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Syria is probably the worlds most misunderstood destination.
Visitors are surprised, not only by the range of attractions, but also by the warmth, hospitality and tolerance of it’s people.
There is a tendency for visitors to Syria to cram as much as possible into their visit. This can involve a great deal of travel by coach or car. We suggest allowing plenty of free time: In our experience most visitors to Damascus who have experienced the oriental experience of the ‘Souk al-Hamadiya’ want to return to spend more time there experiencing the oriental atmosphere at their leisure. The same is true of the cobbled, covered souk at Aleppo.
So we offer flexibility in travel arrangements
Syria has the densest concentration of medieaval castles in the world. Krak des Chevaliers, the greatest castle ever built is here. It remains intact, so unless you have a particular interest in castles, there is just one to visit.
Syria also has the worlds densest concentration of archeological sites. Palmyra (the former Tadmor) is without doubt the highlight, it was a major trading city which retained it’s independence through most of the Roman period.
For those wanting to see more historical sights, we would recommend a visit to Bosra in the south of Syria where a Roman amphitheater was adapted by the medieaval Arabs who built fortifications around the outside.
Damascus itself has plenty of interest. The ancient Omayad Mosque at one end of Souk al Hamadiyah is the fourth holyest site in Islam. It includes a tomb of said to contain the head of John the Baptist.
Another tomb - that of Saladin, is also close.
El Azem Palace, designed by the Ottomans in 1749 is also just round the corner and is now a museum.
Aleppo, in northern Syria, is also worth a visit. It’s spectacular citadel stands on a hill top where Abraham is said to have stopped on his journey to the promised land. The covered souk is among the most interesting and exciting in the Middle East.
Visiting Aleppo, you can stay in a modern hotel, or you may prefer the comparatively run down Baron Hotel, which has hosted Agatha Christie and T E Lawrence (‘of Arabia’) among others, and remains virtually unchanged since. You will have visited some of the most amazing remains in history - so you could spend the night in an elegant but run down 1930’s time warp!
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