DBWI: I'm Touring the Ottoman Empire

I don't understand why anyone would want to go to Iraq. Even if it was alot less violent. The whole place is a backwater. Trust me, I lived in Iraq until I went to university in Damascus, and you know what? I've not even been back to Iraq since then. Istanbul is a place you absolutly have to visit, but i've never actually been to the Balkans. I was thinking of going next year, can anyone recommend places to visit there?
 
Personally I'd recommend the Levantine coast, the historic and archaeological sites are without compare outside Constantinople (you should brave the tourists to see Jerusalem), the people are great and its a nice cosmopolitan region well prepared to deal with tourists (though french will be useful), fabulous nightlife in Beyrut and anywhere where you can pop from the beaches to the mountains in hours is worth a trip. I'd get the train from Constantinople via Aleppo to Damascus, across to the Lebanon and then down into Palestine.
 
You must see Ottoman Disco Laila in İmperial Capital.
White Russian dancer girls is so hot.
And drink Turkish Rakı cocktails.

 
Weel, you guys have certainly given me a lot to think about! This is going to be the best trip ever!:)
 
I am working in private security firm for İmperial Ministry of İnternal Security(Ottoman Turkish:Müdaafa-ı Dahiliye Nezareti).

Firm's name is ''New Janissary Order Security Corporation''.
 
Also, if you're a rail buff, the Hejaz railway is lovely. They preserved a lot of the original steam locomotives and rolling stock, and they're still used in the off season. It's quite fantastic.
 
One quick question before I head out-I was talking to a buddy of mine who recently visited Egypt. Or rather, he spent fifteen minutes raving about how it is such a wonderful paradise where the water is bue ad the sand is gold. I personally am semi-skeptical, especially since I only have three weeks for my whole tour. But since you guys and GNC (OOC:CNN) coviced me to skip Mesopotamia, I haveto ask-should a spare some time for the Khedavite?
 
One quick question before I head out-I was talking to a buddy of mine who recently visited Egypt. Or rather, he spent fifteen minutes raving about how it is such a wonderful paradise where the water is bue ad the sand is gold. I personally am semi-skeptical, especially since I only have three weeks for my whole tour. But since you guys and GNC (OOC:CNN) coviced me to skip Mesopotamia, I haveto ask-should a spare some time for the Khedavite?
I'd say, if you have time and money, go to Egypt. Cairo is a haven for tourists, and you can amuse yourself endlessly. Just don't go too far south- up the Nile past Aswan, things get a bit shady. Too many Mahdists looking to scam a fortune in ransom off of an unsuspecting tourist. The Sudan is a nice cultural site... just watch your back.
 
Personally I'd recommend the Levantine coast, the historic and archaeological sites are without compare outside Constantinople (you should brave the tourists to see Jerusalem), the people are great and its a nice cosmopolitan region well prepared to deal with tourists (though french will be useful), fabulous nightlife in Beyrut and anywhere where you can pop from the beaches to the mountains in hours is worth a trip. I'd get the train from Constantinople via Aleppo to Damascus, across to the Lebanon and then down into Palestine.

Don't forget the Levantine beauties! :D
 
Personally I'd recommend the Levantine coast, the historic and archaeological sites are without compare outside Constantinople (you should brave the tourists to see Jerusalem), the people are great and its a nice cosmopolitan region well prepared to deal with tourists (though french will be useful), fabulous nightlife in Beyrut and anywhere where you can pop from the beaches to the mountains in hours is worth a trip. I'd get the train from Constantinople via Aleppo to Damascus, across to the Lebanon and then down into Palestine.

I've always had this weird romatic attachment to Arabia, so you can bet that it is going to be a big part of my trip. I especially look forward to seeing as many Islamic holy and historical sites as possible, then hitting the clubs to tell the babes all about it.:D

I'd say, if you have time and money, go to Egypt. Cairo is a haven for tourists, and you can amuse yourself endlessly. Just don't go too far south- up the Nile past Aswan, things get a bit shady. Too many Mahdists looking to scam a fortune in ransom off of an unsuspecting tourist. The Sudan is a nice cultural site... just watch your back.

My only concer is the time; but the again, I'll only do this once. Danke for the advice.

Don't forget the Levantine beauties! :D

Like I said-cultural absorption is 90% food and 95% girls.:D:D
 

The Sandman

Banned
While Salonika is nice, if you're looking for a bit more modern of a Jewish experience I'd recommend Tel Aviv. Think like one of the kibbutzim that's moved on with the times, only it's a city instead.

And if you ever get tired of the fast pace and planned-city pretensions there, you can head over to the Jaffa half of the greater metropolis for a place that's a bit more down to earth. Two great tastes, one city, that's how I've always thought about it!

Plus it's on the Levantine Flyer line, which is the best way to get from Antakya to Alexandria. I recommend paying a bit extra and taking at least a full day apiece in Beirut, Haifa, and Tel Aviv-Yafo. And you may as well throw in another two days to see Damascus; I recommend transferring at Beirut for that.

If you decide to head further into the Balkans, though, might I recommend a visit to Sarajevo? It's a beautiful city, especially because it puts the lie to the ravings of the Serbian and Croatian ultranationalists about their "oppressed brothers" in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
Top