Syria

Syria is a journey through a living museum. Parts of Damascus and Aleppo seem to have changed little in centuries, and the pace of life is best appreciated from the sanctuary of a café. But for all the hustle and bustle Syria is also a place for tranquil moments – for listening to the breeze on the hillside monasteries, or for watching the shifting colours as the day passes in Palmyra. Syria is a country which challenges any pre-conceived notions and delighting its visitors in any number of ways.

A small house is room enough for a thousand friends – Syrian proverb

One of the strongest memories people have of their visits to Syria is of the welcoming nature of the people and the friendships forged during their stays. Hospitality is considered most important in this part of the world, and the Syrians embody that spirit. But the people alone are not the reason to come to Syria. It is often referred to as the cradle of civilisation, and with good reason: Damascus and Aleppo vie for the title of the oldest cities in history, and the monuments and ruins of civilisations past date back several millennia. Each has left their influence on the land, and their work survives to this day.

Damascus and Aleppo can feel like a step backwards in time. The narrow streets wind through the town, and behind the dull doors lie colourful, flowery courtyards. Beyond the cities are spectacular remains such as those of the desert city of Palmyra, which glistens in the late afternoon sun, or the imposing Crusader Castles and the remarkable stone houses of the Christian community in the north west, which seem to rise from nowhere from the grassy hillside.

Syria may not be at the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to travelling the world, but it has the scope to surprise and delight, thanks to an extraordinarily deep history and its wonderful people.

Some of the highlights of a holiday to Syria:

- Damascus, the capital city full of culture, history and character

- Palmyra, an ancient city on the trade route between west and east

- Aleppo, another inspiring city in the Syrian north

- St Simeon’s Church, dedicated to an ascetic monk from the fifth century

- Hama Waterwheels, which dominate the Orontes River

- Bosra, a Decapolis town made from local black basalt, with an impressive Amphitheatre

- Ma‘alula, mountainside town home to two Monasteries

- Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi, a 1300 year-old hunting lodge in the desert

- Crac des Chevaliers, the most striking Crusader Castle dominating the landscape to this day

- In and around Deir Ez-Zor, this city on the Euphrates is the point to visit fascinating sites to the east and west