The world is getting smaller! How wars, volcanic eruptions, floods, attacks on cargo ships and political unrest keep so many countries beyond their borders

From the treasures of Israel's Holy Land to the shores of the Black Sea, the wilderness of Iceland and the coastline of Ecuador, more of the world is now a no-go for tourism than at any time since the pandemic.

MSC Cruises announced this week that it is canceling all voyages that were due to transit the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, and will instead return its ships without passengers along the west coast of Africa to Europe.

Passengers will be offered refunds or alternative sailings.

Problems in the Middle East have almost completely halted tourism in the region, with Israel, Lebanon and Egypt's North Sinai off-limits to holidaymakers under travel advice from the Foreign Office.

Meanwhile, chaos in Ecuador has led to crime gang leaders escaping from prison, leading to widespread unrest and the declaration of a state of emergency.

In Iceland, volcanic activity has closed the popular Blue Lagoon thermal water attraction, although tourism continues elsewhere in the country.

Add to that the nearly two-year-old Russian re-invasion of Ukraine, which cut off the Black Sea's increasingly popular city break destinations of Kiev, Lviv and Odessa – with Russia itself, the world's largest nation, also on the other side. go list – and much of the planet is now off-limits.

Noel Josephides, chairman of Sunvil Holidays, who has been in the travel industry for 53 years, says: 'There is just so much volatility. It's not just about whether there is danger or not: it's about the perception of danger. People see what's going on and think, “Oh, we'll just skip it this year.” '

Troubles in Sri Lanka, where large-scale political protests have led to violence and deaths in 2022, have prompted the State Department to warn that “violent unrest could occur anywhere on the island at short notice.” This comes after an Easter Sunday terrorist attack in April 2019, which left more than 250 people dead in churches and hotels.

Enough to deter most people, yet Sam Clark, co-founder of Experience Travel Group, which specializes in Sri Lanka, believes the State Department is exaggerating the danger: 'There were widespread political protests, but not for 18 months and not even at the time. There was no danger to tourists,” he said.

Where there are real concerns about the safety of holidaymakers, Clark says his company will cancel trips.

This week, Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, said it is “hard to think of a time” when the West faced so many threats and “the lights are absolutely flashing red around the world.”

But if you're feeling adventurous, here are some safe ideas…

SOUTH AMERICAN SWOOP

ENJOY the highlights of two of South America's most beautiful cities: Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, on a week-long trip including the Iguazu Falls. Six nights from £2,011 pp including tours, hotels and transfers. International flights £900 extra (intrepidtravel.com).

CULTURE IN CAMBODIA

JOIN a 13-day trip including visits to the Angkor Wat temples, while enjoying riverboat rides and a stop in Phnom Penh, the capital. From £1,190 pp with some meals. International flights £700 extra (explore.co.uk).

TO THE HIMALYA

VISIT the Taj Mahal, Jaipur and Delhi before moving to Nepal to see the Chitwan National Park and the Himalayas on a 16-day trip from £3,549pp including hotels, guides and flights (exodus.co.uk).

CLASSIC COSTA RICA

DISCOVER the jungles, villages and rainforests of Costa Rica on an 11-day trip from £2,595 pp, including hotels, guides and some meals. International flights £750 return (responsibletravel.com).

SILK ROAD TREASURES

JOIN a guided tour of Uzbekistan that starts in the capital Tashkent and then continues to the Kyzylkum Desert and along the Silk Road to Bukhara. From £2,065 pp including hotels and most meals. Flights £450 extra (wildfrontiertravel.com).

ARCTIC FJORDS

A six-night cruise from Tromso in Norway gives you the chance to see the Northern Lights in Lofoten, with husky sledding, an Arctic train journey, all meals and flights included from £3,561pp (sunvil.co.uk ).