Trip ideas?

[SurfaceIntervalMusings]

I am looking for some trip ideas. I will be in Israel and Jordan in December, and since I have been there a few times before, I know pretty much know exactly what I am planning to shoot. However, if you know of something off of the radar I would love to hear about it.

I am looking for some suggestions for where to go from there. (I was thinking of a dive / photo trip in Egypt, but safety is a concern with the current political climate) I'll have an extra week to 10 days when I leave there and I will be solo from that point, as my wife has to head back home. My original idea was to hop over to Europe and use the train system to hit a different place every day while making my way to London or maybe even ending up in Scotland. However, since it will be winter time I am not sure that's the best idea as travel delays and weather conditions could make it a less than pleasant trip. Has anyone tried this in the winter?

My second idea was to hop down to Africa for a photo safari. There seem to be hundreds of choices though, and some of them are ridiculously priced. I'm also not sure that I want to be on a rigid schedule, and i don't who runs the reputable trips.

The same weather concerns keep me from entertaining spots in the US, but I am open to ideas that I may have missed.

Thanks for reading my lengthy post and I would love to hear any suggestions from those experienced with such adventures.

James

[Jim Boyd]

How about Istanbul? I was there in October, so I have no idea what it's like during the winter.

[SurfaceIntervalMusings]

Originally Posted by Jim Boyd

How about Istanbul? I was there in October, so I have no idea what it's like during the winter.

That's an idea. Any others? Anyone?

[wclavey]

I will be in UK for Christmas and the few days after, but then we are headed to sunny southern Spain for 10 days, hoping it will be warmer and certainly more photogenic.

[dmcantrell]

Amalfi coast --> Positano, Italy. This is the most beautiful place my eyes have ever seen, aside from Norway in the summer.

[Tom]

First, I would make sure I visit Petra in Jordan and Jerusalem.

I was in Cairo in June. No cause for worry. However, it is a long trip for one single thing you can see in about 4 hours. I would pass on Egypt. I have no plans of ever returning.

I would rather spend time in Istanbul and Greece from there. Maybe three days in Istanbul and three days in Athens.

[bryanlindsey]

Originally Posted by SurfaceIntervalMusings

My original idea was to hop over to Europe and use the train system to hit a different place every day while making my way to London or maybe even ending up in Scotland.

This sounds awesome.

If you are adventurous, start with your first 3 days in mind, and then leave it WIDE open from there - go places based on recommendations from the folks you meet along the way.

Never been to Istanbul or Greece, but I can vouch for Spain, Gibraltar, France, Germany, Switzerland, England, Scotland, and Italy. In the winter I would target France, Germany, Switzerland, and Scotland. FWIW

[lfmerrell]

Jerash, Jordan
Jerash - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Images:
jerash jordan - Google Search

[SurfaceIntervalMusings]

Originally Posted by wclavey

I will be in UK for Christmas and the few days after, but then we are headed to sunny southern Spain for 10 days, hoping it will be warmer and certainly more photogenic.

Good idea. I spent some time in a Spain on a few occasions when I was in the military. Definitely lots to photograph in Seville and Barcelona.

Thanks.

[SurfaceIntervalMusings]

Originally Posted by dmcantrell

Amalfi coast --> Positano, Italy. This is the most beautiful place my eyes have ever seen, aside from Norway in the summer.

I would love to go there, but my wife will be very upset if I go to Italy without her. We were going to get married there, but chose two other options instead.

Hmmm.

[SurfaceIntervalMusings]

Originally Posted by Tom

First, I would make sure I visit Petra in Jordan and Jerusalem.

I was in Cairo in June. No cause for worry. However, it is a long trip for one single thing you can see in about 4 hours. I would pass on Egypt. I have no plans of ever returning.

I would rather spend time in Istanbul and Greece from there. Maybe three days in Istanbul and three days in Athens.

Tom, I spent a day in Petra on my last trip to Israel, and really enjoyed it. I likely won't go this time, as I am not diving Eilat or Egypt this trip. Did you post some photos from Petra? Thanks for the tip on Cairo.

Athens is a great idea. Thanks!

[SurfaceIntervalMusings]

Originally Posted by bryanlindsey

This sounds awesome.

If you are adventurous, start with your first 3 days in mind, and then leave it WIDE open from there - go places based on recommendations from the folks you meet along the way.

Never been to Istanbul or Greece, but I can vouch for Spain, Gibraltar, France, Germany, Switzerland, England, Scotland, and Italy. In the winter I would target France, Germany, Switzerland, and Scotland. FWIW

Great idea. Thanks Bryan.

[texxter]

Consider flying to Marrakesh and visiting Morocco, one fascinating country and without the turmoils of other north African nations. Well worth it from a photograher's point of view.

You Tube

You Tube

[wclavey]

Originally Posted by Tom

First, I would make sure I visit Petra in Jordan and Jerusalem.

I was in Cairo in June. No cause for worry. However, it is a long trip for one single thing you can see in about 4 hours. I would pass on Egypt. I have no plans of ever returning.

I would rather spend time in Istanbul and Greece from there. Maybe three days in Istanbul and three days in Athens.

I would LOVE to go to Petra & Istanbul! I'll take those over almost any other suggestions within the same distance range... Unfortunately, Spain for us is a compromise to accommodate all the family. I'm looking forward to it, but not the same as I would be for Petra or Istanbul.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by SurfaceIntervalMusings

Tom, I spent a day in Petra on my last trip to Israel, and really enjoyed it. I likely won't go this time, as I am not diving Eilat or Egypt this trip. Did you post some photos from Petra? Thanks for the tip on Cairo.

Athens is a great idea. Thanks!

I haven't been to Petra. Didn't have time. I spent a day in Northern Israel and a Day in Sourthern Israel/Palestine. Much too fast.

The Pyramids are worth doing, but I have no use for Egypt outside of that.

I would spend weeks in Greece and Turkey.

Top of my list now is:
Istanbul
Budapest
Prague
Vienna
Bruges
Copenhagen
Amsterdam
St Petersburg
London
Paris