I've recently read that an American can travel to the Middle East without getting his head blown off. This goes against what Americans generally believe. Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions--which countries might be the safest and most hospitable.

Michael R. Patton
N.W. Arkansas, USA
website: http://michaelpatton.tripod.com
dream steps blog: http://spaces.msn.com/members/dreamsteps
poetry blog: http://michaelpatton.tripod.com/poems

I am not sure if you are including Egypt in the Middle East but if you are I would totally recommned it to you. We have loads of Americans staying at our flats and thye have a great time here and the people welcome them. As Egypt is so dependent on tourism most Egyptians welcome any natinality.

Jane Akshar
UK Co-owner of Flats in Luxor
Tours and Accommodation

I spent two months in Turkey this summer(volunteering) and people absolutely loved to meet an American. The turkish people seperate our politics from the actual American people. very enlightening and refreshing.Plus, they love our money.

Jordan is an extremely safe country, also for Americans. You should not listen too much to all the bad things you hear on tv about the Middle East. The people that live in these countries in general are extremely friendly and will welcome you into their country.

Just go, enjoy yourself and prove the American media wrong!