I’ve been to every dangerous, ‘banned’ country for American travelers — here’s what they all have in common
Barry Hoffner, a former investment banker and philanthropist, has traveled to nearly every country in the world, including most designated as 'Do Not Travel' by the US State Department, as part of a personal journey following the death of his wife. His travels, driven by a desire to connect with people beyond headlines, have taken him to war zones and politically restricted regions, often relying on local connections and careful planning. The only country he has not visited is North Korea, which remains closed to American travelers.
- ▪Barry Hoffner has visited all but one of the 21 Level 4 'Do Not Travel' countries designated by the US State Department.
- ▪He began his global journey after the 2017 death of his wife, Jackie, in a tragic accident in Botswana.
- ▪Hoffner, whose mother was born in Baghdad, visited Iraq as his first Level 4 destination and was welcomed by a checkpoint officer upon revealing his family roots.
- ▪He traveled to Afghanistan in 2022, the only country where he needed a formal ambassador interview to obtain a visa.
- ▪North Korea is the only country Hoffner has not visited, as it remains closed to American citizens.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Travel exclusive I’ve been to every dangerous, ‘banned’ country for American travelers — here’s what they all have in common By Reda Wigle Published May 4, 2026, 11:08 a.m. ET Investment banker-turned-farmer and philanthropist Barry Hoffner’s fate as a world traveler was decided by a coin toss a half-century ago. “After high school, I wanted to go to Hawaii to surf, and my best friend wanted to go backpacking in Europe,” the Sausalito, California resident told The Post. “He won, and that trip changed my life.” From that moment on, Hoffner lived and worked in Russia, France, Japan, and Singapore, took a two-year travel sabbatical through Asia, and hitchhiked through Africa with his late wife, Jackie, eventually establishing their educational foundation, Caravan to Class, in Timbuktu, Mali,…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from New York Post
