Travel
5 Forbidden Places You Are Not Allowed To Visit
There are some places that are forbidden to visitors except you’re a researcher or a daredevil willing to part with your health or life in some cases.
Listed below are 5 forbidden places that you should take off your travel bucket list:
1. North Sentinel Island
⭐Why North Sentinel island is banned?⭐ North Sentinel Island is one of the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal. The heavily forested island is surrounded by coral reefs and lacks natural harbors.
But finding a harbour should be the least of your worries as you may not make it to the shore because the island is home to the Sentinelese, an indigenous people in voluntary isolation who have rejected, often violently, any contact with the outside world. They are among the last tribal people to remain virtually untouched by modern civilisation.
In January 2006, two fishermen fishing illegally in prohibited waters were killed by the Sentinelese when their boat drifted too close to the island. In November 2018, John Allen Chau, a 26-year-old US missionary was killed during an illegal trip to the restricted island, planning to preach Christianity to the Sentinelese.
The area is patrolled by the Indian Navy.
2. Snake Island
The official name of this infamous island off the coast of Brazil is Ilha da Queimada Grande.
The island is thought to have a population of about 430,000 snakes. However, recent estimates are much lower. According to some estimates, there is one snake in each square meter of the island. The island is the only home of the critically endangered, venomous Bothrops insularis (golden lancehead pit viper), one of the deadliest snakes in the world.
Queimada Grande is closed to the public to protect both people and the snake population; access is only available to the Brazilian Navy and selected researchers vetted by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, the Brazilian federal conservation unit.
3. Svalbard Global Seed Vault
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is a secure seed bank on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen.
The seed bank’s mission is to provide a safety net in the event of accidental loss of diversity in traditional genebanks due to mismanagement, accident, equipment failures, funding cuts, natural disasters, regional or global catastrophe.
The seed vault functions like a safe deposit box in a bank. The bank owns the building and the depositor owns the contents of his or her box. The 11,000-square-foot facility is protected by highly advanced security systems and access is strictly limited to a handful of employees.
4. Poveglia Island
Poveglia is a small island located between Venice and Lido in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy.
For more than 100 years beginning in 1776, the island was used as a quarantine station for those suffering the plague and other diseases, and later as a mental hospital. The mental hospital closed in 1968, and the island has been vacant since.
Poveglia has long been considered one of the most haunted places on earth. Rumour has it that the ghosts of plague victims, war victims, and the ghost of a murderous asylum doctor roam the decaying grounds.
5. Area 51
Area 51 is the common name of a highly classified United States Air Force (USAF) facility located in Nevada, United States.
Details of the facility’s operations are not publicly known, but the USAF says that it is an open training range, and it most likely supports the development and testing of experimental aircraft and weapons systems.
The intense secrecy surrounding the base has made it the frequent subject of conspiracy theories.
Access to Area 51 is completely prohibited, however, the area surrounding the facility is a popular tourist destination for alien enthusias
When I tell people I visited Bordeaux for my first trip to France, I’m usually met with surprise. “Not Paris?” they ask. And honestly? I have zero regrets. Bordeaux completely stole my heart, and here’s everything you need to know about this stunning city.
Why Bordeaux?
I’d been seeing Bordeaux pop up on my feed more and more the 18th-century architecture, the wine culture, the UNESCO World Heritage city centre. As someone who loves history, good food, and beautiful cities that aren’t overly touristy, it seemed perfect.
Spoiler alert: it absolutely was.
Getting There
I flew into Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, which is about 12km from the city center. The airport is well-connected, and getting into town was straightforward. I took the a taxi from the airport to my hotel.
Pro tip: Book your accommodation in the city centre. Bordeaux is incredibly walkable, and staying centrally means you can explore on foot.
Best Time to Visit
I visited in August, and the weather was warm. From what I’ve learned, the best times to visit Bordeaux are:
- Spring (April-June): Mild weather, fewer crowds, everything in bloom
- Fall (September-October): Harvest season for wine lovers, still warm
- Summer (July-August): Warmest but most crowded and expensive
- Winter is quieter and more affordable, but some attractions have shorter hours.
Getting Around Bordeaux
The city centre is compact and incredibly walkable. I did 90% of my exploring on foot. Bordeaux also has an excellent tram system if you need it, and the entire network is modern and easy to navigate.
My advice? Wear comfortable shoes and just walk. You’ll stumble upon beautiful buildings, hidden squares, and charming cafes that you’d miss otherwise.
