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Syria is located in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey. The terrain of Syria is primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west. Syria is also bordered with: Iraq, Jordan, Israel.

Syria is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world and still relatively undiscovered by mass tourism. Landscape ranges from forests in the northwest to beaches on Syria's Mediterranean coast. Syria is often called "The cradle of civilizations" because there is no civilization in the east or west throughout the world history that didn't pass through Syria to leave a mark, but also to be deeply affected by Syria's long history. It was here the first alphabets were invented that Greek and Roman culture helped to conquer over the world. It was here that civilization began over ten thousand years ago at Mereibet, Jeyround and Yabroud.

Due to its unique position at the point three continents meet each other Syria has been the focal point of ancient civilization. It was the crossroad between the Caspian Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Black Sea, and the Nile River. For thousands of years Syria controlled the silk route which led from China to Doura Europos (Salhiyeh), from Palmyra and Homs to the Syrian ports on Mediterranean, where Syrian seafarers had ridden the wave in their enormous fleets with their famous white sails. Up to this day silk is an important industry in Syria. In Damascus, Hama and Aleppo the silk weavers still work at the same sort of wooden handlooms their ancestors used in Ebla four thousand years ago.

If you are interested in history and historical monuments, you cannot miss Syria. The country is literary packed with the ruins and monuments of almost all civilizations that passed through here. Today these ancient sites are still the most visited attractions.

There's Qalaat Samaan were St Simeon sat on his 15 meter tall pillar for 36 years and preached to thousands of pilgrims that cam to visit this most holy man in the early middle ages.

There's Palmyra, the ancient caravans stop between the Mediterranean world and the empires of the East - Mesopotamia, Persia and India. In the days of desert queen Zenobia it really was a cosmopolitan city, were east met west and exchanged exotics. It was here the gigantic temple of Baal rose up in the heart of the city. Now it's a city in ruins, best known for the "Valley of Tombs".

In the North you will find the big crusaders' castle Le Crac des Chevaliers and the cities of Aleppo and Hama. And, adjacent to the Turkish border close to Hatay, there’s the ruins of the "Dead Cities" Al Bara, Serdjilla, Qalbe Lbrse and Qirbirze. Piles of rock that were once houses palaces and churches lay abandoned on the vast desolated plains of the Idleb Province.

Places of Interest:

Damascus
Damascus is the capital of Syria and one of the oldest cities in the world that is still inhabited. It is a big lively, and somewhat dirty city with a big old center with small winding streets and a large covered suq. The old city center is one of the most important sights and should not be missed. It contains different markets, several important mosques and shrines, most famous among the is the Omayyad Mosque and is surrounded by massive walls. Furthermore, Damascus has a few good museums, the National Museum being the best among them.

If you want to relax a bit in the old city, there are several really relaxing tea houses just behind the Omayyad mosque where you can sit and sip for hours. If that's not enough you can go to a real Hammam (Turkish bath).

Damascus owns everything to the river Barada. Descending like a torrent from the Anti-Lebanon range, this narrow but abundant river, joined by a hundred smaller streams, cascades down the gorges of Ain al Fijeh. Then it meanders for a while beside the Beirut road, giving pleasure to the patrons of restaurants and cafes along its lush green banks, before losing itself in myriad branches and ditches. These fertilizing waters have produced the Ghouta, a vast expanse of gardens fields and orchards, the oasis from which Damascus gets much of its food. Qassiun - Salhiyeh - General view Ancient map of Damascus Mosque - Sinan Pasha The Ghouta is a place for recreation too (there are many swimming pools, "casinos" and sports arenas there), and is very much appreciated by the inhabitants of a city that suffers all too often from the drying dusty winds that blow over it from the desert and the nearby mountain.

By channeling the Barada it has been possible to create gardens right to the very heart of the lower town. To the north-west however the city has flung itself far up the rocky slopes of the Jabal Qassiun, whose summit (1,115 m) is topped by a television mast.

These higher parts of the city are populous and poor, with the exception of the district known as Al Mouhajarine (bounded to the south by the rue Beirouny, and the rue Nazem Basha), where great modern blocks face out over the vast urban panorama extending away to meet the green Ghouta. Saahat Khorshid, a small square where several bus lines have their terminus, offers a similar view; there is a cafe there with several terraces from which to enjoy it. A new road has now been built up the mountain from the other side, emerging near the summit to command another fine view over the city. what about these ads?

Aleppo
Known as Halab by the locals, Aleppo is Syria's second largest city, and has been a trading centre since Roman times. With its fascinating covered souqs, citadel, museum and khans (caravanserais), it's a great place to spend a few days. The citadel dominates the city at the eastern end of the souqs.

The citadel's exterior has a moat, spanned by a bridge leading to the 12th-century fortified gate, while inside are mostly ruins apart from the restored throne. The only surviving buildings from the original citadel are a small 12th-century mosque and the 13th-century great mosque.

Palmyra
Approaching Palmyra by road, through the Syrian desert, is something you won't easily forget. You turn a a corner and you suddenly see a huge expanse of columns and arches in the middle of a green oasis. Palmyra is without a doubt the most important archaeological attraction in Syria and one of the best in the whole Middle East. It is a sight you can't afford to skip.

For centuries, Palmyra was an important and wealthy caravan stop on the Silk Route between Europe and the Orient. The city is also famous for its legendary queen Zenobia who conquered all of Syria and parts of Egypt and Asia Minor before falling to the Romans in AD 272.

Going to Syria?
We advise you don't.