Misc Istanbul, Greece, and Egypt - Page 2

Marco Polo · 04-22-2011, 02:18 PM

A buddy and I are going to backpack across Istanbul, Greece, and Egypt for two weeks at the end of May/early June. In Greece, we have a free villa to stay at in Athens so we were thinking of taking day trips to Delphi and Olympia, then do an entire day/night at Athens then go to some Greek islands, maybe Mykonos and Santorini before heading to Alexandria, Luxor, then Cairo/Giza.

Has anyone been to those three countries and have any recommendations and tips for a fellow international traveler?

Marco Polo · 04-23-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

Not to be a dick.. but that's two countries and a city...

Istanbul is in Turkey, which is a country. But I didn't want to give the perception I'm doing more in Turkey than Istanbul. But.... noted.

MIAdragon · 04-23-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pushead2

how safe are any of those countries right now??

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-23-2011, 08:58 AM

No way would I be going thru Egypt now. Do you keep up on current events?

**Dave Lane** · 04-23-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Polo

A buddy and I are going to backpack across Istanbul, Greece, and Egypt for two weeks at the end of May/early June. In Greece, we have a free villa to stay at in Athens so we were thinking of taking day trips to Delphi and Olympia, then do an entire day/night at Athens then go to some Greek islands, maybe Mykonos and Santorini before heading to Alexandria, Luxor, then Cairo/Giza.

Has anyone been to those three countries and have any recommendations and tips for a fellow international traveler?

Been to all three, Greece you must see Santorini. There are no ruins in Greece. 2 rocks on top of one another is a ruins. Spend as much time in Egypt as possible, fantastic ruins (if you have any history appreciation at all), super friendly people (and now they are really wanting visitors) great food. I guarantee you will love it. I'd spend 8-10 days in Egypt 1-2 in Turkey and 2-3 in Greece.

Marco Polo · 04-23-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCD

No way would I be going thru Egypt now. Do you keep up on current events?

Of course I do.

**Dave Lane** · 04-23-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Polo

The State Department said that Luxor and Alexandria is fine, but just be careful with Cairo. Cairo has almost twice the number of people as New York City. Tourism is big in Egypt and so I read that Egypt is going out of it's way for security forces around tourist spots.

The people in Egypt, when I was there are absolutely the best in the world.

Marco Polo · 04-23-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Been to all three, Greece you must see Santorini. There are no ruins in Greece. 2 rocks on top of one another is a ruins. Spend as much time in Egypt as possible, fantastic ruins (if you have any history appreciation at all), super friendly people (and now they are really wanting visitors) great food. I guarantee you will love it. I'd spend 8-10 days in Egypt 1-2 in Turkey and 2-3 in Greece.

Interesting; thanks for sharing. Have you heard much of Mykonos? We have Mykonos and Santorini planned, but I was thinking of maybe of eliminating Mykonos and spend two days in Santorini to relax since we will be on the go so much.

**Dave Lane** · 04-23-2011, 09:04 AM

Yes I have Mykonos doesn't hold a candle to Santorini. You are better to spend two days there and if you want tough back packing you can die there too.

**Dave Lane** · 04-23-2011, 09:05 AM

Oh and Delphi is probably worth a trip its mildly interesting. I went to Thermopylae too and was disappointed there was just a statue and nothing else.

**BigMeatballDave** · 04-23-2011, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Polo

Of course I do.

Good luck. Arab countries scare me.

Marco Polo · 04-23-2011, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Oh and Delphi is probably worth a trip its mildly interesting. I went to Thermopylae too and was disappointed there was just a statue and nothing else.

I was thinking of taking a day trip to Delphi. Did you go to Olympia or Mt. Olympus?

Marco Polo · 04-23-2011, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCD

Good luck. Arab countries scare me.

Thank you. I've backpacked in South America and in Europe, so I'm not a typical American that wears a I Love NY t-shirt on. I usually blend in well with my surroundings. We only live life once; I'm not going to be 86 and look back and regret that I didn't take this trip. If something happens, then it'll be doing something I have dreamt of since a child.

MIAdragon · 04-23-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Polo

Interesting; thanks for sharing. Have you heard much of Mykonos? We have Mykonos and Santorini planned, but I was thinking of maybe of eliminating Mykonos and spend two days in Santorini to relax since we will be on the go so much.

Chania is a great place to relax and get cozy with the locals. Been there a few times, love it.

**Rausch** · 04-23-2011, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Polo

A buddy and I are going to backpack across Istanbul, Greece, and Egypt for two weeks at the end of May/early June.

You are ****ing reeruned...

**Dave Lane** · 04-23-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco Polo

I was thinking of taking a day trip to Delphi. Did you go to Olympia or Mt. Olympus?

No pics I saw of it didn't look to be much there. So I didn't go.

04-22-2011, 02:18 PM
Marco Polo Veteran Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: 41°59.4′N 87°39.6'W Casino cash: $5708908	Istanbul, Greece, and Egypt A buddy and I are going to backpack across Istanbul, Greece, and Egypt for two weeks at the end of May/early June. In Greece, we have a free villa to stay at in Athens so we were thinking of taking day trips to Delphi and Olympia, then do an entire day/night at Athens then go to some Greek islands, maybe Mykonos and Santorini before heading to Alexandria, Luxor, then Cairo/Giza. Has anyone been to those three countries and have any recommendations and tips for a fellow international traveler?
Posts: 2,508

04-23-2011, 08:58 AM	#18
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	No way would I be going thru Egypt now. Do you keep up on current events?
Posts: 59,997

04-23-2011, 09:04 AM	#23
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	Yes I have Mykonos doesn't hold a candle to Santorini. You are better to spend two days there and if you want tough back packing you can die there too. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584

04-23-2011, 09:05 AM	#24
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	Oh and Delphi is probably worth a trip its mildly interesting. I went to Thermopylae too and was disappointed there was just a statue and nothing else. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584