Damascus Excursions

Sednaya and Maaloula: A small Christian settlement in the hills 27km (17 miles) north of Damascus, Sednaya is believed to be the place where Noah planted the first vine after the Flood. The 6th-century Convent of Our Lady draws thousands of pilgrims to its miraculous icon of the Virgin, believed to be painted from life by St Luke. A taxi-ride (25km/15.5 miles) through the spectacular Anti-Lebanon Mountains takes you to one of the most picturesque villages in the country and another Christian enclave, Maaloula. Here too there are several churches and it is one of the few places in the world where Aramaic, the language of Jesus, is still spoken.

Palmyra: A three-hour bus ride northeast of Damascus, in the middle of the desert, is the ancient Roman settlement of Palmyra. The modern town of Tadmor has hotels, restaurants and the Archaeological Museum with ceramics, sculpture and jewellery found on the site. The ancient town requires at least a day to visit, with the Temple of Bel, the Great Colonnade, theatre, agora and forum. Further out are several spectacular tombs and the Arab castle of Qalaat ibn Maan has spectacular views over the city.