Syria Travel Guide

The Omayyad Mosque, which I saw it in 2011 when we started our middle east trip was so beautiful. It was built by Abdulmelik bin Merwan who is the fifth calif of umayyad dynasty. ?t is rumoured that he said "I will built a mosque which was not built in the past and will not be able to built in the future"

I've been many times to Beit Jabri, the atmosphere is very nice and you make an encounter of meeting either a famous Syrian actor or actress there by only having a drink or a meal there. There are different sections in the restaurant and it assures your privacy if needed and the availability to accommodate more than all your friends (I already had...

Since this has been occupied by Syrian troops in defense of the government in Damascus, it's likely that the village has been damaged by troops living there The Village in the citadel was complete with water cisterns, grain storage, workshops for all the aspects of medieval life. One need rarely leave the village unless perhaps to work in the...

In 2008 August my husband,my daughter and myself with the help of 2 local police officers searched for the dragon Great Wall Tes.Sadly we found it butwas a shut down Indian rest. So we finally got Ikebana in Sherato Hotel .The chef is Malaysian.Its a Japanese / Asian rest. Really delicious.The chef is great and very knid and friendly.Definitely NOt...

Mate in Arabic (mati)is south American drink but very popular drink in Syria,Is drunk with Massasa (strow )and hot water.Those who share the mate join in a kind of bond of total acceptance and friendship.some of the benefits of drinking yerba mate tea.1. Rich in AntioxidantsYerba mate tea is very high in antioxidants; it's got about 90% more...

MAGDOUSIngredientsEggplantsSweet red pepper pasteCrushed walnutsOlive oilSaltSliced garlic (optional)The stuffingMix together the sweet red pepper paste with the crushed walnuts and the garlic.MOUHAMMARAIngredients100 gr. bread crumbs50 gr. sweet red pepper paste10 gr. crushed dried hot red pepper20 gr. cumin40 gr. concentrated pomegranate syrup100...

When is the best time to visit Syria?- The best time to visit Syria is spring or autumn, as the temperature is in the mild mid 20s. Winter is too cold and Summer is probably too hot for all but the most hardy traveler, add to that frequent electricity and water shortages during the hot summer months.

InternetSyrians has easy and cheap internet access. Internet is very common around the cities at internet cafes. since the Syrian upraising and crisis that started january 2011 most of Facebook and YouTube have been blocked and monitored but there are still some websites unblocked. The cafes are very friendly but in order to avoid being price...

Mate in Arabic (mati)is south American drink but very popular drink in Syria,Is drunk with Massasa (strow )and hot water.Those who share the mate join in a kind of bond of total acceptance and friendship.some of the benefits of drinking yerba mate tea.1. Rich in AntioxidantsYerba mate tea is very high in antioxidants; it's got about 90% more...

These Pictures which paint thousands of words. If you happen to visit Syria, it is a must to have a break to visit even just drink a cup of coffee or taste a Syrian Cuisine in a Restaurant on the Riverside where you can also enjoy the pictorial beauty of the Landscape with all inclusive the the nature of Orontes River, the greeneries of the Valley...

MAGDOUSIngredientsEggplantsSweet red pepper pasteCrushed walnutsOlive oilSaltSliced garlic (optional)The stuffingMix together the sweet red pepper paste with the crushed walnuts and the garlic.MOUHAMMARAIngredients100 gr. bread crumbs50 gr. sweet red pepper paste10 gr. crushed dried hot red pepper20 gr. cumin40 gr. concentrated pomegranate syrup100...

Suweida lies in the very fertile region of Hauran, dominated by the gentle sloping 1800-metre Jebel al-Arab peak. The area's volcanic soil and good winter rains have turned it into an agricultural region since ancient times. In fact, the Hauran, Graeco-Roman Auranitis, was one of the breadbaskets of the Roman Empire and the town of Suweida in...

All guidebooks indicate that this small, little-visited museum is the main reason to stop in Suweida. It is said to have an exceptional collection of mosaics and other artefacts and fragments from Suweida and nearby Shahba (Philippopolis). Regretfully, I was not able to visit the museum due to time constraints. In fact, Suweida was not even on my...

One of the few remaining vestiges of Dionysias (i.e., Roman Suweida), this arched structure was the northern city gate. It was built in the same black volcanic stone that gave the town its original Nabataean name, Suda, and its current Arabic name, Suweida, both of which mean the "little black one". The gate is nowadays a mere monument in the...

Adjacent to the Kalybé on the north side are the remains of a Roman palace. It might have been the centre of the Roman government of the city or even the rulers residence. The ruins of the palace were incorporated into a residence constructed during the Ottoman period.

One of the most prominent remains of Philippopolis, this stage-like structure is believed to be a Kalybé. Such a structure, found in many of the Roman cities of this region, is of Semitic/Nabataean origin and resembles a nymphaeum. In fact, the two types of structures are so similar that the earliest archaeologists mistakenly identified the Kalybé...

Three and a half of the six original Corinthian columns of this temple are still standing along the Decumanus Maximus of Philippopolis (Shahba). In the modern era, these columns are now in the front porch of a house (how lucky the owners are!) but they once preceded a Roman temple. Although it was named by archaeologists as the Hexastyle Temple...

