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Famous
Places in Syria
Reasons
to Visit Damascus, the Capital of Syria
Syria
- a Popular Destination for the 21st Century
Syria
Re-visited
Reasons
to Visit Damascus, the Capital of Syria by Arty Blazer
Damascus
Featured Hotels
The capital city of Syria,
Damascus is one of the few true ancient cities in the world. Founded sometime
around 2000 BC, the city gained recognition as a political and economical
centre during the seventh century becoming the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate.
The history, the cultural heritage, and the traditions make it one of the
main attractions in Syria.
| The city is filled with
great Islamic mosques, ancient sculptures, and parks. You can visit genuine
medieval forts and fortresses and learn about the history of ancient empires
and epic clashes. Different religions are welcomed in Damascus. Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam are well represented in this ancient city and tourists
can visit their temples, churches and mosques in just one trip.
Romantic travelers will enjoy
a trip to Jebel Qassioum from which you can take in views of the town of
Damascus. The view is best at sunset. If you have great stamina and are
in good physical condition you can venture into the mountain and hike up
it to the top. However, the most common way to reach the peak is to use
one of the local cabs. There you can have a great dinner or enjoy a cup
of coffee at one of the restaurants or cafes located in the area.
Shopping tourists will be
more than delighted to visit the indoor shopping street of Souq al-Hamidiyya,
the largest shopping alley in Syria. Gold and jewellery shops are some
of the most visited ones. Other shops sell spices, sweets and oriental
silk clothing. Visit Souq al-Hamidiyya and have the best genuine oriental
trade experience of your life. |
Bab
Ash-Sharqi Gate, Damascus, Syria
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A visit to Damascus must
include the famous Ummayad mosque. An important location for both Christians
and Muslims, the mosque's past is related to both the Prophet Muhammed
and John the Baptist. Next to the mosque is the tomb of well known Arab
ruler Salah ah Din or known to the non Arab world as Saladin. An important
historical figure of the Crusade era, Saladin was praised for his chivalry
by Christian king Richard the Lionheart himself.
Courtyard
of Umayyad Mosque at Sunset, Damascus
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Dining in Damascus is a
great way to enjoy one of the most exotic cuisines in the world, the Arab
and oriental cuisine. Great fresh Shawarma together with other oriental
specialities and plenty of fresh fruits and salads will make you want to
stay here forever. Do not hesitate to visit the restaurants and street
vendors of Damascus. Visitors with a sweet tooth will enjoy a visit of
the Ghraoui chocolatier located in the middle of the Souq al-Hamidiyya
shopping street.
The nightlife of Damascus
is not very vibrant. For bars and pubs you can visit the Christian districts
where you can also find alcohol. Besides the bars you can enjoy a cocktail
at the large hotels and restaurants. |
For tobacco you can visit
the Islamic district where you will find the finest tobacco in Damascus
together with reasonably priced water pipes named hookahs.
Damascus
Featured Hotels
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About the Author: Reasons
to Visit Damascus, the Capital of Syria is a travel guide from Tripopedia,
a travel encyclopedia. Learn about things
to do in Damascus, places to see and places to eat. |
|
| Syria
Re-visited by Steppes Travel
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Anyone who has visited Syria
will say how friendly the people are. They are extremely proud of their
country and offer a warm welcome to foreign visitors. After visiting the
dramatic Crusader castle of Saladin I was invited to sit with my driver
and his friends for a cup of tea. These three men were keen to ensure that
my view of them and the Syrian people was not what they felt was portrayed
by the media.
| We are all people before
we are anything else they told me. They went on to tell me of a friend
who owns a small, modest shop and who during Eid this year (the festival
signaling the end of Ramadan, the fasting month), had filled a truck with
sugar and rice and handed the food out to local people more needy then
he.
As I left and thanked them
for the tea I was greeted by a chorus of 'you are most welcome' a greeting
I heard many times during my travels.
Having already visited the
classic sites of the country on previous trips, this visit was a chance
to explore those less visited spots such as the ancient sites of Dura Europas
& Mari. |
City
Mosque and the Citadel, Aleppo (Haleb), Syria
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Located on the Euphrates
river & close to the border with Iraq, this area of the country is
a test for the best of drivers with truck loads of Arab families crossing
borders, convoys of wedding vehicles hooting horns and spilling over with
families as well as others celebrating a family members return from the
Haj pilgrimage. Along the road lie small villages, their resident families
working the land with the women of this area colourfully dressed with beautifully
made up faces.
