Marjie Lambert, The Miami Herald's assistant travel editor, has traveled to all 50 states and 16 countries. She asked this of Peter Greenberg, who wrote Don't Go There! The Travel Detective's Essential Guide to the Must-Miss Places of the World (2009: Rodale Press, $17.95):

Question: In your book you point out a lot of unattractive qualities -- high crime, bad traffic, unhealthy air and water, infectious disease, fantastically high prices -- about a lot of places. But you also note that some of the world's great cities are some of the most dangerous by these measures, yet are still worth visiting. Tourists need to weigh the trade-offs: horrible pollution in China vs. its cultural treasures, the hurricane threat in the Cayman Islands vs. great diving, road rage in Miami vs. the South Beach party scene. You decided to go to Iraq, despite the danger, so you must have seen a positive trade-off. Are there places that you wouldn't go because they don't have enough assets to offset those liabilities? Any places in Florida you wouldn't go?

Answer: As a general personal rule, about the only places I would NEVER go are the places where NO ONE is in control. Libya? Of course, because I know who is in control. Somalia? Waziristan? No. Yes, there is always a trade-off, and nothing beats advance research coupled with a strong application of common sense when you travel -- which is what Don't Go There is hopefully all about. In this tough economy, it's even more important to give folks as much credible information as possible so that they can make independent, intelligent choices about their travels.

As for Florida, what's in Don't Go There? Some dangerous bacteria counts in Gulf Coast waters, some road dangers and of course, the constant threat of hurricanes. Does that stop me from going to Florida? On average, I find myself somewhere in Florida at least once every six weeks.

• 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Room 2106.

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