Fun in a 'Stalinist Theme Park'
Apparently in an attempt to bring tourist dollars to a failed central economy, North Korea has opened its doors to the world. The only exceptions? "Few people are actually refused entry, unless they are a spy, a journalist or an American," said Ben Anderson.
From BBC News:
Grey apartment blocks, bugged hotel rooms, an erratic electricity supply and rumours of a secret nuclear arsenal - North Korea is not everyone's idea of a perfect holiday destination.
But plenty of South Koreans signed up for their first chance to visit the North's capital Pyongyang this week, and they are not the only tourists trekking to this isolated communist state.
The lack of fuel means that Pyongyang's streets are eerily quiet. In fact, according to Robert Willoughby - the author of the Bradt travel guide to North Korea - there has never been a better time to go.
"The number of things to see and do is growing all the time," he told BBC News Online.
There is no denying that a visit to North Korea is both expensive and difficult to organise.
And the situation is unlikely to improve any time soon, thanks to the country's almost pariah-like status within the international community.
But 1,500 Western tourists still visit every year, together with thousands more from Asia, and according to Mr Willoughby the country's isolation is the very reason they go.
Apart from the Byzantine visa applications and the constant (I mean, CONSTANT) supervision by a "tour guide", your trip to North Korea would be pretty darn excellent.
Pyongyang is the obvious first stop on any tour of North Korea. Its many statues and monuments - most of them dedicated to the now-deceased "Eternal President" Kim Il-sung - are a must-see.
In fact they literally must be seen, as the compulsory guides who accompany all foreign tourists are certain to include them in the itinerary.
You and your tour guide can partake of all the country has to offer. And it has so much to offer. You can witness a Stalinist state and the cult of personality. So why not try a trip to North Korea this year?
"It's not Torremolinos yet, but there's no place like it."