Syria travel guide

• Damascus,
• Palmyra,
• Tartus

• Northeast Syria,
• Orontes Valley,
• Coast of Syria

Syria

Ancient to Modern

Legend has it that when the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH -- "Peace be upon Him") approached the gates of Damascus, he refused to enter the city for fear of being so ravished by its beauty that he would forget the heavenly paradise his faith had promised him. Modern visitors to Syria’s capital might find this a little hard to believe, but anyone willing to look beyond the urban chaos will find an abundance of historical and cultural treasures. Most of these, including the Umayyad Mosque, Souk al-Hamidiyah and the Azem Palace, are situated within the old town walls. On the road north to Aleppo, you can stop off on Syria’s Mediterranean coast and pamper yourself at the seaside resorts that surround Latakia. Alcohol and beachwear are tolerated in this overwhelmingly Muslim country, but western tourists should exercise discretion in both areas to avoid offending local sensibilities. Those looking to explore more of the region’s diverse history will also enjoy Palmyra, Bosra, and Ma'loula.

Syria travel guide by colin

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