Lebanon, Iran, Jordan, Afghanistan or Iraq?
May 11, 2017, 7:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SAN
Programs: AA, SPG, UR, MR
Posts: 181
Lebanon, Iran, Jordan, Afghanistan or Iraq?
Going to visit my family in Warsaw, Poland from June 6-19, and after will have about 7-10 days free to travel somewhere else - I really liked Morocco and Turkey and just wanted to explore backpacking somewhere, so just wanted to ask your guy's opinion:
Out of these 5 countries, any that you would recommend (and why)?
Just looking for a new place to visit, I'm open to roughing it and have done lots of couchsurfing in the past, open to anything really.
Many thanks in advance for any recommendations! (Or any other countries I should look into)
PS - I have a US and Polish passport, I know it might make a difference for getting some of the visas.
Out of these 5 countries, any that you would recommend (and why)?
Just looking for a new place to visit, I'm open to roughing it and have done lots of couchsurfing in the past, open to anything really.
Many thanks in advance for any recommendations! (Or any other countries I should look into)
PS - I have a US and Polish passport, I know it might make a difference for getting some of the visas.
May 12, 2017, 4:33 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LAN
Posts: 172
Going to visit my family in Warsaw, Poland from June 6-19, and after will have about 7-10 days free to travel somewhere else - I really liked Morocco and Turkey and just wanted to explore backpacking somewhere, so just wanted to ask your guy's opinion:
Out of these 5 countries, any that you would recommend (and why)?
Just looking for a new place to visit, I'm open to roughing it and have done lots of couchsurfing in the past, open to anything really.
Many thanks in advance for any recommendations! (Or any other countries I should look into)
PS - I have a US and Polish passport, I know it might make a difference for getting some of the visas.
Out of these 5 countries, any that you would recommend (and why)?
Just looking for a new place to visit, I'm open to roughing it and have done lots of couchsurfing in the past, open to anything really.
Many thanks in advance for any recommendations! (Or any other countries I should look into)
PS - I have a US and Polish passport, I know it might make a difference for getting some of the visas.
Food excellent in Lebanon and Iran. People super friendly in Iran and Jordan, but fine in Lebanon. Price wise I think Iran is the cheapest but not sure as more tourists are there now. Amazing archeological, historical, cultural sites in each, probably the most in Iran due to size and history.
For me personally I loved Iran and liked Lebanon and Jordan.
May 12, 2017, 4:45 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
Posts: 2,366
I haven't been to any, but have been researching Iran. There are plenty of youtube videos. From what I know, Rick Steve's documentary is worth a watch, but it's nearly an hour long.
EDIT: The following is notable not because it's as good a documentary as Rick Steves'. But, one thing I've heard is that Iran people will invite you into their house etc. The guy who made this documentary visited a hospital, and was invited into the operating theatre to watch an operation!
EDIT: The following is notable not because it's as good a documentary as Rick Steves'. But, one thing I've heard is that Iran people will invite you into their house etc. The guy who made this documentary visited a hospital, and was invited into the operating theatre to watch an operation!
Last edited by OccasionalFlyerPerson; May 12, 2017 at 5:07 am
May 12, 2017, 5:52 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM, Hertz PC, Marriott Platinum/Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,657
Aside from what others have noted about Lebanon, Iran and Jordan, Afghanistan is a little more off the beaten path. Not sure about couch surfing there, but AQ (al-Qaeda) and Taliban are two local chains that offer some potentially interesting options. They're likely to be more on the long-stay side so might not fit your time frame. Likewise, in Iraq, two more hardcore cities, Mosul and Raqqa, are going through a transition.
May 12, 2017, 7:23 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,138
Aside from what others have noted about Lebanon, Iran and Jordan, Afghanistan is a little more off the beaten path. Not sure about couch surfing there, but AQ (al-Qaeda) and Taliban are two local chains that offer some potentially interesting options. They're likely to be more on the long-stay side so might not fit your time frame. Likewise, in Iraq, two more hardcore cities, Mosul and Raqqa, are going through a transition.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E...hikers_by_Iran
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016...-hostages.html
and of course:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_hostage_crisis
May 12, 2017, 7:38 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SAN
Programs: AA, SPG, UR, MR
Posts: 181
Only been to the first 3. With 7-10 days I'd recommend combo of Jordan and Lebanon, or maybe just Jordan for 7 days. I spent 3 weeks in Iran and think 2 would be the minimum but guess you could hit the highlights in 10 (Shiraz, Isfahan, Kashan, Yazd) but distances are large.
