While many people may assume that Turkey is composed of just muslim Turks, there are many different religious groups and ethnicities in Turkey. Turkey is a metaphorical and physical crossroad between Europe and Asia and has had an influence across the region. Simultaneously, the region has had a large cultural impact on Turkey. Turkey vs […]

Syria is a poly-ethnic country with many different ethnic groups. Syria is home to Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians, Armenians, Yazidis and more. This also contributes to Syria’s religious diversity and large range of languages of Syria – with most people speaking Arabic as a first language, but some have a second – or even a different […]

The Syrian Arab Baath Party is one of the most influential political movements in the Middle East, shaping Syria’s modern history since its founding in the mid-20th century. Known officially as the Arab Socialist Baath Party, its ideology combines Arab nationalism and socialism, promising unity, freedom, and socialism for the Arab world. But who were […]

After a short hiatus due to the fall of the Assad regime and the new transitional government taking over, YPT has announced we are recommencing our Syria tours in May 2025. Our tours will now include sites that were previously restricted by the Assad government, including Mount Qasion, Sednaya Prison and the city of Idlib. […]

Syria is not only a land steeped history and culture: it is also a food lover’s paradise. Syrian cuisine is flavourful and hearty. Here’s a glimpse into the best meals you can experience on our Syria Tours. While different cities share many of the same traditional dishes, each have its own unique twists and specialties. […]

One of the most popular holidays of the Christian calendar is indeed celebrated in Syria. Many people have the preconceived notion that because most of the Middle East has a muslim majority, Christmas in Syria is not celebrated – or even that Christians do not exist! Christians are spread out throughout the Levant region and […]

YPT Tours to Rojava In 2024, YPT were the first ever tour company to pioneer tourism to Rojava, leading the way for sustainable tourism to a far off-the-beaten-track location and geopolitically important area of North-Eastern Syria. Rojava (officially AANES) gained de facto autonomy in 2012 during the Syrian Civil War. While it is not recognized […]

People are wondering if it is reasonable traveling to Lebanon during the middle east conflict 2024 and if so, how to realize it. Surely the most common reaction while leading our YPT group tour at the beginning of August were some surprised local faces and people asking why we came during this time and if […]

Not 7 years ago the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria were running amok within the region, while simultaneously ferrying the world at large. It was in what is now known as Rojava and Kurdistan where their full weight was felt. And yes, while there was help from western planes, for the most part it […]

Can you visit Rojava in 2025? It is indeed possible to visit Rojava in 2025, that is though not to say that it is easy. As a rule, tourists are not permitted to travel here, with the only visitors being NGOs, journalists and cultural exchanges. Should you manage to come here though, it is generally […]