I found 'just turning up' to be fine in both Hama and Palmyra in the summer. In Palmyra I ended up choosing to sleep on the roof of a hotel because it was cooler and two Australian girls who had also arrived without booking anywhere did the same. Waking up to a cool morning breeze and sunrise over the desert and ancient city was absolutely awesome! Enjoy!
I'm collecting food-related experiences at www.discoverunearthed.wordpress.com if anyone wants to take a look - a recent post is about Syria, 'Eating with the Enemy'.
