Trees and their slopes touch shore, this landscape repeats itself from Ras al-basit the north to Tam’s in the south. On the mountains are scattered villages and towns with springs of clear mineral water.

 The Beaches

The Syrian seashore is about 175 km long, and it's numerous

Beaches are distinguished by soft sand, unpolluted sea, Moderate

Climate and clear blue sky.

Ras al.BaSit

Located on the northern part of the Syrian shore, about 40 km to the north of Latakia, it is one of the most beautiful spots on the Mediterranean: wide hay, with clear water and clean sand,

Surrounded by mountains and green hills, Chalets, Camping sites and restaurants along the shore make Ras al-Bassit all the more attractive to visitors.

Latakia

Latakia is Syria’s main sea-port on the Mediterranean (186 km southwest of Aleppo). It retained its importance since ancient times. Latakia was one of the five cities built b) Saluqos Nikator in the 2nd century B.C. He named it after his mother, laudetia. Not many ancient remains ha e survived in Latakia, but there are four columns and a Roman arch from the time of Septimus Severus (circa 200 AD.), in addition to a beautiful Ottoman construction called ‘Khan al-Dukhan which is now a museum, Latakia is the sea-gate to Syria. It is well-provided with accommodation, and is well-placed as a base from which to explore the coastal regions of the country.

There are beaches, Mountains archaeological sites and many relics of the Crusaders. All within a fey, hours from each other,

Mention should also be made of the historically important Ras Shamra, Only 16km to the north of Latakia.

This is the site of Ugarit. The kingdom that had a golden past in administration, education, Diplomacy, law, religion and economics between the 16th and 13th centuries B.C, It is the kingdom that gave humanity the first alphabet in the world. This alphabet is still preserved on a clay tablet at the National Museum in Damascus. Documents, statues and jewels from the Ugarit Kingdom are also on display at the Latakia, Aleppo and Tartus museums.

Jableh is another Syrian seaside town. 28 km to the south of Latakia, It has a theatre built to accommodate 7.000 to 8.000 spectators. Close to Jableh is Tel Sokas, where archaeological relics were recently found, now on exhibition at the Damascus and Tartus museums.

Banyas

This is located on the Syrian coat. 55 km to the south of it was an ancient Phoenician seaport. The Greeks called Balemia, It was famous for its orchards and its export of wood.

Today it is better known for its oil refinery. It still contains citrus fruit orchards surrounded by green hills. On one of the hills is the n al-Marqab Citadel, a huge fortress of basalt stone.

 Tartus

 The second most important Syrian seaport on the Mediterranean I L)() km to the south of Latakia). It was called Antaradus by the

Phoenicians and Tortusa by the Byzantines, Tortusa was to become one of the main supply ports for the Crusaders and a military base of considerable importance. It was held by the Templars, but recovered by Saladin in 1188. The arches, wall-towers and narrow lanes in Tartus evoke what the town must have been like in medieval times. A jewel of Romanesque art is the cathedral of Tartous. Which is now a museum containing relics from various Syrian civilizations.

 Arwad

 This is the only island in Syria, and it is located 3 km from Tartous. It was an independent kingdom named Aradus in the days of the Canaanites. It was often mentioned in inscriptions because of its importance in commerce and seafaring. Arwad provided shelter for those escaping from foreign invasions in ancient times, especially for the people of Amrit in the south of Tartus. Amrit still retains its name since the 5th century B.C. It has a temple surrounded by water. Arwad is a beautiful small island, with a mass of houses and fortresses with narrow lanes. It has many cafes and restaurants overlooking Tartus and the sea. Its ancient citadel was used as a prison for the nationalists during the resistance against the French. The walls of some cells in this citadel are still covered with the graffiti of the nationalists.

 Summer resorts and historical spots:

 The coastal summer resorts in Syria are numerous. Scattered on the hills and mountains near the sea, they are renowned for their fresh air, cool weather in summer and moderate weather in winter. Some of these summer resorts are:

 Slenfeh:

 50km east of Latakia and 1200m above sea-level, it has spectacular scenery and lovely weather.

 Kasab:

 65 km north of Latakia, located on the Aqra’ mountain amongst woods and thickets, 800 m above sea-level, The road leading to it from Latakia is one of the most beautiful in Syria. It runs through woods and meadows of wild flowers and groves of olive and pine, Orchards of apple trees leading to the beautiful forest of Frulloq.

 Salma:

 Situated 12km from Slenfeh and 800m above sea-level, it is characterized by moderate climate and pure mineral water.

 Draykish:

 A lovely town, 29km from Tartus, Situated on a mountain covered with olive trees which overlook the sea. It has a reputation for its well-known mineral water. It has several hotels and camping sites.

 Misyaf:

 Located 50km east of Banyas, 400m above sea-level, most important in it is the Arab citadel (QaI’at Misyaf) which was captured by the Crusaders in 1103. But recorved by the Arabs in 1140, this citadel is surrounded by orchards of fig. almond and pomegranate trees.

