Despite existing super under the radar Syrian cuisine is actually not just one of the best of the Middle-East, but perhaps the world. And this is for many reasons, such as its access to great ingredients, Mediterranean location and indeed proximity to some of the best food on the planet. In it is so good […]

When analysing the beginnings of the Arab Spring in different countries, it is often very small moments that really lit the flame of dissatisfaction and underlying tensions. From Tunisia, the protests spread like wildfire across the Middle East and North Africa, with several countries such as Tunisia and Egypt resulting in large scale revolts and […]

ISIS did a lot of destruction in Syria and Iraq. Notably, they were unfortunately able to destroy some of the worlds richest archeological and religious sites. Below is an unfinished list of UNESCO sites ISIS tried to destroy (emphasis on tried to). While many sites were looted, bombed or defaced, others proved too vast, solid, […]

A year after the Assad regime was toppled in what was a surprising end to 2024, the transitional government has launched Syria’s new currency which has now entered circulation. A decree from current President Ahmed Al Shara has pledged the eventual withdrawal of the old Syrian banknotes. As today marks the first day the currency […]

The keffiyeh is a headscarf typically worn in the Middle East that celebrates the connection between communities and their land. The keffiyeh can tell you where a person is from based on the colour, pattern and the local name. Keffiyeh actually originate from ancient Mesopotamia, predating Islam. From Kuffa, the keffiyeh has spread across Mesopotamia, […]

Join YPT’s Caitlin Graham on a Special Episode on Travel to Lebanon A Different Host! In our latest episode of the Young Pioneer Podcast, host Justin Martell hands the mic over to Caitlin Graham, our Middle East and Central Asia Manager, who sits down with local guide Mira in the heart of Beirut to discuss […]

Following the recent exciting news that sanctions from the US against Syria will be dropped, Fly Dubai is commencing flights to Syria via the Damascus International Airport. Fly Dubai joins a growing number of airlines in favor of recommencing flights to Syria’s capital. Fly Dubai is commencing flights to Syria, with flights to commence daily. […]

The world watched in shock as the Bashar Government, a regime that clung to brutal power over Syria for decades and 2 generations of dictator rule, fell in under 2 weeks from revolution starting in the small North-Western province of Idlib. The change was shocking for everyone – even us working in the tourism industry […]

For almost the full duration of the civil war, foreigners were not recommended to fly to Damascus Airport. A mix of air raids from Israel, sanctions against Syrian airlines Cham Wings and Syrian Airways, and other logistical concerns made the route for foreigners well off the beaten track. In fact, many Syrians abroad when returning […]

Under the Assad regime, Idlib was completely off limits for tourists as the city was not under government control. It was always an area avoided on tours for the safety of the group and for the lack of permissions to be visiting idlib. However, after the fall of Asaad, visiting Idlib in 2026 is possible. […]