Messages: 78,114 - Threads: 14,486
posted
12-Jun-2008 16:43
by:
Irene_Adler »
last reply
09-Jan-2009 07:18
by:
Irene_Adler »
0
replies
,
5,465
views
Welcome to the Middle East branch!
Welcome to the Thorn Tree's Middle East branch.
We hope you find plenty of useful information about this exciting part of the world here. It is highly recommended that new users check out the Middle East FAQ thread before posting a new thread as you may find many of the answers you seek there. It also contains helpful information about how to search the forum and post your questions, and obsolete information was deleted as recently as January 2009!
Keeping it travel-related:
We want to remind you that this forum is a place for travellers and travel enthusiasts to share tips, information, and their experiences about the Middle East. Though we understand and respect that many of our posters have strong political beliefs, we ask that you debate these in a more appropriate environment, like a political ...
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posted
24-Jan-2004 05:32
by:
Apollo »
last reply
15-Oct-2009 17:19
by:
a1 »
46
replies
,
91,050
views
The countries covered by this FAQ are: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel & the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
Please read this thread first if this is your first visit to the Middle East. There is some travel information about the Middle East in Lonely Planet's Destination pages.
If you don't find the information you are looking for in the FAQs, please start a new thread outside the FAQ thread - don't add your question to this thread. Read the tips below before you start your thread. Anyone who has information they believe needs to be in the FAQ section, please feel free to add your tips and info. We will go through and delete obsolete content when we can. Thanks!
*Tips for getti...
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posted
13-Jul-2009 19:18
by:
amiriniran »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 04:38
by:
countess27 »
470
replies
,
38,422
views
location: Iran
Hi.
I am trying to figure out what the 'real story' is with Iran visa especially VOA these days. It seems like there are now much fewer tourist visas being granted by Iranian embassies than before June 20, 2009 (when govt. crackdown on protesters began), while for all practical purposes VOA (airport visa) has 'ceased to exist' as well. So, if you got visa since July 1, please tell us your nationality, where you got visa, how long it took you, and what travel agency (if any) did you contact. For VOA however, please just indicate your nationality and the questions the 'Airport Immigration' asked you before stamping your passport or deporting you! And if you have also extended your visa quite recently since late June, please bring us up-to-date too. Thank you. Amir.
Edited by: amiriniran
posted
21-Dec-2009 17:55
by:
patrickanthony »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 17:55
by:
patrickanthony »
0
replies
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3
views
location: Iran
hi guys, i'm an irish passport holder trying to find out how to get an appropriate iranian tourist visa online,that will get me from pakistan to turkey in mid-feb to mid-march, or thereabouts, in 2010. i'm currently in brisbane australia but only for three weeks. i'm heading back to ireland from new zealand and woulld like to go the slow route.
at present i seem to be going around in circles.the phone number i got for the embassy in canberra from directory inquiries tells me it's not being used any more. also i'm reading some disturbing feedback about iranianvisas.com, and when i tried asking the embassy in wellington new zealand i was told to apply to the u.k. which isn't an option, any available time was used up getting indian and pakistani visas. i've also ploughed through the thorn tree forum but can't seem to find anything either current or relevant to my situation. could be ...
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posted
21-Dec-2009 17:06
by:
Numinizr »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 19:07
by:
Mesha »
3
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29
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location: Syria
We booked ahead at the Damascus Hostel but made no other advance reservations of any kind. As many others have already reported, the Damascus Hostel is an incredibly friendly albeit funky place in a great location in the old city. Raymond and his staff could not have been more helpful.
While there we pondered the best way to see Syria. Public transportation? Available and cheap but not so convenient for a trip with limited time.
Rent a car and self-drive? Much more freedom but it could be a case of the blind leading the blind with our group of four lacking any Arabic language skills.
Lastly, the most expensive choice but for four people not unreasonably so, we could hire a car and driver and have the freedom to be spontaneous. After discussing all our options among ourselves and with Abdul the guy in charge of arranging trips at the Damascus Hostel, we decided to go with the th...
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Hi,
I was wondering what the best route is to get to Petra from Jerusalem? We want to hit Petra at the end of our trip before flying out in Amman, and we are no sure if one route is better then another. Thanks.
posted
21-Dec-2009 12:28
by:
KKKaty »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 18:34
by:
vaniacroccia »
2
replies
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19
views
location: United Arab Emirates
Hey!
My friend and I are stopping in Dubai for 3 nights but I've heard several horror stories about the strict laws there. I'm not too worried as I am sure I can stay withing the law!
But I just wanted to check if there are any laws I should know? i.e. is swim wear allowed on beaches? Do I only need to cover up (I am female by the way!) if I enter a Mosque? i.e. I am ok to walk the streets in shorts and a vest? And I have medication that I will carry with me, will a doctors note be ok to cover this?
I might be asking obvious questions...but better safe than sorry!!
THANKS!
posted
21-Dec-2009 09:46
by:
joa1313 »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 18:08
by:
SPDL »
1
replies
,
21
views
location: Syria
Every book I have seen says that there are only two places to stay in Bosra -- the Cham or a sleeping bag in the theater. Well, the Cham is too expensive (and not my style) and I'm too old for the sleeping bags.
