Syria travel info
Iraq-
Syria: 18 days, April- May 07
INTRO SYRIA
Kind of travel:
Alone in a 100% independent travel
When:
20th April- 08th May, 2007
How
I moved:
buses and minibus are the best bet. The service of some deluxe
buses (Palmyra- Damasco) will surprise you. On the other hand
trains seem don't like passengers apart from the Aleppo- Latakia
leg.
Freezing
or baking?
wonderful temperature in April- May when a sweater
is enough, while in summer it's a furnace.
Where
I slept
it's plenty of basic accommodations and cleanness isn't
often included in the price. At least it comes less than 10$
for a double
What
I liked
the country is safe, touts not existent and traveling
is quite cheap. Visiting Quneitra and all its history turned
out very interesting
What I disliked
the monotony of the landscape,
all flat and dry (left
out the mountain range along the coast) and the amazing dirtiness!!
Arwad island wins the "dump of the year"
syrian award :-)
How much
daily:
Syria is cheap!! I'd say that for a solo travellers a low budget
averages around 15$, but being a couple you can shrink it
Dangers/
hassles:
forget terrorism or any kind of anger against western, however
Islam here is quite severe, so be cautious/ respectful in particular
n anything involving women (i.e. pictures, wearing, comments...).
Israel is a hot topic, skip it!
What
to bring:
sunglasses, a cap and "some trust in the people",
useful when you'll get invited in their home
IMPRESSIONS ABOUT SYRIA
Let's begin with the weak points: left out some
areas (i.e., between Aleppo and Latakia), Syria won't definitely
win the award for the variety and the beauty of the environment,
and after a while you'll get a little fed up of dry flat lands.
Moreover dirtiness cannot pass unnoticed, especially when it
gets to the extent of throwing the rubbish bags in the sea as
it happens in Arward. It's a pity because the respect for the
own land it's not a matter of income and at the end it really
impacts on the image if the country.
Then the strong points come: the middle eastern hospitality
won't disappoint you, even those who have experience Iran. I
got invited in private houses several times for dinner and I
really enjoyed it.
Almost useless to be said, the fundamentalist Islamic stereotype
of the country it's a laugh and, as for safety I felt at ease
like a baby in the cradle.
Finally travelling around is cheap and there's no lack of highlights:
Palmyra, The Crak des Chavaliers, the Unmayyad mosque…
won't disappoint even the most I-don't-mind-the-tourist-stuffs-traveller.
In short Syria is a great place of an independent traveller,
and I reccomend it!
Alby
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