Looking for suggestions in the Middle East

[Tybalt]

Hey guys (and of course ladies!)

I'm off on a big trip around the middle east - or part of it at least - Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel and I was looking for any good road suggestions that you might have.

Hell Any tips would be pretty awesome - itsnot exactly the easiest area to be an american riding a Red White and Blue Africa Twin haha

Cheers and happy riding!

[meljordan]

This will get you started...
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/links

Also lots of muricuns with an Irish background go duel nationality as the Irish are pritty much welcome anywhere.But don't worry too much they will probably only torture you for a few years or until you find allah, But the twin will be fine.
Seriously if you are worried just do a little reserch and plan-smart you have as much right to tour as anyone.so stop watching cnn, throw away the newspapers and talk to ordinary folk.Then get on with it...

[Tybalt]

Haha - those things I'm definatly not worried about. I hear they are some of the most friendly people one could hope to encounter. I'm concerned with roads! Finding nice, beautiful paths to head down.

I love your Sig by the way - Just Go - thats my philosophy

[meljordan]

The route your thinking of is part of the silk route and people have been travelling them for thousands of years so i don't think you have too much to worry about.though i would goto Israel last if possible as there is still a lot of rock throwing between them and the neighbers,The CIA have a good website that gives a pritty accurate sitrep.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...ook/index.html
Don't tell them i sent ya!!!!

[spain]

I have never been to the middle east......yet....but one day i hope to get there and Petra down in Jordan would be one place i would visit...then south to Elat and back up through Egypt.
Have a good one and post a ride report for us all to read.

[doglegdon]

Having worked in north east Syria back in the mid 90's, I would recommend going to Palmyra, the Roman ruins are truely spectacular. Don't know what the safety situation is like now, but the Deir-ez-Zor to Damascas road was pretty good when I was there, lots of photo oppurtunities too.

[Gotham]

You can't visit Israel and Syria with the same passport or it's very complicated. Surely they don't let you to Syria with Israel visa in passport.
The route Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel should be possible but then the Israeli border can be quite harsh. Never say on the borders that you'll go to Israel.
It's hard to suggest any roads. Depends what you want to see or where to go. The roads are OK but the traffic is quite chaotic in these counties (not sure about Israel) but not half as bad as in India. You get best roads by avoiding motorways. And watch your stuff even though Muslims don't steel (especially in tourist places). I lost couple of things in Syria when I left my staff unguarded.
The countries are generally safe but in every country there are some places where it's not good idea to go. A lot of Arabs don't like Americans as you know. So you should count with this. Once I was asked from whom side I am, Americans or Russians. Anyway the people are extremely hospitable and friendly.

I did little trip from Estonia to Syria and back with my AT in September 2007.
http://xrv.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=26529
If you have any specific questions I gladly try to answer.

[jakeyt]

Hi mate
Not wishing to put any doubts in your mind but speaking from personal experience, do a bit of research into the way some old minefields are marked by the locals There are more than you might think dotted about off the beaten track and they are not always signed with the hollywood skull and cross bones. Apart from that the camels are quite pretty in most area's and always up for night out!!