ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia may not actually have been the domain of the Queen of Sheba, as legend has it. And it may not be the final resting place of the Lost Ark, either. But it's the home of some of the most exotic ancient civilizations in the world -- and the land where some of our earliest human ancestors have been discovered. The country's landscape is covered with old ruins, remains and wonders -- ancient sculpted towers, Arab-influenced walled towns and early churches carved out of solid rock. It also has its share of wild places -- of lions and hippos and untamed rivers. As English novelist Evelyn Waugh once observed, Ethiopia is a country of... crazy enchantment.
Unfortunately, the country is still recovering from its border war with Eritrea. Most of the population is desperately poor and, periodically, unable to feed itself. Ethiopia's amazing attractions come with plenty of flies and starving beggars. Tourist infrastructure is still growing, but slowly. Although flexible, adventurous travelers will be enchanted, others will find traveling in Ethiopia too stressful to be enjoyable.