Syria
Wikipedia - Syria is a country in the Middle East, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. Syria is a member of one International organization other than the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement; it is currently suspended from the Arab League, the Organisation of Islam Cooperation, and self suspended from the Union for the Mediterranean. Since March 2011, Syria has been embroiled in civil war in the wake of uprisings (considered an extension of the Arab Spring, the mass movement of revolutions and protests in the Arab world) against Assad and the neo-Ba'athist government. This conflict has resulted in sanctions against Syria by the international community aimed at trade and government officials.
CLICK ON THE PICTURES BELOW TO DISCOVER SOME OF THE BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN SYRIA
Check out the View at Citadel of Aleppo
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Ummaayad Mosque of Aleppo
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Visit Damascus Old City
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Grand Mosque of Damascus
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Get Some Sun in Latakia
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For tips on visiting the Middle East CLICK HERE
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE
For general travel tips on what to pack and how to plan ahead CLICK HERE
Syria Fast Facts
1. Syria has recently made an effort to open their boarders to tourists and now offer visas at the border.
2. There are currently no border crossings between Syria and Israel and in order to get from one country to another, you must go through Jordan who has a
peace agreement with Israel. At the time I was traveling, Syria and Israel were having peace talks through the Turkish government but they cease shortly
after the conflict between Israel and the Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
3. The men go out at night to cafes to smoke and play cards while the women stay athome.
4. Homosexuality is not allowed, however there is a gay community and they meet at Turkish bars and baths.
5. If an empty taxi drives by they will honk to let you know they are available; this can get annoying after awhile because there are a lot of taxis in Syria.
6. There are not many pedestrian crossings so people just cross busy roads anywhere weaving through the traffic and amazingly they do not seem to get run
over.
7. Many of the local’s restaurants do not seem to have menus and the ones that do are in Arabic and the waiters don’t usually speak much English. I
recommend bringing along an Arabic phrase book or getting really good at acting out your favorite foods if you do not want to starve to death.
8. Halab is the ancient name for Aleppo.
1. Syria has recently made an effort to open their boarders to tourists and now offer visas at the border.
2. There are currently no border crossings between Syria and Israel and in order to get from one country to another, you must go through Jordan who has a
peace agreement with Israel. At the time I was traveling, Syria and Israel were having peace talks through the Turkish government but they cease shortly
after the conflict between Israel and the Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
3. The men go out at night to cafes to smoke and play cards while the women stay athome.
4. Homosexuality is not allowed, however there is a gay community and they meet at Turkish bars and baths.
5. If an empty taxi drives by they will honk to let you know they are available; this can get annoying after awhile because there are a lot of taxis in Syria.
6. There are not many pedestrian crossings so people just cross busy roads anywhere weaving through the traffic and amazingly they do not seem to get run
over.
7. Many of the local’s restaurants do not seem to have menus and the ones that do are in Arabic and the waiters don’t usually speak much English. I
recommend bringing along an Arabic phrase book or getting really good at acting out your favorite foods if you do not want to starve to death.
8. Halab is the ancient name for Aleppo.
