Table of 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

About the Author

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.

Reviews

'A useful resource.'
Voyager

'A good general guide.'
The Guardian