Middle East Meetings and Events

Does anyone want to meet in Istanbul between May 18th and 25th 2008. Maybe sink a few beers and get some decent food.

Cheers

Since I'll miss NYTim's Istanbul meeting by a few days, thought I'd offer up another one....

Between May 28th and June 5th.

Sightseeing, drinks, dinner are a few options.

Well, I will visit Dubai to attend a course for 5 days and I wish to meet some new friends there. I will be available mostly after 4pm everyday during my visit. I hope to meet new Firends/Photographers/Models/Artests. I'd like to hang-out and drive through the city and know it more.

So please let me know if you like to meet with me there.

I am a photographer by the way and working as a project manager for IT-Business related projects in a local bank here.

Contacts and places will be decided as the date becoming closer. don't hesitate to send your contact numbers to my email here or to ask about mine. All will be notified of any changes if so.

Thanks.

Hi Friends. I m new member in vt.I want to meet with Antalya members first time. I m a student in İstanbul university,history departnment but I live in Antalya.I m studying about my naturel village.I want to present to people my village.So enjoy with naturel life so learn Tukish Village culture.

If you want to meet with all of Antalya members and If you want learn Turkish village culture; come to my village.

we can consider a meeting place near spring water.And delicious village meals and village breakfast.
when you send answer we can consider meeting date and hour.

see you...

I'm gonna have a trip to Azarbaijan following Wednesday and I would like to meet people in there to make friends and have fun.

Well hello there all the VT members, either residents or visitors to Dubai. I am posting on Behalf of Hamed (VT name smarty29) which this meeting was his idea. We are planning a get-together for Friday August 29th, 2008 to be started at 8:00 P.M. in Irish Village. The meeting is almost before starting the Holy month of Ramadan (for the Hijri year of 1429). Irish Village is one of the best meeting places in my opinion and they have a wide range of food and beverages on their Menu.
If you are interested to attend please sign in so we can arrange a table in advance. The meeting is planned for the purpose of having some friendly chat, lots of laugh, taking a delicious food and probably shooting some photos to be our memory for the coming years and possibly forever :-). To make it easier for everybody, please check their official web site which a location map and contact details of the club is available on the site. Their URL is as following:

http://www.irishvillage.ae/

The Location map URL:

http://www.irishvillage.ae/contact_us/map/


The Aviation Club is situated on the north side of Al Garhoud Bridge adjacent to the Emirates Airlines Training Centre. Tel: 04 / 2824750/2
Ample car parking is available.

You all take care and hopefully will see you all in the meeting :-)

****IMPORTANT NOTICE****
Because of the heat I will get indoor of the Irish Village as they have aircondition. I try to find a table so will sit there until all the members get in and then maybe we can bring and join two tables together so it can accommodate more individuals. Preferebly on the smokers side of the indoor section!! :-) So when arriving at or about 8:00 P.M. just get inside the Pub and look for members table.

Hi Guys and Girls,

I will be in Dubai from Aug 30th until September 3rd, Just wondering if anyone wants to meet up for drinks?

Cheers

Cam

Hi, I am going to be in Istanbul in September for a while. Would like to meet VT members for dinner/launge/drinks. Some place fun and unique (preferably locals favorite)

Hi, I am going to be in Bodrum from Sep 8th. Would like to meet VT members for dinner/launge/drinks. Some place fun and unique (preferably locals favorite)

25- 28th September 2008. Please check this site for details:
WorldMeet2008

{For optional 2 days organized tour in PETRA & WADI RAM sign up here Petra }


NO DEAD-LINE TO ATTEND WM08 & PETRA TOUR!

- Anyone who will be waiting for our bus on 25th Sept 07:00 AM, in West Jerusalem, Mount Herzl [=har herzl] - will join the group

Tentative Itinerary:

Flexibility:
The program is modular. Everyone is free to skip a part and take a rest or use their own personal initiative. See also our suggested modules here
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Thursday, Sept 25, 2008

Begin two unforgettable days in the holy and historical city of Jerusalem.
Two nights in lively Tel Aviv: ? night club/ dance bar.

Morning:
Jerusalem Panoramas
Grasp the topographical position of Jerusalem, a city poised on the edge of the desert on one side and amid the Judean Hills on the other.
Breathtaking views of the holy sites from vantage points surrounding the Old City:
Mount of Olives (including visits to the Church of all Nations ? Gethsemane, Church of the Paternoster and the Kidron Valley) ; the Mormon University on Mount Scopus

Touring the Old City of Jerusalem:
Jaffa Gate, Armenian quarter, Mount Zion, Chapel of the Last Supper, Tomb of King David, Church of the Dormition, the ancient Roman-Byzantine Cardo, Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Lunch: At the picturesque Jerusalem "Mahane Yehuda" outdoor market

Afternoon:
Israel Museum: Visit the fascinating model of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple
and The Shrine of the Book, the exhibition of the Dead Sea Scrolls, found in caves in the Judean Desert, including the oldest known manuscripts of many of the books of the Bible

The awe-inspiring Western Wall Tunnels and the Wailing Wall, the holiest site in the Jewish heritage

Late Evening: Night Club/ Dance Bar in Tel- Aviv

Overnight at Notre Dame de Sion Guest House, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem.
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Friday, Sept 26, 2008

Morning:
The Talpiot Promenade and view of the Old City from the south; Segway tour - optional.

