Il semble, si j'en crois les récits qui paraissent sur les forums concurrents mais amis, que l'escapade en Irak, dans le nord kurde autonome - depuis la Turquie soit une chose possible, voire assez courante...
Quelqu'un ici peut-il témoigner d'un tel voyage ?...
Je crois avoir lu un tel temoignage sur un forum concurrent mais neanmoins ami. Tu tiens a aller la bas pour depenser ton surplus de billets iraniens? 😛
Solutions pour amateurs d'émotions fortes : vol pour Baghdad par Turkish Air Line entre autres et correspondance pour Erbil ou Suleymanieh ou entrée incertaine par la frontière iranienne.
Solutions sans risques particuliers. 1) Entrée par la route à partir de la Turquie, visa à la frontière pour les ressortissants européens. Vols jusqu'à Erzurum puis taxi individuel ou collectif jusqu'à la frontière, excellent accueil au Kurdistan ou même voiture personnelle plaques locales délivrées à la douane mais pas d'assurance véhicule. 2) cher : Austria Air line de Paris avec correspondance à Vienne, 1200 Euros. Moins cher Francfort Erbil 660 Euros ou encore moins cher kurdatravel@yahoo.com 550 Euros. VoIs de plusieurs autres pays d'Europe mais je n'ai pas les infos. Visa à l'arrivée. En accès direct, il s'agit d'une destination relativement pépère, l'appartenance de la région à l'Irak ne doit pas impressionner car très symbolique.
Il y a actuellement 2 parties de l'irak kurde: une partie officielle avant l'arrivée des américains la tu n'auras pas trop de probleme c'est bien securisé. Par contre si tu vas dans la nouvelle partie de l'irak sous l'authorité en partie des kurde irakien du coté de mossoul la il y a des problemes de guerre civile et de guerrilla.
Voici qques sites où tu trouveras des infos sur cette région meme si certains d'entre eux peuvent etre partisanes ou non j'ai mis 2 sites qui ont des points de vue assez differentes.
Bonjour,
J'étais en mission à Mossoul entre août 2003 et juin 2004. J'ai l'occasion de voyager une semaine dans le Kurdistan irakien. Il est certain que cette région est beaucoup, beaucoup plus calme que le reste du pays, même si les attentats y sont de plus en plus nombreux. Mais l'attentat n'a jamais été le risque principal couru par un touriste. En revanche, faire très attention aux mines, la région en étant abondamment pourvue.
Je peux vous dire que cette région est vraiment magnifique, surtout du côté de Sulaymania et des montagnes de la frontière iranienne. Il y aussi le lac Dokan, très beau (voir photos). Il y a un grand hôtel là bas, pas très beau mais bien situé, assez triste et vide, s'il n'a pas été réquisitionné par l'armée US.
Les routes sont dans un relativement bon état (pas besoin d'un 4x4), on peut se repérer avec une carte trouvable dans le commerce. Il est évidemment souhaitable d'être accompagné par un kurde pour servir d'interprète. A aucun moment, je n'ai ressenti d'hostilité de la part des Kurdes (ce qui ne veut pas dire qu'il n'y en avait pas) au contraire nous avons été en général bien accueilli (comme partout dans cette région du monde).
Les trois villes principales: Dohuk, Erbil et Sulaymania ont plein d'hôtels de tout type de standards.
Pour l'entrée, je confirme que le plus simple est Silopi en Turquie. Les turcs sont un peu méfiants et n'aiment pas trop les étrangers susceptibles d'apporter un soutien aux Kurdes. En revanche, je n'ai pas d'info récentes sur les formalités d'entrée. A l'époque le passeport suffisait. Les autorités kurdes nous ont remis un visa sur une feuille volante qu'il faut conserver jusqu'à la sortie.
Je tiens à préciser que je ne recommande à personne d'entreprendre ce voyage. Il est simplement possible, sous certaines conditions, et vaut vraiment le coup. Après c'est à chacun de juger les risques qu'il est prêt à accepter.
J' ai fait un passage au Kurdistan fin juin ou début juillet 2007...
Une 10aine de jours en tout, en y allant par la route de Turquie (Silopi, Dohouk)
J'imagine qu'il doit toujours être possible de s'y rendre.