Does anyone know of anywhere else to stay in the Haraun?
posted
21-Dec-2009 08:10
by:
pony13 »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 08:10
by:
pony13 »
0
replies
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18
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location: Iraq
I intend to visit kurdistan in may 2010. Mainly I am interested in the border region to Iran east of Suleimaniah. Are the towns, Balxh and Tavale in the Avroman mountain region accesible for foreigners? (if necessary with a guide?)
posted
21-Dec-2009 04:41
by:
martinlc »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 06:08
by:
marcopoloo »
1
replies
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40
views
location: Lebanon
Hi Folks Is it possible to take public transportation from Baalbek to Homs/Hama, Syria?
posted
21-Dec-2009 03:24
by:
amanda50au »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 06:58
by:
mbgg »
2
replies
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37
views
location: Israel
Any suggestions for a good place to spend new years eve for a couple of females in their mid 30s?
posted
21-Dec-2009 02:56
by:
Laurence »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 02:56
by:
Laurence »
0
replies
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19
views
location: Oman
Does anyone have any experience with a car rented in Dubai and then driven into Oman? We want to pop over to Oman for a couple of days and would like to hear any recommendations on rental companies who allow their vehicles to go to Oman and how much extra insurance this is going to require.
Also, any problems with getting a UAE entry visa and coming back into UAE after 2 or 3 days or do we need some kind of multi entry visa?
posted
21-Dec-2009 02:54
by:
Laurence »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 02:54
by:
Laurence »
0
replies
,
18
views
location: United Arab Emirates
Does anyone have any experience with a car rented in Dubai and then driven into Oman? We want to pop over to Oman for a couple of days and would like to hear any recommendations on rental companies who allow their vehicles to go to Oman and how much extra insurance this is going to require.
Also, any problems with getting a UAE entry visa and coming back into UAE after 2 or 3 days or do we need some kind of multi entry visa?
posted
21-Dec-2009 01:34
by:
Maas »
last reply
21-Dec-2009 18:30
by:
Maas »
3
replies
,
46
views
location: Jordan
Hello -- I've unfortunately only got two days to catch some sights in Jordan, starting from and ending in Amman. My rough plan is to rent a car in Amman, drive early on day 1 to Wadi Rum, spend whatever daylight I've got hiking around there, then drive to Petra and stay the night. Day 2, early rise and spend the day at Petra, then drive back to Amman that night. A couple of questions:
1. Is it possible to do this via bus rather than car? Or do I need a car given my time constraint?
2. Is it doable to just spend the first half of day 2 at Petra and then hit Karak in the afternoon on the way back from Petra to Amman? Or is that squeezing too much into a very short time frame?
Thanks!
j
posted
20-Dec-2009 23:01
by:
stewdgg »
last reply
20-Dec-2009 23:45
by:
stewdgg »
3
replies
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51
views
I had read/heard that Americans cannot get VISAS on arrival entering Lebanon.
I will be entering Lebanon by land, between Damascus and Beirut.
According to the US State Department Website
"American citizens coming to Lebanon for tourism can purchase a short-term visa at the border or airport. "
Can anyone confirm this?
Thank you.
posted
20-Dec-2009 22:55
by:
stewdgg »
last reply
20-Dec-2009 22:55
by:
stewdgg »
0
replies
,
25
views
location: Lebanon
The idea of missing the ski season this year is eating at me a bit. My only chance to hit the slopes will be in Lebanon between now and New Years.
I was hoping to find some reasonable accommodation, lift ticket, and rental packages, for under $100 a night, but have not found anything close. I was looking at Mzaar. Do you have any recommendations?
It would be great to join another group of skiers or boards. Or if others are interested, we could join and split costs.
Thank you.
posted
20-Dec-2009 21:53
by:
Clare5 »
last reply
20-Dec-2009 22:39
by:
a1 »
1
replies
,
51
views
location: Israel
Hey there,
I'm getting into Israel (Tel Aviv) on Christmas Eve and am hoping to be in Bethlehem on Christmas Day.
Just wondering, does anyone have any experience of Bethlehem on Christmas Day? Are there a lot of pilgrims in town? Would there be significant waits at the checkpoints getting into Bethlehem as a result of tourists? I'm not at all religious but living abroad and figured, what better way to spend Christmas than in Bethlehem. Any advice or suggestions for what I should do with my time there?
I'm flying out of Amman on the 30th December so have very little time in Israel (am spending New Years in Beirut) so any suggestions people can give for what to do with the few days I've got would be much appreciated.
I'm hoping to see Petra, so will probably need to be in Jordan for the 28th December, which leaves me with four days to do Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Palesti...
more »
posted
20-Dec-2009 16:23
by:
stripes75 »
last reply
20-Dec-2009 20:34
by:
marcopoloo »
1
replies
,
53
views
Hello - my friend and I are planning to travel from Beirut to Damascus to spend 1 night in Damascus over New Years week. I'm trying to find any information on the most effecient way of getting from Beirut to Damascus. I've read about shared taxis, but have also heard that hired cars can be reasonably priced as well. Does anyone have any advice on making the trip? Also, anyone have any taxi services they've used successfully?
Thanks!
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