Messages: 78,265 - Threads: 14,517
posted
12-Jun-2008 16:43
by:
Irene_Adler »
last reply
09-Jan-2009 07:18
by:
Irene_Adler »
0
replies
,
5,484
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 ...
more »
posted
24-Jan-2004 05:32
by:
Apollo »
last reply
15-Oct-2009 17:19
by:
a1 »
46
replies
,
91,186
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
23-Dec-2009 21:01
by:
shirazlover »
472
replies
,
39,144
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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
24-Dec-2009 09:21
by:
pippopan »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 09:21
by:
pippopan »
0
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6
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location: Syria
I was searching a bugdget accomodation in Damascus and I found this website: www.damascusroom.com; does anybody know something about this realy cheaper accomodation?, i just found something on the hostelsclub website.
Thaks
Filippo
posted
24-Dec-2009 08:23
by:
martinlc »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 08:23
by:
martinlc »
0
replies
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9
views
location: Syria
Hi Folks
Going to Middle East Oct 2010. Will be there three full weeks. (in/out of Amman) I want to visit Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria and I was thinking a week in each. My MUST SEE list is short and I ask you to help me add to it. So far I have Petra, snorkeling at Aqaba, Beruit, Baalbek, Damascus. Where else and why? Luckily I have plenty of time to get people's opinion. Never too early to start. Very excited. Single solo male traveler, here. Mid budget. Thank you
posted
24-Dec-2009 08:22
by:
martinlc »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 08:22
by:
martinlc »
0
replies
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6
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location: Lebanon
Hi Folks
Going to Middle East Oct 2010. Will be there three full weeks. (in/out of Amman) I want to visit Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria and I was thinking a week in each. My MUST SEE list is short and I ask you to help me add to it. So far I have Petra, snorkeling at Aqaba, Beruit, Baalbek, Damascus. Where else and why? Luckily I have plenty of time to get people's opinion. Never too early to start. Very excited. Single solo male traveler, here. Mid budget. Thank you
posted
24-Dec-2009 08:21
by:
martinlc »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 08:21
by:
martinlc »
0
replies
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6
views
location: Jordan
Hi Folks
Going to Middle East Oct 2010. Will be there three full weeks. (in/out of Amman) I want to visit Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria and I was thinking a week in each. My MUST SEE list is short and I ask you to help me add to it. So far I have Petra, snorkeling at Aqaba, Beruit, Baalbek, Damascus. Where else and why? Luckily I have plenty of time to get people's opinion. Never too early to start. Very excited. Single male, experienced traveler here. Mid budget. Thank you
posted
24-Dec-2009 07:40
by:
Wimmers »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 09:25
by:
chatul »
3
replies
,
21
views
location: Israel
Hey, I am in Israel for work (one year). Are there any low cost airlines to Kenia, Tanzania, Ethiopia? If not, other places in Africa. Don't get me wrong: I will also travel the Middle East extensively :-)
posted
24-Dec-2009 03:09
by:
jakevdvf »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 07:09
by:
marcopoloo »
1
replies
,
16
views
Hello,
Im am planning a trip through Eastern Europe, The Middle East and Central Asia over land and will be taking my handy cam with me.
The thing I am wondering about is filming permits.
Im not a film producer with a crew or lots of gear but Im wondering what the deal is with filming in some of these places and if some one can give me some information?
I have a small handy cam, a computer and a few hard drives.
Any help on the issue would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jake
posted
24-Dec-2009 01:59
by:
tourangelle »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 09:29
by:
tourangelle »
2
replies
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25
views
location: Israel
hi
I am sorry but It is again the same questions :
Is it easy to go to Jerusalem from Amman? Do you need a multiple entries visas from the Jordan Embassy?
do we have to take a package tour or could we go there by ourselves by taking local buses? I think we have to be careful with the day off saturday in Israel and Friday in Jordan?
Where are the best places to stay in Jerusalem? any Hotel ?
We want also to stay few days in Eilat, is it easy to cross the border ?
Do you know a simple, nice and comfotable hotel in Eilat (South beach)?
