3 Exotic Locations in Syria
I think it would be fair to say that any location you choose to visit in Syria would be considered exotic in most people’s experience. Because Syria, and even the Middle East is not a hugely popular travel destination, the sites and sounds of many of these countries can provide a wonderful, exciting experience.
To prepare for a trip to somewhere exotic and perhaps taking a path less travelled, it is wise to prepare as much as possible for your holiday. Arranging travel insurance should always be on the top of your list, next to flights. Travel insurance will come in handy if you lose your luggage, flights are cancelled or you are unlucky enough to be robbed or injured while away.
When you are going to a place where you are unfamiliar with the culture and the language, you will feel much safer knowing you are protected. Once your flights and insurance is booked, you must decide what you want to see. The internet will provide enough information to make these choices from the comfort of home.
Although Syria is packed full of amazing and truly magnificent sights, there are three that should be on the top of your list of things to see.
- Palmyra – is a town located in the heart of the Syrian Desert. The city stands in an oasis north-east of Damascus and is known as the Bride of the Desert. The Aramaic ruins of the city provide a dramatic backdrop against the desert setting. Dry, crumbling columns and stones lie on the desert floor amongst temples and monuments that stand to this day.
- Krak des Chavaliers is possibly the world’s most well preserved Crusader Castle and sits atop a 650, high hill on the route to Antioch and Beirut. The castle was built in 1031 for the emir of Aleppo and was captured in the First Crusade and linked to the activity of the Knights Templar.
- The Water Wheels at Hama are an ancient and picturesque structure dating back to the fifth century. Hama is situated on the banks of the Orontes River and was an important industrial and agricultural centre dating back to the Iron Age.
Palmyra was a large and prosperous city in the 2nd century BC and after the Roman invasion came to be known as the city of palm trees. An important desert stop for travellers, Palmyra could possibly be the desert oasis so often referred to in fairytales and books.
The Krak des Chavaliers is a most dramatic structure and no doubt a place of much wonder for history buffs.
Although the water wheels that stand today are not that old, they date back to the 12th and 13th centuries and were used to irrigate the towns farms and plantations.
These are just three of the amazing things to see in Syria, so don’t let fear of the unknown prevent you from exploring this mysterious and exotic location. With some cheap travel insurance, flights and accommodation, a holiday in Syria will be money well spent and an experience worth having.