Columns
of Ruins at Dawn, Palmyra, Syria
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My trip was at the end of
November & I was blessed with unusually warm weather. Another advantage
of this off season period is the chance to visit sites with few other tourists
- exploring the walled desert city of Rasafe with only a local family and
2 other tourists was certainly one of my highlights. It is so much easier
to lose yourself in a site when you are alone with only the silence of
the desert.
I spent a wonderful day in
Damascus
with my local agent and friend Bashar visiting numerous new boutique hotels
which have sprung up since my last visit. There is now a great choice of
beautiful character hotels in both Aleppo and Damascus
with rooms set around a pretty central courtyard. |
Whenever I am in the Middle
East I always try to spend some time in one of the Mosques - I am not a
religious person myself but sitting in the courtyard area of the Umayyad
mosque with its elegant domed architecture & beautiful mosaics while
men and women wash and prepare to pray is a special experience. Women robed
in black chat while children run around playing and the overwhelming sensation
is one of calm and peace.
My recent visit to Syria
has only served to re-enforce my passion for this wonderful country. If
it is not on your list of places to visit in the near future....it should
be.
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About the Author: Steppes
Travel specialise in luxury
holidays, and tailor made holidays |
FEATURED
HOTELS IN ALEPPO, SYRIA
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| Aleppo is the largest
city in Syria and the capital of Aleppo Governorate, the most populous
Syrian governorate. For centuries, Aleppo was Greater Syria's largest
city and the Ottoman Empire's third, after Constantinople and Cairo. Although
relatively close to Damascus in distance, Aleppo is distinct in identity,
architecture and culture, all shaped by a markedly different history and
geography.
Aleppo is one of the oldest
continuously inhabited cities in the world; it has been inhabited since
perhaps as early as the 6th millennium BC. Excavations at Tell Qaramel
(25 km north of Aleppo) show the area to have been inhabited since the
11th millennium BC, which makes it the oldest known human settlement in
the world. |
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map of Aleppo
|
| Excavations
at Tell as-Sawda and Tell al-Ansari, just south of the old city of Aleppo,
show that the area was occupied since at least the latter part of the 3rd
millennium BC; and this is also when Aleppo is first mentioned in cuneiform
tablets unearthed in Ebla and Mesopotamia, in which it is noted for its
commercial and military proficiency. Such a long history is probably due
to its being a strategic trading point midway between the Mediterranean
Sea and Mesopotamia. |
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for Aleppo Hotels
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Coral
Julia Dumna Hotel Aleppo
Coral Julia Dumna hotel
is situated in the heart of Aleppo, the oldest inhabited cities in the
world. Conveniently located 15 minutes away from Aleppo Airport, the hotel
is ideal for both business travellers and tourists. Proximity to popular
shopping and entertainment areas set the stage for a great day. The hotel
is a landmark by itself and is surrounded by the most famous historical
sites in Syria. We are 10 minutes walk from Aleppo Citadel and 150 meters
from the Grand Omayad Mosque and Medina Bazaar. Not very far from the hotel
are the National Museum, Public Park, Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions
and popular Bazaars, Khans & Hammams. |
 |
Dedeman
Aleppo
The second biggest city
in Syria after the capital Damascus, Aleppo has retained its importance
in history to our day with its location where the Mediterranean meets the
Middle East. One of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire, Aleppo
has drawn people to itself for centuries with its temperate climate, its
culture-arts and entertainment, as well as its rich cuisine. Aleppo reflects
the mysterious face of the Middle East with its famous 7-gated citadel
walls spanning 5 km, its covered bazaar and its colonial buildings. A cosmopolitan
city with mixed Arab, Armenian, Turkish and Assyrian populations, Aleppo
rightfully holds its place among UNESCO World Heritage sites with labyrinthine
streets and hidden bazaars in the old city. |
FEATURED
HOTELS IN DAMASCUS (DIMASHQ), SYRIA
|
|
Reasons
to Visit Damascus, the Capital of Syria
The capital city of Syria,
Damascus is one of the few true ancient cities in the world. Founded sometime
around 2000 BC, the city gained recognition as a political and economical
centre during the seventh century becoming the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate.
The history, the cultural heritage, and the traditions make it one of the
main attractions in Syria.... read more |
View
map of Damascus
|
Search
for more hotels in Damascus
 |
Dedeman
Damascus
Located centrally in one
of the world’s oldest human settlements, the Dedeman Damascus receives
guests from all around the globe with traditional Dedeman hospitality in
a building that has a breath-taking panorama and a resplendent architecture.
Our hotel is in the city center, 27 kilometers away from the airport and
one kilometer from the train station. Delighting up to 120 guests at a
time, La Brasserie is also the meeting point for our coffee-loving patrons.