En théorie, il faut avoir une invitation sur place pour décrocher le visa.
C'est calme, militarisé mais calme. Je n'ai pas pu pousser tres loin étant donné qu'ils ne connaissent pas les CB, et que les taxis (quasi unique moyen de locomotion inter-ville, a priori) ne sont pas donnés (20 YTL pour passer la frontière, une 30aine de $ pour arriver a la ville la plus proche...).Le meilleur moyen est encore de connaitre des locaux qui ont une voiture. Contrairement a la Turquie, il ne m'a pas semblé voir de sysème de "dolmus" (taxi collectif) développé.
La différence est assez surprenante entre le Kurdistan irakien et son pendant turc.
Comme c'est la seule région a peu près sûre d'Irak, tous les investissements se font là bas, il y a des routes larges comme des pistes d'atterrissage, beaucoup de constructions nouvelles, etc. Tout le contraire du SE turc.
La ou le militaire turc a une grosse matraque, le soldat kurdistanais (oui, ça fait bizarre au début) a une baguette sculptée, et te propose du thé... Sans exagérer!
Soit dit en passant, la frontière semble assez "souple", on doit pouvoir se retrouver en Irak sans s'en être rendu compte depuis certains points entre Sirnak et Hakkari...
Bon/
Pour ceux qui veulent visiter le Kurdistan irakien aucun probleme j y suis moi meme depuis deux mois.
La frontiere se passe tres facilement depuis la Turquie / visa de 10 jours gratuit / station de taxis collectifs / tres peu de bus au Kurdistan / pour Duhok Erbil... juste a l entree cote irakien / 25000 dinars pour Erbil et ils ne passent pas par Mosul.
Pour les femmes seules c est OK pour la securite. Sachez seulement que les petits hotels miteux n aiment pas beaucoup les femmes seules. Certains refusent en pretextant etre complets. D autres acceptent mais font tout pour vous faire sentir que ce n est pas votre place. On survit mais cela peut etre desagreable à la longue. Les hotels d une gamme un peu au dessus ne posent aucun probleme. Et puis dans l ensemble les gens sont serviables. Si vous avez un probleme vous pouvez trouver quelqu un pour vous aider. Ce n est pas forcement le cas partout.
Passez un peu de temps à Sulaymaniya si vous pouvez meme si vous n avez que 10 jours. La ville merite que l on s y arrete.
Possibilite de retirer de l argent avec la CB. Visa pas de probleme / mastercard plus delicat mais possible. Prevoir une provision de dollars avec lesquels on peut payer partout juste au cas où.
Et si vous avez des questions n hesitez pas / j y suis encore pour un bon moment.
RS
Les visas touristiques ou de travail ne sont, sauf exceptions, valables que pour le Kurdistan.
Il est hors de question d aller se promener dans le reste de l Irak avec.
De toute facon il y a bien assez a faire en 10 jours au Kurdistan, que les villes alentours soient effectivement dangereuses ou non, là n est pas la question. Il y a en effet par exemple des touristes qui prennent le bus reliant Erbil à Sulaimania en passant par Kirkuk sans encombres. Personnellement je passe toujours par Koya au Nord, la route est belle et securisee.
Pour les check points aucun souci. Il y en a peut etre 5 ou 6 entre Zakho et Erbil par exemple mais la plupart du temps ils ne demandent meme pas de sortir le passeport.
Pour ceux qui comme moi ont un visa iranien avec photo, il est preferable de tendre le passeport deja ouvert a la premiere page.... autrement vous risquez d avoir toutes les peines du monde pour leur faire comprendre que vous n etes pas iranien.... un rien bouchés parfois.... mais on vous laissera toujours passer, sur les grands axes du moins.
Pour toute la zone proche de la frontire iranienne, s y rendre en touriste est un peu plus delicat mais neanmoins possible. Dans certains cas pourront vous etre fournis des gardes du corps... pour eviter que vous ne franchissiez la frontiere par erreur.....
Pour le budget : le Kurdistan n est pas donne. Un petit peu moins cher que la Turquie mais bien plus que la Syrie. Environ comme l Iran. Il est tres facile de se faire loger chez les gens. Je crois que le couchsurfing marche pas mal. Une grande fete du couchsurfing s est tenue a Erbil il y a peu.
