Middle East Travel Forum

Hello,

I am traveling to Dubai in first week of June with wife and 3 kids (all under 7 years). I am looking for a budget hotel for 10 nights. I have gone through the reviews and so far Le Méridien in Deira Dubai seems economical. However, it is an apartment and as we are not looking forward for any cooking as such (and I don't see any other benefit of an apartment hotel), I would prefer a hotel room in similar price range.

My range is between AED 300-400. I would like the place in Deira or Bur Dubai, close to malls and other activities.


Regards,

Kashif

HI, ANYONE CAN TELL ME WHAT THE PREFER CURRENCY IN ISTANBUL. WHAT ABOUT THE PRICE FOR GOODS THERE ( SUCH AS SOUVENIR OR CLOTH ). IS IT HIGH?????????

ACTUALLY THIS IS MY FIRST TIME TO MIDDLE EAST.

PLEASE ADVISE ME. TQ

My appeal goes to anyone who lives in Lebanon.
First of all, sorry to hear about the fighting. I hope none is hurt and all are safe.
But how is the situation in common. Do you think this thing will blow over?

I travelling to Beirut in mid june, and hope that things have quiet down by then.
but to get an indicator on how things are I was wondering if anyone could help me with a few questions:
Is the airport open at this time(I heard it was closed)?
does the infra structure work?
are the busses driving?
are people going to work?
that kind of things....

any reply would be preciated.

thanks
Jonas

My partner and I have a 9 hour stopover in Dubai on our way home to Perth from a week in Europe.

We would like to leave the airport and do some exploring but the problem is our stopover is from 1am to 10am.


We would need to be back in the airport by 8am, is there anything we can do in Dubai in the middle of the night? Any 24 hour shopping centres or very late night markets.

Alternatively are there places thaat will be open before 8am on a saturday morning?

We are young and active and wouldn't mind a little bit of partying but would like to be able to see some of Dubai also.

Any reccommendations? Otherwise we may just get in a taxi and roam the streets for nine hours looking at things....

You mentioned that you did the walking tour in one and a half hours, did you have a guide, how did you organize this. I feel this amount of time will be enough for my husband and I in the heat although we would like to see the main attractions. How much did the taxi cost to take you there and wait and bring you back ?.
Thanks for your help.
Jacko 34

How does one carry money for tips while in a hot steamy Turkish Bath. Do you pay prior to services, during services or after. I am confused.

Does anyone know anything about this hotel? The price is very reasonable, so it looks like a good option, but is it a good hotel to stay in for a couple of days?

Ron

I am coming to Israel at the end of 2009 from the United States. I know the voltage in Israel is 220 Volts. I will be bringing my VHS/DVD collection and I want to buy a VHS/DVD player that is 220 Volts and plays American region tapes. My question is does anyone know of a good, quality brand or company I can buy one from. I don't exactly know where to buy a reliable one from and even if so, how could I test it here in Ohio, where everything is 110 Voltage. Does Israel carry them? Does anyone have any recommendations? Also, as of February 9, 2009, analog TV in the USA will cease and TV will go digital. We have to purchase a special converter box for our analog TVs or else get cable or satelite in order to get TV. Is this something that will happen in Israel too? I mean, if I brought a TV to Israel would I need to bring a certain kind to pick up the signal? Any suggestions? Thanks a lot.

Hi,

I am flying into the Adnan Menderes Airport and want to take a bus to Selcuk. My flight arrives around 24:00.

1) What is the safe and cheap way to go from the airport to the bus station?
2) Are there buses which go from the Izmir bus station to the Selcuk bus station at around 1:00? Is this safe so early in the morning?

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Hi, I am traveling from Izmir to Selcuk by bus and wish to leave the Izmir airport/bus station around 01:30 (1:30 AM). Are there buses that travel this early and is it safe? Thank you!

I read somewhere here that you can obtain a visa at the embassy in Tbilisi and that it is prox 3 days. Can any recent travellers confirm this?
Secondly, does anyone know if it is possible to get an azeri visa at the embassy in Ankara and if then how long does it take?
Last, What does a visa for Azerbaijan cost?
Regards Anna

I read that EU citizents do not need a visa to enter Georgia

I plan on going from Turkey to Georgia
Then visiting Armenia and come back
And then visiting Azerbaijan and return
Finally flying out from Tbilisi

Do I need a visa or can I purchase one at the border or should I go to the embassy?

