Bordering the eastern Mediterranean, Syria is part of a region recognised as the very cradle of civilisation, not least in the central area around the banks of the Euphrates where evidence of an ancient history dates back to the fourth millennium BC. Elsewhere are displayed magnificent ruins of Roman cities and Crusader castles and citadels from the early Middle Ages. But this historic heritage is matched by an impressive wealth of natural scenery, deserts and oases, coastal beaches, cereal plains, olive groves and snow-capped mountains.
Climate In the west, especially along the coast, Mediterranean conditions prevail with warm summers and mild, moist winters. Here, the climate is comfortable from September to May which is the best time to visit. In the desert country of the interior it is much hotter (often too hot!) and drier.
Damascus Syria's capital is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. At 690m above sea-level, it grew up around the Barada River and Ghouta Oasis which enabled life to be sustained in an otherwise uninhabitable landscape. The focal point of Damascus is its charming Old City, surrounded by a Roman wall, in which the main covered market, the Souq al-Hamadiyyeh, lies among cobbled streets in the shadow of the Omayyad Mosque, built in 705 AD on the site of ancient temples and a Christian cathedral.
Bosra The former capital of the Roman Province of Arabia, Bosra, situated at a crossroads of old trade routes, was the first Muslim city in Syria. Its main point of interest today is an Arab fortress enclosing one of the world's best preserved Roman amphitheatres seating up to 15,000 people. There are also baths, columns, capitals and minarets and great pools built to supply a metropolis with water.
Aleppo Historically one of the great commercial centres of the Middle East, Syria's second city is almost as old as Damascus itself and even more interesting. There is a plethora of ancient buildings, not least the citadel, an immense structure in the heart of the old city, and the Hammam al-Nasri, the most impressive bath in the whole country. The covered souk, catering for locals not tourists, is another must.
Palmyra Its rise to glory beginning under the Assyrians, the desert fortress of Palmyra (Tadmor in Arabic) lies in the centre of Syria between the Orontes River to the west and the Euphrates to the east. Located beside a hot-water spring, Afqa, this charming oasis town is most notable today for its breathtaking displays of Roman architecture in the form of its Great Colonnade, theatre, Temple of Bel, Valley of the Tombs and many other magnificent ruins covering 6 square kms. Overlooking the town is a 17th-century Arab castle.
Crac des Chevaliers Probably the most famous crusader castle in the world, this mighty edifice, in almost mint condition, was built between 1150 and 1250 on a mountain pass between Turkey and Lebanon to protect eastern trade routes. From its great height it provides superb views over the valley and surrounding mountains.