Compter entre 10000 et 25000 IRD pour une personne seule dans les hotels les plus cheap.... Un peu moins si vous etes plusieurs.
Un Kebab coute entre 1000 et 2000 IRD et une canette 500 IRD.
Taxi collectif 4 personnes de Zakho a Erbil = 25000 IRD
D Erbil a Sulaimania = 3000 en bus 5000 en taxi jusqu a Koya puis 10000 jusqu a Sulaimania
Un trajet en taxi individuel en ville coute entre 2000 et 3000 IRD. En general 3000. Si le chauffeur vous demande 4000 insistez, c est probablement 3000 en fait.
Pour franchir la frontiere depuis la Turquie : de Silopi a Habur le poste frontiere il y a une dizaine de Km: possibilite de prendre un taxi qui vous fait aussi passer la frontiere = 20 YTL. L autre solution plus economique est de le faire en stop ou de prendre les minibus blancs qui passent au bas de l hotel Habur un peu sur la droite = 1 YTL. Une fois arrives au poste vous vous presentez et l on vous fera monter dans une des voitures car il est interdit de passer la frontiere à pied.
Autre chose... le Kurdistan n est pas l Iran. Les femmes sont libres de porter ou non le voile et les touristes n ont pas a le faire. Je conseille aux femmes de porter un gilet couvrant les fesses, vous serez un peu moins regardees.... comme dans les autres pays musulmans du reste. La ville de Sulaimania est particulierement liberale.
Que l on s entende bien, je parle exclusivement du Kurdistan, c est a dire la region autonome du Nord. Il n est pas question d aller dans le reste du pays où c est effectivement tres dangereux, on en entend assez tous les jours.
Venir 10 jours en touriste au Kurdistan ne pose AUCUN PROBLEME la region est securisee. J insiste. Je vais partout toute seule. Les gens sont detendus.
Maintenant il est vrai que ce n est pas stable sur le long terme. Aussi faut il imperativement se tenir informe juste avant d y rentrer. Il y a un certain nombre d incertitudes pour l avenir... notamment liees au retrait americain dans le Sud et aux enjeux autour de la ville de Kirkuk.
Mais cela ne doit pas dissuader les gens de venir en touristes, surtout pour 10 jours. S il doit a nouveau y avoir des affrontements cela n arrivera pas du jour au lendemain.
Soit dit en passant nul besoin d avoir recours a un voyage organise pour venir c est totalement crétin mais je n insiste pas.....
Pour y travailler c est un peu different. Ce sont d autres mentalites et il y a une singuliere proliferation d armes... cela tire souvent en l air pour intimider ou simplement s amuser et les balles ne partent pas en orbite.... Mais les coups de feu sont en general lies a des rivalites entre factions politiques et personne ne va s amuser a vous tirer dessus sans raisons... c est a dire que tout depend de ce que vous venez faire dans la region..................................
Et comme partout, c est une question de bon sens. Si vous voyez que, par hasard, cela commence a chauffer pour X raisons.... passez votre chemin.
Et, s il y a proliferation d armes... il y a aussi proliferation de forces de l ordre et d agents de securite... armee, police, gardes, compagnies privees, police secrete... qui interviennent au moindre mouvement. De ce point de vue c est un peu comme en Iran... la reaction est generalement immediate pour calmer le jeu....
Et le consulat a de tres bonnes relations avec les acteurs politiques ici, s il y a le moindre probleme, pas comme en Iran....
Je suis moi meme arrivee un peu par hasard en touriste il y a deux mois sans intention particuliere de m y installer au debut. C etait justement la veille des elections.... periode de tensions. Mais coups de feu tires en l air exceptes, je n ai strictement rien vu de special... des gens qui faisaient la fete.... et ca les Kurdes s y entendent tres tres bien....
Au quotidien je ne me sens absolument pas en danger et je suis detendue..
Je ne me suis d ailleurs jamais sentie menacee de quelque facon que ce soit ici. Et tous les Occidentaux que je rencontre ont le meme sentiment.
Et il est tout a fait possible de venir s installer en independant dans la region. Meme pour des femmes seules, il y en a quelques unes.
