You have nothing to worry about and can rest-assured that we would not be sending travellers anywhere if we had any doubts over the safety of our travellers or local staff. Both countries remain safe places to visit and a common remark from travellers who have been to either country is just how nice and welcoming the locals are. I would assume that nobody that you have told about your planned trip has ever been to either country?
I hope this helps.
Regards, Brendan
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Posts: 63
Re: Jordan and Syria- safety
Syria is my favourite country that I have ever visited - and that is a big call. Apart from the culture shock when I arrived in Damascus, by the time we were ready to leave Aleppo, I didn't feel like a foreigner and was sad to leave the city.
The people are so welcoming, helpful and genuinely want to see them for what they are - real people with real lives and real interests.
Also, the fact that you stay within small family run hotels and we were suggested to eat at smaller eateries - you get to know the people - to a point obviously - but people reflect a country - and that is why Syria is beautiful, poignant, and my favourite. Also - forgot to say, the group leader in Syria is not an ex-pat but a Syrian. Our group leader Bashar was fantastic!!!! Best leader I ever had - hands down. His passion for his country (not the over the top and filled with the anti-american rethoric you would be expecting from the media) and his ability to communicate the feel of the country, the people and the moment complemented the beauty of the population and country.
I did Syria then Jordan, but I understand you are doing the otherway round - I definately prefered Syria over Jordan - Jordan was too tourist friendly and sanitised - whereas Syria is raw and fantastic.
Also, not sure what time of year you are going, but I was there during Winter and we got SNOW in Syria!
PS. Do every optional tour in Syria - totally worth it!!! My favourites were going to see the aramaeic (spelling) church, walking through the grotto and seeing the tomb of Teklak (spelling), Saint Simeon's, Palmyra and the Omyad Mosque.
PPS. Don't worry about people's negative ideas about the country. They are wrong. I too had my friends, work colleagues and clients all telling me I would be shot, kidnapped, bombed etc. You name it, I was going to suffer it. One of my major clients even spoke to my boss saying that they could be counted on for help if I got kidnapped - SERIOUSLY. This only goes to highlight how important it is to follow your heart and go to new places, rather than let other people's misconceptions and the medias' blantant misrepresentation dictate your opinons and beliefs. Sorry off the soapbox now.
Re: Jordan and Syria- safety
Hi,
Thanks for your question.
You have nothing to worry about and can rest-assured that we would not be sending travellers anywhere if we had any doubts over the safety of our travellers or local staff. Both countries remain safe places to visit and a common remark from travellers who have been to either country is just how nice and welcoming the locals are. I would assume that nobody that you have told about your planned trip has ever been to either country?![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Brendan
Re: Jordan and Syria- safety
Syria is my favourite country that I have ever visited - and that is a big call.
Apart from the culture shock when I arrived in Damascus, by the time we were ready to leave Aleppo, I didn't feel like a foreigner and was sad to leave the city.
The people are so welcoming, helpful and genuinely want to see them for what they are - real people with real lives and real interests.
Also, the fact that you stay within small family run hotels and we were suggested to eat at smaller eateries - you get to know the people - to a point obviously - but people reflect a country - and that is why Syria is beautiful, poignant, and my favourite.
Also - forgot to say, the group leader in Syria is not an ex-pat but a Syrian. Our group leader Bashar was fantastic!!!! Best leader I ever had - hands down. His passion for his country (not the over the top and filled with the anti-american rethoric you would be expecting from the media) and his ability to communicate the feel of the country, the people and the moment complemented the beauty of the population and country.
I did Syria then Jordan, but I understand you are doing the otherway round - I definately prefered Syria over Jordan - Jordan was too tourist friendly and sanitised - whereas Syria is raw and fantastic.
Also, not sure what time of year you are going, but I was there during Winter and we got SNOW in Syria!
PS. Do every optional tour in Syria - totally worth it!!! My favourites were going to see the aramaeic (spelling) church, walking through the grotto and seeing the tomb of Teklak (spelling), Saint Simeon's, Palmyra and the Omyad Mosque.
PPS. Don't worry about people's negative ideas about the country. They are wrong. I too had my friends, work colleagues and clients all telling me I would be shot, kidnapped, bombed etc. You name it, I was going to suffer it. One of my major clients even spoke to my boss saying that they could be counted on for help if I got kidnapped - SERIOUSLY. This only goes to highlight how important it is to follow your heart and go to new places, rather than let other people's misconceptions and the medias' blantant misrepresentation dictate your opinons and beliefs. Sorry off the soapbox now.