You were going to: Kenya
Why worry?A terror threat led to all flights by British airlines to and from Kenya to be suspended indefinitely on May 15. Currently the Foreign Office is advising against all non- essential travel to the country.
Where can I go instead?
For those who were considering a Jeep safari through Kenya's plains, the Ulusaba Game Reserve in South Africa might do the trick as a substitute - particularly for families, as it has special child-friendly safaris. You could also try chasing the white rhinos and desert elephants in Namibia's Etosha National Park, where leopards, cheetahs and giraffes can also be found. Botswana offers a wide range of safaris, but is keen on limiting the numbers of visitors to protect the environment. If you go there, don't miss the chance to take in the birds and animals that live in and around the water's edge on a river safari.
Of course Kenya is about much more than just safari. If you'd been planning on undertaking the mission that is trekking up the 5,199m of Mount Kenya, then perhaps you might consider going for Europe's highest summit instead - the awesome Elbrus in Russia. At 5,642m it looks down on the rest of the Caucasus mountains, and offers an immensely rewarding challenge - but one that should not be underestimated.
What else could compare with "the greatest bird show on earth," the flamingo hotspot in Kenya's Lake Bogoria, set in an area that's plentiful with geysers and springs? Well, how about a three-day 4WD trek through Bolivia's salt deserts at Salar de Uyuni? During this time you can take in three distinctly coloured lakes, each with its own flamingo population, a moonscape of geysers and then you've still got the added bonus of the strange sensation that is trampling on a desert of apparently endless white salt to boot.
How do I get there?
Ulusaba: Virgin Holidays (0870 000 0870) offer five nights, including flights and car hire, from £1,699pp.
Namibia: African Pride (01904 781500) organise all aspects of "fly-drive safaris", with inclusive two-week trips costing between £1,655 and £2,025, depending on date of travel.
Botswana: Sunvil Africa (020 8232 9777) can organise a variety of trips. Expect 10 nights at camps in Botswana, including flights from the UK, to cost from about £2,700-£3,400 per person (sharing).
Elbrus: Jagged Globe Mountaineering (0845 345 8848) offers an all-inclusive 16-day trip from London, starting in Moscow and finishing in St Petersburg for £1,895. They can also offer a variety of UK-based training sessions to get you the necessary experience before you go.
Salar de Uyuni: Andean Trails (0131 467 7086) offer a 20-day tour of Bolivia, which includes the 4WD trip through the Salar de Uyuni for £1,150, excluding flights - they can also provide airline recommendations.
You were going to: Indonesia
Why worry?
The bombing of a nightclub last October put Bali, previously seen as a welcoming, laid-back haven, on the no-go list, and was a stark warning of the risks for westerners in the rest of Indonesia. Additionally, the Indonesian government has recently declared martial law in the Aceh province. Foreign Office advice is that it considers there is still a high risk of terrorism directed against westerners, and consequently it recommends against all non-essential travel to country.
Where can I go instead?
Although it is hard to capture such a huge country in a single alternative, the beaches of Bali could be exchanged for those around Krabi in southern Thailand. Perhaps best known as the island setting for The Man with the Golden Gun, the beautiful coastline offers excellent rock climbing sites. Those who were looking for the rigours and panoramas of a Lombok volcano trek in Indonesia could look instead to Costa Rica's spectacular Arenal volcano, which has the added bonus (or challenge, depending on how close you want to get) that it can on occasion, be seen erupting. And wannabe jungle trekkers would do worse than to look towards Iquitos in the north of Peru, where the Amazon starts and the array of flora and fauna is simply bewildering. If you want to really get lost, then there can be few better places to start out.
How do I get there?
Journey Latin America (0208 747 3108) are experts in all types of travel in south and central America and can arrange full tours or flights only.
Peru: Flight only to Lima costs £583, with an internal flight to Iquitos for approximately an extra £50.
Costa Rica: Flight only to San José for £458.
Thailand: Travelmood (08705 001002) can arrange Krabi and Bangkok for 10 nights from £639 (flights, accommodation and transfers included).
You were going to: Morocco
Why worry?
A suicide bomb attack on a hotel in Casablanca on May 17 left over 40 people dead. The Foreign Office is still warning of the threat from international terrorism in urbanised areas, such as Fès, Marrakech or Casablanca.
Where can I go instead?
An obvious alternative to these cities is Granada in Andalucia, southern Spain. It's a city which mixes modern Spanish influences with Moorish-style architecture that wouldn't be out of place in Marrakech - a welcome legacy from the time over 500 years ago when Arabs ruled the city. The attraction of Marrakech's exotic proximity is also rivalled by Cairo and the apparently planned chaos that is Istanbul.
Those who had been thinking of escaping to the crescent beaches of Agadir would do well to hop a little way across the Atlantic to the Canary Islands. If you tire of the islands' black-and-white beaches, then you can also check out a magnificent volcano, Tenerife's Mount Teide, the glorious sand dunes of Maspalomas in Gran Canaria, or step out with the locals to enjoy one of the world's best carnivals.
All-action types who had hoped to climb North Africa's highest peak, Jebel Toubkal, may prefer to instead spend a few hours scaling Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have been given the ten commandments. This would leave ample time to take in some of Egypt's other delights, from the Valley of the Kings to the extraordinary diving offered by the Red Sea.
