Help me plan my next trip - updated

[riverpestie]

Oooh, FI went to Egypt and he LOVED it!!!!!

If you went to Greece, when you would go? I am going to be there Aug. 8th through 16th. ;-)

Have you ever been to Borneo?

[bullygirl979]

Maybe I'm being a nervous nellie, but have you looked in to how safe some of these places are? I thought there was a lot of violence in Cairo right now.

Athens is cool but I think you'd only need a few days there. Not sure how long you are planning on gonig.

[kitkat1502]

I'm super jealous. Cairo sounds like an incredible place to visit, definitely on my bucket list so my vote is that.

[mcc]

When will the trip be? I would caution against Jordan in the summer. The Dead Sea becomes dangerously hot and dry. Most natives won't go there in the summer

[Deleted]

Those sound awesome. Although not on your list I'd vote for Santorini in Greece because I've always wanted to go there! I'm not sure how easy it is to get to though.

[bullygirl979]

May 8, 2014 14:45:30 GMT -5 @pdx18 said:

Those sound awesome. Although not on your list I'd vote for Santorini in Greece because I've always wanted to go there! I'm not sure how easy it is to get to though.

From Athens, it is really easy. And INCREDIBLY beautiful. Touristy, but beautiful.

[bullygirl979]

May 8, 2014 14:53:12 GMT -5 mp said:

May 8, 2014 14:46:56 GMT -5 bullygirl979 said:

From Athens, it is really easy. And INCREDIBLY beautiful. Touristy, but beautiful.

Not really realistic for my 3-4 days, and let's face it, I am mildly cheap. The flights to Santorini are $$, and the ferries look like they take quite a bit of time.

I spent 3 days in Santorini and 2 days in Athens and had more than enough time, I thought. I flew back and forth, though, which was a lot quicker than the ferry. 

[idahome]

Egypt is my dream travel location so it gets my vote. Can I hide in your suitcase for that portion of the trip? :-). Can't wait to hear your final choice!

[fuckyourcouch]

May 8, 2014 15:21:10 GMT -5 FormerlyRR said:

fuckyourcouch went to Egypt last year, I think.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It was 2012 but yep!
happy to answer any questions. 

[sweetchix]

I vote for 4. Niagara Falls, NY/Canada.

Seriously though, my vote is for the Dead Sea. I always wondered if people really float in it, lol.

[mcc]

May 8, 2014 15:39:34 GMT -5 sweetchix said:

I vote for 4. Niagara Falls, NY/Canada.

Seriously though, my vote is for the Dead Sea. I always wondered if people really float in it, lol.

Yes. You do. People even drown in it surprisingly. It's mostly older people who don't have you strength to flip over if they roll onto their stomach trying to get up.

[mcc]

May 8, 2014 14:53:40 GMT -5 mp said:

May 8, 2014 14:44:10 GMT -5 mcc said:

When will the trip be? I would caution against Jordan in the summer. The Dead Sea becomes dangerously hot and dry. Most natives won't go there in the summer

Did you visit the Dead Sea? I have never seen photos from your time over there.

I did years ago but never went with XH. It was awesome though. My parents went on a tour and loved it!

When I lived there we stuck mostly to the desert (Negev, there is also the Aravah). I rode camels there and stayed overnight with my mom in the Bedouin tents and went to Eilat with XH and then to Taba, Egypt.

[Deleted]

If you're looking at Northern Africa, I'd go to Morocco over Egypt. I know that's further, but I think Morocco is a better destination.

There are also direct flights from Istanbul to Cape Town Cape Town is an amazing city to visit and I highly recommend it!

[Deleted]

I have a friend who lived in Egypt for a few years, but I'm not sure this is the best time to go. If you want her information to chat with her, just let me know! She actually rescued a dog over there and brought him home with her.

[alleinesein]

Mumbai is only a few hours by plane from Istanbul and Turkish flies there

If you stay in the general area and want to do some gorgeous outdoor exploration head over to Croatia and spend a few days at Plitvice Lakes.

While Cairo is on my bucket list the political situation is still a bit too unstable right now and I would caution against it. Morocco would be a better choice for North Africa.

As for Israel and other parts of the Middle East....check the calendar before you go! September tends to be holiday season in Israel and lots of stuff is closed including public transportation. It would suck to travel that far and not be able to actually visit stuff because of holiday closures.

[udscoobychick]

May 8, 2014 15:48:05 GMT -5 mcc said:

May 8, 2014 14:53:40 GMT -5 mp said:

Did you visit the Dead Sea? I have never seen photos from your time over there.

I did years ago but never went with XH. It was awesome though. My parents went on a tour and loved it!

When I lived there we stuck mostly to the desert (Negev, there is also the Aravah). I rode camels there and stayed overnight with my mom in the Bedouin tents and went to Eilat with XH and then to Taba, Egypt.

DH first learned how to scuba dive in Eilat.  He loved it there.

mp, I don't think you can go wrong with any of those locations.  I have also heard that the touristy areas of Egypt are safe, but if you want/need to travel between touristy towns, you need to have an armed guard.  I don't know if that would be an issue for you.  I was only in Athens for a day (cruise ship port), but it was fun.  The travel board is good about giving recommendations, if you want more info about any of those places.

[locarb]

My bucket list includes floating in the Dead Sea. Let me live vicariously through you!

[twinsy12]

Wow what a tough decision!! I absolutely LOVED Athens, but Petra and Cairo are both on my to-do list also. I would probably wait to go to Cairo because it's not the safest situation right now, as others have said. Athens definitely has it's share of adorable stay dogs, but I would die to see Petra. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice!

[locarb]

Awesome, how exciting! Let the countdown begin!

[justkly]

So freaking excited for you. I can't wait to see pics!

[onedayatatime]

Thats awesome!


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[alleinesein]

May 9, 2014 17:05:24 GMT -5 mp said:

As much as I would have loved Cairo, I decided on Jordan! Tickets are booked. Now commence hyperventilating!

Awesome! I've got a friend from Amman. I can see if she has any recs for you if you want.

[Deleted]

Jealousy oozing out of my skin...

[idahome]

Can't wait to hear the details! This will be an amazing trip. Jealous!