What to See & Do
1. Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror)
The highlight of my trip. Miroir d’Eau is the world’s largest reflecting pool, located on the Place de la Bourse. It’s a shallow pool that creates stunning reflections of the surrounding 18th-century buildings.
When to visit: Sunset or early evening. The golden hour light makes it absolutely magical, and it’s less crowded than midday.
What to know: The pool alternates between a mirror effect and a mist effect every 15 minutes. Both are beautiful, but the mirror phase is perfect for photos.
Cost: Free
2. Cathédrale Saint-André
This Gothic cathedral is over 900 years old and absolutely breathtaking. The architecture is stunning both inside and out, and it’s one of the most important religious buildings in Bordeaux.
What I loved: The sheer scale of it. Walking inside and seeing the soaring ceilings and intricate details reminded me why I love historic architecture.
When to visit: Mornings are quieter. Afternoons can get busy with tour groups.
Cost: Free entry (donations welcome)
Pro tip: Climb the Pey-Berland Tower next door for panoramic views of the city. It’s 231 steps but worth it.
3. Place de la Bourse
This is arguably Bordeaux’s most iconic square, built in the 18th century. The symmetrical buildings, the fountain, and the proximity to the Garonne River make it incredibly photogenic.
Best for: Photos, people-watching, and just soaking in the atmosphere
When to visit: Evening when everything is lit up
4. Historic City Center (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Bordeaux’s entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and honestly, just wandering is an activity in itself. Every street has beautiful architecture, charming shops, and that quintessentially French atmosphere.
What I did: I just walked. No map, no plan. Some of my favorite moments were stumbling upon beautiful buildings, small squares, and local cafes.
Don’t miss: Rue Sainte-Catherine (one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets great for shopping)
5. La Garonne River
The river runs through Bordeaux, and walking along the riverfront was one of my favorite things to do. There are beautiful views, benches to sit and relax, and a lovely atmosphere especially at sunset.
Pro tip: Walk along the right bank (Quai des Chartrons) for the best views of the city.
6. Hire a Local Guide
This was hands down one of the best decisions I made. I hired a local guide for a walking tour of the historic center, and it completely transformed my experience.
Why it’s worth it:
- You learn the stories behind the buildings and streets
- You discover hidden spots you’d never find on your own
- You get insider tips on where to eat, what to see, and how to experience the city like a local
- It brings the history to life in a way guidebooks can’t
I learned about Bordeaux’s role in the wine trade, its 18th-century golden age, and so many architectural details I would have completely missed on my own.
Cost: Varies depending on length and type of tour (mine was around £12 for 2hours)
Where to book: I found mine through GetYourGuide, but you can also ask your hotel or search online.
Where to Eat
Le Bordeaux
The experience: This was my splurge meal, and it was absolutely worth it. Le Bordeaux is a fine dining restaurant with a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of the city.
What I loved: The views, the ambience, the attention to detail. Even the elevator was aesthetic! The food was incredible, and dining with that view at sunset was unforgettable.
Reservation: Book ahead, especially for the rooftop
Perfect for: Special occasions, romantic dinners, or treating yourself
General food tips:
- Bordeaux is known for wine (obviously), but also canelés – small pastries with a caramelized crust. Try them!
- Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner service (typically 2:30pm-7pm)
- French dining is leisurely – don’t rush it
- “L’addition, s’il vous plaît” = “The bill, please”
Overall: Bordeaux is more affordable than Paris but still a mid-range European city. You can do it on a budget (stay in hostels, eat street food, skip wine tastings) or splurge (nice hotels, fine dining, wine tours).
Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, 100%, yes.
If you’re looking for a French city that’s beautiful, historic, cultural, and not overwhelmingly touristy (looking at you, Paris), Bordeaux is perfect.
You’ll love Bordeaux if:
- You appreciate architecture and history, enjoy wine (or want to learn about it), prefer walkable cities, want a more authentic French experience
Where to Next?
Bordeaux has left me wanting to explore more of France. I’m planning trips to:
- Lyon – for the food scene
- Nice – for the beaches and French Riviera
- Strasbourg – for the Alsatian culture
But honestly, I’m already thinking about when I can return to Bordeaux. There’s something about this city that just stays with you.
Have You Been to Bordeaux?
