Jun 12, 2010 06:00 PMMiddle East - Planning part 3 - Lebanon
I want to enter into Lebanon by bus from the north (Latakia-Syria).
I plan to first stop in Tripoli for several hours.
The city was founded by the Phoenicians in 800 BC. The city has a rich history and many monuments. After visiting Tripoli I am going on to Beirut. I have already booked accommodation there for a few days.
The next stage in Lebanon to :
Jeita Grotto مغارة جعيتا
(Place recommended by all guides)
Byblos جبيل
(Advertised as the "oldest continuously inhabited city"). Probably 7,000 years of history.
Al Shouf Cedar Reserve
(I'm not sure if I have time to see too much because the terrain is huge)
At the end of travel to Lebanon:
Baalbeck بعلبك
(Town in Bekaa Valley also know as Heliopolis in Roman times)
and the journey to Damascus (55 km)
Jun 11, 2010 06:00 PMMiddle East - Planning part 1
I took a too long delayed trip to the Middle East. The plan includes the countries: Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. I decided to get there cheaply as possible and stay as long as possible.
The cheapest fly was in those around to Cyprus, but then fly to Syria was expensive, and the ferries do not run for 2 years.
In the end I bought a ticket to Istanbul (with a change in Vienna) in esky.pl on Austrian Airlines. It cost me 238 USD.
Next step: transiting through Turkey to the Syrian border.
I had to choose a bus and airplane - both in a similar price.
I chose the bus from Istanbul to Antakya (Hatay) for about $ 44 one way.
Bus leaving Istanbul at 7 pm and arrives Antakya at 11:30 am next day. The route is 1131 km.
Useful websites :
airline tickets
eSky.pl (languages : polish, bulgarian, romanian only)
Bus timetables and reservations (very complicated)
http://www.metroturizm.com.tr/index.php (turkish only)
Another bus operator in Turkey
http://www.neredennereye.com/karayolu/
From Istanbul airport to the center by metro
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Transport/ataturk_airport.html
Jun 11, 2010 06:00 PMMiddle East - Planning part 2 - Syria
My adventure with Syria begin the journey by bus from Antakya (Hatay) to Aleppo (Halab). It should take me 1-2 hours with crossing the border. After several days in
Aleppo حلب,
Latakia اللَاذِقِيَّة,
Ugarit رأس شمرة
I am going to Lebanon and Jordan.
The next stage in Syria to
Damascus دِمَشقُ,
Maaloula معلولا,
Sydnaya,
Mar Mousa,
Palmyra (Tadmur) تدمر,
Hims (Emesa) حمص
Krak de Chevalier قلعة الحصن,
Hama حماة
and comeback to Aleppo.
I booked by internet some cheap hotels :
in Aleppo - AlGawaher
in Damascus - Damascus Rooms
Useful websites:
Ministry of Tourism - Syria
http://www.syriatourism.org/index.php?newlang=eng
