Damascus Travel Forum

I only have a few days in Syria - coming over from Beirut for three or maybe four days. I was wondering if anyone has done Krak in a day? Are there organized tours or is it best to take a bus (and then connect to Krak) or get a driver for the day - as I don't have time have to pay for the convenience.

If time is short and the budget can take it, I'd go for the car and driver. Assuming you're driving up from Damascus, you could then visit Krak, have lunch in the excellent restaurant on the road behind the castle where the views and the food are both wonderful, and also visit St George's Monastery across the valley from Krak - 3 churches sit one above the other, 6th, 13th and 19th century. The 13th century has a suberb carved ebony iconostasis.

There are tours available from Damascus but you can easily appreciate Krak at your own pace with a good guide book - a torch helps if you want to explore some of the deeper passages.

To get there by public transport you would need to take a bus to Homs and then a local bus to the village below Krak and walk up, and then be sure not to miss the last bus of the day back to Homs - usually mid-afternoon.

Hiring a car for yourself is another option, it's a good road.

Whichever option you take, Krak is not to be missed.

leyle

Thanks so much for your very thoughtful and complete response. Yes, I would hate to miss it - its just too bad I have so little time - but one has to take what one can get! I am actually doing research on students studying in non-traditional destinations - so taking a look at students of arabic in damascus.. all the best - Rene