 Wadi al-Oyyun:

 A beautiful summer resort with a multitude of small springs and several hotels and camping sites .

 Safita:

 10km south of Draykish, 35km east of Tartus and 380m above Sea – level, Safita is surrounded by hills covered with olive tree and flowers on all sides The present-day town with its tiled roofs stands on the site of the fortress that as called ‘Castle I Blanc’ by the Crusaders. One of its huge towers, about 35m high is still standing; it contains a chapel, which has never been deconsecrated: Christians still hold their ser ices in it.

 Places of archaeological interest in the district of Safita are:

 Hosn Sleiman: 25km from Safita; 14 km beyond Draykish In the direction of Misyaf.

Hosn Sleiman” is the Arabic name for the site of ancient Baetocece; it was here, in the heart of these wild mountains cut through by ravines, that the inhabitants of Aradus (the present Lie of Arwad) once built a temple dedicated to Baal and Astarte.

 Arima: Today Qalaat al-Arayrna (15 km southwest of Safita), Once a forward strong-point for Castle le Blanc and for the Crac, It still has two towers dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

 QaI’at Yahmur: (Chastel Ronger or Castrum Rubrum), 20km west of Safita on the Tartus road. Like Arirna, Qal’at Yahmur o as a small fortress, and its l5m high keep is still impressive. Nlention should also be made of the summer resorts north-east of Safita. Mashta al-Helu is the largest in a group of small villages scattered on the green hills, where the weather is cool even on the hottest summer days.

The most attractive among these white stone villages is al-Kafroon (3km from Mashta al-Helu). It is located at the foot of a small hill. Completely covered with oak trees and surrounded by mountains with many churches and mosques. Also worth visiting is Mar Elias. A cave-like church in the north of the village, there are several hotels, restaurants and cafes in the apple orchards along the streams that run through it.

 Qal’at al-Hosn (Crac des Chevaliers):

 The most famous medieval citadel in the world, Qal’at al-Hosn is 65km west of Horns and 75km south—east of Tartus, It is 650 m above sea-level. It was built in order to control the SO called “Horns Gap”, the gateway to Syria, It was through this passage that Syria communicated with the Mediterranean. In ancient times the importance of this strategic corridor was immense. It was of crucial importance to the Crusaders and other foreign invaders in their conquest of the coast. Conflict over the Crac des Chevaliers continued through the ages. It was a fierce and bloody dispute, but in the end, Sultan Beybars managed to recover it in 1271 through a military trick and one month of fighting, Crac des Chevaliers was built on the site of a former castle erected by the emirs of Homs to accommodate Kurdish garrisons; “Crac” is a modification of the Arab word “Qal’a”. The citadel covers an area of 3000 square meters and has 13 huge towers, In addition to many stores. Tanks, corridors, bridges and stables, It can accommodate 5000 soldiers with their horses, their equipment and provisions for five ‘years.

 Qal’at Salah al-Din:

  Formerly “Saune” (and still known as Castle Sahyoun), it was recently named after the great hero of Islam. Salah al Din, to commemorate the capture of the fortress in 1188, Though the importance of the position had been exploited before the Crusades, this castle was described as the most impregnable Crusader fortress. It stands on a rock) spur whose vertical walls rise above the junction of two fast- flowing streams. As late as 1965 it was impossible to reach it except on foot or on horseback by a difficult climb, first downhill and then up again after fording a stream. The fortress was completely isolated from the plateau by a deep ditch dug right through the connecting neck of land. The ditch was 156 m long. 18m wide and 28m deep, its vertical walls show a smooth, fine yellowish rock surface. Toda\ there is a drawbridge and a road which provide easy access to the foot of this “eagle’s nest”. Visitors can park their cars at the bottom of this ditch, opposite the horses' mangers and hitching holes carved out of the rock.

 Qal'a-Marqab (al-Marqab Citadel):

 The citadel is only 6km south-east of Banyas. And is 500m above ‘sea-level. It is enormous: there are not less than fourteen square. Round towers jutting from the curtain wall that encircles the hilltop to form a triangular bastion.

It southern corner, sharper than the others and bristling with defenses, has a keep rising above it like the prow of a ship. What makes it particularly glowering is the black basalt stone with, which it was built. There are beautiful gardens and orchards surrounding it and the sea is not far away.

This citadel could accommodate 1000 people, in addition to the garrison, along with provision to last them for five years; it was not until 1285 that the troops of Sultan Qalaun defeated the last of the European Knights at Margat (Marqab).

The Hospitalier Knights were granted “the honors of war” and allowed to withdraw under safe conduct to Tartus and Tripoli. There is an Arabic inscription commem-orating this great victory, carved on a hand of white limestone at the top of the “tour de L’Eperon” under the keep.