Hello Fellow Travelers,
I’ve just returned from a week-long trip to Azerbaijan, covering both Baku and the country’s main sights.
Contrary to what the "Travel Advisory" from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says, you can travel everywhere safely—the Azerbaijanis are lovely to foreigners, and the police are absolutely helpful.
Just follow the local laws, as you would anywhere, to avoid any trouble.
I highly recommend visiting this stunning country.
Antoine
Hi,
We’re supposed to go to Oman from October 17th to 30th for a 4x4 road trip. We’d already bought our flight tickets before the war started... We’re looking for recent traveler feedback from anyone who’s been there lately. Obviously, we plan to avoid areas around American military bases as well as the Salalah, Duqm, Musandam regions, and the border with Yemen.
Thanks in advance for your input.
lili
Hello, we’re two senior couples who often travel with a guide and driver. For this trip to Oman, though, we’d like (for various reasons) to have a fixed base and visit the must-sees with a local guide but on a hub-and-spoke basis. Do you think that’s possible, and what would be the best place to stay?
We’ll be in Oman for 7 days in March 2026.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Hi there,
This year we want to go to Georgia. We have a ticket to Istanbul and would prefer to avoid an Istanbul/Tbilisi flight to see a bit of Turkey, which I love.
I found a train from Ankara to Kars (25h): why not?
But how do we cross the border: which town? Is it easy (or not)?
I’m leaning toward Batumi, but I’m not sure about anything—thanks for your tips!
Thanks for your insights
I’m planning a two-week trip to Iran in September and I’m reaching out for some valuable tips....
After doing a bit of research, I’ve sketched out a rough itinerary.
I plan to spend 2–3 days in Tehran, then head down to Isfahan for 4–5 days with an overnight stop in Kashan. After that, I’m thinking of going to Shiraz for 2–3 days, including a visit to Persepolis.
Then back to Tehran with a 2-day stop in Yazd.
What do you think? Is this doable? Are there any other must-see spots?
The north, with Tabriz and Masuleh, also caught my eye, but what should I cut to fit them in?
If you have any recommendations for high-quality, authentic hotels, I’d love to hear them.
And one last (silly) question—I’m a smoker (unfortunately!), so is it allowed for women to smoke in Iran? If so, under what conditions?
Thanks in advance for your help, and I’m all ears for any advice!
hi,
do we absolutely have to get the ETA before traveling to Israel these days?
some people say it’s not mandatory, others say it is.
any feedback, please?
thanks
Hey everyone!
A comeback after so many years... but my question is simple:
"Has anyone wandered around these two countries recently? (The posts and travel journals I’ve read are a bit dated.) I’m planning a trip for late spring—one I had mapped out for 2023 but never got to do.
For any info on transportation, border crossings, cost of living, and interesting hostel/GH addresses, thanks in advance! 😉
Hi,
We’ve got flight tickets for a two-week trip to Georgia from April 8th to 23rd.
Should we go ahead with our trip or postpone it to September, given what’s been happening in the Persian Gulf since late February 2026?
Are there any impacts in Georgia?
Thanks for your help
Hi there, I’d like to spend a few days in these two countries. How many days do you recommend? Any ideas for things to see? Which airline should I take to go from one to the other? I think there are no more direct flights? Thanks
Hi,
We’re heading to Asia this summer, and to avoid arriving in the middle of the night, we’ve decided to stop over in Dubai for a day and a half on the way there and back. Any ideas for activities during this super-hot period? Bonus points if they’re reasonably priced 🙂 Which neighborhood is best to stay in?
Thanks in advance, and have a great day!
Bruno
We visited the northern/northeast part of Oman, the most touristy area, last February over 11 days there. It’s a great time to go because the temperatures are pleasant and there aren’t too many tourists, even though the country is only just starting to develop its image. 11 days was enough for us to see the essentials, but you can always extend your stay depending on what you want.
2 days in Muscat, 2 days in the desert—we would’ve happily stayed longer—2 days in the mountains, 3 days in the wadis, and the rest for the cities, villages, and the coast.
Oman offers stunning landscapes and a genuinely warm welcome. We always felt safe, never experienced any malicious looks or gestures.
As usual for our trips, we chose to organize everything ourselves but with a guide to better explore and soak up the local culture.
