Turkey or Egypt

Just one note in case you want to travel around the Eid holidays (either one). There are many expats that return home and more return to Egypt from Doha than to Turkey. So availability goes way down and hence the available seats have outrageously high ticket prices. So, plan ahead and choose the best dates possible. Have a great trip!

someonenew, as I said in my first post, you can't go wrong either way. You'll have a great time no matter which one you decide on.

Have fun!

Oh Man! Now I cant decide Egypt or Turkey, I'd almost decided on Turkey when I saw ur post nfh... thanks a ton though!

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

someonenew, egypt is awesome too! hee hee

www.qatarliving.com/node/71971

What about Egypt you guys???

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

okay Mata hari and Sohbetocean I accept that Turkey and Egypt are relatively safe places for travel. Peace please!

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

Novi how much did the 9 day trip cost you? You can PM me if you'd like

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

I enjoyed very much in Kemer the boat trip, was great: the sight, mountain-sea combination/ the food, fresh made on board and delicious watermelon/ the swimming breaks on clear blue waters that u can see the bottom/short visits on shore to ancient historical sites/sun bath on board!! They have also a great bazaar, long illuminated streets full of life, boutiques and restaurants- yummy turkish food. But, "la piece de resistance" for a romantic holiday there, is to lose one night on the beach under clear sky, to count the stars and to discuss...and some red wine, my opinion!;-)

I'm not sure where Selcuk is. Novi, is it near Izmir?

If so, then yeah someonenew, that would be a lot. They are on 3 different coasts and Turkey is a huge country.

You could spend a week just in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, lol!

So Istanbul, Selcuk and Antalaya City? Will that be too much to cover in a week? Oh we're supposed to have a relaxed holiday but I dont mind a little bit of action:)

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

Yeah Novi, let's go. Sign me up for the QL trip to Turkey!

notfromhere, i spent 9 days in selcuk and around the area and still not enuff. Thats including spending the day with dweller and his wife.

defenitely would like to go back there again one day ...

"was not sure abt the tourism scene in Turkey. What are the places you recomend for sightseeing, culture etc also for shopping? "

Istanbul

Turkey IS tourism, lol. We spent 2 weeks and barely made a dent.

Mata hari- I think I'll do some research first, when we went to Thailand it was much cheaper to use the websites, but I was not sure abt the tourism scene in Turkey. What are the places you recomend for sightseeing, culture etc also for shopping? Just wanna keep everything in mind incase we get some free time:)

Fs just sent u a pm:)

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

sohbetocean i did not mean that both places are not safe, i just got that message from mata hari

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

For me, having to choose between Egypt and Turkey would be like having to choose between my 2 kids. Impossible!

I love them both. Sooo much to see and do in both.

1. Both can offer a romantic, relaxed holiday. Turkey is famous for its beaches, but there's so much more. The inland areas are beautiful too, and historical sites everywhere.

And there's more to Egypt than just Cairo. There's Alexandria, on the Mediterranean Sea. There's the Red Sea. And there are Nile cruises. I would say don't spend a week in Egypt without going on a Nile cruise. You can do a 3 or 4-day cruise and still have time to see the important sites in Cairo.

2. Egypt is a little closer and probably has more direct flights. Your travel time will be shorter.

3. Safer? Hard to say. Both have had incidents of attacks in tourist areas. Neither would be considered a "dangerous" destination. In both, you have to keep a close eye on your personal belongings.

4. Don't know.

5. Egypt is less expensive.

6. Weather- When are you going? Soon? Both should have gorgeous weather, depending on your exact destination. Easy enough to look it up online.

Anyway... you really can't go wrong with either one :-)

"considering both places are not exactly safe we'd also like to take the safer option"

Egypt and Turkey are considerably safer than any major Western cities. If you wouldn't hesitate to go to New York or London, don't hesitate to travel to other cities in the Middle East (with the exception of Baghdad! However, I would still encourage you to visit Damascus and Tehran.).

Best travels!

go and ask Dweller ! he living in Turkey now ...

