We'll go via Rhodos.

Who knows if a carnet is really needed for Jordan. Been reading different things. Some didn't have one and were ok, some had it and used but didn't really feel it was necesarry.

Any recent info?

Pieter.

Hi All

Has anyone found anymore info on whether a carnet is needed for Jordan yet as I been getting conflicting reports.

I'm leaving at the end of April from the UK and will more than likely get a ferry direct from Ancora to Cesme in Turkey which seems like the easiest route. As I cannot seem to find a ferry from Pireas in low season without loads of hanging about and island hopping.

It will work out about €380 for a single ticket for me and the bike and takes 3 days.

Also anyone got any good info on Lebanon as planning to spend a week there also?

Cheers

Julio

Pieter,
Cannt remember, but either used the carnet but it didn't seem compulsoru, or didnt use it at all for Jordan. I ll have a check.
Julio
Lebanon is great. Camping at Byblos campsite has a very friendly mechanics next to it. The road across the Anti Lebanon past the Cedars and into the Bekaa valley is excellent and empty. Good hotel in Baalbek has a lock up for bikes and a great view of the ruins. Cannt remember the name, but its the only old fasioned hotel. The Chouf mountians have good fun roads and a few thinks to see.

Generally great people. Recommend it.

JT

__________________
JT http://leeandjames2013.blogspot.hk/

After several phonecalls this is how our trip looks like:

1. ride from Belgium to Dusseldorf
2. take night train with german railroads to Verona in Italy. Bikes come with us on the train. (already booked)
3. morningride from verona to ancona, 3 hour ride.
4. take the ferry from ancona to patras (greece) the same day in the afternoon.
5. arriving next noon in patras,then 3 hour ride to athens.
6. take an evening ferry from athens to rhodos
7. arriving next morning on rhodos, take ferry to turky rihgt away.

This way we will arrive in Turky in 2 days and 2 nights. The train is the most expensive. The ferry are very cheap if you are ok with camping on the deck.

The only thing we have to figger out still is the evening ferry from athens to rhodos and the ferry from rhodos to turky. Don't think that will be a problem.

Going home is the same thing in the opposite direction. One question. Do we need to be a day ahead in Turky to do the paperwork before taking the ferry to rhodos (greece). I've reports you have to hand over you passport the day before and so...
Who has info?

ON the paperside. This is the info I got:

* Jordan:
NO CARNET NEEDED if you don't stay longer then 2 weeks. Also bikes are still allowed into the country. Info confirmed by the Belgian automobile club and the Jordan embassy in Belgium.

* Syria:
this one is harder.
-- >the belgian automobile club states a carnet is neededn.
---> Syrian embassy in Holland says no carnet is needed.
---> Syrian embassy in Belgium doesn't really knows but assumes all things are taken care of at the border.


In both case a multy entry is no problem, just a bit more expensive.


What is the way to go concerning Syria? It is quite determing since syria is inbetween Turky and Jordan. Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan are the goals of our trip.

Damn I'm jealous! I started this thread but since then my plans have taken a wide detour so no Jordon for me.... not yet anyway!

Have a great trip, sounds like a one to do for sure!

Neil

Anyone else keeping an eye on developping situations beteen Syria and Libanon?
Libanon mobilzed its army and is tension with Syria is rising.
Anyone who thinks we should avoid certain regions?


Pieter.

I guess that there not too many tourists going through as Visa only took 2 days to process.

Julio

We did the Turkey to Italy ferry route last November, and took the following route with no problems.
Cesme to the greek island of Chios, 45 minutes
Straight onto the 9 hour overnight ferry to Athens, greece.
Arrived early morning in Athens,
3 hr ride to Patras
then 22hour crossing to Ancona sailing that afternoon.
Passports don't have to be submitted the day before, just roll up and pay your money at a nearby travel agent

The ferry from Patras to Ancona with the ferry company 'Superfast Ferries' was pure luxury.
There is no reson why this route cannot be used in reverse

Hi All,

I am also planning a trip to middle east on june-july 2006 depending on my bank account my route will be UK>Italy>Ferry>Turkey>Syria>Lebanon>Jordan>S.Arabi a>Oman>UAE>Qatar>Bahrain>Iran>Turkey>Ferry>Italy>U K.

I am a citizen of Republic of Turkey and I'm currently living in the UK. All my investigations shows that, you need a carnet for Turkey if you wanna continue to Middle East.

