Damascus/Aleppo

[manstein]

Anybody any recent experience of the two cities?

Thanks.

 

[BassJunkie]

Spent a night in Damascus a couple of years ago on the way back from India, and the locals were seriously some of the most friendly, welcoming, sound people i've ever had the pleasure to have met. I'd love to go back for a longer visit.

 

[manstein]

Bass thanks for the response. I was idly looking at the BA site and found it was only £380 return from Manchester + £30 for the visa. Seemed too good to miss.

 

[rennie]

Damascus is beautiful... make sure to wander around the souks n visit the mosque. lots of friendly peeps. I dunno Aleppo but on the way to northern syria, why not stop by the amazing crusader's castle in Hosn, next to Homs? it truly is a relic of the past. maginificient!

 

[manstein]

Syria seems a fairly small country with a lot of the major sites in a fairly compact area. I've booked for early April to avoid the heat of the summer months.

 

[rennie]

it's very big when you compare it to Lebanon! but yeah, there is LOTS to see. I really reccommed the Crusader's Castle. as well as Palmyra. April should be lovely... not too hot. you might even see wild flowers growing (tho admittedly u'll have to be close to the coast).

 

[manstein]

I've just found out that they still use steam on the railway south of Damascus in fact the line that T E Lawrence blew up on a regular basis.

 

[davesgcr]

See report on BBC News website for the Hezaz Railway - plus radio prog last Sat on Radio 4 which you can listen to off the web - Damascus - Amman rly looks fabulous as an experience ...

 

[manstein]

I caught the tail end of that radio prog so I'll find it on the BBC site. I liked the bit about the 'Gold buried here X' maps on sale in Damascus!!

 

[manstein]

Well I've just got back from Syria and had a great two weeks wandering about on the very cheap bus service. Here are a few snaps..

 

[manstein]