41.  Timbuktu, Mali

Although often proclaimed in songs and cartoons as one of the best places to visit, Timbuktu is currently out of bounds for tourists. Extremist rebel forces have been attacking people in the area and foreigners have been warned by their countries to wait for some time to pass before visiting.

Its strategic location is the key to this city’s power. Salt merchants still make the dangerous journey hoping to sell their wares. Though you might not be able to ship off to Timbuktu right now, the hope is that it will become available again in the future.