Tartus

The city center is roughly a 10 minutes drive from the port.

Now Syria’s second port city, the small harbour city of Tartous has over 160 000 inhabitants. It was called Antaradus and Constantia in Latin, and Antartus and Tortosa by the Crusaders. Rapid development in recent years has almost erased its small fishing-town charm, although a few surviving Crusader traces still recall the past.

Tartus’s arches, wall-towers and narrow lanes suggest its medieval character. The cathedral of Tartus, now a museum holding relics from different Syrian civilizations, is a jewel of Romanesque art.

On Turkey’s south coast, Tartous is an industrial port, yet its old quarter contains a Crusader citadel, remains of the Templars’ Tortosa and the fortress-like Cathedral.

Cruise ships provide excursions to historical sites, some a couple of hours away and often hard to arrange independently.

Damascus, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city, is reached through Tartus, its gateway.

Tartous also offers visits to ancient Palmyra, founded by Solomon, with its Temple of the Sun and 1,500 Corinthian columns still standing; Amrit, a Phoenician religious settlement founded in the 3d century BC; and Krak des Chevaliers, a magnificent Crusader castle.

Tartous is 220 Km northwest of Damascus and under an hours drive south of Latakia.

Short day excursions can visit numerous nearby sites, including Amrit, Arwad, Krak Des Chevaliers and Al Marqab.

Syrian local products include silk brocade; brass and silver inlays; mother-of-pearl-inlaid mosaics; hand-woven rugs; hand blown glass products; all kinds of delicious sweets; and pictures of epic and folk heroes painted on glass or cloth.

Small-diced tabbouleh and fattoush are popular Syrian salads, while baba ghanoush is a delicious eggplant spread.

Before the main course, Syrians often serve selections of appetizers called meze.

Currency: the Syrian Pound.

Credit-cards are accepted in very few places.

Arabic is the language spoken.

Customer WiFi is free in cafes across Syria’s major cities, many of which use DSL and are very up-to-date. Luxury hotels charge from $6. to $7. per hour, while regular cafes cost from $1. to $2.

Although some Western media depict Syria as a land full of terrorists, it is very safe for travelers, among the safest countries in the world. Even women travelling alone encounter few problems. Urban crime, prevalent in most modern cities, is virtually non-existent in Syria.

Shops generally open daily between 09.00 and 20.00, with some closing on Fridays or Sundays.

Banks open sat - Thurs., from 09.00 to 14.30.

Wednesdays close museums, historical sites and many tourist attractions.

Public information.

Holiday dates include Revolution Day (8 march), National Day (17 april), May Day (1 may), Martyrs Day (6 may), Army Day (1 august), Liberation War of October Say (6 october), Correctionist Movement Day (16 november), Christmas Day (25 december), and 1 january.

March/april brings movable Catholic Easter and Orthodox Easter.

Under the Hegira calendar, the Muslim holidays are the Birthday of the Prophet (Moulmoud), New Year's Day (Al-Hijira), Eid Al-ADha and the End of Ramadan (Eid Al-Fitr).