With worries about terrorism, crime and political upheaval on the rise, it makes it difficult to choose a safe place to vacation. While there is no true "safe" place on earth, as crime and problems can happen anywhere, there are many places to travel that are quite safe. Here is a selection of the safest places to travel for families, for couples, for just about anyone:

Japan

With the lowest crime rates in the world, Japan is certainly at or near the top of the list of safe places to travel. Japan is also known as one of the most polite countries to tourists. With a great amount of variety in their climate, Japan is a great choice for skiers, snowboarders, foodies, seafood lovers and anyone interested in a unique cultural experience. The only down side is that with Japan's location on the earth, getting there can be expensive and with it's strong currency and popularity with tourists, it can also be one of the more expensive places to visit in terms of food, hotels and services.

Australia & New Zealand

With their unique location and climate, Australia and New Zealand have relatively low crime and stable governments. New Zealand in particular is a great getaway if you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings movies. Nearly the entire movie trilogy was filmed in locations around New Zealand. Like Japan, they aren't the cheapest places to get to, due to their location far away from many countries.

Europe

The popular countries in Europe, such as France, Spain, Germany and the UK are known to be relatively safe destinations for travel. However, there are areas of some cities that are known to have higher crimes rates. For instance, Paris is generally a safe city for tourists, as long as you stay in the well known areas. Travel outside the city center and there are some neighborhoods that have high crime rates. One drawback of traveling to Europe, however, is the different roads and driving. It may be wise to skip renting a car and stick to the subway, metro or bus system to get around. Many European countries have narrow roads and driving can be quite different and difficult for Americans, for instance, to get used to.

Iceland

Perhaps due to the extreme cold, Iceland has a very low crime rate and is most welcoming to tourists. It has a unique climate with many unique activities available. Also, a vibrant nightlife is a positive for many travelers.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong has long been a favorite of travelers. You get the best of both the West and the East in this city. Hong Kong has a low crime rate, unique and exotic foods and some of the best shopping (along with the best prices) in the world.