Damascus Travel Forum

Hi,

I am looking for an apartment in Damascus for one month in October.

I would like it in the Salihiyeh/Shaalan/Cham Palace area, 2 bedrooms, with internet access.

Two questions:
1 - can you recommend an estate agent?
2 - how much should I be paying?

Thanks.

Hi,
Planning to visit Damascus and had a few Qs. since my last visit there was ages ago
-which hotel is better Al majid which i`m more inclined towards, Sultan or Salam having read the last two hotels reviews here ,overall and location wise as i would like to visit the old city ,souk al hamediah and ommayad mosque ? Al majid is in assaffra is that close to omayad mosque,hamidiah etc.?whithin walking distance or ?
-Which hotel is close to buses that leave for palmyra ,busra as i would like to go for a day trip? how far is Almajed from the that particular bus station?
-Is it ok if i wonder around in Palmyra on my own ,any possibility of being hassled.
-Are currency exchange outlets widely available , better rates than banks? do they have a uniform rate or ? how many Syrian liras to a US dollar ?
-Do you still need to declare the amount of currency you bring in and leave with ?
-how much is the airport taxi ,is that counter where you pay and get a coupon still there ?
-ok last one, do you need to hand in your passport when checking in hotels like almajed for instance .
Thanks for any replies.

Hello everyone...

Be grateful if someone could tell me which direction, in relation to central Damascus is the Mounth Qasiyoun? Is it south of the city?

Thanks

HEy everyone!

does anyone know of a good Arabic teacher, who gives private lessons in Damascus?

Thanks
S.

Dear All;

My family and I will be in Damascus from June 4 to june 8. I am looking for a nice 3 bedroom furnished apartment. If you can be of any help, please send me an email to marajabi@yahoo.com.

Thanks

i send a email to the hotel would it seem not to work any more(got if from lonely planet guide book)

any one has the new one=
??

i used afamia@hotel.sy.com

Thanks

Dear all,

i will next week to damascus and low for a low cost hostel/ back packer

any place you know of or would recommend? any emails web pages or othr infos are highly apreciate!!

does have any one expirence with american travel cheques??
are there any problems to cash them in hte local banks there?

Thanks!!1

Will come for holiay to Damascus on the 17may and try to find a cheap place to stay (hostel / hotel) anyone know a place of ?

how is the nightlife there .

also want to try some hammans and suggestion?

thanks for ur help

Hi everyone,

I'm going to be in Damascus for a few months beginning in about two weeks and I was wondering how the internet cafes work. Does the government censor the internet and if so, which sites(email sites?)? Also, if I bring my laptop, will I be able to connect it to the internet? Thanks!

Daniel

Hello Everybody!
I'm investigating about bus/train connections from Istanbul to Damascus or Aleppo.I've found some information that train from Ist to Dam (toros expres) is not in service until june 2007.Does anyone knows detailes?Can anyone tell me about alternative?Can't find bus routes from Ist to Dam.Please help me:)

Hey everyone!

Can someone help hook me up with a 2 bedroom, furnished apartment, with a western toilet, in Ruknudeen, Damascus? will be needing the apartment from August 2007, for a year.

Anyone?

Thanks
S.

I am seriously considering going to Syria to study Arabic for a few months. Could anyone who is doing it already/has done it recommend it? Is it an interesting/affordable place to live?

Hello everybody!
Lets see if this time I am moreeap lucky with the question.
Well, I arrived in Damascus a few days ago, I started my job here and everything, but now I am looking for Arabic lessons. DO you know any cheap language academy in which I can enroll until the beginning of June?
THANKS!
rutgsobrino@yahoo.es

Since I did not get any reply about this topic, and since I already arrived to Damascus a few days ago, let me tell you that the Arab Language Academy, with delegations in all Arab countries is based in Sharia El Maliki, near Mezze, and one of the most splendid neighbourhoods in Damascus.

hello everyone,

I am going to syria for 10 days,and i want to go to damascus and lattakia,I know a bit from damascus,but I am really interesting to know more about lattakia,there's nice beaches?what about hotels like 3 or 4 star? i really appreciate your help.