If u have time, try both and compare..For example, we've been to Paris recently by QA using our air miles, and we booked on www.booking.com the hotel, it was ok, good budget! Turkish Airlines is cheaper and u can have better price connecting the Domestic Flight with them. Now,try also by agency, for sure they have good offers in this period...FY, in case u don't know, Antalya city is the "capital" of the region, there are wonderful resorts there, I prefer Kemer most of the time;-)

hey girl how you doing? planning your second honeymoon?? LOL

Are you coming on a visit visa?

Oh thanks mata hari! Ok another question- do you think its better/cheaper to go thru websites or thru a travel agent, considering both places are not exactly safe we'd also like to take the safer option.

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

1.If u want to feel "european" for one week try Antalya (Mediterranean part) or the Aegean Part (Kusadasi,Marmaris,Bodrum,Izmir,Cesme) and u will not regret.Good customer service everywhere!

2.It's not closer to Qatar (4 hours to Istanbul+1 hour to Izmir or + 2 hours to Antalya) but...it deserves, it's the best weather now!

3.None of them is safer, u saw even in Turkey there are some attacks of PKK or in Egypt car crashes every week/or recently there were 18 ppl kidnapped in Aswan...

4.In Istanbul u can have your visas on arrival, I hope is still 20 USD (?!!)than you have your passport control for going to Domestic Flights Terminal...still it deserves the effort!

5.If u book by Internet your hotel ( choose a club type, my opinion!)u can benefit good offers in this period in Turkey, they have all included packages. Even the flight

cost!

6.The weather is fine now in Antalya or Aegean Part, like here.Not to forget u can visit a lot of ancient historical sites both areas...

By the way, today Turkey celebrates 85 years of being Republic, The Modern Turkey!Congratulations!

Oh thank you soooo much u guys! You guys are real sweethearts

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

The visa probably will be single entry, and your company must apply for a visit visa again while she or you are in turkey-egypt. I think with a minimum of three business day.

I check last week the tickets to Cairo and QA have only one flight a day and the hours are not the best. I recommend you to check. (In my personal case I prefer a Midnight flight for long distances, or Early in the morning for short distances...)

Good luck.

The Venezuelan Sensation!!!

1. Which one is a better place for a romantic, relaxed holiday(1 week) for a couple?

Turkey, hands down! But I do love Egfypt and have lived in both places.

2. Which one is closer to Qatar?

It takes 3 hrs to get to Cairo around 4 1/2 for Istanbul.

3. Which one is safer?

Cairo is safer than Istanbul. But there isn't a huge difference. These are two very safe locations. Pickpockets are few and far between and you can easily go out at night without worries. The only issue is being overcharged. This is more rampant in Egypt than Turkey. Then again, Egypt is a cheaper location overall.

4. Which one is easier for visa on arrival for Indians?

I don't have an answer for this one. I'd check with their embassies.

5. Which one is less expensive?

Cairo is less expensive. However, quality is not usually at the same standard with Istanbul.

6. Which one has better weather?

That depends on the season. Turkey isn't as scorching hot as Egypt in the summer months. In the winter months, Egypt is warmer than Turkey. However, I would still avoid the major cities in Egypt during the winter because it does rain. This means that streets are full of mud and water. If you are visting the Red sea coast or the Mediterranean coast in Turkey, you can find nice spots even during the winter.

Also one last question somewhat related to this- if I'm on a visit visa in Qatar is that only single entry or is it a multiple entry- can I go for a holiday and come back to Qatar or not?

It should be written on your Qatar visa. If not, you can also check with immigration.

****Disclaimer: I don't want to seem like I am down on traveling to Egypt. I would recommend that you travel to both Turkey and Egypt! However, if you need a relaxing week for couples, Turkey is more guaranteed to please. Even on rainy days!

Someonenew..

1. Egypt first.

2. Closer , Nile cruise will be quite romantic too..lol

3. you need visa in advance ( no on-arrival for indians)

4. Cairo has better options on hotels than turkey,hence cost effective comparatively.

5.Weather just the same as Doha. winter due..

6.Qatar visit visa is single entry.

egypt is a way closer to qatar

than turkey. that's all i know..

'cause i haven't been in both places..

cheers,

paul

Also if the topic is discussed in detail before please post the links, I've already searched and didnt find any comparision statistics:) Any other helpful link will be appreciated...thanks

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown