I hear the Wadi Rum, Petra, and the Dead Sea are stellar in Jordan.

Posted May 02, 2012

Istanbul - don't miss!
1. The fortress Rumeli Hisari, plus you can order a traditional Turkish Kahvalti (breakfast) with sujuklu yumurta at the restaurants near there. You need to take bus 25 from Eminonu.
2. Eat the fish sandwiches from the rocking boats near the Galata Bridge. Some Turkish woman will probably show you how to sprinkle lemon juice and salt on it before you eat it.
3. Behind the Spice (Egyptian Bazaar) is the Rustem Pasa Mosque...my absolute favorite. When I first went there 30 some years ago, it was really off the beaten path...beautiful!
4. If you want to splurge on lunch, eat at the Pandeli Restaurant inside the Spice Bazaar. It's on the second floor. To find it, walk in the main entrance by the Yeni Camii, go through the "foyer" area and through the next arch, turn around and look on the right side. There are some small steps up to the restaurant. They are famous for their borek.
5. Take the ferry to the Princes Islands. My favorite is Buyukada. This is an all day trip, so start about 9:00 am. The ferry ride is a couple of hours. Sit outside, but under the roof, so to avoid bird droppings. Disembark from the ferry, Walk up the hill in front of you and it will curve. At the curve, turn left. There you will find the horse carts to take you around the island. About half way around, it will stop and let you off if you like. You can either take donkeys or walk to the Greek Orthodox Church. Gorgeous views. Afterwards, eat a grilled levrek (sea wolf, or sea bass) on the waterside.

Jordan:
1. In Amman, the museum and citadel are great. I loved the stories there. Small and not too overwhelming. From there you can walk down to the ampitheatre.
2. Wadi Rum is gorgeous. We went during the winter, so didn't stay overnight, but it is well worth it.
3. I loved hiring a car for the day and heading out to do some of the desert castles, especially when I knew Lawrence of Arabia had been there!

Have fun! Turkey and Jordan are two of the most hospitable countries I've ever been to....you will love them!

Posted May 02, 2012

You already have received some great suggestions. I would add that in Jordan, try Kunafa. It's a hot cheese with caramel crust and is sold in restaurants just for that purpose in Amman. Also, in Amman, at the end of the day, go to Citadel Hill. See my highlight on Afar.com. In Istanbul, I would add - take a food tour on the Asian side. Great fun if you want to have a guide walk you through the market and explain things, ending up with lunch, enjoying a great meal in a sidewalk restaurant. In Petra, if you have time, after seeing the Treasury, take a donkey ride up to the Monastery. You get away from the congestion and really feel the magic of Petra.

Posted May 04, 2012

In Jerusalem the Old City is the most interesting place, in one square mile there are enough sites to keep you busy for years. Sandeman http://www.newjerusalemtours.com/ has daily free tours from Jaffa Gate. Ride the light rail which will take you to the Machana Yehuda Market, walk around the Nachlaot neighborhood and Nachalat Sheva. If you have enough time visit the Israel Museum.

Posted May 04, 2012

Hi Raefella - In Jerusalem I agree with Ruth that the Old City is by far the most interesting place. You should spend at least one full day there. It's loaded with historical and religious sites and is a part of East Jerusalem, so it's populated primarily by Palestinians who have hundreds of shops, restaurants, etc. throughout the Old City streets. It is simply one of the world's most fascinating places.

In Jordan you must visit the Dead Sea, as it offers the most unique water experience you'll ever have. Of course you should spend time at Petra, a minimum of one full day. 1.5 or two days would be better. Jordan has a huge variety of food, unlike most other Middle Eastern countries, so you will be able to eat very well there. Be sure to try my favorite dish, moutabel, which is pureed eggplant and garlic, baba ghanoush and labneh. Bon appetit and have a blast!

Posted May 04, 2012

I stayed in a Bedouin camp overnight in Wadi Rum in July 2010 and it is one of my lifetime highlights. I went with Intrepid Travel. Camping out under the stars, eating the camp food which is cooked underground, watching the sunset over the desert and getting to know the local people - truly magical...and somewhat romantic to watch the shooting stars ;-)

In Istanbul Corrine has offered some great ideas. Check my Afar reviews too, I recommend dining at Fuego Cafe & Restaurant, getting a massage by Figen http://www.ayurkitherapy.com/ and taking the walking tours offered by www.mylocalguideistanbul.com which takes you to some of the places Corrine recommends.

Posted May 09, 2012