Reviewed 29 Oct 2009 by Brigitte Brathwaite
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were many: sleeping under the stars in the desert, supper under the tent at a bedouin camp, dancing with the bedouins, stopping on the side of the road to meet a camel caravan, visiting a horse farm, looking at the sunset from the citadel at Palmyra, shopping for a ring and bargaining for it, attending a concert at night at Palmyra, practising my arabic to the delight of the local people, hearing the call of the muezzin daily, etc. The key elements in this particular case I think were the absolutely wonderful Syrian guide and the exceptional group of people in our group.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Come healthy and read up on the history of this place beforehand.
Bring Immodium, your patience and an open mind.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I think it did benefit local people. I'm not convinced about the eco-friendly part of the trip.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I am satisfied.
Reviewed 23 Oct 2009 by Diana Hansen
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I loved the wildly romantic site of the church of St Simeon Stylites. Palmyra and Krak are top Syrian sites, but we were amazed by the mosaics in the khan museum in Apamia - lots of them displayed, and a whole lot more stacked waiting for display. In Syria you can still wander freely around world class archaeological sites. The hotel in the Old City of Damascus was very attractive, and we could easily have spent longer exploring the city
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for fairly lengthy coach journeys, but they are well broken up by splendid sights. Read up beforehand to get the most out of it - I was particularly interested in the history and present of the Christians in Syria, an amazingly assorted bunch brilliantly described in William Dalrymple from the Holy Mountain - but you should know something of Byzantium, the Arab and Turkish empires.
Get antibiotic from your doctor in case of stomach bug - a short trip and long coach jouneys mean that there is little time to recover without drastic action!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
The night with the Bedouin brings some helpful money to people who are currently suffering from a long drought. Their nomadic lifestyle is increasingly restricted by borders and the attractions of modern life, though our charming host expressed a clear preference for the desert life over the city - not a preference shared by all our party!
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very enjoyable, packing a lot into a short time. There is an enormous amount to see in Syria, so some selection is inevitable - I thought the trip was well-judged
Reviewed 09 Nov 2008 by Rod Elliott
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The sights, sounds and smells. Truly different to Western Europe and very friendly.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It is quite tiring as you are on the go all the time. We all got elements of D&V to a greater or lesser extent so be prepared. The result was quite debilitating for a while.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Very much so. Great care was taken over these aspects.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A really enjoyable holiday extremely professionally run. We saw as much as you could in 9 days and came away feeling we really knew enough about the country - at the real working level - to be able to judge it and talk to friends about it. The rep who came with us was superb and coped with all difficulties in a professional and competent manner. The local guide was a gem. Excellent grasp of English, very informative and a great
Reviewed 20 Oct 2008 by Rosemary Thomas
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
For me, visiting Crak des Chevalier crusaders' Castle highlighted by a small boy singing his prayers in the fantastic acoustics in the mosque/former church. But this was just one part of so many very memorable occasions.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't hesitate: go! Syria is absolutely fascinating and we found the locals very friendly but not at all pushy.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Undoubtedly it does benefit local people by giving employment. In addition I think it leads to the very important consideration of spreading an understanding of Syria to the western world. I don't think there was any adverse impact on the environment other than flying to get there.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really excellent. Extremely interesting.
Reviewed 03 Nov 2008 by Tanya Pugh
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Palmyra and Rasafa ruins; the bazaars - particularly in Aleppo. Our hotel in Aleppo was beautiful.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Try to learn a few Arabic words, including numbers. Be aware that you can change currency in the banks for a better exchange rate; there are cash points that will usually dispense local currency on a visa card. You will need a lot more additional money than the £
60 that was suggested in the pre tour info. It is useful to have check you have a roam facility for your mobile - obviously useful and there is signal coverage in Alepo and Damascus. Be flexible - the US raid on Syria during the week for eg, caused a major change to our itinerary.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes definitely.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Good. character.
1of10