The point of my post isn’t to recount our journey but to encourage and reassure anyone considering this destination.
If I can be of help, I’m happy to answer your questions based on what I know.
Living in Amman, Jordan, I’d like to visit Jerusalem and the surrounding areas during the Christmas season.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on:
- the security conditions in Israel/Palestine,
- sightseeing in Jerusalem during the Christmas period.
Hi! If anyone has been to Georgia recently and could tell me if it's feasible to travel around the country using public transport. My itinerary would be Kutaisi (my arrival airport), Tbilisi, Mestia, Ushguli, Batumi, and back to Kutaisi (departure airport) in ten days. My flight arrives late at night, around 1 AM—would it be possible to take a taxi to get to the city center?
Any advice is welcome, and regarding the language, can you get by with English? Thanks in advance.
Hi everyone, I’m married to a Kurd from Iraq, and we’re heading to Kurdistan in November with our two-and-a-half-year-old son. Even though I’m really excited about this trip and happy to go, I’m a bit nervous because as a European woman, I feel like there’s nothing to do and I have this image of a dangerous country… To put my mind at ease, I’d love to chat with other Europeans who’ve been there. Thanks! !
Hi there
Does anyone know if it's allowed to use a drone (under 250 g) in Oman?
If so, is there any registration required for the device?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Laurent
Hi there,
We’re traveling from 12/23/2025 to 1/9/2025 in Oman.
However, our flight lands in Dubai.
So I’m looking for a car rental company that allows crossing the border into the Sultanate of Oman.
Thanks for your recommendations!
I think I saw there’s also the option of vehicles with rooftop tents…
Hello... nothing new for several
years now...
Can you go there independently from the rest of the country? Any recent experiences, either in Kurdistan or the rest of Iraq?
Thanks a lot
Hi, we’re traveling to Georgia soon and want to go to Azerbaijan. I’m having trouble finding info on crossing the border.
Is it possible to do it by car or train? Are the land borders between the two countries open? Or do we have to fly?
Thanks in advance
Since I had trouble finding up-to-date info, here’s an update on some key points for Jordan/Egypt ferries as of August 2025.
Right now, AB Maritime is the only company still operating ferries. Other companies sometimes mentioned (Jordan Sinaï Hotel and Tour, Sinaï Ferry, etc.) have stopped running (no response by phone or email, and confirmed on-site).
On the Jordanian side, the fast ferry doesn’t leave from the port of Aqaba but from Tala Bay (20 km further south). There’s supposedly a slow ferry that departs in the evening from Aqaba port (according to a taxi driver), but I couldn’t find any info about it.
Currently, there’s one ferry per day in each direction for Aqaba/Taba and another for Aqaba/Nuweiba. But the schedules aren’t great for backpackers—and they’re not the same every day.
On the Jordanian side at Tala Bay, you access the port by walking through a large resort, go through border control before boarding the ferry (+ luggage check). You have to pay the exit tax of 10 JOD (12 €) to "someone sitting on a bench in front"!!! It’s true—you need to ask who to pay, or customs won’t let you through without the magic coupon.
Oddly, I arrived early and managed to take a different ferry than the one I’d booked online by insisting (it wasn’t open for online reservations).
I bought the ticket on the AB Maritime website. Confirmation by email was brief. Then you have to find another person outside the port who has the passenger list and will give you the actual ticket. (What a joy this organization is!) Luckily, everyone’s really friendly with tourists.
On the Egyptian side, arrival in Taba isn’t in Taba itself but at Taba Heights (20 km further south), in a hotel zone. Immigration can be more or less quick depending on your place in the queue at the single office... (free Sinai visa or paid Egypt visa). And outside... nothing. Nothing: no exchange bureau, no ATM, no drink or SIM vendor... A nightmare. No bus station. One or two taxis at prohibitive prices. Personally, I walked about fifteen minutes to the Strand Hotel to find someone who could actually help me (ATM out of service in that big resort). From there, two bus companies currently operate: Webus in small vans but you have to book at least 2 days in advance (frequent, fast, reasonable prices) or GoBus with large buses (only one per day, even cheaper). They head south to Nuweiba, Sharm El Sheikh, etc. A taxi from Taba to Sharm was quoted at 120 USD at the port exit!
