Sightseeing In Gaddafi Country

Even as the U.S. is clamping down on trips to Cuba, another forbidden land is opening up. The thaw in relations with Libya includes a lifting of travel restrictions, and this North African nation is becoming a hot spot for American travelers. The accommodations aren't exactly five star (yet), but the rewards can be great. The country contains ancient Tuareg settlements and some of the best Roman ruins outside Italy. Obtaining a visa can be tough, so for now it's best to go with a tour operator, like Mountain Travel Sobek, which led the first U.S. tour group into Libya, in April, and plans several more excursions this year.