Thank for your help
posted
24-Dec-2009 00:28
by:
lonelytraveller01 »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 07:40
by:
amiriniran »
3
replies
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53
views
location: Iran
How is the situation in Iran right now, after what I heard in the news about the clashes and demonstration coming up? Is it still safe to travel to Iran at this moment?
posted
23-Dec-2009 09:30
by:
cannibal9 »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 02:43
by:
AndrewSmith »
2
replies
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60
views
Decent 3-star hotel in West Beirut?
posted
23-Dec-2009 07:43
by:
BurakI »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 08:53
by:
BurakI »
2
replies
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41
views
location: Iran
Hi all,
I will have two nights in Tehran, any advices? I will be busy in the day time, just nights will be free.
Thanks
posted
23-Dec-2009 05:29
by:
wannabe_traveller »
last reply
24-Dec-2009 05:38
by:
Mesha »
6
replies
,
100
views
location: Iraq
Hello, this is my first time travelling on my own and I am so confused. Mainly because I need my trip to be as cheap as possible as I am on a really low budget. So basically I am planning to go to Iraq via Turkey. I would be getting a return flight from London Heathrow to Istanbul which should hopeully cost about £150. After doing a lot of research on the Internet, I discovered a bus that goes directly from Istanbul to Erbil (Iraq), which would cost $110. Here is the link:
http://www.joaoleitao.com/iraqikurdistan/bus-istanbul-erbil-iraq-turkey-by-bus/
Ok so if all goes well, I would then need transport from Erbil to Baghdad. Now I am aware that this would be extremely risky overland but I really can't afford the expensive flight. As a matter of fact I don't even know how much the flight would cost. I tried to search on the Internet but can't seem to find anything. Also is there...
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posted
23-Dec-2009 04:08
by:
pinkgekko »
last reply
23-Dec-2009 04:08
by:
pinkgekko »
0
replies
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22
views
location: Saudi Arabia
If I transit from Qatar to Bahrain are there signs along the road towards the caves near Hofuf or are they generally easy to find? I can't find anything useful on the net, and I cannot get a half decent travel guide here either. If I plan a whole day from Doha to Manama (say on a Wednesday or Thursday), how much time will I have to visit more things in Saudi or stop along the road to look at some rocky outcrops? What else apart from the caves should I visit? Not interested in shopping and malls though, but rather in nature and history.
posted
23-Dec-2009 03:19
by:
iswim »
last reply
23-Dec-2009 05:10
by:
fluffy_bunny »
1
replies
,
44
views
location: Iraq
Hello,
just wondering, are the ancient sites of Nineveh, Mimrud, and Hatra untouched by the war? I am interested in ancient sites and mosques/churches. Any other ideas about what to see in northern area?
thanks,
antony
posted
22-Dec-2009 23:36
by:
buffybot_in_bei... »
last reply
22-Dec-2009 23:36
by:
buffybot_in_bei... »
0
replies
,
30
views
location: Jordan
Since 1 November 2009 you are no longer eligible for an extra 10 kg check-in baggage allowance on RJ flights if you check in at the 7th Circle RJ City Terminal. For some time already, the advance check-in (up to 24 hours before the flight) has cost JD 1.500 per checked bag. Given that the airport bus from the City Terminal costs as much as the airport bus from elsewhere in Amman there is now little reason for using the City Terminal at all - except if for some reason you want to get rid of your bag early.
I have also noticed that RJ has increased some fares by 20% starting 1 January 2010 though I have not checked to how many destinations this applies.
You can still take the bus from the City Terminal to the airport without checking in at the Terminal, though. Just take your check-in luggage on the bus. You can buy a bus ticket inside the Terminal from the check-in counters (ev...
more »
posted
22-Dec-2009 22:46
by:
Yakkalot »
last reply
22-Dec-2009 22:46
by:
Yakkalot »
0
replies
,
45
views
location: Syria
I just thought i would post this as the hotel is currently the lonely planet 'our pick' for Aleppo.
Normally I avoid anywhere recommended by LP like the plague, but I figured after a long period of austerity I would like a little luxury, so I stayed at the beit wakil hotel in aleppo.
On leaving I checked out to go to qalat samaan, and left left my bags with the 'secure storage room' and the staff there stole an MP3 player, headphones and two packets of cigarettes from my bag.
Not to mention that the laundry, after having it done, the staff just said 'oh, that form is old and those prices are wrong' and insisted i pay nearly double the list price.
I highly recommend you do not stay there.
Middle East: Destination information
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