Destinations

Ancient Grudge

Its all in this life
Joined
Jun 28, 2002
Messages
2,306
Location
(S)hatfield,England
I was just wondering as so many of the OT regulars are so well travelled, if any of you have been to the following countries and what you thought of them, as me and a mate are planning a three week holiday to them.

Thanks to anyone who answers :)

Jordan
Syria
Egypt
Lebanon
 
I have been to only Egypt out of that list.

"Mixed" feelings. The history and architecture was amazing. What I didn't like was being treated like a cash-cow. It is largely a cultural difference, but everywhere we went there was the expectation that we would, and could, give money for the most trivial things. I also found the bolshy nature of the market traders annoying. I realise they are trying to make a living, but no means "no".

Specific tips:
  1. Go to Abu Simbel. Its fabulous.
  2. Wear long-sleeved linen shirts and trousers. It is remarkably cool (better than shorts), and you 'fit in' better.
  3. If you are with a tour group, and they take you to a factory tour, you are not obliged to purchase anything just because they provide you with a drink etc. Be polite, but firm. Do not believe everything they tell you - we found that they would give us twenty reasons why their product was better than the ones in the markets, but they were lies (eg: 'market papyrus is made from sugar cane and will rot a week after you get home').
  4. Don't trust your tour guides. They are not taking you to a particular shop/factory to get a good deal for you; they are taking you there because they get a kick-back. Often 50% of the value of the sale. These factories will charge 3 to 4 times what you can get the same thing for in the markets.
  5. Food is fine; just make sure it is well-cooked.
  6. Be prepared to tip, but don't go overboard with it.
 
well its called the get shot quick tour :) what a lovely name

cheers ainwood

no-one else been to any of the countries on the list?
 
Well from what I learned, Beirut have some really good casinos not to be missed. Besides the land mines, that would be pretty much it.
 
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