Mid East
 

Gil

I travelled through Syria and Jordan, a few years back - will have to get the notebook out to remember all the Place names etc, but some of the highlights:

Syria: Krak de Chevalier - fantastic Cusader castle, Hama/Homs - water wheels, Aleppo, Damascus fair bit to see - inc Mosque, souk, etc., Palmyra - desert oasis town, loads of pre roman ruins, and famous burial towers and chambers

Jordan: Jerash - Roman? ruins, Petra, Wadi Rum

Gone blank on the rest, will update once notebook located

Chris

Border Xings and 4x4
 

Hi All,

4x4 not essential in ME,just adds to the enjoyment re access to all offroad locations;beaches,wadis,jebels etc.However,it is possible to stay on asphalt and still have a good trip.The M Sprinter will be OK but having the ability to go along many of the metalled tracks would be an advantage that would repay the added cost of 4x4.

I cannot comment on the border xing from Turkey to Syria as both times I drove home I shipped out of Syria to Cyprus and all of the Greek Islands,etc,etc.

The border xing from Jordan to Saudi depends on which route you follow.If you go Jordan/Saudi/Yemen then you will need the one south of Aqaba.
If you go Jordan/Saudi/UAE then you will need the tapline route entering Saudi near Azrak(Jordan).

The Saudi embassy will tell you what is possible.Do not be put off by red tape.Just replan around it.Whatever route you choose it will be good.

Gil,
If you can get over to the Middle East as the guys have said - Its a great place, Syria and Jordan are lovely countries with great people and Syria is super cheap.


Graham,

I used to use the Turkey - Syria border from Cilvegozu to Bab Al Hawha - to the West of Haleb

Nice, as you can spend the night near Iskenderun on the Turkish coast and have a Syrian 'Bath' that evening in Haleb.

Cheers
Grif