Recapping the US State Department's July Travel Advisories

While many Americans were enjoying their summer vacations the U.S. State Department was busy assessing potential threats to travelers in July, reissuing or updating more than a dozen travel advisories for overseas destinations. Here's what you might have missed.

The State Department's most recent updated travel advisory for Ethiopia encourages American travelers to exercise increased caution (Level 2) when traveling to the African nation "due to sporadic civil unrest and communications disruptions." U.S. travelers are advised to avoid the Somali Regional State and are being asked to reconsider travel to Ethiopia's Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Region (SNNPR); the East Hararge region and the Guji zone of Oromia State; the Benishangul Gumuz and the western part of Oromia State as well as border areas with Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan and Eritrea due to the threat of crime, armed conflict and civil unrest.

Following periodic review, the State Department reissued its Level 1 travel advisory for Slovakia. Level 1 is the lowest level on the four-level scale and simply means that Americans should exercise normal precautions as they would anywhere.

Elsewhere in Eastern Europe, Latvia remains at a Level 1, with the State Department reissuing the latest advisory following a periodic review on July 25. You can rest assured that Riga and other places are safe to visit.

The State Department reissued its Level 2 travel advisory for the Netherlands in mid-July due to terrorism. The department simply warns of "possible attacks" that might target popular tourist locations with little warning. Nonetheless, the warning remains vague and nothing travelers should see as a reason to avoid the bustling Dutch nation.

Peru's travel advisory was raised from a Level 1 to a Level 2 on July 18 due to crime and this summer's Pan American Games, which are being hosted in Lima through August 11. Americans are advised to not travel to the Colombia-Peru border area in the Loreto Region nor the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), including areas within the Departments of Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, and Junin.

The African island nation of Madagascar is still considered a Level 2 destination by the U.S. government. The reissued travel advisory on July 17 warns of the potential threat of violent crime such as armed robbery in the following areas: "Antananarivo, Nosy Be, Toamasina (Tamatave) and Mahajunga; Ankarana and Montagne d'Ambre National Parks adjacent to Diego; Isalo and the general area surrounding Tolagnaro (Ft. Dauphin), south of National Route (RN) 7 and RN 27 (excluding the tourist area on the coastal roads between Ambovombe and Farafangana) and Batterie Beach, north of Toliara (Tuléar)."

Located between Romania and Ukraine in Eastern Europe, Moldova remains a Level 1 destination, with the State Department encouraging American travelers to exercise increased caution in Transnistria "due to the unresolved conflict between this breakaway region and the central government."

The State Department reissued a Level 1 advisory for Ghana on July 17 with some updates to Level 2 areas. The U.S. government encourages citizens to exercise increased caution in urban areas, intercity highways after dark and areas near the northern border in the Upper East and Upper West regions due to crime. Level 2 areas also include parts of the Bono East, Bono, Savannah, Northern, North East and Upper East regions due to civil unrest.

North Korea remains one of the few destinations Americans should absolutely avoid. The State Department reissued its Level 4 advisory (do not travel) on July 10 due to the very real risk of arrest and long-term detention of American visitors.

Albania remains a Level 1 destination after the State Department reissued its advisory on July 10. Travelers are encouraged to exercise normal precautions throughout but exercise increased precautions in the southern town of Lazarat due to crime. "The security situation in Lazarat remains volatile due to crime and violence associated with marijuana cultivation. Local police have limited ability to protect and assist travelers," the department states.

There's nothing scary about traveling to Albania's neighboring nation of Greece and the U.S. State Department agrees, issuing a Level 1 advisory on July 5. Exercise normal precautions and common sense and your trip will likely be a memorable one.

Another country you shouldn't be afraid to travel to, Egypt's Level 2 advisory was reissued by the State Department with only minor edits on July 2. Americans are still advised to avoid travel to the Sinai Peninsula, with the exception of Sharm El-Sheikh by air, due to terrorism. The Western Desert and Egyptian border areas should also be off-limits.

The State Department reassessed Malta and determined that it remains a Level 1 travel destination as recently as July 1. That means travelers should continue to exercise normal precautions while taking part in the European archipelago's must-do experiences.