I would like to know how to travel from Damasco to Palmyra and Aleppo. I would appreciate if you can give me some info on hotels there.
THANK YOU!

Hello everybody,
I am coming to Damascus in early April because of professional reasons and I will be there at least for two months, with high probabilities of staying for longer. I am looking for a flat to share with other female-s.
Thank you!
rutgsobrino@yahoo.es

hi everyone

I was wondering can anyone help me with finding a apartment in Damascus i am planing to move first week of April and will stay about 1 year. I would like to stay in city center because of the location close to everywhere, 2 bed room would be perfect. if anyone has or know such a place please let me know, or real estate agent

thank you.....

I am looking for info about the Arab Academy of Damascus, place in which it is based and the kind of activities they are developing. I have been looking for its website but it seems ther is no website.
Thanks a lot!

I've just seen that the visa form wants an address in Syria and haven't yet had time to investigate the good hotels so wondered if anyone has suggestions? I'm travelling with teenagers and don't want international hotels but clean and reasonably priced hotels in central locations without demented noise. En suites would be nice!

I'm wondering about the train from Istanbul to Damascus. Is it safe for a white American to take this train currently? How long is the ride? How much does it cost? What happens at the border?

Would you please get me two reliable travel urgency contact details for quick flight booking. I need to book for return ticket from Johannesburg to Damascus as from the 24th to 27th February 2007.

Cheers!

Obert Mathivha, Mr.

May you simply advise how much will cost me for a return flight ticket from Johannesburg to Damascus as from the 24th to 27th of February 2007. Apparantly people who are inviting me and prepared to pay are simply struggling to book me a flight. CAN YOU ASSIST THEM please?

Refer back to me using this very space or to Mohamad in Damascus on mahamadrhayem@yahoo.co.za

Please, assist, is urgent!

Can you tell me the address of the Hotel al Salaam in Damascus?

hi'
WE are a group of ten people.we are planning to stay in damascus for ten days from 19 March.We want to visit different destinations .can we rent a house for this peiod of time?What will be the rate?
We also need to rent a van .Can any one help me?
mojdeh

Hello in Damascus,

I am going to live in Damascus for the next 5 months (February-July)to study Arabic, so I am looking for accomondation. The ideal living situation for me would be to share a apartment with students or similar in a centric area, so if anybody knows any relevant contacts or are looking for a flatmate, please let me know. I don't know much about Damascus yet so some good advice about life i Amman would also be useful.

Thank you in advance for your help and time.

Kind regards

Signe
Copenhagen

I will be traveling to Damascus March 9th and staying for 7 days. I will than be traveling on to Istanbul. Can any one tell me what the weather will be like suring that time.

Thanks

Hi there and merhaba!

Im a British born Asian guy living in London. I am looking to travel to Damascus at the end of March for 2 weeks. Whilst being there I would like to find out about a ggod Arabic intensive course I can enrol on in the Summer of Aug/Sept this year. I am currently studying an Arabic degree part-time in London but would like to enhance my Arabic further.

Furthermore, I would like to research on any English teaching opportunities possible there in the future as I am due to complete the Cambridge CELTA Teaching qualification soon (TESOL). It would be nice to find a teaching placement in the future or maybe teach people singely or in groups as a tutor.

This arrangement would benefit my Arabic as well as myself commencing my teaching career in English Language. I would be grateful if someone can be of assistance, ideally someone who has experienced teaching in Damascus or someone who has undertaken an Arabic course, or a native Syrian who could be of assistance to me.

Many thanks and ma'salaama

Bilal.

Hi guys,

I have just started studying in Damascus and was wondering what the best places are to buy basic groceries and especially reasonably priced fruit and veg? It seems as if Syrians just eat meat?! If anyone has any meal suggestions that have some vitamin content, won't make me ill or blow my budget, I would really appreciate it!

I'm a british woman coming to study in Damascus for 3 months. It seems from the forum that there are some nice bars and nightclubs to visit there but I've heard that it's not really acceptable for a woman to drink alcohol, is this true? Also I'm told that it will be appropiate for me to keep my shoulders covered at all times in public, is this also true? I'm trying to prepare myself for what to expect in a country I know very little about, apart from the general information I find on websites. Many thanks for any information.