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Thread: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

  1. #1
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    Default My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    In a nut shull:

    London - Istanbul - Jeruslam - Cairo

    Then

    Cairo - Anthens - Genoa- London

    I plan to take trains and buses only, save for a plane home. I really wish I had 4-5 months to dedicate to do this, but alas work ties me down and I only have 1-2 months. Perhaps 40-50 days.

    I know what I want out of this journey, and I am an experienced and independant traveller. However, with the wealth of nationalities and knowledge on this board and I am eager for advice.

    Although there is much to see in Europre, it is the least of my interests and I will wade throuhg large amounts of territories in order to get to where I want to me. What I would like from you guys is help/advice/recommendations. Any particular areas of stunning natural beauty? Any historical sights that inspire awe? ANYTHING you reccommend for a young, keen traveller. I am particulalry interested in medieval history...hence the title of the thread.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    So to help you guys, I have a rough itinerary.

    My preliminary route is to to go from London and make my way to Istanbul via InterRail. My plan is to head to Paris, then go a long way to Vienna. Then through Croatia and into the Balkan states of Serbia and Bulgaria.

    Anything you would advise to stop and see?

    Next make my way from Istanbul through Turkey to Aleppo. Once there I plan to head to Beirut, Damascus and Jerusalem. Then into Jordan, namely Petra. After this cross Sinai and head to Cairo. I dont really need any advice regarding Egypt as I have been there many times.

    After this I plan to take a plane to Anthens, work my way to Patras and then take a boat upto Venice. Once in Venice I plan to head to Milan then to Genoa. After which I will fly home.

    I know theres a lot to do and see, I wish I had more time...but I have to do this. So your comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Cheers
    Last edited by Vince Noir; March 12, 2009 at 01:02 PM.

  2. #2
    dogukan's Avatar Praeses
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    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    awesome idea...first of all you should learn it's Istanbul not Instanbul
    The awesome thing when you are in Istanbul taht you should see is mee of course
    Anyways make sure you see Bağdat district, Istiklal Avenue and Nişantaşı. Out of these three places, Istiklal contains some very good old architechture as palces to visit. The other two are extremely westernized regions in case you need some night life. BTW make sure you stay longer in Istanbul. There are really a lot to see. Either way if you take suggestions from professional I do not need to tell...they'd probably show you all the historical places.

    Through Istanbul to Aleppo is not that easy....it's more than some 1000 kilometers....( by bus I remember I wanted to die when I went far east of ANatolia. It really sucks Especially if it's hot.)

    Personally I'd advice you to go to Aegean coast to see developed regions and some ancient history and the mixture of Greek-Turkish culture but it would take a loooong time.

    Anyways on your way there should be some good historical stuff mainly by Seljuks. Coasts have awesome sightseeing. Oh and make sure you go to cappadocia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappadocia
    It should be on your way. Eskişehir(the most developed city in Turkey) and Ankara(capital) will be the major cities on your way if you go with train.
    Last edited by dogukan; March 12, 2009 at 01:37 PM.
    "Therefore I am not in favour of raising any dogmatic banner. On the contrary, we must try to help the dogmatists to clarify their propositions for themselves. Thus, communism, in particular, is a dogmatic abstraction; in which connection, however, I am not thinking of some imaginary and possible communism, but actually existing communism as taught by Cabet, Dézamy, Weitling, etc. This communism is itself only a special expression of the humanistic principle, an expression which is still infected by its antithesis – the private system. Hence the abolition of private property and communism are by no means identical, and it is not accidental but inevitable that communism has seen other socialist doctrines – such as those of Fourier, Proudhon, etc. – arising to confront it because it is itself only a special, one-sided realisation of the socialist principle."
    Marx to A.Ruge

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    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    Yeah sorry, typo - I usually refer to it as Constantinople anyway to annoy my Turkish mate.

    But thats great advice, Cappadocia looks incredible, exactly the kind of feedback I wanted. Thanks man.

    Bah, I've rode 26 hour buses on mud roads in 45 degree plus humidities, no aircone, no sleep and no leg room. I can take the journeys. But like I said I'm gona try and stick to trains through Turkey for this venture, I hear some of them are down though? I'm definitly going to go via Cappadocia now though. As for time, I know I'm pushing it, but if I don't waste a day I can make the most of this.
    Last edited by Vince Noir; March 12, 2009 at 01:13 PM.

  4. #4

    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    For the European portion of your trip I'd suggest "Lets go to Europe on a Budget" it has interesting info and tells you how to stay and move around cheaply.


  5. #5

    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    If you make it to Britain I can recommend some great areas in Scotland in particular to go. I was born up in the Orkney islands.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orkney_islands

    You can cheaply Island hop from island to island either by ferry or small aircraft. Its a very unique part of Britain most people don't know about or even consider visiting. Even within the uk. Theres the old man of hoy, A giant column of rock you can see from the ocean that resembles a grumpy old man, Scara brae which is a bronze age settlement from some of the islands earliest inhabitants.

