Middle East - Anthony Ham [389]
Spring is the best time to visit as temperatures are mild and the winter rains have cleared the haze that obscures views for much of the year. Autumn is the next-best choice. The busiest tourism periods are Easter through to September and Islamic religious holidays; these months roughly coincide with what hotels call high season. During these times it’s essential to book accommodation in advance.
For more information on Syria’s climate, Click here.
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HISTORY
Historically, Syria included the territories that now make up modern Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon and Syria itself. Due to its strategic position, its coastal towns were important Phoenician trading posts. Later, the area became a pivotal part of the Egyptian, Persian and Roman empires, and many others in the empire-building business, for that matter.
Syria finally ended up as part of the Ottoman domains ruled from İstanbul, and was dished out to France (along with Lebanon) when the Ottoman Empire broke up after WWI. This caused considerable local resentment, as the region had been briefly independent from the end of WWI until the French took over in 1920.
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SYRIA IN…
One Week
Arriving in Syria from Turkey, most roads lead to Aleppo (Click here), where you should spend at least one day immersing yourself in the labyrinthine souqs, climbing up to the citadel and dining in Al-Jdeida. Next stop, Hama (Click here), an engaging town in its own right, but also a base par excellence for the wonderful Crusader castle of Crac des Chevaliers (Click here). A few buses run east into the desert and the iconic Roman ruins of Palmyra (Click here), where you really should plan at least one sunset and one sunrise visit to the ruins. Then it’s on to Damascus (Click here), with its stunning Old City and wealth of architectural and other quintessentially Syrian charms. If you’re coming from Lebanon, this is where you’ll most easily begin your Syrian journey. Your week’s almost up and you’ve just enough time to head to the Jordanian border (Click here) from the Syrian town of Deraa.
Two Weeks
Two weeks in Syria is ideal, allowing an extra day each in Aleppo and Damascus. From Aleppo, a day trip taking in Qala’at Samaan (Click here) and the Dead Cities (Click here) is a must. You’ve the option of then taking the picturesque train ride to liberal Lattakia (Click here), a base for a half-day trip to Qala’at Saladin (Click here); from Lattakia, buses lead down the coast and around to Hama. The other alternative from Aleppo is a round trip to Rasafa (Click here), although this can also be done from Hama (Click here). Apamea (Click here) is a jewel of a Roman city and can be visited as part of an excursion from Hama, or en route from Aleppo. Having visited Palmyra, day trips from Damascus include Maalula (Click here) and Seidnayya (Click here), while Bosra (Click here) and its extraordinary theatre enables you to tick off the third of Syria’s wonderful Roman cities.
Join the Itineraries
Jordan (Click here)
Lebanon (Click here)
Turkey (Click here)
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SYRIA IN…
One Week
Arriving in Syria from Turkey, most roads lead to Aleppo (Click here), where you should spend at least one day immersing yourself in the labyrinthine souqs, climbing up to the citadel and dining in Al-Jdeida. Next stop, Hama (Click here), an engaging town in its own right, but also a base par excellence for the wonderful Crusader castle of Crac des Chevaliers (Click here). A few buses run east into the desert and the