BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi All,

I was wondering what your thoughts are for a solo female American traveler visiting Syria and Lebanon? I'd probably spend around a week in each place and then I have to head to Israel to meet up with friends. I read through Lonely Planet and it appears that both countries are quite tourist friendly, but are they places I want to go to alone? Will it be easy to meet other backpackers? Should I just try and get on a tour?

I've travelled alone before in India, Ecuador, Europe but I do occassionally get lonely- and you know how some countries are more conducive to meeting people than others. For example, one night in a certain Quito hostel will gain you 20 new friends whereas Jaipur, India is a little bit tougher for meeting other travellers.

I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts.

Also, how do I cross into Israel after? Are flights the only allowed option? I guess I could go into Jordan to cross but I'm already going to Jordan once I meet my friend in Israel- so I'd hate to waste time before.

Thanks!

quote:

I read through Lonely Planet and it appears that both countries are quite tourist friendly, but are they places I want to go to alone? Will it be easy to meet other backpackers? Should I just try and get on a tour?

Hi, judging from this paragraph, maybe if you are having slight doubts about traveling alone in areas like Lebanon ( where there is currently political unrest ) and Syria, it might not be a good idea to travel alone. I suggest that you go with a tour or a small group of fellow travelers.

quote:

I was wondering what your thoughts are for a solo female American traveler visiting Syria and Lebanon? I'd probably spend around a week in each place and then I have to head to Israel to meet up with friends. I read through Lonely Planet and it appears that both countries are quite tourist friendly, but are they places I want to go to alone? Will it be easy to meet other backpackers? Should I just try and get on a tour?

I don't know Lebanon, or what the situation there is like, so I don't have much to say about it. Syria, though, really shouldn't be a problem. Clearly if you've travelled alone in India, you have your wits about you, and Syria is really a very safe country. People are friendly, there's not a large enough tourist industry that it's been ruined by touts, and it's easy to get around.

In the towns that make up the standard trip through Syria - Aleppo, Hama, Palmyra and Damascus - it's not too difficult to meet other travellers, as long as you stay in one of the hotels that tops the list in the Lonely Planet. Outside of those spots, though, you'll probably see foreigners at Palmyra, Crac des Chevaliers, Aleppo's citadel and the Ummayed Mosque in Damascus. Everywhere else, we're so few that your odds of running into another tourist are very slim. If you feel you need someone to travel with, you shouldn't have trouble finding someone.

I say no tour.

quote:

Also, how do I cross into Israel after? Are flights the only allowed option? I guess I could go into Jordan to cross but I'm already going to Jordan once I meet my friend in Israel- so I'd hate to waste time before.

There is no way to get directly from either Syria or Lebanon to Israel. Indeed, you will be refused entry if immigration in either country finds evidence that you're heading there, or have been there. Passport stamps, plane tickets...I've heard that if your bags are searched, even highlighting in the Israel portion of a guidebook is grounds for refusing entry. That said, I think the odds of being searched are slim...as long as your passport is clean and you have a visa before arrival, entering Syria at least is very pain free.

So to get to Israel, you'll have to go through a third country. Jordan would be most straighforward. You could also fly via Cyprus, Egypt, or Turkey, but make sure you don't have a physical copy of a ticket to or from Israel with you.

Being a solo female traveller can be difficult and trying in this area. But it will also garner you more sympathy then anywhere else.
For warding off any extra trouble: 1.) wear a wedding ring. 2.) have pictures of your 'husband'. I took pictures of my ex and said it was my husband last time I went. 3.) Wear sunglasses. I cannot stress this enough. Huge, ugly, paris-hilton size sunglasses. Arabs believe that interest passes through eyes (they arn't totally off here) and if you make eye contact with any man you're more likely to have him harassing you.

Other then that follow the basics:
You're in a Muslim country keep your clothes covering you. The rule is to the elbow/to the knees. Dont show anything above that. Not to mention, I've lived in these climates and when you wear light cotton layers that cover your skin it is BY FAR more comfortable then wearing tank tops. Not to mention wearing a tank top or a skirt and travelling alone...you might as well beg men to harass you (I might get in trouble for saying that but I'll stand by it).

And not to totally put you off. Arab men are awesome. They are dark, handsome, oftentimes sweet/romantic beyond belief. Especially if you're used to how Western men come on to you, the way an Arab man can woo will knock you off your feet. So sample the local flavor if you like. It's delicious. Just make sure you dont get anyone in trouble. Including yourself (i.e. make sure they're not married, make sure you are discreet, make sure you use protection).

Have fun! Oh and try to street kababs. Ugh...I miss street kababs. Oh and make sure you go to a hamam. Seriously. Best experience of your life.
If you need hamam instructions lemme know.