Messages: 77,163 - Threads: 14,306
posted
12-Jun-2008 16:43
by:
Irene_Adler »
last reply
09-Jan-2009 07:18
by:
Irene_Adler »
0
replies
,
5,308
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
,
90,112
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
04-Dec-2009 02:34
by:
amiriniran »
445
replies
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34,253
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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
05-Dec-2009 08:28
by:
nyfamily »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 08:28
by:
nyfamily »
0
replies
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7
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location: Jordan
We are a family of 4 planning a week in Jordan next August. Thank you to TT and jordanjubilee.com for getting us this far. We have the book on order to take with us. We usually try not to pack too much into a short period of time, but I am having trouble letting go of some of the things on our list. We are planning on renting a car and hoping to make brief stops along our planed route as things catch our eye. I have not found any info about the ease of finding public toilets along the highway so could use some info on that.
We looked at the ferry/bus route to Egypt eliminating the need to backtrack to Amman but it looked like a very long day with uncertainties about making connections so we decided to fly. I was also unable to find any info on flights from Aqaba to Cairo which seems odd. We have not booked that flight yet so I am open to suggestions.
I have done mi...
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posted
05-Dec-2009 07:53
by:
danielma »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 07:53
by:
danielma »
0
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8
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location: Israel
Hi
I am planning to travel overland with my vehicle from Jordan-Israel-Egypt-Sudan.
The tricky at here is on the enter/exit stamp of Israel, i get to know that we can request the the custom not to stamp on passport at the border of Jordan (exit), Israel (enter & exit) and Egypt (enter). But as i will have Jordan (enter) and Egypt (enter, at Rafah), which shows apparently i have entered Israel through Jordan and exit to Egypt, this may cause problem to me as my next country is to Sudan which has mentioned visa and entrance will be granted on those did not enter/exit to Israel.
I believe there must be someone had done the trip as mine, thus please provide me info on how should i enter/exit these countries so that it would not 'show' that i had entered Israel before.
thanks
posted
05-Dec-2009 07:49
by:
courtney85 »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 09:17
by:
amiriniran »
1
replies
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17
views
location: Iran
Hi Everyone,
I am planning a trip to Iran, and if my visa comes through, I will be leaving the US on Dec. 26th. From the research I've done, people I've spoken to, I don't believe I should have any issues, but given what has recently gone on with the nuclear negotiations, British sailors, US hikers, I just wanted some opinions on whether or not it is a good time to visit. Pardon my ignorance, I understand the media blows things out of proportion, and I would be in the country legally, but I would hate to get caught up in a tough situation.
Any information/advice you could give would be most appreciated.
posted
05-Dec-2009 03:34
by:
acalex_2000 »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 03:34
by:
acalex_2000 »
0
replies
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17
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location: The Palestinian Territories
Hello to everybody,
I am planning to go to the dead sea by car from Tel Aviv. We rented a car for a week. Is there any connection from the Dead Sea to Jerico? As far as I know I cannot go with an Israeli car in the Palestinian territories...so is there any possibility I can leave the car somewhere next to the dead sea and maybe take a bus/taxi to Jerico?
Thanks a lot
Alessandro
posted
05-Dec-2009 03:01
by:
bertyboy »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 03:01
by:
bertyboy »
0
replies
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11
views
location: Israel
Hi guys, does anyone know if there is a bus from the jordanian border at allenby bridge to jerusalem, and how often they are, I will be coming from amman in 2 days time, and wouldnt want to pay for a shared taxi as i assume they will be expensive. Plus, anyone know of a cheap, decent place to stay?
cheers
ian
posted
05-Dec-2009 01:05
by:
mmmarten »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 01:08
by:
mmmarten »
0
replies
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21
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Im planning to travel with my wife to Jordania / Israel and have few questions. maybe someone could have some quick answers.
1. We want to visit both countries - Jordan and Israel an i read that there maybe problems on the border when officers will note that You travel to israel with Jordanian stamps in passports. Do you have any experience/clues in crossing the border.
2. maybe its trivial, but is israel/jordan safe? I read in many sources that it rather is. but want to confirm.
3. this is only for polish audience but ... - have you got some clues how to get there from warsaw / any other polish city in a fasters and cheapest way.
4. What was your favourite place in Jordan / Israel which is not as popular but you definitly would recommend as a "Must point" of your trip.
Thanks for answers!
posted
05-Dec-2009 01:00
by:
isazyr »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 01:00
by:
isazyr »
0
replies
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12
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location: United Arab Emirates
Hi everybody!