Food excellent in Lebanon and Iran. People super friendly in Iran and Jordan, but fine in Lebanon. Price wise I think Iran is the cheapest but not sure as more tourists are there now. Amazing archeological, historical, cultural sites in each, probably the most in Iran due to size and history.
For me personally I loved Iran and liked Lebanon and Jordan.
Food excellent in Lebanon and Iran. People super friendly in Iran and Jordan, but fine in Lebanon. Price wise I think Iran is the cheapest but not sure as more tourists are there now. Amazing archeological, historical, cultural sites in each, probably the most in Iran due to size and history.
For me personally I loved Iran and liked Lebanon and Jordan.
If I were only to do 1 or 2 cities in Iran, which would you recommend?
May 12, 2017, 7:40 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SAN
Programs: AA, SPG, UR, MR
Posts: 181
I haven't been to any, but have been researching Iran. There are plenty of youtube videos. From what I know, Rick Steve's documentary is worth a watch, but it's nearly an hour long.
Rick Steves' Iran - YouTube
EDIT: The following is notable not because it's as good a documentary as Rick Steves'. But, one thing I've heard is that Iran people will invite you into their house etc. The guy who made this documentary visited a hospital, and was invited into the operating theatre to watch an operation! Full Documentary - Tehran, Iran - Life in Iran - YouTube
Rick Steves' Iran - YouTube
EDIT: The following is notable not because it's as good a documentary as Rick Steves'. But, one thing I've heard is that Iran people will invite you into their house etc. The guy who made this documentary visited a hospital, and was invited into the operating theatre to watch an operation! Full Documentary - Tehran, Iran - Life in Iran - YouTube
May 12, 2017, 7:42 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SAN
Programs: AA, SPG, UR, MR
Posts: 181
Been also thinking about going there, most likely for a future trip - but also sounds like a good place, everyone I know that goes there always loves it.
May 12, 2017, 7:50 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SAN
Programs: AA, SPG, UR, MR
Posts: 181
Oh, and Iran is a very welcoming place. They let you do long-term stays:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E...hikers_by_Iran
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016...-hostages.html
and of course:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_hostage_crisis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E...hikers_by_Iran
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016...-hostages.html
and of course:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_hostage_crisis
May 12, 2017, 7:57 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,138
It is all an excuse. You might be more of a target if the fiend out that you are an American traveling on another country's passport. Kidnapping is part of the culture.
May 12, 2017, 7:58 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SAN
Programs: AA, SPG, UR, MR
Posts: 181
Aside from what others have noted about Lebanon, Iran and Jordan, Afghanistan is a little more off the beaten path. Not sure about couch surfing there, but AQ (al-Qaeda) and Taliban are two local chains that offer some potentially interesting options. They're likely to be more on the long-stay side so might not fit your time frame. Likewise, in Iraq, two more hardcore cities, Mosul and Raqqa, are going through a transition.
Not sure about which parts of Afghanistan are safe, but I heard Northern Iraq (I believe the portion controlled by Kurds) is safe. I have been reading about westerners backpacking / traveling through both recently, and wanted to mention those 2 countries on here to see if maybe anyone had some input. It goes without saying that there are portions of these countries that are definitely not a good idea to travel to.
May 13, 2017, 12:44 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: EMA (how boring) but BHX is more convenient.
Posts: 2,366
My planned trip will go to Tehran (much cheaper flights) and use overland transport to take in Isfahan and Shiraz (a base to see Persepolis, as well as the attractions within the city such as the tomb of Hafez.
May 13, 2017, 7:47 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LAN
Posts: 172
With time for only 2 cities probably Shiraz and Isfahan. There are intl flights into both so with limited time aim for an open jaw.
It's also possible to visit nomads from Shiraz, but this usually needs an overnight. I didn't do it due to timing but it's high on the list for my next trip.
It's also possible to visit nomads from Shiraz, but this usually needs an overnight. I didn't do it due to timing but it's high on the list for my next trip.