Travel in the Middle East

Of those countries, I'd only place Syria, Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan is safe, though) and Yemen in the "too dangerous" category.

In some of the countries, like Egypt, you should just be aware that some areas are probably best not to visit, but the country as a whole is fine.

Oh and Iran is among the safest of all the countries that you listed, probably safer than Israel as well

>>1259027
Add Lebanon to safe and nice
Add Iran to safe and nice
Add Jordan to safe and nice

Egypt is a toss up. If you're not a relatively young and strong male it's to avoid all areas. As a male you can do Alexandria, good parts of Cairo and the Nile delta. Sharm is good, too, but a lot of caution needs to be taken in Sinai. Dahab is a hidden gem, you can go there from Israel/Jordan. There should be a ferry from Jordan to Nuweiba/Nabq.

Keep in mind that they don't stamp your passport in Israel but if you have any Arab or Muslim stamp, be ready to go to additional security in Israel

>>1259027
I think you are getting a false impression of the danger because of the media, and because you arn't really comparing unrest by region

for instance the border regions of iran in the north east and south are basically warzones

but the country is huge, and tehran is safer than new york
EEgypt I believe is more or less the same

Turkey is almost all completely safe, my understanding is that there is some low level conflict int the north asociated with terrorists smuggling things

look at the kind of conflict
Are westeners targeted?
Are civilians caught up in fighting?

if it's just border police fighting with smuggelers there is little cause for concern unless you are going right up to the border

make your own call on what is "safe" but look at the statistics not just the endless horor story feed that is the BBC

>>1259027
Iran,Turkey and Jordan are safe. Egypt probably as well

You omitted probably the best option: Oman.

>>1259043
Why does everyone like Dahab so much? To me it sounds like a good diving spot and a hippie hangout, which has been commercialized. Is that not about what it is?

Also, why do you think Egypt is completely off-limits for anyone but young, strong males?

>>1259046
to be more clear, you may ask to get a stamp on a extra paper, so you won't have problems going to certain states on the arabic peninsula or Iran.

File: 20161010_122011.jpg (243KB, 1500x843px) Image search: [Google]

243KB, 1500x843px

>>1259136
Yes. It is exactly that. I am not sure about the commercialized part, but as I said Sinai is relatively depopulated from tourists right now.

There have been quite a few bombings of churches/Christians, airplanes, buses, kidnappings and beheadings the last decade (particularly few years). Either you have to be a male or know exactly what you are doing + you have a local to guide you, drive you. From what I noticed in my time there, it is full of young, unemployed, poor, Muslim men with no social skills and filter. I have met a lot of Western women and they are super sheltered and coddled by our society. In Egypt that safety net doesn't exist. Traffic rules don't exist, sexual freedom doesn't exist. Women have to change their clothes and attitudes when they're there. Males don't. Women (even native) have to go out in groups. It's a laundry list of problems that I just saw on the surface.

>>1259035
>Oh and Iran is among the safest of all the countries that you listed, probably safer than Israel as well
>probably safer than Israel as well

Lol what? Israel is a highly developed 'western' nation with top grade infrastructure and police/security presence. In what alternate reality is travelling in the Islamic Republic of Iran safer than Israel?

>>1259147
Sinai is a great place to die while taking a bus from Israel to Egypt.
You could get blown up on a roadside bomb or have your bus pulled over by fake cops who then shoot everyone on board.

It's one of thr best choices if you're looking for a violent suicide.

File: 1496681800448.jpg (34KB, 500x500px) Image search: [Google]

34KB, 500x500px

>>1259156

>be israeli
>get rocks thrown at you by angry arabs
>get stabbed by angry arabs
>get exploded by angry arabs
>get rammed by angry arabs
>get shelled by hamas
>get shelled by hezbollah

>be iranian
>praise the ayatollah
>live with your many qt wives
>chill when all the world superpowers REEEE at you knowing that you will raze anyone who even points a finger
>help your bros across the iraqi border fight of terrorists

>>1259162
Again, if you're a strong male and have some minor planning done, once you get to Dahab, the army will protect you.
Sharm is even more secure. When I was going by bus from Eilat -> Taba > Dahab > Sharm > Cairo I felt pretty okay, as there were 5 checkpoints on that stretch of road.

>>1259147
Alright, why do people like it so much?

