Emergency

[Support Monkey]

Turkey, go towards Antalya, Alanya, Side, look for a hotel run by the stone group, won't be hot but will be warmer than here, they get a lot of Germans and Russians that end, much more civilised and better service

[doodab]

Tel-Aviv

Cape Town

Ooh interesting options. 24 degrees in Tel Aviv at the moment.

I turned down a gig there once.

[Mich the Tester]

Lebanon

[doodab]

Lebanon

I suppose that would fulfil the "things to take photos of" criterion, not so sure about the peace and quiet though.

[Paddy]

I am a bit worn out and I need a holiday. I want to go somewhere quiet, civilised and preferably warm. A hotel with Jim would be a bonus. So would being able to hire a bike, and having things to take photos of.

Any suggestions?

FTFY

[Mich the Tester]

I suppose that would fulfil the "things to take photos of" criterion, not so sure about the peace and quiet though.

Beirut is generally OK and great fun in the evenings, just stay away from the Hezbollah neighbourhoods; to be fair though, they'll tell you if you're going down the wrong street. Outside of town there are beautiful areas of countryside.

Tripoli is to be avoided, as are the border areas.

Jordan is perhaps a safer alternative and pretty easy going but might not be warm this time of year.

[RedSauce]

I went to Istanbul about this time of year in 2010. It is probably my favorite city i have visited, there is some beautiful architecture, amazing restaurants and a very different buzz to a lot of European cities.

[Mich the Tester]

I went to Istanbul about this time of year in 2010. It is probably my favorite city i have visited, there is some beautiful architecture, amazing restaurants and a very different buzz to a lot of European cities.

Fabulous, yes, but can be wet and chilly in winter.

[RedSauce]

Fabulous, yes, but can be wet and chilly.

Just googled the current weather and you are correct, it was much nicer when I went.

[eek]

Fabulous, yes, but can be wet and chilly in winter.

Currently 16c. You probably have another 2-3 weeks of reasonable weather in Istanbul before winter kicks in. (Its the only place I've ever been and had a white christmas, two years on the trot).

Can recommand some hotels in the tourist area around Hagia Sophia or the Doubletree at Moda (mainly for the view) if you don't mind catching the ferry every day....