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Long weekend....
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QatarChic



Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 445
Location: Qatar
PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 6:10 am    Post subject: Long weekend.... Reply with quote
We have a long weekend here in Doha next week. I fancy spending a 2 days or so chilling out elsewhere before the next break ( ie Eid).

I am thinking of Amman or Beirut or Damascus...which would you recommend??

Thanks Very Happy
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kernow



Joined: 18 Apr 2005
Posts: 14
Location: Beirut
PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I don't know about Amman but Beirut and Damascus are both great options. If you want restaurants, bars, clubs, beaches, great wine and great food then Beirut is for you. It's not the most attractive of cities to look at but there's a great atmosphere here. It's also very easy to get out of the city to visit places up and down the coast and in the Beka'a valley. Lebanon is only 220km from top to bottom so nothing is very far away.

Damascus has much more of a feel of the old - the Great Mosque, the old souk in the old town are great for wandering and doing a bit of shopping and there are some beautiful buildings now open as restaurants and cafes.

Honestly don't know which one I'd recommend - I love them both!

Have a great trip whatever you decide Very Happy
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
It depends on what you are looking for right now. If you want a party town, Beirut. But, it will be significantly more expensive.

If you want a bustling city with lots of history, choose Damascus. Great souk!!

Amman is a quieter city, but there is a nightlife and some history.

Personally I'd plan on hitting them all over your various holidays.

VS
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Cleopatra



Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
My choice would definately be Damascus. Fabulous city with wonderful people, one of the best old towns and, in the Umayed Mosque, examples of Islamic architecture in the Middle EAst.

I've not been to Beirut, mainly because my impression of it is of a rather pretentious and plastic place, though I could be wrong.

Jordan is wonderful, but Amman is not the most appealing of capital cities. Nice people, and a good Roman amphiteatre, but in terms of atmosphere or architecture, it can't compare with Damascus.
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dmb



Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 8397
PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 3:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
pretentious and plastic place
Aren't you confusing it with Dubai? ok. 1 2 3 attack
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QatarChic



Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 445
Location: Qatar
PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 7:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ok, so now it'a toss up between Beirut and Damascus! Razz I was checking out the lonelyplanet and they BOTH looked great...think I'll have to toss a coin... Confused
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Cleopatra



Joined: 28 Jun 2003
Posts: 3657
Location: Tuamago Archipelago
PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Quote:
Aren't you confusing it with Dubai?


No - but I can understand your reasoning. Maybe I misunderestimate Beirut, but it's not a city that's ever really appealed to me. That said, there are areas of Lebanon I would definately like to visit.

Quote:
ok. 1 2 3 attack


Say what?
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
PostPosted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
dmb likes to see if he can start something... just pat him on the head and then ignore him. Laughing
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dmb



Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 8397
PostPosted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
ooooh, VS has rummbled me Sad
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QatarChic



Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 445
Location: Qatar
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 7:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ok, I ended up going to Bahrain instead with friends and had a great time Very Happy it was the cheaper option...am saving my QRs for Eid break Very Happy
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Good choice QC... I had been thinking that was a long trip for such a short break...
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QatarChic



Joined: 06 May 2005
Posts: 445
Location: Qatar
PostPosted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
yeah VS, in my ignorance I thought I could do it in 3 days Embarassed still there will be other opportunities Very Happy
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