I know this question has been asked before, but it seems that the rules change daily in these countries.

Kind regards
Anna

Is it possible to purchase Nesher Beer in the USA? Is alc./vol. at or below 0.5%?
I remember a beer called "Philadelphia Near Beer " that was 0.0% but I cannot find it anywhere, US or EU.

Gary Fogelquist
Seattle Washington, USA

Can you please confirm for me that U.S. Citizens do not need a Visa to enter the U.A.E.?

what boat companies are there for normal transportation from jounieh to larnaca by sea? not a cruise aimed for tourism, just for transportation.
thanks alot.

Hey everybody
I am an EU citizen, Denmark to be exactly and I have a few questions about visa for Armenia

Is it possible to purchase a visa at the border going from Georgia into Armenia?

I constantly read on official sites about visa questions that it is needed before hand, but so many here say otherwise.

Someone wrote that the minibuses/buses do not want you on board unless you show a visa, since it will slow them down at the border. Is this true?

I really need to know as there is no Armenian consulate in my country.

Hey everybody

If you are a EU citizen is it then possible to acquire a visa at the border from Turkey?

At which borderpost is it most convenient to purchase a visa if going to Aleppo?

How much would it cost?

Is there any hassle with getting a visa, or has anyone experienced problems?

Anna

I am sorry if this has been asked a thousand times, I am new to this forum and I am trying to find out how it all works... But why on earth do you have to have your temperature measured when leaving Azerbaijan? This sounds completely weird and absurd, almost Monty-Python-like... Must be a joke, for sure?

Can anyone tell me driving directions from Haifa to Ben Gurion? I seem to get lost every time I do this. Thanks

I saw the posting about taking "traveller's checks" to Iran from the UAE. I'm coming from Pakistan, though (Lahore). Can I get such checks here? Any other advice about how to access money in Tehran?

Does anyone know if their is a flower shop in Side and where it is situated ?
PLEASE let me know soon
/Nathicka :)

Is internet access readily available at residences in Dubai, can we get it like we do here in the states, thru cable companies and other internet providers? I read that it's highly censored but is it readily available and if so is it possible to use web cams to communicate with family at home?

Thanks!

Dear VT Members,

Are European Christan and Muslim allowed to Visit Israel. I was told Muslim will be turn away and be deport back to the European Countries but Christan also have problems. Can some give me better Idea of this Issue.

What are visa rules for visiting Israel??

Jay

How far Mubaraka from Esfahan?

Hello all,

My wife and I will be traveling to Syria in about 2 weeks and I had a question. Does anyone have any idea how the recent conflict in Lebanon will affect Syria tourism? I am not worried about saftey more about borders bieng closed, hotels bieng full or any other hinderence that could occur. Any insight that could be provided would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

MD

Hi there. We would like to travel from Iran to Armenia in june. Has anyone travelled this way by car ? Any experience to help us ? Now some questions about Armenia:
How is the weather in June ? (Especially Sewan Lake) Is it possible to swim there ? How long is it from Megri to Yerevan by car ? How much is the price of gas and petrol in Armenia ? Where do you suggest to see in our trip ?
Thanks for your helps. Mehdy

Hallo!

Has anyone reliable information on ferry services between Iran and Dubai? Links? Personal experiences? etc?

I assume that it might be faster and even cheaper to fly, but nevertheless I would like to do my trip by rail and sea.

Thank you!

Hallo!

Can anyone provide me links to institutions that offer Persian language courses during the summer? For the moment I only found the International Center for Persian Studies http://icps.ut.ac.ir/en/. Has anyone experiences? Is it better to go to Teheran or Isfahan?

Thank you!

Hi,
Next January i'm planning to go from Istanbul to Cairo, and other parts of Egypt, overland, stopping in Palmyra and Damascus in Syria, and Amman and Petra in Jordan, avoiding Israel, (and back again,no flying). Basically I would like as much information as i can possibly get about this trip, from people in those countries, or people who have done the trip. I would especially like to know about the visa situation in Syria and any safety aspects, accommodation on that route (budget, hostel etc). I,m from UK, a fit streetwise well travelled 62 year old woman, is that a help or a hindrance?. Thanks very much in advance.
Serena.

Hi all, I am a new member travelling to Dubai for several years for a work project, and while I am not a religious person I am trying to learn and I'm wondering if it's allowable to bring in things like bibles and other learning materials or is it not advisable?