Latakia

The city centre is approximately a 10-minute drive from the cruise port.

Latakia is a Mediterranean port in north-west Syria and the country's most important port, exporting cotton, fruit and tobacco. Probably established in the 3rd century BC, the city came under Phoenician and Roman rule, followed at different times by occupation by the Byzantines, Crusaders, Arabs and Turks. France administered Latakia between World War I and World War II, before it became part of Syria in 1942.

One city attraction is a museum occupying an old Ottoman khan that served as the governor's residence under the French mandate. Its collection includes notable pottery, glassware, clay tablets from nearby Ugarit and contemporary paintings. Latakia also has a Roman gateway, the Tetraparticus, formed by four columns.

Latakia has several decent beaches, and cruise lines often arrange access to the facilities at a local hotel.

Cruise lines usually offer excursions to historic places that are a couple of hours away and difficult to organise independently. Options include Aleppo, 186 km away, with its Citadel and attractive souk, and Crac des Chevaliers.

Stand before the imposing Crac des Chevaliers, once the most important castle of the Middle Ages.

Saladin Castle, also called Soane Castle, is 55 km from Latakia. It occupies the summit of a particularly slippery, rocky mountain above the surrounding green forests.

Products to look for in Syria include silk brocade, brass and silver inlays, mother-of-pearl inlaid mosaics, hand-woven rugs, hand-blown glassware, many kinds of delicious sweets, and images of epic and folk heroes painted on glass or cloth.

Popular Syrian salads include finely diced tabbouleh and fattoush, while baba ghanoush is a delicious aubergine spread.

Before the main course, Syrians often present a selection of appetisers called meze.

The local currency is the Syrian Pound.

Arabic is the local language.

Cafés offering customers free WiFi can be found throughout Syria's major cities. Many use DSL and are very up to date. Internet access costs from $6 to $7 per hour in luxury hotels and from $1 to $2 in ordinary cafés.

Despite portrayals in some Western media as a country full of terrorists, Syria is described as very safe for travellers and one of the world's safest countries. Women travelling alone encounter few difficulties, while the urban crime affecting most modern cities is said to be virtually non-existent in Syria.

Shops generally trade every day from 09.00 until 20.00, although some close on Fridays or Sundays.

Banks open from Saturday to Thursday between 09.00 and 14.30.

Museums, historic sites and many visitor attractions close on Wednesdays.

Public holidays are observed.

Christmas Day falls on 25 December. Earlier dates are Correctionist Movement Day on 16 November; Liberation War of October Say on 6 October; Army Day on 1 August; Martyrs Day on 6 May; May Day on 1 May; National Day on 17 April; Revolution Day on 8 March; and 1 January.

March/April brings the movable Catholic Easter and Orthodox Easter holidays.

Muslim holidays follow the Hegira calendar: Eid Al-Fitr, marking the End of Ramadan; Eid Al-ADha; Al-Hijira, New Year's Day; and Moulmoud, the Birthday of the Prophet.