Serving up to 120 guests at a time, Al Liwan is an authentic Syrian restaurant.
Dishes particular to Syria accompanied by Oriental dancing and music, make
this venue a favorite spot for entertainment in the city. |
 |
Queen
Center Arjaan Damascus
Our Damascus hotel offers
stylish accommodation and is the perfect place to reside whether for business
or leisure. City Café Chic modern style offering different delicious
light fare. Set in an informal yet stylish ambience, City Café offer
you a wide selection of homemade cake, coffee, tea, soft drinks and assorted
fresh juices. At Arjaan Café, we're always whipping up new
ways to make you feel special.The Arjaan Cafe is a unique blend of contemporary
design offering sumptuous buffets for breakfast. a la carte lunch and dinner
menu. |
FEATURED
HOTELS IN LATAKIA, SYRIA
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| Latakia or Latakiyah
is the principal port city of Syria, as well as the capital of the Latakia
Governorate. In addition to serving as a port, the city is a manufacturing
center for surrounding agricultural towns and villages.
Though the site has been
inhabited since the second millennium BCE, the modern-day city was first
founded in the 4th century BCE under the rule of the Seleucid empire. Latakia
was subsequently ruled by the Romans, then the Ummayads and Abbasids in
the 8th–10th centuries. Under their rule, the Byzantines frequently attacked
the city, periodically recapturing it before losing it again to the Arabs,
particularly the Fatimids. |
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map of Latakia
|
| Afterward, Latakia
was ruled by the Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Ayyubids, Mamluks, and Ottomans.
Following World War I, Latakia was assigned to the French mandate of Syria,
in which it served as the capital of the autonomous territory of the Alawites.
This autonomous territory became the State of Alawites in 1922, proclaiming
its independence a number of times until reintegrating into Syria in 1944. |
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for hotels in Latakia
 |
Afamia
Rotana Resort Latakia
Ideally located at the crossroad
of the Near East, Afamia Rotana Resort is on a peninsula, 2 km from the
Latakia city centre, the property has an exceptional beach front, which
makes it an ideal destination for leisure and business travellers alike.The
resort is within easy distance of Syria's historical sites including Ugarit
Canaaite , seaport, Crusaders forts and castles and ancient Roman vestiges.
Al Manara - the all day dining restaurant is your destination for authentic
cuisine from all over the world. Begin the day with an extensive selection
from the breakfast buffet or explore the rich culture and vast array of
flavours on the delicious themed buffet nights |
 |
Le
Meridien Lattakia
Located on the edge of the
Mediterranean, this hotel is minutes from Syria’s key port and offers an
exceptional pool and restaurants. Dedication to offering delicious cuisine
and fine wine is an integral part of the heritage and tradition of Le Méridien.
Savor delicious gastronomy elegantly presented at each of our dining venues.
Le Méridien is world renowned for our attention to detail and dedication
to exemplary customer service. In addition to all of the global features
and activities you would expect at Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts,
impeccable service is promised at every turn. |
FEATURED
HOTELS IN PALMYRA, SYRIA
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|
| Palmyra or
Tadmur was an ancient city in Syria. In the age of antiquity, it
was an important city of central Syria, located in an oasis 215 km northeast
of Damascus and 180 km southwest of the Euphrates at Deir ez-Zor. It had
long been a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian desert
and was known as the Bride of the Desert. The earliest documented reference
to the city by its Semitic name Tadmor, Tadmur or Tudmur (which means "the
town that repels" in Amorite and "the indomitable town" in Aramaic.) is
recorded in Babylonian tablets found in Mari. |
View
map of Palmyra
|
| Though the ancient
site fell into disuse after the 16th century, it is still known as Tadmur
in Arabic, and there is a newer town next to the ruins of the same name.
The Palmyrenes constructed a series of large-scale monuments containing
funerary art such as limestone slabs with human busts representing the
deceased. |
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for hotels in Palmyra
 |
Dedeman
Palmyra Hotel
Located next to the ancient
city of Palmyra, the hotel is located in the perfect place for visitors
to discover the area. Palmyra, which takes its name from the millions
of date trees that once existed in the city, is the number one tourist
attraction in Syria. Its history dates back to the 1st century AD and was
one of the richest cities because it was a crossing point between Iran
and Rome’s Mediterranean harbors. The Babylonian tablets are the earliest
known document of the city that was once known as ‘the town that repels’
by its Semitic name, Tadmor, Tadmur or Tudmur. This ancient city, which
is still referred to as Tadmor in Arabic, is located right next to the
city’s ruins, where there is another small city of the same name. |
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