I just think it's a bit much saying that it's only safe for a male to go there. Being strong and male won't save you from dying in a terrorist incident. But you're of course right about the issue with harassment

>>1259156
Yeah, but I think the risk of a terrorist incident is higher in Israel. Although I'm aware of the irony of me saying this today, when there has just been a couple of bombings/shootings in Tehran.

It probably depends where you go in each country.
>>1259166
But the army won't protect you if you're a woman? Dude, you really need to explain yourself, you keep talking about being a strong male

File: e75.png (448KB, 600x569px)

448KB, 600x569px

>>1259027
just stay out and go to cancun if you are such a huge pussy.

File: received_10207640662318877.jpg (205KB, 2048x1152px) Image search: [Google]

205KB, 2048x1152px

>>1259194
Cause it's abhorrently cheap and on the red sea and very near important historical landmarks and safe countries. How many more reasons do you need.

I keep saying you need to be a strong male because, as you pointed out - there will be harassment if you're a woman. If not worse. Being male eliminates that. Strong implies that the region is unpredictable and you need to take care of yourself. Women are essentially children who get by on their looks and/or money. In this region this may help or hinder. I went in there with the clear realization that I might die and I don't think a lot of people are prepared for this.

Yes, the army will protect you always, that was poorly worded on my behalf.

>pic related
Gas prices in Cairo, right next to the Pyramids
At this price, might as well be free t b h

>>1259035
UAE as well. It's japan-level safe I"m not even kidding.

>>1259403
What if you're a weak sickly man?

>>1259027
>Too dangerous
>>Turkey

u wot m8? yes there was some terrorist attacks but same thing happens in europe also other than life is it's pretty normal here.

>>1260011
That doesn't invalidate his point.

>>1259027
I worked in the UAE for a year and parts of UAE can still be interesting, Abu Dhabi has interesting parts, Dubai is shit. A trip out towards Liwa can you get you a taste of the deep desert without having to deal with the shithole that is Saudi Arabia.

Oman is amazing though, safe as hell, developed but not over the top like Dubai. I'd love to spend more time there.

>>1259156
Israel is developed for a third world country, but it can't compare to western nations still. It's not unsafe, but Iran is much safer. The people are also day and night, Israelis in general are rude and try to jew you at every opportunity. Iranians are just about the most friendly and hospitable people in the world.

Try not to get so butthurt at every single thing, Shlomo. It doesn't make you look good.

No mention of Oman?
>First-world country
>No terrorism, ever
>No political instability whatsoever
>No wars in the past century except trouble kicked up by the British, and one bloodless coup
>Sublime nature
>Including Djinn's Cave, Dhofar monsoon, and Musandam, three wonders of the world
>Epic castles to rival France
>Untainted endemic culture
11/10 destination

>>1260225
I'd totally go to Oman if it was more affordable. It seems like you more or less need a car (I don't have a driver's license) and accommodation is quite expensive

>>1259156
I fucking hate the Israelis on /trv/. Acting like the fucking local branch of JIDF.

FUCK OFF.

>talking about middle east on 4chan

>>1259156
Germany and UK are highly developed western nations with top grade infrastructure and police/security presence, yet they experience terrorist attacks every other sunday.

Nepal in contrast, is very lacking in police and infrastructure yet it's very safe to visit and you'd never experience a terrorist attack there.

See? your points doesn't mean shit

File: 969337_10201549160155586_775103792_n.jpg (89KB, 960x720px) Image search: [Google]

89KB, 960x720px

>>1260225
>>1260234

Oman is the greatest place in the ME if you like nature and outdoor activities. I hiked Wadi Shab solo for a few hours and fucking loved it.

I'm pretty sure Jordan is safe OP. At least I fucking hope so. I'm going there in a few weeks.

how are asians perceived in the middle east? from what i have heard, the people are ok with whites as long as they are not american and prejudiced against blacks. but what about asians?

>>1260298
How'd you get around and how much did you spend a day?

>>1260297
Fuck off back to /pol/. You're no better than Shlomo there. You underageds are not welcome here.

>>1259027
Ignoring the safety thing, some of those are not like the others. Cyprus and Turkey are not really middle eastern. Language, culture, food and history are very different to the rest of your list. Yes there are muslims in both but that is about all they have in common with the middle eastern arab region.