For me, the ferry and GoBus schedules didn’t align at all. If I’d known about Webus earlier, I could’ve saved 6 hours of waiting...
On another note, a Taiwanese traveler I met also mentioned that the Hurghada-Sharm El Sheikh ferry is no longer running.
Basically, these border crossings and ferries are more suited to organized tours than backpackers, but it’s still doable.
Hello everyone,
We’re just back from a wonderful adventure exploring Wadi Rum.
We spent 3 days and 2 unforgettable nights there. Our guide, Mohamad, introduced us to the desert—its beauty, its mysteries—with rare skill, kindness, and generosity. We hiked through breathtakingly beautiful places, slept in a Bedouin tent and under the stars, enjoyed delicious meals, and shared moments of incredible quality.
Mohamad honored us by sharing songs, poems, and stories, and introducing us to his family. His humor, life philosophy, and empathy will stay with us forever.
Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful experiences we’ve ever had.
Mohamad’s contact details can be shared via private message.
I’m also happy to provide any info about this unforgettable trip.
Michèle
So happy to be back with you all that I’m rushing to share my trip report!
We chose to stay exactly 14 days to avoid paying for a visa. As a result, we didn’t have time to explore the south—we’ll be back because Oman is a great destination in January. Temperatures were a perfect 25–27°C during the day. No rain for us, but it can happen.
We bought the *Évasion Oman* guidebook. We started with the Jebels (the mountains), abandoned villages, then the desert, wadis along the coast, and finished in the capital. For us, it was easier to go from cold (2,000 meters, after all) to hot before returning to our freezing Normandy in January.
The people were incredibly welcoming and lovely. We camped in natural camping areas where you can make a fire (free, no facilities or water). Easy to find—just search "camping" on Google Maps (an essential app). We traveled as a group of five and rented a 4x4 seven-seater from Europcar before leaving (price included our insurance): 800 euros for 14 days. Essential for getting everywhere, as there are lots of dirt tracks. We brought our camping gear from France since the baggage allowance is 30 kg. Oh, and also two liters of rum and a box of white wine—also essential.
Food was tricky if you don’t like spicy dishes or just chicken. You have to eat at international restaurants, which cost about the same as back home. We’d packed vacuum-sealed meat for the first three days and a few cans. For beaches, stick to the ones marked on Google for swimming—otherwise, they can be dirty and full of oil.
We arrived at 6:30 AM, bought a SIM card (make sure to remove yours before arriving and tape it to the back of your phone), exchanged money (not great rates at the airport—better in malls or souks; no exchanges in banks), and picked up the car. Then we headed to a Carrefour supermarket, but it was closed. We drove to Jebel Al Akhdar, the Sayq Plateau, where we found markets along the way. There are also bazaar shops where you can get gas bottles—they’re everywhere in mid-sized towns. There are even hypermarkets.
We hiked the well-marked old Sayq trail (red and white markings). Our return was improvised. We camped on the plateau and got cold—bring 0°C sleeping bags! The next day, we visited the abandoned villages of Wadi Bani Habib: juniper forests, canyon viewpoints. Then Birkat Al Maws on the way down—a beautiful palm grove. Next, Nizwa Hotel. The beds were really hard there—ask to see the rooms and test the beds before booking. There’s always availability, with prices starting at 35 euros for two.
On the third day, we went to Jebel Shams. Hiked along the canyon starting from Ghul, then descended. Camped on the road to Balha Fortress, which we visited the next morning (stunning!). Then we explored Nizwa before heading to the Wahiba Desert. Camped along the way, then drove to our accommodation: two days in the desert. We found the Thousand Nights Camp 40% cheaper a month before. Note: you have to leave by 1 PM in a convoy to reach the hotel.
On the sixth day, we hiked in the desert on our own because the activity prices were outrageous.
On the seventh day, we headed to a wadi, Bani Khalid, then to Sur, a seaside hotel. We booked just one room for five of us—hotel apartments are huge, and since we had our camping mattresses, it wasn’t a problem to set up in the living room. There’s even a kitchen. In cities, camping spots are poorly located—near intersections, etc.
Beach time and sightseeing on the eighth day, then we drove to the white sand beach in Fins, where we stayed for two nights (we left the tents set up but empty). This was our favorite campsite—go all the way to the end of the road, there’s a small cove and a stunning spot.
