SYRIA (continued)
4. When's the best time to visit?
Climate and Seasons
Ramadan
Holidays and Festivals
CLIMATE AND SEASONS
If weather conditions are one of your major travel concerns, the best times to visit Syria are in the spring (March-April) and fall (October-November).
Syria's weather is characterized by a Mediterranean climate along the western coast and a dry and arid climate east of the coastal mountain range. Along the coast, summers (May through September) are hot, humid, and dry; winters are relatively mild.
East of the mountains, summers can be extremely hot and winters cool to very cold, including cold rains and snow. The temperature in Damascus during August, for example, can range from 21° to 43°C (70 to 109°F); in January the city's temperature ranges from -4° to 16°C (25 to 61°F).
RAMADAN
When planning your trip to Syria or any other Middle Eastern country, keep in mind Ramadan, the holy month of fasting (no eating, drinking, or smoking during the day), which varies according to the Islamic lunar calendar. In 2007, for example, Ramadan runs from September 13th to October 12th.
During during Ramadan, all coffee shops and restaurants outside the major hotels are closed until sunset. Shops have restricted hours (usually open from 9 AM to 2 or 3 PM and are closed on Friday) to accommodate their staff members.
Given such restricted hours and activities, you may want to plan your trip either before or after Ramadan. At least know when Ramadan starts during the year you plan to travel to Syria - then count 30 days to see if it might negatively affect your travel plans. Don't become a disappointed shopper and discover the four days you planned in Damascus and Aleppo unexpectedly landed on a holiday!
HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS
Syria hosts a variety of festivals focusing on music, film, art, and culture. You may want to plan your trip around some of these noted festivals:
Damascus International Film Festival
(every odd-numbered year) | November/December
| | Bosra Festival (music, dance, theater) | September (10 days)
| | Palmyra Festival (music, dance, races) | April/May (3-4 days)
| Silk Road Festival
(cultural events in Damascus, Aleppo, Palmyra) | End of September |
The Bosra and Palmyra cultural festivals take place in lovely settings - in the ancient Roman amphitheater at Bosra and in the hippodrome and theater at Palmyra.
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