Post: #1

So I wilL be in Israel this summer, and have 2 weeks to go visit another location. I prefer to hit up 1 spot and not spend the whole time in transit.

I have never been to the middle east.

My obvious choices:

Cyprus
Beirut
Istanbul/Izmir
Addis Ababa

I am leaning towards Addis because I love Ethiopian food and music, and the exotic draw of Ethiopia. I would be really interested to see the rift valley in Ethiopia as well as spending time in Addis.

Also, my bankroll is not too big. Addis means a relatively expensive flight, but I would spend less there compared to the other destinations I was considering since theyre more touristy/wealthier. From my research, this would mean leaving for Addis from Cairo on a ~$500 Flight. Flights from Israel run about 1500. Alternatively I cojld take a train though the Sahara to Sudan and travel by land to Ethiopia... Sounds fun

I have some acquaintances in Istanbul which makes me consider it as a strong second option to hang with locals...

I have never been to the M.E. or Africa before...

Post: #2

Go for Addis and Ethiopia. It's a great destination in every way.
Your money will go far there. What you spend in flight tickets will balance out when it comes to cost of drinking, eating, partying and hotels.
You might want to check the weather situation.

Istanbul is an awesome place and has alot of history, beautiful sights and buildings. But its not your budget destination. Especially when it comes to drinking and partying.

Cyprus is a beautiful island. Nothing more. Also expensive as fuck. Skip this one.

Beirut should be the Paris of M.E. I never got the chance to go, it has been on my list of places I would love to see. I have heard alot of good things about Lebanon. But considering the whole situation there, I would reconsider.

Post: #3

Beirut.

Don't get an Israeli stamp in your passport though.

Post: #4

(05-15-2014 07:54 AM)3extra Wrote:  Beirut.

Don't get an Israeli stamp in your passport though.

You'd have to go to Amman then fly to Beirut, then back the other way. It would be expensive.

You could go to Amman overland, see Jerash, Petra and Aqaba.

You can also take a bus to Cairo and back and no issues.

Post: #5

(05-15-2014 10:31 AM)Sp5 Wrote:  

(05-15-2014 07:54 AM)3extra Wrote:  Beirut.

Don't get an Israeli stamp in your passport though.

You'd have to go to Amman then fly to Beirut, then back the other way. It would be expensive.

You could go to Amman overland, see Jerash, Petra and Aqaba.

You can also take a bus to Cairo and back and no issues.

Probably $250 return Amman to Beirut. Check Skyscanner. I flew it one way and it was cheap enough.

Jordan is interesting, but Lebanon is far better in my opinion.

Interesting culture/history.

Good looking chicks.

Great nightlife.

Post: #6

great thread however take this example:

1)you land in israel, ask for no stamp at the airport. Will they accept that?
2) you cross to jordon via land , will they stamp your passport for exiting israel / entering jordan ?

3) you fly to beirut, if you have an israeli stamp you cannot go in (but if you go to israel with a lebanese stamp you can). the security is gonna question you about how you got to your original destination (i.e. Jordan) ? because if you have a jordanian stamp which specifically mentions that you got it by land, they'll know that you were in israel before. So the best thing is to fly from israel to jordan get an airport stamp there then fly to leanon?
am I complicating things or has someone done it before?

best

Post: #7

Metal,

Your ideas are basically correct. Lebanese officials will know if you entered a Jordan/Israel border city by land. Best to fly to Jordan or Cyprus then to Lebanon.

At least, what I have read recommends as much.

Post: #8

go to israel last or do what the other users have recommended.

Post: #9

Yeah, Beirut is excellent, no doubt. Nothing like the Corniche, Gimayze, Hamra.

Cairo is bigger, more funky, dirtier, a bigger range from rich to poor. Maybe more clubs than Beirut, too. Plus you have the pyramids. They are one thing everyone should see; they do not disappoint.

I'm biased, I'm living there now.

Post: #10

israelis don't stamp passports anymore..... they give you an entry slip/visa instead

go to beirut!
you can either fly from amman.....or fly from tlv to cypress and then to beirut from there.

i've flown from tlv to addis and don't remember the flights being that expensive. was a few years ago though.

egypt is hot as fuck during the summer, but if you do egypt don't travel by bus. you're better to fly although not cheap from TLV. AirSinai is the airline flying a couple times a week.

what are your priorities during this trip? game? or seeing historical stuff/sites?

Post: #11

What airline did you take from tlv to addis? On Skyscanner around $1,500 U.S. was the best I could find, if you have any cheaper recommendations that would be amazing.

Post: #12

In the summer months there is flights from tel aviv - addis , returning tel aviv for $650 U.S. with turkish airlines (which is pretty good airline).
What dates are you planing on going?


-rdp

Post: #13

(05-16-2014 11:02 AM)Sonsowey Wrote:  What airline did you take from tlv to addis? On Skyscanner around $1,500 U.S. was the best I could find, if you have any cheaper recommendations that would be amazing.

i flew direct on ethiopian airways (or whatever the name)