We have a 14 hours transit time in Sharjah and we consider the possibility to engage a taxi for 8-10 hours to visit the east coast and/or other places around. We will be three persons to share. Is it possible to arrange this on arrival in Sharjah airport? Any idea of the cost? Is it per hour? Per day? Depending of the distance? Any information would be welcome!
posted
05-Dec-2009 00:34
by:
dardo »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 06:16
by:
Martin2008 »
3
replies
,
50
views
location: Lebanon
Hi,
I'm planning to go to Lebanon on 25th December and I heard you can be denied visa on arrival if you have a stamp showing you've been in Isreal.
I've been and didn't get a stamp on arrival or departure, however my Jordanian visa was issued in Israel and it says Tel Aviv Embassy.
Do you think this is going to be a problem?
Thanks for you help.
posted
04-Dec-2009 21:36
by:
milasoer »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 06:01
by:
marcopoloo »
3
replies
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37
views
location: Jordan
Did anybody knows Amman Palace hotel have a private bathroom?
Or shared bathroom?
How far from it to the Bus station? (going to Petra)
posted
04-Dec-2009 20:13
by:
eric92 »
last reply
04-Dec-2009 20:45
by:
marcopoloo »
1
replies
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48
views
location: Syria
Hi there,
The question has probably been asked a thousand times, but how much to I have to consider for a taxi ride between Damascus airport & downtown (Afamia hotel) ?
thanks in advance
Eric
posted
04-Dec-2009 15:55
by:
veenegus »
last reply
04-Dec-2009 20:52
by:
marcopoloo »
3
replies
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45
views
location: Syria
Hi everyone i thought i might ask .... Does anyone know how to apply for a Syrian visa in Tokyo. My boyfriend and I have British passports but live in Tokyo. I've looked everywhere but the embassy doesn't seem to have a website or anything!
posted
04-Dec-2009 08:47
by:
vanjan17 »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 08:28
by:
vanjan17 »
4
replies
,
106
views
location: Syria
Hello,
Two questions that I'd be really grateful for some advice on:
1) I will be travelling with two family members from Jordan to Syria overland (between Amman and Damascus) in late December. All three of us hold both Polish and American passports. We will not be able to get visas before arriving, but I understand we should have no problem getting visas at the border. Is this correct? Also, which passports should we show - does it matter? Are there differences in treatment or visa price?
2) Here is our current rough itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive in Amman.
Day 2
Sightseeing Amman in the morning and a trip to the Dead Sea in the afternoon.
Day 3
Head to Petra & stay overnight.
Day 4
Visit Petra; head back to Amman.
Day 5
Travel to Damascus overland from Amman.
Day 6
Day trip to Palmyra.
Day 7
Damascus.
Day 8
Go to Hama, visiting Krak des Chevaliers e...
more »
posted
04-Dec-2009 07:13
by:
alfredm »
last reply
04-Dec-2009 07:13
by:
alfredm »
0
replies
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27
views
location: Jordan
Can anybody recommend a good three star hotel in Amman? We are a family of four (wife, me, two kids 1 and 5 yrs old) and will be staying in December, so the hotel should have heating. Budget is up to 60-70 JOD/night.
We'll have a car, so it doesn't have to be in the city centre.
posted
04-Dec-2009 05:54
by:
junglekitte »
last reply
05-Dec-2009 02:24
by:
junglekitte »
3
replies
,
88
views
location: Oman
I am going to take a side trip to Oman sometime this month as a solo woman and really would like to hook up with a tour so I can see a lot of the country outside of Muscat. I have done a bit of research as well as browsing through this forum and haven't come up with anything other than extremely expensive customized tours. Are there more mid-priced or budget tours available that I can join in this winter? I am interested in photography, architecture, trekking, shopping for local handicrafts, music, eating local foods, desert camping, caving, anything along those lines! I would much prefer to stay in a more modest accommodation and use my money for shopping/eating/physical activities! :-/
posted
04-Dec-2009 05:26
by:
travellerwatanabe »
last reply
04-Dec-2009 05:26
by:
travellerwatanabe »
0
replies
,
29
views
I will be traveling to Asia for work and was thinking that I could get my airline ticket such that I could take a few days to spend 3 days in Dubai area. Most of the family or couples oriented things do not interest me, since I will be traveling alone. I do not want to spend more than US$2000.
My interests are fairly flexible, wilderness, sports, cars and golf.
I would welcome suggestions.
Cheers,
Middle East: Destination information
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