    Theres tons of other sites to see. from standing stone circles, viking burial cairns, a church made from a bunker by Italian prisoners of war in WW2. Lots of old architecture to see as well if you like your history. Try traveling there in summer for the calmest weather.

    Failing that there's mainland Scotland and other island chains to adventure across. if you want a far easier trip but with tons of sites as well as pubs, clubs restaurants etc definitely go to Edinburgh. Its great culture melting pot. Plus Edinburgh castle is amazing.
    Last edited by Alexandrov; March 19, 2009 at 10:21 AM.

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    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    You'll want to do Jerusalem after your other Middle Eastern destinations- nobody likes an Israeli visa stamp unfortunately.


    "Maps encourage boldness. They're like cryptic love letters. They make anything seem possible." - Mark Jenkins


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    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    Quote Originally Posted by Tommyknocker View Post
    You'll want to do Jerusalem after your other Middle Eastern destinations- nobody likes an Israeli visa stamp unfortunately.
    Haha, yeah I know. It's my second time going to Israel and the last was pretty fun. I was interegated for a few hours, had my phone, camera and backage all taken apart and examined extensivley. It perhaps didn't help that I was giving them a complete " you" attitude. But honestly, it was hilarious. They couldnt stand the fact that I was travelling around arab countries, speaking so fondly of them and that I had so many arabic nation's stamps in my passport,, even though I'm British and clearly posed no threat.

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    John I Tzimisces's Avatar Get born again.
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    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    Quote Originally Posted by Vince Noir View Post
    Haha, yeah I know. It's my second time going to Israel and the last was pretty fun. I was interegated for a few hours, had my phone, camera and backage all taken apart and examined extensivley. It perhaps didn't help that I was giving them a complete " you" attitude. But honestly, it was hilarious. They couldnt stand the fact that I was travelling around arab countries, speaking so fondly of them and that I had so many arabic nation's stamps in my passport,, even though I'm British and clearly posed no threat.
    I got "are SURE you're armenian?"
    And then they let me on my way...

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    Hilarion's Avatar Vicarius
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    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    Crusade? I hope you don't mean that in the attacking 'infidels' sense.

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    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    Quote Originally Posted by lord_vamp View Post
    Crusade? I hope you don't mean that in the attacking 'infidels' sense.
    Twill be a slaughter. To Antioch!

  11. #11
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    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    as for Egypt -my country- cairo will be your first destination I guess, you can visit the pyramids and old cairo including (Saladin castle,the fatimid gates,mosques,Bazar) and various Muslim sites check this link http://www.touregypt.net/cairo/cairo...cmonuments.htm..
    if you're seeking beach and sea so I think Alexandria and Sharm el shiekh would on the top list.
    if you're interested in Ancient Egyptian history then luxor and Aswan will satisfy your passion


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  12. #12

    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    Quote Originally Posted by Vince Noir View Post
    Haha, yeah I know. It's my second time going to Israel and the last was pretty fun. I was interegated for a few hours, had my phone, camera and backage all taken apart and examined extensivley. It perhaps didn't help that I was giving them a complete " you" attitude. But honestly, it was hilarious. They couldnt stand the fact that I was travelling around arab countries, speaking so fondly of them and that I had so many arabic nation's stamps in my passport,, even though I'm British and clearly posed no threat.
    They were probably still ticked off at the whole British feelings of "Hey we prefer the Arabs over you" era during the wars for Isreali Independence.


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    dogukan's Avatar Praeses
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    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    hey vince...if you're not much older than me I can help you if you visit Istanbul. Feel free to contact me in case you haven't contacted any professional tourism organizations. I'd do my best if I'm not busy.
    "Therefore I am not in favour of raising any dogmatic banner. On the contrary, we must try to help the dogmatists to clarify their propositions for themselves. Thus, communism, in particular, is a dogmatic abstraction; in which connection, however, I am not thinking of some imaginary and possible communism, but actually existing communism as taught by Cabet, Dézamy, Weitling, etc. This communism is itself only a special expression of the humanistic principle, an expression which is still infected by its antithesis – the private system. Hence the abolition of private property and communism are by no means identical, and it is not accidental but inevitable that communism has seen other socialist doctrines – such as those of Fourier, Proudhon, etc. – arising to confront it because it is itself only a special, one-sided realisation of the socialist principle."
    Marx to A.Ruge

  14. #14

    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    Your trip is amazing, but here's a good suggestion for your return:

    Instead of going from patras to venice

    I would go from Split (croatia - very beautifull venetian styled city) to Ancona (boat is cheap), then you can go to Rome and then Firenze (Florence or something like that)

    Going to venice, naaaah ... Go there one time with a girlfriend. Alone it would not be as it has to be.
    Milano suxx
    And Genoa ... well yeah, but in my opinion, Split and Rome (and why not Napoli btw) are a lot better than northern cities

    Good luck

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    Default Re: My Crusade -- help/advice/recommendations needed -- (London, Europe, Balkans, Turkey, Middle East)

    cheers for all your advice guys. turns out I may be going the other way instead and will have to come back to this trip. nonethless great information and I thank you all.

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