Hama-Tartous
We took a direct Pullman minibus to Tartous. This took us 1h45'. We then took a taxi to the Daniel Hotel, but you could do this by foot.
Tartous-Tripoli (Lebanon)
There's a minibus leaving at 7 am for 50 S£, otherwise there are servicetaxis going there frequently till about 10 am, afterwards waiting periods get longer.
Accommodation
The LP said the
Daniel Hotel was "the best deal in Syria", but we didn't like it that much. They charged 600 S£ for a large room, not really clean, no hot water and an average breakfast. We were actually considering to change hotels.
The Ambassador hotel is basic but clean, along the coast, and charges 500 S£ for a room with bathroom and seaview (9/97).
Restaurant
We had dinner at the Grand Tartous Hotel. The food was quite good, but they tried to cheat us again charging 650 S£ instead of 450 S£, saying the menu was old and prices had increased.
The Al-Nabil restaurant opposite the harbour serves good chicken and fish.
What to do
Walk along the beachThere's nothing romantic about a walk on the beach in Tartous. It's really filthy! They've never he
ard of garbage bags there. I would never consider having a swim here.
Arwad islandThe LP says "it's a real gem, if only it weren't so filthy", and the last part of that is really true! We didn't really like it. There is a small castle on the island, entrance is 200 S£ (300 S£ by now).
The boattrip costs 20 S£, you pay on the return trip.
Qalaat al MarqaabWe took a bus from Tartous to Banijas. It took us a while because we had to wait some time before the bus had filled up, and we stopped everywhere.
From Banijas, we took a minibus which dropped us at the castle.
Of course it's not so spectacular as the Crac, but you have nice views. In theory you also have to pay 200 S£, but there was no guard so we got in for free.
Qalaat al Marqaab
Go on to Palmyra
