Pakistan

There's no denying that some parts of Pakistan are tough prospects for even the most intrepid travelers. The western tribal region is the rumored safe haven of Osama bin Laden; and Karachi, in the south, continues to see its share of violence. But Lahore, just a few hours southeast of the capital, Islamabad, has roots that run deeper than current geo-political clashes. This city of six million was not only the ancient capital of the Mughal empire, but also the capital of the ethnic Punjab state, divided during the creation of India and Pakistan in 1947. Try to visit during Basant, an annual festival known for its "killer kites." For two days each spring, the sky is filled with colorful crafts flown by rooftop pilots determined to bring down their neighbors' kites. Stay alert, though—the falling string is razor-sharp and known to injure to unlucky pedestrians.