Thorn Tree travel forum

Middle East FAQ thread

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... more »

Another Iran airport security question drugs pills medication

Currently, are the airport security in Iran searching everyone's drugs? Do I need to bring my drugs in their original containers? I want to put all my pills in a plastic bag to save space, do you think this is wise? Most of my drugs are "over the counter", like vitamins, sleeping pills, herbal medicines, antacids, cold meds, aspirin, stuff like that. The reason I ask is that in some places, like Afghanistan, they might search everything, ask about every pill, and this takes up a lot of time. I am an American citizen and will be traveling on my US passport.

Where would you go in Dec 2010?

Hi!

I'm posting this in at least 2 other different branches so apologies if you've read it before.
I'm planning by next big vacation in 2010 and for certain reasons, I can only go in Dec, mid-Dec to be exact.

I'm still undecided as to the destination. My criteria:

• NO winter destinations (still reeling from the cold in 2008 when I was in Paris during the Xmas period)
• experience suitable for 3 pre-teen girls
• mix of culture, history and great landscapes (and bit of wildlife thrown in)
• my family loves the sea and would invariably spend the tail end of our vacation at the seaside (but this is not a MUST)

• Africa (was thinking Tanzania, (Zanzibar hmmm).... ut it'll be a pretty long trip with lots of air connections)
• Morocco (not sure of the weather there in Dec)
• Australia (safe bet, most likely the Gold Coast)
• New Zealand (ano...

Trusty Travel Agent

I need to transfer money to my travel agent in Iran but the bank account is in Dubai and I have been asked not to mention their name when I do the transfer as they won't be able to get the money due to embargoes. Is this normal?

Motorbike rental

Hi folks

Does anyone know if one can rent a motorbike in Syria and/or Jordan for one to several days? I have rented bikes in Asia many times and it has always worked out very well.

Syr/Leb/Jor in Fall 2010

Leaving Aleppo for Turkey

When I went to check out the buses from Aleppo to Antakya I found out they go at 5am (300SP) noon (350SP) and the guys in the hotel thought there maybe one at 3pm, but I didn't ask, too late for me. Needless to say there were taxi drivers plying their wares at the bus station, 500SP to Antakya, pick up and drop you at your hotel. As 5am is a seriously unfriendly hour and I figured I would pay the extra 150SP (3$US) for a taxi in Antakya anyway, I decided to go with the taxi. It took 2hrs, door to door!! AT the border crossing driver took over the paper work in true Arab fashion (there was'nt many pple there anyway), all we (there was 3 other pple of different nationalities) had to do was show our faces for verifiacation of photos. Very pleasant, hassle free trip! Two of the other pple, married couple - Greek and Lebanese, got off at a bus station in Antakya and went on to Instanbul in... more »

Yemenia flights again

Yemen this week will begin flights to the Socotra island

Have a nice day

Noha

israel for new year's eve

I will go to Israel for about 5 days for the next new year's eve.
Can you help me on the itinerary and the local tour operator to contact?
Any suggestion for the immigration procedure (I am italian, I will travel form London by El Al)?
Ciao

Need Oman roads update

We’ll do a 6 day trip around northern Oman in December with a 2wd rental car from UAE. I planning a route but I have read some roads are better now, but I don’t know where can find the update information.

Someone know about these roads are tarmac (or suitable with a 2wd car) and how long does it take the journey (quietly)?:

1) Road from Ibri to Sohar (via Yangul).
2) Road from Ibri to Rustaq.
3) Loop coastal road-Rustaq-Nahla-coastal road
4) Nizwa-Jebel Shams (is possible continue after to coastal road?)
5) Al Ain(uae)- Jebel Hafeet-Oman Hafit border crosing (I suppose is not necessary back to Al Ain).
6) Where is the lookout nearer Wahiba Sands with a tarmac road?

7) Another diferent question about Nizwa animal market. I’ve read in Explorer is on Friday, but LP report is on Thursday.

Thank you more »