|
www.bradt-travelguides.com The publication of Bradt’s guide to Syria, has coincided with the return centre-stage of a secular Arab state whose political influence was until recently seen to be waning. Suffering from an unfairly blackened image in Western media, the reality of Syria described in the guide comes as a pleasant surprise. Culturally rich, possessing the finest sites of antiquity of any country in the Levant region, and unerringly safe, Syria continues to extend a relaxed, dignified and enduringly warm Arab welcome towards visitors.
Before 1918 the term ‘Syria’ referred to an area that now comprises Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel. The country’s latter-day frontiers are the result of a post WW1 carve-up amongst the great powers when, in what continues to be seen as a great betrayal of the Arabs, Syria was handed to France as a mandated territory. It wasn’t until 1946 that a permanent independent state was created, manifest for many years as a ‘Socialist popular democracy’ closely aligned with the former USSR under President Hafez Al-Assad and now after a brief ‘Damascus Spring’, reforming and modernising slowly under his son Bashar.
The first section of Syria provides background history, political and economic insight and practical travel information promoting non-intrusive, responsible tourism. In addition, the author includes an excellent considered exploration of Arabs, Arabic and Islam, stimulating readers’ interest and understanding of Syria and its key position in the Arab world.
Surely a first in any English-language guide, the author also offers information on buying property in Syria, an area where she has personally broken new ground.
The second part of the guide details the country geographically, starting with comprehensive coverage of Damascus and its World Heritage designated ‘Old City’. Beyond, the Christian villages of the Qalamoun Mountains, Crusader castles, including the world’s finest example at Krac des Chevaliers, and the haunting Southern Cities of the Dead are all featured. Alleppo, Syria’s second city and the World’s oldest continually-occupied settlement, has a dedicated chapter as does the remarkable Roman caravan city of Palmyra.
A very usable essential Arabic section rounds off the text, priming travellers for their first of many visits In sha Allah...
Diana Darke is an Oxford Arabist who studied in Beirut during the Lebanese War. Her first contacts with Syria date from 1978 when regular weekend escapes along the road to Damascus in an aged 2CV provided welcome freedom from the civil war’s travel restrictions. She has over 25 years’ experience living and working in the Middle East and has recently purchased a 17th-century courtyard house in Damascus, the first Briton to buy property in Syria. |
