AS Christmas approaches, many people will be thinking about a sunshine break to escape the dreary weather.

But with many countries in turmoil and the threat of terrorism more real than ever, many people could be reassessing their holiday plans.

Following a spate of attacks in Turkey, Belgium and France this year, travellers will naturally feel worried about travelling to different parts of the globe as they plan ahead to 2017.

At home, the current threat level is graded as 'severe' - meaning an attack in the UK is "highly likely".

We have looked at some of the main tourist destinations and checked their current threat level according to the latest information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

The Foreign Office has four ratings when judging the threat of a terrorist attack in its travel advice: High, General, Underlying and Low.

So which holiday destinations are safe to travel to in 2017, where's not and what should you do?

Turkey

Risk level: High

More than 2.5m Brits travel to Turkey each year and while it is generally considered safe to travel, the nation has recently experienced an upsurge in terror incidents - culminating in the recent attacks in Istanbul.

At least 38 people died when a car bomb and a suicide bomber hit a police truck near Istanbul's Vodafone Arena on Saturday (December 10, 2016).

The FCO warns anyone travelling to Turkey should be aware of their surroundings and remain vigilant in busy places popular with tourists.

The FCO have also issued a warning against all but essential travel to parts of Sirnak, Mardin, Sanliurfa, Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Kilis and Hatay provinces as well as Siirt, Tunceli and Hakkari.

Egypt

Risk level: High

The tourist economy in Egypt has been rocked by several terror incidents - including an explosion on Pyramid Road in Giza on Friday (December 9, 2016), killing at least six police officers.

On Sunday (December 11, 2016) more than 20 people were killed in at bomb blast at Egypt's main Coptic Christian cathedral in Cairo.

The British Government has advised against all but essential travel, by air, to or from Sharm el-Sheikh.

This does not include the resort itself - which has increased security in place - but only air travel to or from it.

Aside from bomb or machine gun attacks, there is also the threat of kidnapping in Egypt - particularly in remote desert areas.

The Foreign Office has warned against travel to certain parts of Egypt.

On their website, it states: "The long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage-takers.

"The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage-taking."

Spain

Risk level: General

More than 12m of us from the UK visit Spain every year, with many heading to the beautiful, sandy beaches of Menorca, Ibiza, Majorca and the Costa Del Sol.

Despite suffering from terrorist attacks in the past, the country has recently managed to avoid the troubles of other Mediterranean countries.

A suspected ISIS collaborator was arrested by police in Majorca earlier this year.

The Moroccan-born man - who was detained by officers in Palma - is accused of promoting terror attacks in Europe.

The FCO says most visits to the country are "trouble-free".

Germany

Risk level: High

The FCO says there is a high threat of terrorism in Germany.

Around two million Brits visit the nation every year, with many heading to Berlin to visit historic sites and the iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Increased security has been put in place at German transport hubs, public buildings and major events 'as a precaution'. Officers are also patrolling Christmas markets.

On Friday, July 22, 2016, nine people were killed by a gunman during a shooting incident at the Munich Olympia shopping centre.

On Sunday, July 24, 2016, a suicide bomb outside a wine bar in Ansbach injured 15 people.

Belgium

Risk level: High

Up to 1.8m of us from the UK visit Belgium each year but the nation has recently been hit with a spate of horrifying terror attacks.

Belgium is ranked as a "high" risk from terrorism following bombings at a Brussels airport and metro station in March this year.

The explosions, which were the deadliest act of terrorism in the country's history, claimed the lives of 32 victims.

A further 300 people were injured in the attacks, which occurred at Zaventem Airport and Maalbeek metro station on Tuesday, March 22.

France

Risk level: High

France is the most popular tourist destination for British people with a staggering 17 million of us travelling to our European neighbour each year.

While the vast majority of visits are incident free and with pick-pocketing the major source of crime against Brits, the nation is under high alert from the threat of terror attacks.

Two separate but shocking attacks have also rocked France in the past 18 months.

Tunisia

Risk level: High

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Tunisia, following a suicide attack on a police bus last November.

There was also a terrorist shooting at a hotel in the tourist resort of Port El Kantaoui, near Sousse, last June, killing 38 people

Thirty of the victims were British.

The FCO advises against all travel to the Chaambi Mountain National Park area, the Tunisia-Algeria border crossing points at Ghardimaou, Hazoua and Sakiet Sidi Youssef, the militarized zone south of, but not including, the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba, and within 5km of the Libya border area.

It also advises against all but essential travel to the rest of the country.

USA

Risk level: General

Almost four million Brits visit the USA each year and aside from a “general” threat of terror, holidaymakers are also warned to wary of the weather and crime.

The FCO says: “Crime associated with the illegal drugs trade is a major issue in Mexican states bordering Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.

“Some foreign nationals have been among the victims of crime in the border regions, but there is no evidence to suggest they have been targeted because of their nationality.

“Research your destination before travelling, be vigilant, and follow the advice of local authorities.”

Italy

Risk level: General

A popular destination with Brits, Italy has a ‘general’ threat from terrorism.

However, the FCO says most attacks are carried out against ‘official Italian targets’.

It writes on its website: “There are isolated cases of domestic terrorism.

“Attacks carried out by the extreme left-wing and secessionist groups have generally been aimed at official Italian targets, mainly in the form of small bombs and incendiary devices.”

Denmark

Risk level: General

Last February, two civilians were killed in two shootings in the Østerbro and Krystalgade areas of Copenhagen.

Five police officers were also wounded in the shocking attacks, which are both thought to have been linked and ‘terrorist-related’.

The country is ranked as having a ‘general’ threat from terrosim.

“You should be vigilant at this time,” the FCO says on its website.

Greece

Risk level: General

There is a ‘general’ threat from terrorism in Greece, with Brits warned that attacks could happen in tourist hotspots.

The FCO says: “British nationals aren’t normally considered a specific target, but attacks could happen in places visited by foreigners.”

Croatia

Risk level: Underlying

Croatia has been given an “Underlying” risk level.

The FCO says: “Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.”

Portugal

Risk level: Underlying

More than two million Brits visit Portugal every year, with most trips ‘trouble-free’.

However, the FCO warns there is an ‘underlying’ risk of terrorism.

It also advises holidaymakers to be aware of street thieves looking to steal money and passports.