Syria: The Bradt Travel Guide
A review of the Bradt Guide to Syria written by Diana Darke.
Diana Darke has specialised in the Middle East for thirty plus years and has been visiting Syria since 1978. The Bradt Guide to Syria is her tenth book.
One thing that is obvious about the Bradt Guide to Syria is that was written by someone who knows the country well.
Diana Darke is a graduate in Arabic from Oxford University. She has lived in a variety of Arab countries and worked as a translator as well as writing guidebooks. In 2005 she became the
first British Person to buy property in Syria when she acquired an 18th century courtyard house in the Old City of Damascus.
Her Syria guide is big enough to do the country justice but not so big that you would think twice about putting it in your case or rucksack.
Part one consists of two chapters covering essential background for travelling to and through Syria. This includes its history, geography, economics and politics plus detailed information on how to get there, when to go, transport, accommodation and eating.
These chapters alone would make the book worthwhile and I particularly liked the section on Suggested Itineraries. According to Darke it would take a good four weeks to see all of the places she describes in her guide, very useful information to have when planning a trip. She then lists possible itineraries that can be fitted into one, two and three week trips plus what she describes as a ‘One week (1,200km Express Tour)’.
Part two, the Guide proper, has nine chapters giving fairly comprehensive coverage of the country. From Damascus to Palmyra, the Euphrates and the Desert, the coast and Aleppo.
These chapters have information on getting there and moving on, what to see and do and where to stay and eat.
Throughout the book are information boxes covering topics as diverse as the interesting, but dreadful, Lady Hester Stanhope, St George, The Druze, Arab Christianity, Freya Stark and Agatha Christie.
The appendices have a glossary, information on the language, a comprehensive bibliography and a list of useful websites. There are a few colour photographs at the front of the book but otherwise it’s all text and maps.
According to Michael Palin “Bradt Guides are expertly written and longer on local detail than any others”. That’s an accurate assessment. I’ll certainly be taking my Bradt Guide to Syria when I make an extended trip there later this year.