I’d love to hear about your experience! What did you love most? Any recommendations I missed? Drop a comment below or find me on Instagram @ekomiamiblog, TikTok @ekomiamiblog, Youtube @ekomiamiblog
Nigerians have been banned from participating in the US Visa Lottery for 2022 by the United States government. This was contained in a document, ‘Instructions for the 2022 diversity immigrant visa program (dv-2022)’ obtained from the US Department of States website on Thursday, October 15, 2020, that can be accessed by reading the 19 page document by clicking here.
Read Also: There Should Be A National Policy On Use Of Social Media – Lai Mohammed
The reason given was that because more than 50,000 natives of Nigerians have immigrated to the United States in the previous five years and for DV-2022, persons born in Nigeria is not eligible to apply for the US Visa Lottery for 2022. Other countries affected by the ban apart from Nigeria are Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (including Hong KongSAR), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.
Read Also: PayStack Acquired By Stripe For $200M+
It should be noted that the only African country affected by the ban is Nigeria. This might also affect foreigners born in Nigeria as well since the document states that persons born in the following countries are not eligible to apply with Nigeria being among the listed countries.
Travel
Nigeria Lifts International Flight Restriction After Barring Several International Airlines From Airspace
The Nigerian Government had earlier postponed the resumption of international flights earlier scheduled for August 29th to September 5th. On Saturday, September 5, 2020, there was joy as the first international, non-essential passenger flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for the first time in over three months. The Middle East Airline (MEA) was the first international flight to land anywhere in Nigeria after the international flight restrictions had been lifted earlier, taking off from Lebanon. President Buhari had in March 2020 suspended international flights due to COVID-19.
Earlier, the Nigerian government had released the list of international airlines denied approval to operate in the country. The Aviation Minister listed some airlines that were denied entry into Nigeria. They include Air France, KLM, Etihad, Rwandair, Lufthansa, TAAG Angola Airlines, Air Namibia, and Royal Air Maroc.
Read Also: Nigeria International Airports Full List 2020
Out of the 10 airlines barred from flying into Nigeria, some like Air Namibia was barred because the country of origin of the airline has not resumed international flights or because there were was no COVID-19 Health Protocols yet for the country. The Aviation Minister gave the reason Airfrance and Lufthansa were not approved was that Swiss visa owners are not allowed entry and the same reason applied to KLM. The aviation minister also noted that passengers who fail to present a valid COVID-19 test or refuse to go for a repeat test may be placed on a travel watch list for six months. The Nigerian government had in August 2020 vowed to implement a reciprocity clause by banning flights and airlines from countries that had put similar bans on flights from Nigeria as nations open their airspace amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The aviation minister said only approved airlines will be allowed into the country’s airspace.
Approved Airlines In Nigeria
Some approved international airlines that have been given approvals to operate within the COVID-19 protocols in Nigeria include Middle-East, British Airways, Delta Airlines, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Egyptair, Air Peace, Virgin Atlantic, Asky, Africa World Airways (AWA), Air Cote-d’Ivoire, Kenya Airways, Emirate, and Turkish airlines.
Read Also: The New Cost of Nigerian International Passport Currently (2020)
Airlines permitted into the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja include British Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian, AWA, and Middle East Airlines while Egyptair, Virgin Atlantic, Turkish Airlines, AWA, Kenya Airways and Middle East Airlines airlines are allowed to operate at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Criteria used in approving or denying operation of the airlines include
- Foreign carrier operator permit: This is a requirement by the law
- Guidelines by COVID-19 Presidential Task Force
- Other guidelines including restrictions that came from other countries that will affect Nigeria operations in Nigeria.
Q & A6 years agoNigeria Coat of Arms & Nigerian Flag: All Facts You Should Know
Entertainment6 years agoDownload & Listen to “Jore” by Adekunle Gold ft. Kizz Daniel
Business6 years agoThe Biggest Container Ship Ever To Come To Nigeria Berths In Onne Port, Rivers State (Photos)
Q & A6 years agoNigerian Phone Numbers: Prefix For All Nigerian Networks
Q & A6 years agoThe 8 Hierarchy of Courts in Nigeria Explained: Functions & Jurisdiction
Politics6 years agoFull List of Nigeria’s Senate Presidents Till Date
Business5 years agoAll you need to know about bitcoin
Politics2 years agoBreaking: UAE lifts visa ban on Nigerians
Victoria Uwandu
August 12, 2020 at 8:19 pm
Great read!!
Thank you for sharing