About this book
This second edition of Bradt's Syria is the clear market frontrunner, offering more detailed first-hand information on sites, cultural, historical and social background, accommodation and restaurants than any other guidebook. In addition to the country's impressive historical sites, such as the Roman caravan city of Palmyra and the Crusader castle of Crac des Chevaliers, it incorporates walking and trekking areas, wildlife and other environmental issues, while amusing snippets from literature, local anecdotes and sayings help to stimulate a genuine interest and understanding of Syria's people and the land in which they live.
Contents
Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Geography, Climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Judicial system, Economy, People, Arabic language, Religion, Education, Arabic culture and literature Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Foreign missions and associations in Damascus, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Facilities for specific travellers, What to take, Electricity, Weights and measures, Time, Money and banking, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public Holidays and festivals, Shopping and bargaining, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Business, Buying a property, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 3 Dascus Setting, Orientation from Jebel Qassioun, Historical overview, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Local tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do Chapter 4 Christian villages of the Qalamoun Mountains Historical background, Seydnaya, Ma'loula, Mar Mousa Monastery, Qara Chapter 5 Homs, Hama and the Southern Forgotten Cities Getting there, Homs, Hama old city and waterwheels, From Hama towards Aleppo, The Forgotten Cities Chapter 6 Aleppo Setting and history, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist office, Local tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Excursion to Qal'at Najm Chapter 7 Aleppo to the Coast Excursions northwest from Aleppo, Excursions west of Aleppo Chapter 8 The Syrian Coast Lattakia, Syria's Cote d'Azur, Ugarit, North to Ras Al-Basit, South along the coast Chapter 9 The Hawran and the Jebel Druze Quneitra (the Golan Heights), Bosra, Ezraa, Suweida, Salkhad, Mushannaf, Qanawat, Sia, Shahba, Shaqqa Chapter 10 Palmyra and the Desert History, Getting there and away, Planning, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, NIghtlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do Chapter 11 The Euphrates and the Desert Getting there and away, Following the river, Across the desert, Bedouin culture Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Glossary Appendix 3 Further Information Index
Customer Reviews
Biography
Diana Darke is a fluent Arabic speaker and has specialised in the Middle East for over 25 years. The owner of an old courtyard house within the walls of Old Damascus, she is well known as a Syria expert.
