million people. The drive from Puerto Vallarta to Cancun takes 29 hours.

Stay: Casa Polanco
Experience: VIP Eco Experience in Calm Xochimilco Canals

Morocco

Morocco has never felt more accessible to Americans, and the value is exceptional. A gorgeous riad in Marrakech — think private courtyard, rooftop terrace, staff who bring you mint tea — that would cost $400/night in Lisbon runs a fraction of that here. The country is Level 2. The medinas, the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara by camel — this is one of the most sensory and culturally rich trips you can take, and you can do it beautifully on an average budget.

Now I want to talk geography. We as Americans are bad at geography. Morocco is south of Spain on the northwest corner of Africa. It is nowhere near the Middle East.

Morocco is a country of 38 million people.

Stay: La Mamounia (The Inventing Anna hotel.)
Experience: Marrakech: Tajine Cooking Class in a Traditional Riad

Egypt

The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo has been a genuine game-changer — one of the great museum experiences in the world — and yet American tourism hasn't fully caught up. That hesitancy is your window. The Nile cruise experience (Luxor, Edfu, Aswan, Abu Simbel) remains one of the most dramatic and enjoyable itineraries I know of anywhere. Egypt is Level 2. The crowds are manageable, the prices are favorable, and the history is simply unmatched. Did you know that Egypt is one of my specialities? I love this country so much and wish more people would consider it. Ready to talk Egypt? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

Egypt has a population of 120 million people.

Stay: Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan (Tea on the back porch overlooking the Nile is incredible)
Experience: Aswan: High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, & Philae Private Tour

Tunisia

This is perhaps the most underrated country in the entire Mediterranean. Roman ruins that rival anything in Italy, stunning whitewashed coastal towns (Sidi Bou Said looks like a painting), the Sahara within reach, and almost no Americans. That's not a warning — that's an invitation. Tunisia is a Level 2 destination. Weird fun fact about me: When I was living in London, my friends and I needed a last minute Easter break destination. The Brits do not mess around with their international holidays. Flights were extortionate. But I used my skillz and discovered we could fly direct from London to Tunisia for a pittance. We headed to Hammamet, stayed in a 5 star hotel for pennies on the dollar at the time and had one of those girls’ weekends that we are still talking about all these years later.

Population? 12 million.

Do it Right: Intrepid’s Premium Tunisia
Experience: Tunis: Carthage Roman Theatre, Villas and Baths Guided Tour

Turkey (Istanbul in Particular)

I just helped a client book a 5 star hotel in Istanbul, and the hotel pricing was remarkable. The Turkish lira has been weak against the dollar for several years now, and American traveler hesitancy has softened demand further — the result is that you can stay in a stunning property in one of the world's most spectacular cities for a fraction of what you'd pay in Rome or Paris.

Istanbul is extraordinary. Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, the Bosphorus, the food scene — it's one of those cities that rewards every day you give it. (Added bonus: I think many of the world’s best sales people and comedians live in Istanbul.) Add Cappadocia and you have one of the most visually dramatic experiences on the planet. Turkey is a Level 2 advisory (exercise increased caution) — the same level as France, Germany, and ITALY! This isn’t the trip for everyone but if you’re open to it, buy good travel insurance, be situationally aware, and go.

Turkey has 86 million people.

Stay: The St. Regis, Istanbul
Experience: Istanbul: Topkapi Palace and Harem Museum Tour with Ticket

Taiwan

Americans are nervous about Taiwan for one reason: the geopolitical noise between mainland China and Taiwan that shows up in the news every few months/years. (You are going to have to dig back into your high school education on Chiang Kai-Shek here.) As someone who has spent time in both mainland China and Taiwan, I sort of understand the hesitation. (In Taiwan, I’ve had tours interrupted by people yelling “Taiwan is part of China” and I’ve also had hotel breakfasts interrupted by people telling me that Taiwan is independent of China.) But let's look at what the actual advisory says.

Taiwan is a Level 1 — "exercise normal precautions." That's the same rating as Japan and Canada. Crime is low, the infrastructure is excellent, and every major western government currently puts Taiwan in their safest possible travel category.

Taiwan was occupied by Japan for many years, so in some small ways, it is more Japanese than Chinese. I say this carefully, as I am a foreigner. But in Taiwan, I found that English was spoken widely and there was a nice respect for personal space.

Taipei is one of the great underrated food cities in the world. The country is easy to navigate, deeply welcoming to visitors, and because American tourism is relatively light compared to Europe or Japan, you get an authenticity that's increasingly hard to find. The fear here is mostly perception-based, not reality-based — and if I can be a little opportunistic here, that opens up some bargains.

If you do go, get the oyster omelet whenever it is offered to you. And report back.

Population = 23 million

Stay: Mandarin Oriental Taipei
Experience: Taipei: Jiufen and Shihfen Half Day Tour (Local snacks and sky latern fun!)

Colombia

Medellín's transformation over the past 15 years is one of the great urban turnaround stories in the world, and yet many Americans still picture the Colombia of 30 years ago. Bogota is one of the most lively places I’ve ever been. (Great street art scene.) The coffee region is extraordinary. The dollar goes very far here, and the food and hospitality are genuinely wonderful. Level 2 — same as most of Europe.

Population = 52 million people.

Stay: I love a multi-centre holiday! Pair Sofitel Legend Clara Cartegna with Sofitel Baru Cartegna Beach Resort
Experience: Cartagena: History, Culture & Coffee Experience

A Final Word on Travel Opportunities Amidst Uncertainty

I want to be clear: I can’t promise anyone’s safety. The world is an uncertain place. (But insert the proverbial “You could step off the curb and get hit by a bus tomorrow.”) Keep in mind that the State Department's Level 2 advisory — "exercise increased caution" — covers the vast majority of popular tourist destinations in the world, including France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the UK. If Level 2 is stopping you from going to Colombia or Morocco, it should theoretically be stopping you from going to Paris, too. Most people don't think about it that way, and that asymmetry is exactly where the travel opportunity lies.

My advice: check the advisory level, buy comprehensive travel insurance, work with me to have everything organized in advance, and go. The world is large and most of it is open. Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad and I have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Before building my travel business, I spent 20 years in the investment management industry and over a decade living and working in London, England. I’ve personally traveled to 80 countries and now design thoughtful, highly customized trips for travelers who value expertise, access, and a seamless experience.

I offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation for travelers considering a custom itinerary or luxury cruise. Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

For travel inspiration and real-time updates, you can follow along on Instagram or connect with me on Facebook. I also share a curated list of travel products I genuinely use and recommend in my online store.

What I Offer…

Custom itinerary design for complex, multi-stop trips
VIP hotel benefits through Virtuoso and preferred partner programs (including complimentary breakfast, hotel credits, and priority for upgrades where available)
Luxury ocean, river, and expedition cruises with added onboard credits
Vetted villa rentals with concierge services worldwide
Private guides, small-group touring, and unique local experiences
Private aviation and yacht charters through trusted partners
Airport transfers, VIP arrival and departure services, and full ground logistics
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I work best with travelers who want expert planning, trusted partnerships, and someone in their corner from start to finish. That’s what I am best at! Ready to talk travel? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

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