Fast Facts for Visiting Syria
Syria is one of those places that you are hearing more and more about as people are having great experiences and travels while visiting the country. Syria used to encompass much of the Eastern Mediterranean region, including Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. The capital of Syria is Damascus and it is rumored to be the oldest inhabited city in the world, dating back some 5000 years. With the country's history of Hebrews, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Christian crusaders, Ottomans, French, and finally Syrians, there is never any lack of things to explore.
Today Syria is most recently opening up to the outside world and expanding its tourism industry.
You will find one of the most hospitable people in the world here. You will likely have non-stop invitations to people's houses for dinner and conversation, or to the cafe where you can sit for hours and talk and meet strangers who will treat you as if you were a long-lost cousin come home.
Syria is also one of the least expensive countries in the region and you can get by on a backpacker's budget if you are strapped for cash.
Weather & Climate
Syria is hot during the summer months, and it gets hotter the farther East you go.
Winter months are quite cool and many winters see snowfall in parts of the country, particularly those parts in higher elevations.
The best time to visit Syria, and all of the countries in the Middle East, would be in Spring, weather wise. March - May would be a safe guess for the most pleasant weather conditions.
Religion
Most Syrians are Sunni Muslims, and most of the country is Muslim. Christians also have a strong presence in Syria and several Orthodox churches, including Greek, Syrian, and Armenian play a prominent role in the social makeup.
Syria isn't as strict with its religious interpretations as some of the other countries in the region, particularly those of the Gulf, though religion is taken very seriously and is an important part of everyday life in the country.
Language
Arabic is the official language and the most widely spoken language in Syria. Many people speak some English, however, and French is still quite popular as well. Some other common languages spoken in Syria include Turkish, Kurdish and Armenian.
Clothing
Most Syrians dress in the "Western" style with a somewhat conservative slant. You should never wear shorts or tank tops and women should try and wear loose fitting clothing.
Loose fitting clothing is also more comfortable for walking around and touring, and you should always bring a hat and a pair of comfortable walking shoes for your trip. Sunglasses are also important accoutrements.
Visas
If you are traveling to Syria, make sure and get a visa for Syria before you leave your home country (i.e. don't expect to be able to pick up a visa in Turkey for Syria if you suddenly get the urge to visit Syria). While not impossible, it is a hassle to get a visa for Syria if you are not in your home country.
US visitors must get their visit visa to Syria in the US. Contact the Syrian embassy in the US for more info: http://www.syrianembassy.us/.
You cannot have an Israeli stamp in your passport or an Israeli passport to visit Syria, you will be denied entry into the country.
Driving
Driving is fairly safe and there are several major car rental agencies operating in the country.
Stay away from the Israeli border region in the South and Iraqi border region in the East, just to be on the safe side.
Drugs & Alcohol
As with every country in the Mideast, Syria is tough on drugs and you will be put away for a very long time and be subjected to treatments that you are not used to if you are found with illegal drugs.
Alcohol is common throughout the country. Syria makes two popular types of beer, Al-Sharq and Barada, both are about $1-1.50 in restaurants and cheaper from shops or food stands.
Barada is the more commonly found beer, and somewhat lighter than Al-Sharq.
Syrians will often tell you of how their region of the world invented beer first, thousands of years ago.
Araq and Lebanese wine are also commonly imbibed in the country.
Money
The currency of Syria is the pound and it is broken into 100 piastres.
ATMS outside of Damascus are fairly uncommon, so cash is always best stocked up on while in Damascus.
The exchange rate is around: USD $1 = 53 Syrian Pounds, 1 Euro - 63 Syrian Pounds, 1 UK Pound - 93 Syrian Pounds.
Vaccinations
None are required for entry into Syria, though some are recommended if you are going to unpopulated regions of the country.
Annoyances
Syria is a very safe country with hospitable people who are extremely warm and welcoming. You will be hard pressed to find anyone who is especially bothersome or troublesome. If you do, particularly if you are a woman traveling alone, head to the nearest shop and tell the shopkeeper someone is bothering you, you will likely have the whole neighborhood after the offending person.
Gay Travel
Homosexuality and Lesbianism are illegal in Syria.
There are some underground cultures, however, but for the most part, staying conservative will be adequate.
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