Even though Syria is low on most people's list of places to visit, it's a fascinating place to see and explore. You can visit Syria's most famous buildings and ancient sites as well as experiencing the excitement of the souq in Damascus to the amazement and wonder of the Crac de Chevalier by Homs. The Larscom Holiday Tour will take you to Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Deiz Ez-Zur, Palmyra, and Damascus. You'll never forget its breathtaking sites.
The actual power of Syria is in the hands of the leader of the Arab Ba'th Socialist Party. He/She has the power to appoint ministers, declare war, issue laws, and appoint civil servants and military personal. Since the1973 constitution came out, legislative power now lies with the citizens of Syria and they are free to express themselves as they please.
The Syrian economy is basically bankrupt. Fortunately, it gets much help from other Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran gives Syria 2,000 barrels of free oil per day as payment for the Syrian support in the Gulf War. Agriculture is very important in Syria. It provides employment for at least 50% of the working citizens of Syria. For this reason, the government is spending more money on it.
There are four geographical regions in Syria: the coastal strip, the mountains, the steppe, and the desert. The coastal strip of Syria stretches between Turkey and Lebanon for about 180 km. The average daily temperature ranges from 29 Celsius in the summer to 10 Celsius in the winter with a annual rainfall of 760 mm. In another part of Syria, the desert, temperatures are high and the rainfall is low. In the summer the days average is about 40 Celsius to 46 Celsius. This land of endless stony plains and few oasis is inhabited by the Bedouins who graze sheep in these hot climates. However, not all of Syria is plain and flat, take the Ansariyah Mountains for example. The Ansariyah Mountains are jagged, steep, and has a average height of 1000 meters. They form a ridge running north-south from the coast which acts like a barrier that dominates the whole coast. Other mountains like the Jebel Lubnan ash-Sharqiyah and the Jebel as Sheikh (highest mountain in Syria) rises up to a amazing height of 2000 meters to 2814 meters. The temperature in these regions are fairly warm but snowflakes can be seen in the peaks in winter. Other regions with mild winters include the cultivated steppe. The temperature averages up to 35 Celsius in the summer and 12 Celsius in the winter. This fertile place provides excellent farming and is Syria's main agricultural region.
Homs is a busy city with lively air. It a crossroad that most travelers have to pass through ar some stage. In ancient times, the city was known as Emesa and it's people are mentioned with those who opposed the Roman conquest. The two Roman Emperors, Elagabalus and Serverus Alexander, were born there and it was also the burial site for Khalid ibn-al-Walid, an Arab conqueror.
To arrive in Homs, you have several options. The bus which takes you to Homs costs SL35 while the plane to Homs costs SL92. (One American dollar = SL42) Once you arrive in Homs it'll probably be dark. Finding a hotel to spend the night is a good idea. The best hotel in Homs is the Al Nasr Hotel which is located along Kouwatli Street between the tourist information booth and the souq (market). The hotel is clean and the manager is friendly and speaks English. There are a few single and double bedrooms for SL 25/50 and there are also share-rooms for SL 25 per bed. Showers cost extra but you can bargain with the owner for a freebie. Other hotels include the Al Khayyani Hotel, the Ibn El Walid Hotel, the Youth Hotel, and the Basman Hotel. They are all located on Kouwatle Street, but are not as clean and friendly as the Al Nasr Hotel although some are cheaper.
When you arrive in Homs early in the morning, you should go to the Crac de Chevalier (Crusader's Castle). You can get there by taxi which costs SL35. This castle was the greatest castle ever built by the invading Crusaders in Syria. It is settled in the mountains of northwestern Syria and has exerted a stronghold over the Homs Gap. It controls the flow of goods and traffic trade between the Mediterranean Sea and the inland cites as well as land trade between Asia Minor and the Holy Land. The trip to Crusader's Castle takes about three hours and the sightseeing takes two, but it's worth it.
Hama is one of the most attractive towns in Syria. It has a peaceful atmosphere and the Orontes River flowing through the center. The river banks are lined with trees, beautiful gardens, and old, creaky watermills. Hama is a wonderful place to spend a few relaxing days in. The museum in Hama is a must-see. The mosaics in there are beautiful and the setting around the museum is very nice. The Grand Mosque is a very interesting place to go, a once-fine building that was almost completely destroyed during the \ in 1982. The best place to stay is the Cairo Hotel on Kouwatli Avenue. It's amazingly spotless clean and has a very friendly owner. The cost for a double with a fan is SL60-75. There is also a Basman Hotel on Kouwatli Avenue; to stay in a singles/doubles with a bath and air-conditioner, it's US$8/11. The cost of staying in Hama is about SL120/US$3 per day, and an extra SL40/US$1 to get there from Homs and back.