On the ninth day, we visited Wadi Shab and the Salma Plateau to find the tombs. The hike up from Fins was way too long—probably better to take the route suggested in the guidebook for a round trip. Meh, no one really enjoyed it.
On the tenth day, we went to Wadi Al Arbiyyin and drove to Seeb Al Mouj to book a diving trip. Stayed at Al Ferdous Hotel Apartments until the end—well-located for visiting Muscat and a great value. Just make sure to check the room first, as some beds are very hard and others aren’t.
Eleventh day: diving and beach time.
Twelfth day: visited the Grand Mosque (unlucky—first day it became paid, and not just a little: 8 OMR). Then explored the old city.
Thirteenth day: the Grand Opera and beach at The Village, where we found a great pizzeria: pizzawifi.com.
Fourteenth day: And that’s it—back home, thrilled to have discovered this magical country. We’ll be back!
Hi everyone!
I’m giving this a shot, hoping to get some answers that can help clear things up.
We’re planning a trip to Oman in February and want to rent a car.
The catch is we probably won’t have received our international driving permits in time.
After some research, we still can’t figure out if there are any rental companies that only require a French license...
or possibly a certified translation of it.
Given that the French license is recognized in Oman, we’re hoping for some advice.
Any tips would be hugely appreciated, and thanks in advance to those who can help!
Best regards,
Olyana
Hi there, 😄
my friend and I are leaving in 15 days for Kurdistan, by road, in our little converted van... The only thing we're sure of (well, the only thing we've actually thought about! The adventures will take care of the rest!) is that we're planning to take a month to get there, 15 days on site to visit my sister-in-law who's been living there as a teacher for a year! and 15 days to rush back, because my boyfriend has to go back to work on November 3rd!! After that, the itinerary isn't set yet—I've just bought a map of Europe... and still haven't found one of Kurdistan! or Iraq! I just finished work yesterday... and until now, this trip felt so far away... I didn't imagine much about it... I kept telling myself, "You'll see when you're done working, your brain will be more available!" Well, now my brain is in "gooo go go!" mode 😮 and it's going fast! I've got tons of questions popping up all at once!
- The itinerary... (we're thinking of lingering a bit in Greece on the way there... and taking a more direct route back). I don't think we've fully grasped what it's going to be like to cover at least 5,000 km in such a short time! Bibi's tinkering with the van (a Peugeot Expert that goes anywhere) and I'm the tour guide!
- Camping in the van... where? Under what conditions? Areas to avoid? Places not to miss?
- The borders... especially the Iraqi one! What are the formalities? Visa or no visa?
- The political situation in the countries we'll cross... (with our entourage putting pressure on us—they're right, of course! How many times have we heard, "You're crazy! Oh, you're really going? We've been hearing about this for a year but didn't think it was so soon... and with everything going on right now, isn't it risky? Aren't you afraid of getting kidnapped?" 🤪 To be honest, we don't know much, we've been a bit out of the loop, working hard... and just craving adventure! But I admit, sometimes I get little waves of panic 😕 when I check official websites... then I go back to daydreaming!
- Why not Couchsurfing?
- Oh crap, the most annoying part... the paperwork, insurance, health stuff, blablabla...
- Will the van hold up? 😐
- Should we prepare for the possibility of not making it all the way, and accept that not as a failure but as a different kind of adventure? Well, there you have it—a little peek into the chaos in my brain! 🤪/😎
So if any of this resonates with you... if you feel like sharing ideas, advice, or stories... we're all ears! Well, I am, and I'll pass it on to Bibi, the fearless warrior, wrench in hand, new tires at the ready, changing the oil and fine-tuning the beast! When I ask him what he expects, what he thinks, what his fears are (with me being the eternal scaredy-cat about wild camping in places I can't picture when we arrive at night—apparently a typical female fear, according to my surveys!—and the wonder of waking up to discover our surroundings... we made the right choice!), his desires... he just says, "Well, we'll start the car, go straight ahead, and see what happens. What do you think could go wrong?!" We complement each other well!
Off to explore Jordan!
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11-Day Trip to Jordan in Late October 2025 – Recap
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