Located north-east end of the historic centre of Bosra, the Mosque of Mabrak el-Naqa was built in 1136 AD and expanded in the 13th century. It has an usual egg-shaped white cupola over a black basalt structure, and a square black basalt minaret. It is believed to have been built on the spot where the Prophet Mohammed camped in a tent on his visit...

At the north-east corner of the intersection between the decumanus maximus and the cardo rose another 2nd century AD monumental structure, the Kalybé. It faced the Nymphaeum on the opposite side, and consisted of an exedra with niches flanked by two Corinthian columns. Only the two columns and a fragment of the entablature above have survived, but...

When the Omayyad Mosque of Damascus was built in the early 8th century, the best architects and craftsmen of the displaced Eastern Roman Empire (i.e. Byzantine) were employed for the monumental construction. They utilised techniques developed in church construction and building materials from the Church of Saint John the Baptist to construct an...

The interior of Mushabbak Church is in an incredible state of preservation. The church has a triple nave separated by high arches that are supported by Doric, Corinthian and Ionic columns. The western end of the church, seen in the attached photograph, has several arched windows that one could easily imagine with stained glass. Just add a ceiling...

The town of Daret Azzeh is located about 5 minutes away from Mushabbak Church. While not a glamour spot, Daret Azzeh is a good place for a break when visiting some of the desolate 'dead cities' of this part of Syria. The attached photo is of Daret Azzeh as seen from the road.

VirtualTourist upgrades to it's photo system destroyed my image quality, but in 2015, ISIS packed explosive into the Temple of Baal and destroyed the real thing. The only good news is the prior to ISIS occupation, archeologists performed a photographic scan, recording the exact dimensions and colors on this building, so that theoretically at least,...

VirtualTourist destroyed the colors and quality of my scanned positives taken in 1997, but in the current period the Great Archway was destroyed by ISIS explosivesThere's a very high multiple Arch in Palmyra. It's at the end of the main street, closest to the Temple of Baal, and do doubt seeing a caravan from Asia enter through it must have...

Many ground and drone images reveal extensive damage, toppled and dismembered columns are the work of ISISThe main drag of ancient Palmyra was lined with a number of important public buildings and stretched for more than a half mile or so to end at the Funerary Temple. The street is not straight, as Roman roads are but takes a slight turn midway....

At a height of 1115m above sea level, this is one of the highest restaurants in Israel. From here you have a beautiful view. The place itself a beautiful, rustic, cabin offering a selection of quiche, soups, locally made cheese, casseroles, fish, lamb and beef. All served with local herbs. This is the perfect place to end a day of snow on the...

This is not a fancy ski resort in European standards, but it's the only one we have in Israel... People come here to ski, or just to play in the snow or enjoy some of the attractions built for the kids.

Majdal Shams is right on the border with Syria. The fence separated the Golan Druze from their brothers in Syria. This place is where Druze from both sides come to see each other. As the distance from the other side if minimal here. People come here and shout to their relatives on the other side.

There are two ways to explore the Baniyas nature reserve. You can stay close to the entrance or you can hike from one entrance to the other. The waterfall is not far from the western entrance and the Pan temple is right next to the eastern entrance. So, if you don't want to walk too much or you don't have enough time you can just do these two. But,...

Take your time on your approch to the waterfall and you will be rewarded with many a fantastic sight, here you can see one of the trees with a intricately knarled trunk.You can find out more at the National Park website :http://www.parks.org.il/

There is little that remains of the shire and its buildings, but just by looking at the top of this column, you can see the intricate detail that must have adorned each and every corner of this shrine.

Ruins of roman fortress city Doura Europos, originally a Babylonian town with remains of foundation of church, synagogue and other buildings of Hellenistic town. The town was famous from tolerance of its inhabitants different religious.How to get there :Microbus will drop you on the crossroad in the middle of nowhere and you have to walk about one...

A ruin of defensive citadel from 13th century is situated on a stony hill about 5 km from main road from Deir ez-Zor to Doura Europos or Mari. You can catch sight of the castle on the right side befor entering a village Al-Mayadin.It is interesting to visit this place despite of location on barren hill. There is an excellent view of country and you...

If we in Europe see two men holding hands we would assume they are a homosexual couple, but that is not the case in Syria. Men in Syria are physical with each other and seeing two male friends holding hands is common and only a token of friendship.

MAGDOUSIngredientsEggplantsSweet red pepper pasteCrushed walnutsOlive oilSaltSliced garlic (optional)The stuffingMix together the sweet red pepper paste with the crushed walnuts and the garlic.MOUHAMMARAIngredients100 gr. bread crumbs50 gr. sweet red pepper paste10 gr. crushed dried hot red pepper20 gr. cumin40 gr. concentrated pomegranate syrup100...

Language when you in Qamishli and surrounding means you are in Kurdish region so every body speaks Kurdish Kirmanji dialect in their daily life and They use Arabic as second language when they go to big cities such as Aleppo.A hint If you want to recognize Kurdish person from an Arab person is easy : Arabs Cant pronounce the letter P They pronounce...

Language when you in Qamishli and surrounding means you are in Kurdish region so every body speaks Kurdish Kirmanji dialect in their daily life and They use Arabic as second language when they go to big cities such as Aleppo.A hint If you want to recognize Kurdish person from an Arab person is easy : Arabs Cant pronounce the letter P They pronounce...