Red lineSafetyRussia
Russia: many governments advise against all travel
- Before you leave, check your own government's latest safety advice
- Check whether your travel insurance covers you
- Ignoring official travel warnings and going anyway
Because of the risks from Russia's continuing invasion of Ukraine (drone attacks, air-defence activity, limited return flights and more), the UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Russia; the risk of foreigners being detained has also increased. If you travel against official advice, your travel insurance may be invalid.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Russia travel advice — warnings and insurance
Red lineSafetyIceland
Iceland: keep away from waves, cliff edges and hot-spring vents
- Stay behind warning lines and tell your hotel your plans or register them with Safe Travel Iceland
- Going near waves, cliff edges and geothermal vents
These are the most common causes of accidents in Iceland.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Iceland travel advice
Red lineSafetyNepal
Nepal: you must hire a guide to trek in national parks
- Get a trekking permit and TIMS card
- Hire a local guide or porter
- Trekking alone in national parks and conservation areas
Breaking the rules can mean a fine or expulsion from the protected area; above 3,000 m there are risks from weather, avalanches and altitude sickness all year.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Nepal travel advice
Red lineSafetyJordan
Jordan: stay out of canyons in the rainy season
- From November to March, check the weather before entering a canyon, and wait at least a day after heavy rain
- If a flash flood comes, move to higher ground
- Entering a canyon after heavy rain
- Trying to wade through floodwater
In the rainy season, canyons can flood suddenly and are very dangerous; call 911 for rescue.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Jordan travel advice
Red lineSafetyChina
China: don't get physical in a dispute
- Walk away from an argument and call the police if needed
- Pushing, shoving or fighting
Whoever starts it, taking part in a fight can bring a fine or detention, and the injured party usually demands compensation.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: China travel advice
Red lineSafetyChile
Chile: no open fires in national parks
- Use fire only at permitted campsites
- Lighting an open fire outside designated campsites in a national park
You can have your tourist permit cancelled, be ordered to leave within 72 hours or be deported; starting a forest fire can also bring criminal charges.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Chile travel advice
Red lineSafetyBolivia
Bolivia: don't force your way through roadblocks
- Go around a roadblock or wait
- Driving or riding through a roadblock
Protests and road blockades happen from time to time.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Bolivia travel advice
Red lineSafetyBrazil
Brazil: don't go to city beaches after dark
- Take only a little cash to the beach
- If you are robbed, hand over your things and don't resist
- Going to city beaches after dark
- Taking valuables to the beach or using your phone in the street
Gangs carry out mass beach robberies known as 'arrastão'; phone snatching peaks between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Brazil travel advice
Red lineSafetyNorway
Norway: fires are banned in many hiking areas in summer
- Check the local fire ban before you set out
- Lighting a campfire where fires are banned
Police enforce the ban.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Norway travel advice
Red lineSafetyPortugal
Portugal: starting a fire is illegal even if it's an accident
- Watch for warnings in the wildfire season (April–October) and call 112 if you see a fire
- Lighting fires in the countryside
Can be punished with a fine or prison.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Portugal travel advice
Red lineSafetyPortugal
Portugal: don't go past cliff warnings
- Keep away from cliff edges and watch for falling rocks (especially in the Algarve)
- Ignoring warning signs and going near the cliff edge
The authorities can fine people who ignore warnings.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Portugal travel advice
Red lineSafetyPortugal
Portugal: learn the beach flags
- When the yellow flag is up, only paddle at the water's edge
- Swim at beaches with lifeguards
- Going into the water when the red flag is up
A red flag means no swimming; take extra care on unstaffed beaches.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Portugal travel advice
Red lineSafetySwitzerland
Switzerland: no fires during fire bans
- Watch for local fire-ban notices
- Lighting a fire during a fire ban
Starting a forest fire in a fire-ban area, even accidentally, can mean a fine of up to CHF 20,000.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Switzerland travel advice
Red lineSafetyNetherlands
Netherlands: don't swim in Amsterdam's canals
- Swim in designated swimming areas
- Jumping into a canal to swim
- Urinating by a canal
Swimming in a canal brings a €160 fine; urinating in a canal is also fined.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Netherlands travel advice
Red lineSafetyGreece
Greece: no fires, no barbecues
- Follow fire warnings when hiking
- Lighting fires or barbecuing in the countryside
Starting a wildfire is a criminal offence, even if unintentional.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Greece travel advice
Red lineSafetySpain
Spain: no dangerous stunts on hotel balconies
- Keep a safe distance on balconies
- Climbing over, crossing or jumping between balconies
The hotel will throw you out and you may be fined; travel insurance may not cover accidents on balconies.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Spain travel advice
Red lineSafetyAustralia
Australian beaches: swim between the red and yellow flags
- Swim only between the red and yellow flags where lifeguards are on duty
- If you don't know the conditions, ask a lifeguard
- Swimming at unpatrolled beaches or outside the flags
Outside the flags there may be rip currents, and lifeguards cannot reach you in time.
Not yet verifiedSource: Surf Life Saving Australia: beach safety signs
