Thorn Tree travel forum
Messages: 81,212 - Threads: 15,069
12-Jun-2008 16:43
Irene_Adler
last reply
09-Jan-2009 07:18
Irene_Adler
0 replies
5,928 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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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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13-Jul-2009 19:18
amiriniran
last reply
10-Feb-2010 16:28
shabroon
567 replies
51,085 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
I never travel with my vaccination booklet.
Did I read it is required for travel to Syria/Jordan?
10-Feb-2010 09:13
berlingot
last reply
10-Feb-2010 09:13
berlingot
0 replies
10 views
location:
Jordan
Does anyone know if luggage storage is available at Queen Alia airport, and if so, how much it costs?
10-Feb-2010 07:33
JustinC
last reply
10-Feb-2010 07:55
marcopoloo
1 replies
30 views
location:
Syria
Hi Guys, are there any bars or restuarants that serve beers or wine in Damascus?
10-Feb-2010 06:16
debsdebs
last reply
10-Feb-2010 06:16
debsdebs
0 replies
12 views
location:
Israel
Hi friends,
Can anyone recommend inexpensive, safe and clean places to stay in the Old City of Jerusalem? I will need a single room for 4 nights starting March 14th. Or, would anyone know of sources to find out about rooms to rent in people's homes that might be inexpensive? I'm hoping to spend less than $60 US per night if that is possible.
Thank you so much!
Julie
Hey now,
Can anyone explain the procedure for obtaining a Yemeni visa in Muscat (Oman)...or int the UAE for that matter?
My nationality is Australian if that helps or hinders things at all.
Kindly don't get annoyed if this question has been asked before. We all know the search functions on TT are useless, and I can't find a recent post discussing this particular question.
Incidentally, if anyone knows of boat details for crossing on to Djibouti, I would like to know. I am aware of the piracy issues in these waters.
Thanks.
Edited by: Milkjug
10-Feb-2010 00:34
kanyakumarin
last reply
10-Feb-2010 00:34
kanyakumarin
0 replies
16 views
location:
Iran
Hi!
Since a couple of days Turkmen Embassy in Berlin is not longer issuing transit visas anymore. As far as i know it#s possible to get transit visa ( we have Uzbekistan already) for Turmenistan 5-7 days in Iran. Can someone tell us the procedure as i couldnt find a note on the forum ? How long does its take? How much? Possible to get at the border? Do we need i guide for transit?
Thanks a lot for help... Cheers Sandra
09-Feb-2010 23:27
travellers3
last reply
10-Feb-2010 09:27
nusnus
4 replies
63 views
location:
Syria
Flights from the UK to Damascus are coming in really expensive. Can anyone suggest a way around this? e.g. flying into a different airport, flying into a neighbouring country then over-land, any ideas welcomed.
We're looking for ideas for a 2 week break.
Thanks
09-Feb-2010 22:11
johninessex
last reply
10-Feb-2010 04:42
bri_guy
4 replies
48 views
location:
United Arab Emirates
Hi everyone
I'm off to Dubai in April for a week, and my mates over there want me to go camping with them in Oman. I need a visa to get into Oman, but do I need a visa to get back into Dubai FROM Oman.
I'm a UK national, with a british passport.
Hope someone can help, the UAE embassy website, don't take phone calls about visa enquiries.
Thanks
John
09-Feb-2010 21:51
theduc
last reply
10-Feb-2010 04:27
marcopoloo
2 replies
26 views
Hi everybody
With one friend, we begin our travel in beirut and we want travel to the Krak in syria.
What s for you the best solution and have you any idea about the price for :
1 Take a taxi from Beirut by crossing the northern lebanese - syrian border at Abboudieh, to the krak
2 Take a bus from Beirut(Chrales Helou) to the border and take a taxi from the border to the krak
Sepcial question : Have you any idea about the price if i take a taxi (or a bus ) from the Krak to Homs ?
Many Thanks
09-Feb-2010 20:32
sarahjireland
last reply
10-Feb-2010 03:43
Shuffaluff
2 replies
37 views
location:
Israel
Hi,
I'm trying to figure out how to get from Jerusalem to northern Jordan, through the Sheikh Hussein border crossing. Does anyone know of any buses? I know it's easier to go to Amman, but I am trying to get to Irbid, and the Allenby Bridge border closes too early on the Saturday which is when I will be returning. I will also need transportation for the return trip.
Jerusalem - Sheikh Hussein border - Irbid
Irdib - Sheikh Hussein border - Jerusalem
Thanks.
09-Feb-2010 17:39
davidhume
last reply
10-Feb-2010 15:56
davidhume
3 replies
43 views
location:
Syria
Has anyone driven on the roads in the Jebel Ansariyya mountains? I want to drive from the dead cities south of Aleppo down through Musyaf to the Krak des Chevaliers castle. I'm wondering if the roads are good, and how long this will take. Thanks.
09-Feb-2010 16:34
tony_i
last reply
10-Feb-2010 14:52
veralynn
3 replies
45 views
location:
United Arab Emirates
I'm in Abu Dhabi and I'm surprised that lamb chops aren't on the menu of every Lebanese restaurant.
Or are they?
Is there a special name for them or are they just not as ubiquitous as I thought they were?
Cheers.
09-Feb-2010 05:15
mazharhasan
last reply
09-Feb-2010 17:49
amelie9636
1 replies
37 views
location:
Iran
Next year me and family are planning to drive from Karachi to London. We are thinking of going via Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Switzerland and France. Will we have any problems with visas to drive ourselves and our own vehicle on this route? Any info from anyone who has done a similar journey recently appreciated. We are from Pakistan and want to know the Visa, Road Permits, Safety etc. related problems during this trip in detail.
09-Feb-2010 03:17
dmckenzie100
last reply
10-Feb-2010 04:17
marcopoloo
5 replies
96 views
location:
Syria
Ahlan!
I am a 21 year old Canadian girl who is learning classical Arabic at university in Canada. I will have completed two full semesters of study by the end of April. I am wanting to further my learning of Arabic by travelling to Syria by myself and spending a couple of months studying there at the University of Damascus. I am intending on enrolling for one 4 week program there (starting the end of June) and am considering staying for a second 4 week program.
I have been doing a bit of research for places to stay long term while in Damascus. As easy as it would be to stay at the Damascus Hostel I do not want to pay $400 usd or something around that a month, I don't even pay that much here in Montreal. All that I would really want is somewhere clean and safe with a private room. I will be coming to Syria by myself so what is the easiest way to meet people that are doing the sa...
more »
09-Feb-2010 01:56
Renate999
last reply
10-Feb-2010 12:59
2bibbie
4 replies
55 views
location:
United Arab Emirates
We have a 5 day stopover-trip through Dubai and Abu Dhabi planned for this May and want to stop in Al Ain for a night, too. However, the only hotels I can find on the interwebs are the 5 big 5-star ones. I found mentions of a guesthouse called Asfar Resorts, located on Al Masoody Street Opposite Safeer Mall but the only site that has prices says it's even more expensive than the Hilton or Rotana... (AED 675!! makes the Hilton a bargain at 'just' AED 400...)
Can anyone recommend decent (ie: clean, safe, but nothing fancy needed) places for a young couple to stay for just 1 night in Al Ain that are less expensive than the Hilton?
Posted By: VenessaP -- 28-Jan-2010 15:01
Posted By: VenessaP -- 09-Dec-2009 17:01
Middle East: Destination information
At the African, Asian and European crossroads, each Middle Eastern building, monument and natural setting is imbued with a history holding significance for someone: the spot where Cleopatra bathed; th...more »
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