Image gallery
Qala't ibn Maan, Syria
Syria has more than its fair share of significant historical sites. The ancient cities of Damascus, Aleppo and Bosra are all listed on Unesco's World Heritage list, as is the sensationally beautiful ruined city of Palmyra. Mighty Crusader castles, labyrinthine medieval souqs, jewel-like Damascene houses and sacred Umayyad mosques are only some of the treats on offer; there are plenty more for those who are keen to search them out. Best of all is the fact that these monuments are often woven into the fabric of daily life - the locals worship in the mosques, shop in the souqs, drink tea in the houses and picnic in the ruins. And they're happy for travellers to join them.
Talking about picnics brings us to the pièce de résistance when it comes to a Syrian so-journ - the food. The national cuisine is simply superb, so come with a big appetite. You're bound to be replete in so many ways when you finally tear yourself away.
Legend has it that on a journey from Mecca, the Prophet Mohammed cast his gaze from the mountainside onto Damascus but refused to enter the city because he wanted to enter paradise only once – when he died.
While Damascus was always the ‘holy’ city, the seat of rulers and wary of foreigners, Aleppo (or Halab as it is known), Syria’s second city, has been one of commerce since Roman times.
Hama is one of Syria’s most attractive towns, with the Orontes River flowing through the city centre, its banks lined with trees and gardens and the ancient wooden norias (water wheels) groaning.
Palmyra is Syria’s star tourist attraction and one of the world’s most splendid historical sites.
Lively Lattakia is not a typical Syrian town.
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