Aleppo is known to Syrians as "Halab". With a population of about 1.8 million, Aleppo is the second largest city in Syria. Since the Roman times, Aleppo has been a very large trade center, therefore bringing an Asian and European feel into the tree-lined streets parks, and houses. Aleppo is famous for it's fabulous covered souqs. There are sweet smells of clovers, cardamom, and cinnamon floating in from the spice stalls. There are sound of invitation from merchants, trying to get you to come to tea. They're not pressuring you to buy, it's just Syrian hospitality. The Grand Mosque is also a nice place to go to. Inside a fine, carved wooden pulpit is behind the railing that surrounds the head of Zacharias. This mosque is one of the only mosques that grant non-muslims permission to be inside during Friday prayers. The Ramsis Hotel and the Ambassador Hotel are better than the rest, but you would likely find them a two-star. They charge US$8/12, SL356/SL504 for singles/doubles. Transportation is best by bus. The total for one day here is SL861/US$21. Transportation to Hama and to Aleppo by bus would cost an extra SL50/ US$1.
Deir Ez-zur is a pleasant little riverside town on the Euphrates. There are many roads that lead to Qamishle, Turkey, Mari, Iraq, Damascus, Palmyra, and Aleppo. The main attraction here is the river. A stroll on the riverbank at sunset is a popular activity. The Euphrates flows through a recreation center which you can go to swim. There is also a museum containing many different sorts of items from the Roman times to the 18th century. For some very nice hotels on the high end, you can go to the Hotel Concord, a brand new hotel for US$130/160 for singles/doubles. Or there is Furat Cham, US$160/190. The pool at Furat Cham is an extra SL200 a day. A good place to eat is the As-Sa'id Restaurant. Total for one day is SL1400/ US$33. There are many ways to get to Deir Ez-zur from Aleppo. You can take a bus, or train. The cost for a trip on the bus costs SL20. The train to Deir Ez-zur costs SL80.
Known to the locals as Tadmor, Palmyra is Syria's prime attraction and is one of the world's greatest historical sites. Even if you have seen enough ruins to last a lifetime, make an effort to see this really special ruin.
Palymra has a long history, it's mentioned in the tablets as early as the 19th century BC. It became a important staging post for caravans and was also an important link to the old Silk Route. The downfall of the city began when Odenathus, a brilliant military leader was assassinated, his wife became the ruler. Palmyra was soon conquered by the emperor Aurelian of Rome due to Odenathus' wife's greed. The city was completely destroyed, but it was rebuilt afterward.
One of the best places to start sightseeing in Palmyra is the Temple of Bel. The Temple has a massive courtyard about 200 meters and various shrines/alters that dot its interior. The theater there has many inscriptions and writing that tell you what statues used to be there. There is only one hotel in Palmyra, it is called the Hotel Zenobia. The rooms are clean and all of them comes with fans for it can get very hot in Palmyra. The average cost per room is SL60, but the price may vary. Since this is mostly a self-see city, the total for this city is about SL175/US$4 per day.
Damascus is the capitol of Syria and has a population of 2.2 million, the highest of all Syria. Damascus has a fascinating contrast of people. You may see some women with traditional veil and dress or you may see women in T-shirts and shorts. Some nice places to visit are the Omayyad Mosque, Temple of Jupiter, Azem Palace, a street called Straight, and the National Museum. The Omayyad Mosque is a peaceful place and a respite form the heat and bustle outside. It is a place that you would want to go to soak in the scenery and beautiful buildings. You can take pictures inside and outside of the Omayyad Mosque, so bring a camera with plenty of film along. The Temple of Jupiter is also a very interesting place to visit. It was built on a large piece of land that outlines the governor's palace and castle on Madhat Pasha Street. The next time you visit the governor palace and castle, drop by to see the scenic Temple of Jupiter. Another interesting place to visit is the peaceful haven of the Azen Palace. It was built in 1749 by the governor of Damascus. It has a characteristic theme relating to Egyptian and LeVantine architecture. The cool, flourishing gardens and the fancy interior decoration of the rooms make it a wonderful place to visit. Besides the Azen Palace, there is also a street called the Straight. It hold the remains of the Roman Arch, roughly marking the border of what might be called the Christian quarter. After a long day exploring ancient sites, it's refreshing to go somewhere modern like the National Museum. The National Museum is Damascus is the best of all museums in Syria. It has Islamic glassware, pottery, sculptures, old surgery instruments, and even elaborate gold jewelry. It introduces you to the culture and history of Syria with the help of the amazing artifact the museum has collected over the years.
After a long hot day of sightseeing, you can drop by your hotel for a dip in the pool. Since most hotels are all full, you have to make reservations ahead of time. The Syrian Grand Hotel is a highly recommended four star hotel. It had suitable bedroom and bathrooms and friendly attendants. It costs SL300/US$7 for a double with a private toilet and cold shower. The Syrian Grand Hotel is located a block west from the Citadel.
Syria overall is a wonderful country with amazing sites you will enjoy visiting.