Frequently Asked Questions - Safety

For information on vaccinations and other travel tips regarding health visit the Center For Disease Control website at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/mideast.htm. Many vaccinations require boosters or multiple shots so please plan in advance and accordingly.

Yes. Although neighboring countries such as Lebanon and Iraq have suffered violent conflicts in recent years, Syria has been very stable and street crime is low. Having said that we recommend that you review your governments' website and review any travel warnings related to Syria.

In Damascus, you will see women wearing headscarves, women not wearing headscarves, and, occasionally, a woman wearing a full burka in which only her eyes (or not even her eyes) are visible. Most men and women in Damascus dress exactly as you might expect them to in a big city in America or Europe. It's extremely diverse.

For women:
Do not wear shorts or short skirts. As a rule of thumb: dress modestly. Short sleeve shirts are usually okay but long sleeves are preferable and tank tops should be avoided. The only time you'll need a headscarf is when you visit a mosque or certain holy sites.

For men:
It is extremely uncommon to see people wearing shorts, but it does happen. In general, it should be avoided. Avoid tank tops or sleeveless shirts.

Both men and women:
As international guests you will receive added scrutiny. Just because a local Syrian is dressed a certain way (for example: in a short skirt and a tight T-shirt) doesn't mean it is a good idea for you to follow suit.

Do pack a bathing suit and at least one set of formal clothes (something you would be comfortable wearing to a wedding). We will be attending some very formal meetings and ceremonies. Syrians also generally like to dress up and are quite fashionable. If you really want to fit in, try to look your best.

In certain areas, flashy jewelry should be avoided.

The summer will be hot. Bring a wide brim hat or hats and sunglasses as part of your basic protection against the effects of the sun.

Yes! In fact there are quite a few and a number of them are near the St. Elias Monastery where we will be staying.

Unfortunately, the facilities are not always particularly good, and there are typically different hours set for women and men. Weights are very common in most facilities and you can find facilities with treadmills. Although we are living in a particularly safe area, it is generally not recommended for women to jog in public (especially not alone) so finding a gym, even if the facilities are not ideal, is still probably the best bet for those who want to exercise regularly. We will also, of course, be walking a great deal. So, as long as you avoid the almost overwhelming lure of Damascus' sweets, you'll probably find yourself keeping in good shape this summer.