>>1260225
>No political instability whatsoever
Not yet. Nobody knows what will happen when Qaboos kicks it. I agree it's great, but you might want to visit soon-ish.

>>1260528
Not disagreeing with your point, only your criteria.
You could say the same things about Iran and Afghanistan; Middle East =/= Arab.

>>1260399
i'm not a poltard you idiot, i'm being objective here

>>1259166
These checkpoints are notoriously porous and problems persist, I would only take such a bus if there were no Hebrew letters on the side of it.

Perhaps there's a fairy he can just take to Cairo

>>1260587
Egypt from Cairo and down to Aswan and on to Sudan are safe areas, right?

File: IMG_20140614_134658.jpg (1MB, 3650x2190px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 3650x2190px

>>1260225
Oman is pretty neat, been there for work and really enjoyed it.

>>1260725
Safeish. It's not Libya or Yemen, but I would remain vigilant.

>>1260582
Terror attacks every weekend? No, that's not being a /pol/tard at all, no way. Stay on your containment board.

>>1260905
Greetings my friend

>>1260298
Did you jump off the waterfall at the end of it? If you didn't you're a wiener

>>1260297
>he thinks highly publicized terrorist attacks are a good indicator of security
>he ignores the fact that the UK and Germany have extremely low homicide rates, and Nepal only recently got out of a motherfucker civil war

Go back to /pol/

Is Lebanon safe and is Beirut good to go out and partay?

>>1261780
There was a thread about this recently. The answers to your questions seemed to be "yes", and "Beirut ain't Ibiza but you can try"

>>1259027
Iran is safe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbjVrm6XS_A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qUfealNPpY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHmF7_XayeU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2LEgowbzSc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYoa9hI3CXg

>>1261733
It depends where you go in UK and Germany. Visit now but not in 100 years.

>>1259027
Iran is safe
Turkey is safe unless you're Kurdish
I don't see why Jordan would be dangerous to be honest.
Qatar is dangerous now. There's potential for an invasion or coup.

>>1261878
Whoa, Iran looks based as fuck

>>1260905
Jesus the delusion. Get off 4chan and go wave your refugees welcome banner with your ANTIFA friends, dork

I kind of want to visit Bethlehem some time. Is travel to the West bank safe/sane currently? Google gives me conflicting answers.

>>1259027
No Oman or Bahrain?

I'm a white guy who went to Iran twice. Definitely an extremely safe country with very nice and open people. Nobody hates the West. If you're from USA, you need to travel by guide. All other countries are free to move (except Israel of course lol).

I can give you a lot of stories but I would just recommend to go there. Just do it. People will love you and you will constantly be invited to their houses. Also the women are really beautiful. In Tehran and other big cities they wear the hijab in a really loose way. Watch out with getting laid though, religious police might catch you.

Overall, a 10/10 experience.

>>1262375
> wear the hijab in a really loose way
all that eroticism

>>1259027
Jordan and Iran are definitely not too dangerous at all. Egypt and Turkey are also pretty safe by all accounts, though there is a lot of petty crime. Even Yemen isn't so bad most places, just stay the fuck out of Syria and most of Iraq.

>>1259027
>Relatively safe, but culturally quite westernized
>UAE
>Kuwait
>Qatar


Well yeah, but only if you stay in the hotel and get a taxi to/from the various shopping malls.

I'm planning a short trip to the Middle East. Tempting between Israel, Jordan and Lebanon. Which country should I pick?

Jordan looks really cool with Petra and the desert but the downside is that you're probably not able to do much at night.

Lebanon looks cool too but idk if there's that much too see? It seems that Beirut hasn't got a lot of sights.

Israel kinda has what Lebanon and Jordan have (city life and desert) but afaik it looks very westernized and I really want to expierence the Middle East to its fullest

>>1265214
Lebanon's amazing. Jordan too, and see both if you can, but Beirut remains one of the great capitals of the world in spite of the turmoil, less touristy but way more of a 'living city.'

>>1266524
I was in Beirut recently

Disclaimer in that I'm a Lebanese American, and I think Beirut is garbage

imo the city is a stinking, polluted hellpit which, while relatively safe, has nothing to see

there is a dearth of Western and Gulf tourists who used to prop up the tourism industry there due the Gulf launching travel bans on Lebanon. tourist industry effectively collapsed. nightlife is awful and centered around cliques of 20 or 30 year old upper class Lebanese who are only there for the summer

however, Lebanon is an absolutely beautiful country if you stick to the Jounieh-Byblos-Batroun coastal belt and want to hang out on the beach or check out Mt. Lebanon

i would have liked to go visit Petra. Im a 27yo 60kg white manlet, how's my risk of getting killed?