Walking inside Hezekiah's Water Tunnel; 500 m long. We will be walking in water at a depth of about 30- 40 cm.

Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock, Al Aksa Mosque) [provided by conditions & authorities' permission].

Lunch:
Oriental Restaurant in the Moslem Quarter of the Old City.

Free time to explore on your own & shopping.

Afternoon:
Experience the welcoming of the Jewish Sabbath while strolling through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem

Late Evening Tel Aviv: Night Club/ Dance Bar

Overnight at Notre Dame de Sion Guest House, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem.
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Saturday, Sept 27, 2008

Desert tour in a specially-designed Safari vehicle, from Jerusalem (+700m height) to Dead- Sea (-420m).

Safari ride through the heart of the Judean Desert and incredible views of the Rift Valley phenomenon and the Dead Sea
- Mt Muntar
- Hyrcania Fortress
- Mar Saba Monastery
- Hyrcania Velly
- Metzoke Dragot
- Ein Gedi
- Masada

Lunch: Ein Gedi

Supper and Overnight at the Masada Guest House.


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Sunday, Sept 28, 2008

Morning:
Masada: Ascend the hilltop fortress built by King Herod, where a small band of Jewish zealots took refuge after the Roman destruction of the Second Temple and attempted to resist a siege by the mighty Roman army.

The "Ahava" cosmetic factory based on minerals from the Dead Sea

Afternoon:
Relax at the mud baths and sulfur springs at a delightful Dead Sea spa, & floating on the unique water, to round out the desert experience

Evening:
Israeli ethnic style barbecue in the heart of the desert wilderness.Bonfire, music, singing & dancing.
Overnight at Masada Guest House.
------------

============
Cost:
Everyone pays for their own flight and accommodations. One lunch is included in the price. All other meals are paid for individually - we will be eating together in the same restaurants for the most part.

Accomodations:
It was not easy to find hotel/ guesthouse in Jerusalem in January for September, but I did it. Most of us will be at the Notre Dame de Sion Guest House, a lovely place in Ein- Kerem.

Please click here to see details of it:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/9453a/#TL

I have made a reservation and paid a deposit in advance.

Rates:
Double room: approx 150 Shekels p/n, p/p,
Single room: approx 230 Shekels p/n, p/p.

Rather than give the exchange rate which changes, I suggest checking on XE -
Currency converter:
http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Masada Guesthouse - price is per person
Double room: approx. 250 shekels
Single room: approx. 370 shekels

The total cost of the guide, transportation [bus + safari], entrance fees etc,
not including hotels, will be US$ 200- 250 for all 4 days. Since actual number of participants is unknown - greater number might decrease the total cost for US$ 150- 200.

And of course, the option of Petra's extention.

2 days [29- 30th Sept] in Jordan (entering from Eilat):
-AQABA - WADI RUM - PETRA -

One of 7 World Wonders: Petra.


29th Sept

Departure from Jerusalem or Arava Eilat- Aqaba border cross. Short visit in Aqaba, transfer to Wadi Rum for 3 hours sunset jeep tour; Overnight in Petra,accommodation for dinner, bed & breakfast in PETRA INN 3* hotel.


30th Sept

Full day in Petra, including tickets and horses/ camels ride/ horse carriages.
after lunch at the Petra gate - tarnasfer to Arava/ Jerusalem for departure.

Total cost is 1000 Shekels [Arava]/ 1100 Shekels [Jerusalem] includes the following;

Transportation in 18 seats bus all through.
Permenant English speaking tour guide in Jordan.
Short tour in Aqaba.
Entrance fees to Wadi Rum.
Jeep tour in Wadi Rum, lasts 03 hours.
Overnight in a Petra Inn Hotel, dinner and breakfast
Addmissions to Petra including horse/ camel ride/ horse carriage and entrance tickets Lunch at Petra.

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THERE IS NO DEAD- LINE TO ATTEND!
- Anyone who waits for us on 29th Sept 08:00 AM at border cross Eilat- Aqaba - will join us to Wadi Rum & Petra.
------------------------------


C U,
Avraham [FruitLover]

Will be in Istanbul from October 7-10. Interested to meet for Turkish Coffee? Please email me for details.

Will be in Marmaris from October 10-14. Interested to meet for Turkish Coffee? Please email me for details.