I am thinking about a holiday and these are possible options. There would just be me and the Missus, so I would like to hear from anyone who has been.
We would be travelling as part of a group and the purpose of the trips would be primarily to see the ancient sites.
Specific questions are: How “touristy” are these countries - or will we have the place to ourselves?
Is alcohol easily available (it’s a holday after all).
But any observations would be welcomed.
My brother recently went to Turkey, and enjoyed it quite a bit. It’s kinda the same neighborhood.
I’ve been to turkey - It’s quite westernised, and secular. I’m not sure that these three countries are that alike.
Have you considered Croatia? The tourist industry is just starting again, there are a wide variety of holiday packages, and it’s a beautiful country with plenty of history to go round.
Croatia is a good idea.
My Missus is (amongst other things) a freelance travel journalist, so we get quite a lot of freebies offered to us.
That’s why we’re looking for places that aren’t really on the tourist route, but could be nice.
I shall have a google on croatia. Anywhere in particular you’d recommend?
I know somebody who went to Beirut with an amateur orchestra (her fiance was organising the trip), and said they had a fantastic time, and everybody there are just so glad to see tourism capable of existing once again.
I haven’t actually been, myself. I’ve just seen some interesting stuff on the telly and in the papers and it’s somewhere I’d like to go.
I am alleged to be going to Zagreb later this year - I have a Croatian friend who has been on at me for ages to go. He reckons it is beautiful and that the museums and art galeries and what not are fabulous and that eating out is great value and the nightlife is buzzing.
If you don’t want a city break, the Croatian Adriatic coat is supposed to be breathtaking.
Beirut once had a reputation as a very cosmopolitan and sophisticated city - sort of the Paris of the Middle East. To what extent that exists anymore I don’t know. Let us know what you find out.
this is from the website of the company I am planning on going with (they’re very good BTW). This doesn’t sound like my kind of holiday at all. Especially the third page (PDF document).
I would pay good money to watch someone tell Mrs Owl that she can’t wear what she wants.
http://www.exploreworldwide.com/docsXL/2004Dossiers/IR-CXL.pdf
Don’t know about Libya, but Syria/Lebanon are nice. Just aviod the “DMZ’s” near Israeal, etc. and you’ll be ok. Alcohol is readily available, along with an assortment of low-priced goods. The produce is a lot cleaner and organic than what we sell here so expect some flavor shifts. It’s probably a 20 hour flight but everythign else is good.
I’ve been to Syria as a tourist when I was very little, about 15 years ago. I don’t remember much so I can’t help you there.
I went to Lebanon when I was 15 (four years ago), and it was great! My mom lived there for 7 years during the civil war, so she knew her way around and knows the language, but I felt it was a great place to visit. I’m not sure how great a packaged vacation would be, but the country is amazing.
Everyone I’ve ever known that has been to Turkey has raved about it. Apparently it’s just beautiful and they like tourists.