How do I get there? Granada: EasyJet (0870 6000000) flies Gatwick-Malaga from £110 return.
Canary Islands: Bridge Travel (0870 191 7125) can organise a variety of tailored packages to any of the islands. Prices for seven days in a four-star hotel (Vital Resort) on Gran Canaria start from £712pp, including flight from Gatwick, B&B accommodation and all taxes.
Egypt: For an overview of flights to Egypt, check out Cheap Egypt Flights.
You were going to: Hong Kong
Why worry?
Already in a spot of economic trouble, Hong Kong could well have done without the problems that have been brought by Sars. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has only recently (May 23) withdrawn its warning against travel to Hong Kong, saying the outbreak is now contained.
Where can I go instead?
If it's a fast-paced, modern city that you're after, Tokyo has it all - it certainly boasts the wonderfully Asian city experience of organised mayhem, a bewildering array of flashing lights and, well, air pollution. Like Hong Kong, it is also within easy reach of a number of areas of natural beauty and some immense temples. You could substitute planned day trips to Hong Kong's New Territories with the Fuji Five Lakes (which are around the northern side of Mount Fuji) and, instead of visiting the giant Buddha, take a trip to see the magnificent Kirigoyaji Temple.
If it's more a case of finding the best alternative to Hong Kong's cheap gadgets, and having a joyous foodie experience, it can only be Singapore, a city that has also shrugged off its colonial past and where high-tech markets sit next to the simpler delights of the varied local cuisine. Some of the best dining in Asia can be done with your fingers down in Little India or Chinatown.
How do I get there?Tokyo: Trailfinders (020 7938 3939) are currently doing a special offer price, flights-only for £404rtn to Tokyo.
Singapore: Try Asian Cyber Holidays to organise accommodation in advance. Justtheflght.com offer flights from London to Singapore for £448 return.
You were going to: Jordan and the Middle East
Why worry?
The high risk terrorists pose in the region was underlined by the terrorist attacks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13. The Foreign Office advises that the risk of attack may include chemical or biological materials.
Where can I go instead?
If you're thinking twice about a trip to Jordan in the wake of the region's recent troubles, you will struggle to find an alternative to the fortress city of Petra. Though it may not be carved from the face of sheer sandstone mountains, Ephesus in Turkey is nonetheless the best-preserved classical city on the Mediterranean. It was once the second largest city in the Roman Empire and is still a site to behold. Spain's highest city, Ávila is similarly full of history, but also still full of life. It's now a Unesco World Heritage Site and you can almost hear the tales its imposing granite walls have to tell from years of watching the Jews, Moors, French and Spanish fight over the town.
If it was more the desert landscapes which had attracted you to Jordan, then perhaps the Kalahari would be a more interesting alternative. Botswana's vast sand mass is thought to be 65 million years old, and its wilderness is such that, when you're there, you may feel as though you could be living in any one of those years. Lawrence of Arabia was filmed by the red sand cliffs of Jordan, but if they make a new version perhaps they'll choose Australia's Red Centre; it's as vast, arid and uninviting a place as you could wish for.
How do I get there? Ephesus: Cosmos (0870 264 6012) offers a Highlights of Turkey tour, which includes Ephesus - eight days from £479, flying direct from Gatwick and Manchester.
Ávila: Iberia (0845 6012854) flies Heathrow-Madrid from around £240pp.
Botswana: Sunvil Africa (020 8232 9777) can organise a variety of trips which include the Kalahari - 12 days including flights from the UK will cost around £2,700-£3,400 per person (sharing).
Australia: Qantas (0845 7747767) flies Heathrow-Ayers Rock via Sydney from £828pp in June.
You were going to: Mainland China and Taiwan
Why worry?
The WHO still recommends avoiding the following areas due to the threat of the Sars virus: Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia provinces (all in China); Taipei (Taiwan).
Where can I go instead?
China's traditional rival for centuries, Japan, is perhaps best placed to take much of its tourism away until the Sars outbreak is brought under control. Those who had been looking forward to a relaxing river cruise through the hills of China may be tempted by the soothing tonic of a visit to the "Japanese Alps" at Takayama, or by visiting a Buddhist retreat for the ultimate in mind therapy.
Though it can't be seen from the moon, Himeji Castle (near Kobe) is an impressive example of blending the man-made with its environment - it is the finest surviving castle in Japan and a Unesco World Heritage site. And, yes, it is big - although it is not quite the 6,000km of the Great Wall.
Although China may now be off-limits, fortunately the Chinese have taken their food and culture here, there and everywhere. Pretty much wherever you are there's a Chinatown nearby, and New York's is as good an example as any. With around 150,000 Chinese living there it's not surprising that at times forget you're in America. And if you get bored of the noodles, well, you're in New York, so you're not exactly going to be short of other types of cuisine to try out.
How do I get there?
Japan: Exodus Travel, (020 8675 5550) have a Japan: Ancient and Modern package which winds its way from Kyoto to Tokyo via Hiroshima and Takayama.
New York: Travelbag claims not to ever be beaten on flight prices to America, and are currently offering a special price of £185rtn Heathrow-NYC for travel in November or December this year. Flights for June start at £199rtn.