The best way from UK to Turkey according to my plannings are from UK to Brindisi (Italy) and take a ferry to Cesme (Turkey) takes 1,5 day. then from Cesme to Syria border try to follow the central Turkey roads. The roads on south cost are narrow and to many bends, especially after Antalya (i've been there 3 times)and also not well maintained. However, on the other hand you may see some of the the best views on the world. Sea on your right and forests on your left. Even so, I cant risk my life. Traffic is quite "outlaw" in Turkey, so take care, especially to coaches and lorry/trucks. You may visit http://www.ommriders.com/ sites for more info. Any question about Turkey wellcome. Last word; Turkey is quite safe. Dont bother about it!

Forgat to write:
for ferries visit:
http://www.marmaralines.com/
or
(This is govermental organisation might be cheaper)
SUN TOURS HOLIDAY GmbH / Germany
Rossmarkt 6 D 63739 Aschaffenburg / DEUTSCHLAND
Tel: 0049 60 21 256 42 - 60 21 256 55
Fax: 0049 60 21 256 53
E-mail: info@sun-tours.com
info@suntoursgolf.de


Ride safely
ozhan u. / www.ozhanu.com

ozhan u. www.ozhanu.com



[This message has been edited by ozhanu (edited 26 February 2005).]

__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction

Simon,

Any budget on those ferry's. How cheap or expensive was it and what kind of accomodation did you get? Did you book ahead?

Latest confusing thing I found out is that the foreing ministery of Belgium states that we need a visum for Turkey? First thing I hear about it. Who knows more?

Are there alternative routes to avoid the windy busy coastroads in Turkey? How long should we take to get from Marmaris to Syria? Considering that Syria and Jordan are the main goals of our trip?


I also have a tire question but will post it in an other topic.

[This message has been edited by fireboomer (edited 06 March 2005).]

Hi firebomber,

As a Turkish, I may answer your questions. if you go to the offical site of Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the link below:
(http://www.mfa.gov.tr/MFA/ConsularIn...Foreigners.htm)

you will find the following information:

Belgium: Ordinary passport holders are required to have visa to enter Turkey. They can obtain three-month multiple entry visas at the Turkish border gates. Official passport holders are exempt from visa for their travels up to 90 days.

So, you dont have to apply for the visa. You can get one on the border for the cost of around £14.

Marmaris to Syria.. Marmaris is a town of Mugla City and if you want to enter Syria from Kilis (a town of Gaziantep) the distance is around 1096 Km via South Cost. The offical speed limit in Turkey is 90Km/h out of the cities. The shortest way is via South Cost (Mugla> Antalya> Mersin> Adana> Osmaniye> Gaziantep/ Kilis). Alternative route might be Mugla> Burdur> Isparta> Konya> Adana> Osmaniye> Gaziantep/Kilis. However, there is strong wind and crowded traffic at Konya Plain, also longer than the SOuth Cost route. I suggest you to take the South Cost Route. It is also touristic area. You might find cheap and safe accommondation as well if you want to stop for overnight.

Good Luck!
ozhan u. / www.ozhanu.com

__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction

It would be a shame to miss the coast road, as it is very scenic and mostly not too much traffic. I have good memories of that.

Re speed limit: I believe that the limit for bikes is considerably less, unless it has changed recently. Can somebody plase verify that?

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

With the coast road you mean the windy road direct to the coast with n° 400?
Ok, then I will have to change the planning. We planning to avoid this because we have read that it is very busy / dangerous and no fun to ride on because of constant strong winds.

Turkey is part of our plans, but not the main goal. So it's a 'passing through' country. In my experience these parts of a trip are more dangerous then once you are in the area of destination. Most accidents happen going to and comming from.
That's why I am looking for a convenient and safe route through Turkey.

For what it's worth, here is the ferry info via Rhodos:

RHODOS - KOS

Duration Journey : 3 hours with car ferry
All Taxes Included : Not applicable
Frequency : In Summer period, several connections per day.
In winter period, one connection per day.

http://www.ankertravel.net/modules.a..._hodc=29#arama


------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

Hi
I took the ferry from Brindisi, Italy to Piraeus, Greece in Feb '99, then drove across and up through Greece to Turkey. The roads through the mountains were very icy - many cars crashed off the road, grip was difficult even in a Landie.
In our trip through Turkey we hit a major snow storm/blizzard on the road from Istanbul to Ankara - 0n the way to Coppadacia. Again many vehicles crashing off the road including a coach just minutes ahead of us - he had passed us do 80-90mph!!
Numerous bodies were spread across the road.
As before beware of the coaches and trucks, as they drive right on the limit and show smaller vehicles no respect.
Yes the Konya plain is extremely windy - gusts blow you back and forth across the road - on of the most unpleasant stretches of road I have ever driven on - imho take the coast road.
Our trip then took us on to Syria, Jordan, Egypt and onward down the East coast to Cape Town and beyond. Ended up being away for over 2.5 years! Awesome experience.

Happy travels - travel happy.



------------------
ChrisC

__________________
ChrisC