Five days in MIddle East to fill from Amman - Syria? Israel?

Hi all,

I will have five full days in Jordan or somewhere in the Middle East to fill before my partner arrives from Australia to meet me for a few weeks travel through Jordan, Egypt and UAE.

Would be greatful for for any advice and/or itineraries suggested - am thinking maybe Syria or Israel?? Thoughts??

I'm a sole female traveller and would have just spent two months travelling around Africa and this is my first trip to the Middle East.

Cheers

Do you want ideas for the five days or the five days then the few weeks with your partner?
If just the five days where are you going with partner, as you won't want to go to the same places twice?...

It depends on what you are looking for. I live in Israel, and for obvious reasons have never been to Syria. If you're interested in holy places (of any religion, whether you're religious or not), in the vibrant modern state, in the incredible mix of people and cultures... then it's Israel. For a more "Middle Eastern" experience, Syria would no doubt fit the bill better.

Note that if you decide to go to both, you would have to go to Syria first, and not tell the Syrians you plan to visit Israel - they won't let you in if they know. Israel will let you in, after much questioning, if you've been to Syria.

Can't help on specifics of Syria, as stated above, but if you want a suggested itinerary for Israel you need to give more information. Your interests, will you have a car (public transport in Israel is generally excellent, but sparse in some parts of the country), etc. If I read your post correctly, you're looking to spend five days. I'd say at least three days for Jerusalem. You could easily spend three months or three years there and not see everything.

THanks for the responses, I am looking for info for the 5 days only when I'm by myself. I would be relying on public transport and/or a local tour company if any good suggestions from thorn tree.

If I chose Israel then Jerusulem would be fantastic to see if could spend a few days there is easy/safe to get to on public transport or any suggested tours.

Otherwise was wondering how viable on public transport/tour in the short time frame I have a visit to Syria would be to see Damanscas, Palmyra and Croc des Chevaliers... I would prefer to see a few things well. Hope that clarifies,

Cheers,

israel and syria are awesome, i have been to both. but if you go to syria, you must get your visa in advance.
both are wonderful. you cannot go wrong with either. eventually, go to both countries. either one would be a great option. but due to visa situation, maybe israel this time, 3 days in jerusalem, one day for masada and dead sea and one day for bethlehem and hebron. but watch out for friday holy day in west bank and saturday (shabbat) in israel proper as transport is slim to nonexistent.
- julie

Just thought I'd point out, as far as I'm aware if you have an Israeli entrace stamp you will be refused entrance to UAE, so maybe Syria would be the safer option?
I could be wrong tho, the UAE is the one Arab country I've never been quite sure about, but I've been living in Israel over the last few months and there's been a few high profile incidences of Israeli sportsmen and women being denied.

UAE is variable on Israeli stamps. I know people who have gone in with them and I think officially they are ok although on the day they may get a bit arsy. Best to email your UAE embassy to check.

Great thanks for all the replies and info, sounds like Syria might be the better choice due to the Israel stamp potential issue - I am flying back to Australia out of UAE so don't want to risk not getting into the country.

Any suggestions for tour operators or accomodation in Damascus (to do day trips) that people have used and recommend would be appreciated.

Looking forward to the trip!

Cheers,