FERRY to Cyprus / Qala'at Samaan / Mar Musa / Maalula

Hi all, in 2nd half of August we'll be in Syria. TT has been of great help in planning the trip but some Qs remain open:
(1) FERRY Lattakia-Famagousta. This ferry is allegedly running every Thursday. I read that somebody took this ferry last year. Does anybody perhaps have more recent experience? How busy is the ferry? Where to buy tickets? AK Gunler - Turkish company which is running the ferry lists some travel agents from Syria but I haven't got any answer from them yet. Is it Ok just to show up in Lattakia, buy the ticket and board the ferry? I also found information that now this ferry is running down all the way to Tripoli. Can anybody confirm that?
(2) Are Qala'at Samaan / Mar Musa / Maalula worth seeing? I know, I know, it all depends on what people like. Primarily, we are interested in enjoyable and atmospheric places with some historical context. These three places do not seem to be on the "frontline" of tourist assault but perhaps they are interesting nevertheless.
Appreciate any answer or good advice. Thnx a lot in advance! Bostjan

Hi,

Qalat Simeon and Maaloula are definately worth seeing!

On the way to Qalat Saman stop to see the church ruin at Mushabbak and if you go to Malula you should go to Sednaya too!

Mar Musa is worth visiting if you're Christians, otherwise I don't recommend you to go there, because it's a working monastery and not a tourist attraction!

In additon to what poster#1 said, I think it would be so hot for you to climb up the 400 steps for Mar Musa as the temperature may reach 45 C.Remeber also that your trip meets with Ramadan, where I think few restaurants open.

[never mind]

Edited by: chriskean1

To my knowledge the ferry doesn't run.

Qala'at Samaan or Saint Simeon is absolutely worth seeing. It is the most beautiful Byzantine site I ever visited on my travels. You can hire a driver from Aleppo to do a day trip to Saint Simeon and other sites.

Deir Mar Musa is wonderful. They have restored the fresco's in recent years and I found it to be breathtaking. You do not have to climb to the top. You can take a small lift.
Deir Mar Musa can be visited when traveling between Hama and Damascus or coming from Palmyra to Damascus.

Maaloula is nice. It is special because the people still speak Aramaic. The walk through the small canyon towards the monastery is so different from the rest of Syria. It is only 1 hour drive from Damascus.

Hi ChristelB, to my knowlege the lift in Mar Mousa is not for carrying people, it's for carrring food staffs and constraction materials. Can you confirm what you said that tourists can also use it.

In Syria, it's better to phone. In this country, it seems to be usual to give no answwer to mails.
May be the Famagusta port authorities can give you the best answer.

Hi,

I want to stop in Mar Musa and maybe Qara this year, coming from Damascus. Do you know if there are, in Nabk, a karaj with micro's or buses going to Homs, or, either to a town joined to Homs by regular lines (Qara, Al Aissa ?).

Thanks,

Daniel