(KNUE-FM) Traveling is one of my favorite things in life. Going to new places and eating new foods can be so much fun. And we are very fortunate here in Texas as we have so many big airports that can get us to just about any destination in the world quickly. But recently there was a warning issues by the U.S. Department of State and if you have any upcoming traveling plans you should know about this.

Warning for All Texans Traveling Abroad

According to KHOU, due to the rising tensions in the Middle East, there is a worldwide security alert. Basically, what this means is that if you’re planning to travel overseas, you’re being told to be extra cautious.

Beyond just travel, Homeland Security is also warning about the increased potential of cyber-attacks (or lone wolf attacks) against the United States and its citizens.

How to Best Prepare for Upcoming Travel Plans

Obviously, this news can be alarming for anyone who has plans to travel abroad soon. But there are things you can do to ensure you have the safest trip possible.

The U.S. Department of State is telling everyone to check the State Department’s website for any notes on specific destination as well as alerts that could be new.

While we can’t be sure there is no danger when traveling to other countries, it’s important to do everything possible to stay safe.

If you don’t feel comfortable making a trip overseas at this time, change your travel plans. Don’t put yourself in a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.

The Official 2025 U.S. Government 'Do Not Travel' List

Traveling to unique and exotic places rather than the usual tourist traps can be quite an adventure. However, it's crucial to research your destination thoroughly.

While every trip comes with some risk, requiring you to mind your surroundings and take some precautions, there are some places you should probably avoid because the risks far outweigh the benefits.

The United States government has a convenient website that helps by listing travel advisories they have in place for countries all over the world, ranking the risk from Level 1 through Level 4.

You should NOT travel there if a country is issued a Level 4 advisory. As of May 2025, the countries below are on the 'Do Not Travel' list.

Gallery Credit: David Drew

Offbeat adventures: Travel to the coolest hidden wonders in every U.S. state

Fuel your offbeat travel dreams. Stacker found the coolest hidden wonders in all 50 U.S. states (plus D.C.) using data from Atlas Obscura.

[WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter private or abandoned property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing.]

Gallery Credit: Sandi Hemmerlein