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Middle East Topics specific to the Middle East countries, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman and the Emirates
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 23 Feb 2006
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Scenic Roads:Turkey-Syria-Jordan
Can anybody recommend me some scenic roads in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan?

I understand that in Jordan the King's Highway is the best ... other roads??


Thx.
Sz.
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  #2  
Old 24 Feb 2006
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In Turkey, West(Egean), South (Mediteranian) and North(Black Sea) coasts are extremly fantastic.

Try this route: Most probably, you will enter Turkey from Bulgaria. Then follow:
From Canakkale to Izmir all the way down Egean Coast, after Izmir carry on following Egean Coast to Didim, Bodrum, Marmaris then curve to Mediteranian cost Side, Kemer, Antalya, Alanya, Manavgat, Tasucu, Mersin, Adana when the Mediteranian sea is finish ride to south to Hatay and to Iskenderun. From Iskenderun enter to Syria.

Enjoy your riding in Turkey.

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  #3  
Old 24 Feb 2006
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In Turkey, I found the most scenic part east of Kapadocia and Nemrut Dagi: to Lake Van, Iranian border, Ararat Mountain and the Georgian Border. Those are among the most scenic and beautiful roads I have ever seen in my life.

In Syria, marvellous cities and archeological sites, but not very scenic roads. Even the desert around Palmyra is not comparable with the Sahara.

In Jordan, I found great the southern roads in Wadi Rumm desert. The King Road is nice, but not exceptional (but Petra is, of course, fantastic).
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  #4  
Old 24 Feb 2006
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Hi,
Riding in the Chouf Mountians out side Beirut, and carry on pass The Cedars and over the Mountains into the Bekaa valley. The second one is fantastic and with very little traffic, its an good alternative to the traffic on the Beirut-Damascas Road.

Some nice back country hills around Crac Des chevaliers. I cut through from there to Homs ( or is it Hama ), turn up a dirt track and explore until you find a nice isolated campsite.

I ll keep thinking. It s a great area to ride in.

JT
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  #5  
Old 26 Feb 2006
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The King's highway in Jordan isn't so scenic IMO. It's a fast and straight road filled with trucks that cross the desert. I recomend instead a smaller road between the Dead Sea and Petra which goes through canyon-like landscapes (I can't recall its name).

As was stated, the roads in Syria are decent but not particularly scenic. Yet there are some interesting sites--such as Palmyra, the Krak des Chevalier, the Citadel and market of Aleppo-- all close to each other.

Lebanon has many secenic roads mostly because of its high mountains. Unfortunatley roads can be quite crowded and sometimes poorly maintained. A few scenic roads I know are:
1- The old north-south coastal two-laner (especially between Tripoli and Jbeil)
2- The Beirut to Bekaa road through the Chouf Cedars or through Faraya.

Enjoy...
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  #6  
Old 27 Feb 2006
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Michael B:
[B]
The King's highway in Jordan isn't so scenic IMO. It's a fast and straight road filled with trucks that cross the desert. ...


Is not it the "Desert Highway"?
Sz.
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  #7  
Old 27 Feb 2006
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All really good info. Thanks a lot. Please...keep it coming!
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  #8  
Old 27 Feb 2006
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Santhasz,
Back in the early 90's I was given some directions to get to Palmyra from Aleppo.
Head east out of Aleppo and camp at the Quartz fortress of Rasafah.
Get away early from Rasafah and head south with a little bit of west, [yes these where the instructions]across the piste. don't follow the roads [tracks],for they go east west.
within 1/2 a day you will see a mountain range in the distance. head for the V in the range. there is a track that goes through the range.We camped on the other side of the range in the middle of the Syrian Desert that night. The locals call Palymra[Tadmoor]. They are very friendly and give a way in the direction to go to Palymra There are tracks south of the range .and getting lost is nearly impossible As the Syrian Desert is bordered by 3 tarred roads. just stay going in one general direction. It was a fantastic part of my trip .Had morning tea ,curd and breads with the bediuns.got to Tadmoor on the second day.
steve
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  #9  
Old 27 Feb 2006
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In Turkey, while going down from Canakkale to south, I recommend not to follow the road parallel to Aegean especially on the northern part. Turn to Balikesir direction from Edremit and then turn right from Ivrindi towards down to Bergama (Pergamon). It is one of the most panoramic roads on the North Aegean.

Send me a message around Izmir, so that I can guide you with much more details. I may send some other messages regarding other roads in Turkey.

Good rides
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  #10  
Old 27 Feb 2006
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Quote:
Originally posted by ozhanu:
...
Antalya, Alanya, Manavgat, Tasucu, Mersin, Adana when the Mediteranian sea is finish ride to south to Hatay and to Iskenderun. From Iskenderun enter to Syria.

Enjoy your riding in Turkey.

[/B]
I'll second the bit between Alanya-Tasucu, the longest, twistiest, scenic bit I've ever done.

Also, from Iskendrun to Syria, you have two choices; South to Lattakya (via Antakia/Antioch and Yayladagi), or east towards Aleppo (via Cilvegozu). I prefer the route through Yayladagi since it's a very small crossing, nice quiet twisty road up on the mountains, and has pretty much the only scenic roads I know of on the Syrian side. Crossing the border at Yayladagi is a breeze compared to queueing and hassle at Cilvegozu.
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  #11  
Old 28 Feb 2006
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Thank you for all!
It seems Turkey has a lot of scenic roads!
I where there about 10 years ago, and I loved this country. I hope Syria, Lebanon and Jordan will be at least as friendly like Turkey.

Sz
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  #12  
Old 28 Feb 2006
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"In Turkey, I found the most scenic part east of Kapadocia and Nemrut Dagi: to Lake Van, Iranian border, Ararat Mountain and the Georgian Border. Those are among the most scenic and beautiful roads I have ever seen in my life."

Pietro is right. That area is beautiful with long grasses and wild flowers. My daughter likened it to the Teletubby Land!

Did anyone mention Gallipoli in Turkey? What a beautiful region with such a sad history. It's well worth visiting.
Stephan
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  #13  
Old 1 Mar 2006
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The King's Highway is the road to take for the views. The Desert Highway is for trucks with nothing to see. I did the trip from New Mexico to Israel and back with no problems on a Harley.
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  #14  
Old 4 Mar 2006
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Hello
Turkey is a fairly large country.
If you tell more about;
- The time of the year you plan to ride,
- How much time you have?
I can come up with separete routes 1 to go down to Syria and a different one when you ride back.

Try Edirne, Gallipoli, Egean coast, Mediterranean coast and Hatay to Cross to Syria on the way down. (2 week easy, 1 week minium).
On the way back, Try Gaziantep, Maraþ, Nigde (capadocia), Ankara (the capital) Bolu (mountains pine trees natural parks) Göynük, Mudurnu (old city center mix of cultures) Istanbul (see it for your self). 2 weeks easy, 10 days minimum.

Have a good one

Burak
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  #15  
Old 8 Mar 2006
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Quote:
Originally posted by Burak Cedatas:
Hello
If you tell more about;
- The time of the year you plan to ride,
- How much time you have?
...

Burak
Hi! We want to go for 4 weeks at October.
Or just Turkey, or Syria, Lebanon and Jordan through Bulgaria and Turkey of course.
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