>>1260725
Once you cross the border with sudan, it gets a little less safe. Sudan is very beautiful but it is very underdeveloped. You need your own car, as local transport is pretty much useless here

>>1262186
I have been there, its fine if you are not an israeli
Israelis get assaulted there

Bethlehem is a bit of letdown, the local muslims build a mosque next to the birthchurch of jesus, and it plays prayers as loud as they can.

When i stoud next the place where jesus is supposed be born, all i could hear was "ALLLAHHHHHHH UUKAAABARRRR" so loud that i had to cover my ears

>>1266590
What do you base that on? The part of Sudan bordering Egypt seems kinda safe, and I've seen other people who have travelled with local transport. Planning on doing it next year

Syria's fine, if you go Damascus. I've went there last year, and everything was great. You might hear distant explosions from time to time, but remember that they're distant. The food's great, and it's pretty cheap. Remember to carry your passport on you at all times, as there are many searches where they need to see your ID all across the streets.

>>1266724
I have been to the sudan, i will say it was 4 years ago, and things change.

The more south east you get, the less organized it gets. Near the border with south sudan it is absolute chaos, and near the border with ethiopia is just corrupt and alot of theft. Everything ner egypt is okay

Oman!

>>1259156
I really wish jews were executed on the streets again.

this is getting fucking ridiculous. you people don't belong on our planet. fucking die already.

>>1267875
Did you do Egypt-Sudan-Ethiopia?

Yeah I know the border area between Sudan and Ethiopia is sketchy, but I'm hoping to be able to pass through without incident. It's not like I plan on hanging around the border for long

>>1267873

that's interesting, care to share some more about your experience there? Did you visit other places excpet for damascus?

>>1267918
It's kinda risky getting out of Damascus, aswell as useless.

I stayed at the Dama rose hotel, which was really great. I'd suggest exploring the old cities in Damascus, aswell as the crowded streets. Always have someone that speaks Arabic with you. ALWAYS.

A place I would suggest you go to if you want to learn about the culture of Syrians back then would be Qasr Al-Azm. Beautiful place, with lots of info about ye olden Syrian life.

The old market is a MUST if you ever go there. Almost everything there is handmade, with some items even made in front of you!

Overall, anywhere outside Damascus currently is dangerous, and not a lot of places are worth visiting for foreigners.

>>1261878
wtf I love Iran now

>>1259027
As a white European that just came back(landed just 6 hours ago) from a 7 day holiday I can tell you Iran(Tehran and Shiraz) are really safe and nice. Unlike what the Americans want you to believe Iranians are great people.

>>1259156
Iran is safer than Western Europe except borderlands of Baluchistan at this point.

>>1268214
You are cooked in the head mate!
Damascus is not at all worth the trouble, unless you are a hardcore disaster-tourist, or want to see cars explode.

Might as well go to yemen and somalia while you're at it, they have some good local food.

>>1268976
Thanks for sharing your firsthand experience. Quality posts like this are hard to come by when there's so much shitposting going around.

>>1259027
just go to syria or iraq because its so nice there. natural selection

>>1266593
Ultimate kek

>>1259027
Cairo is still great. I was there a few weeks ago. There are few tourists except for Chinese (but face it they're fucking everywhere). You really get the ME experience there and you can probably do a trip southwards along the Nile. There's a lot of history there as well.

>>1261878
very cool

>>1262375
Can you elaborate on needing a guide and the religious police? Is a guide mandatory or just highly recommended? What's the worst thing the religious police will do to an American?

>>1269447
Quoth wiki
>British, Canadian and American citizens are required to be escorted by a government approved guide at all times. Independent travel for these citizens has been banned due to the closure of Iranian foreign missions in these countries.
Obligatory

>>1269447
Also, the religious police won't do much if you obey religious law (stay veiled up if you're a woman, don't go around saying "muhammed a shit" etc.)
The real threat is more being perceived a spy, which comes with taking photos of things you're not supposed to take them of (military stuff mainly)

>>1269807
Do they background check American tourists? I have close family members who work/have worked for the DoD