Savour the treasures of Syria

Syrians are proud of their country with a combination of its green mountains, desert, the fertile Euphrates and the greatest collection of Roman and pre-Roman ruins to be found anywhere.   It is a jewel in the crown of the Middle East and holidays in Syria are always special.A luxury holiday in Syria brings you closer […]

Syrians are proud of their country with a combination of its green mountains, desert, the fertile Euphrates and the greatest collection of Roman and pre-Roman ruins to be found anywhere.   It is a jewel in the crown of the Middle East and holidays in Syria are always special.
A luxury holiday in Syria brings you closer to the fascinating sights and sounds of this remarkable country. Syria holidays can offer so much, from the architecturally impressive Kerak des Chevaliers to palmyra, the legendary city of palms that rises defiantly from the sands and the majestic Omayyad Mosque, one of the most magnificent buildings of Islam, you quickly fall under the spell of Syria’s history. Nowhere is this more apparent than the streets of old Damascus, the oldest inhabited city in the world.  Here, the stories of the Bible come magically to life, irrespective of your religious beliefs.  It is full of magic and charm with its bazaars, blind alleys, mosques and minarets, courtyards, street vendors, carts of almonds – green with furry skin that are crunchy and bitter to taste.
The people of Syria are a diverse people. Just as the carpets in the ancient market are full of different colours, textures and designs – each with a story behind the pattern, Syria has many different people groups, each one with its own distinct characteristics and history known by God.
Islam has a long history in Syria, with Damascus as a former capital of the Umayyad Caliphs (AD 661-750) bordering with the Byzantine Empire.
Aleppo would be the city to visit for a more relaxed Syria holiday. It is an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area. The so-called Dead Cities, centres of huge wealth from olive oil in the Byzantine age, reach their apotheosis in the 5th century basilica of St Simeon.  Aleppo competes with Damascus for being the oldest inhabited city in the world.  Whereas Hama competes with Damascus on another level, for being the most picturesque city, another reason to enjoy a luxury holiday in Syria.
Aleppo has been an important trading center between the countries of Asia and Mediterranean Europe since Roman times, and this history of continued contact with merchants gives the city both a charming oriental and a familiar European feel. It has played a vital role in the history of the area from the time of the Akkadian and Amorite Kingdoms until recently since it was situated at the junction of the ancient trade routes. Various architectural styles decorate the city and you can find everything from thirteenth century caravan serais and Hammams to nineteenth century Baroque buildings and Chinese pagodas. It is a city which, perhaps even more than Damascus, readily leads you back into the past, a sort of time continuum in which flashes of the past, accumulate in the present. It is still an animated Arab Bazaar city where the traditions of the Arab Middle Ages don’t seem all that remote. It still (perhaps more than any other city of the Levant) works according to the conventions of commercial life unbroken since ancient times. The most impressive sight for visitors is the colossal citadel of Aleppo, which dominates the entire city.
Syria has had some very hard years of oppression and corruption under the reign of Dictator Hafez Al-Asad. However, his son, Bashaar, has a different style. He is opening up the country inside and outside, both economically and politically. But, he is not alone in the government and it is not easy to turn a big ship. The scars of oppression are very noticeable in the people, who are often suspicious and fearful.
Syrians love to make visitors feel welcome. Hospitality and respect for guests is one of their highest priorities. They are a friendly and hard working people. For that relaxing travel and leisure destination, Syria is the place to be.
Culled: Travelasia/Syria.net