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QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

We have a long weekend here in Doha next week. I fancy spending a 2 days or so chilling out elsewhere before the next break ( ie Eid).

I am thinking of Amman or Beirut or Damascus...which would you recommend??

Thanks Very Happy

kernow · Joined: 18 Apr 2005 Posts: 14 Location: Beirut

I don't know about Amman but Beirut and Damascus are both great options. If you want restaurants, bars, clubs, beaches, great wine and great food then Beirut is for you. It's not the most attractive of cities to look at but there's a great atmosphere here. It's also very easy to get out of the city to visit places up and down the coast and in the Beka'a valley. Lebanon is only 220km from top to bottom so nothing is very far away.

Damascus has much more of a feel of the old - the Great Mosque, the old souk in the old town are great for wandering and doing a bit of shopping and there are some beautiful buildings now open as restaurants and cafes.

Honestly don't know which one I'd recommend - I love them both!

Have a great trip whatever you decide Very Happy

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

It depends on what you are looking for right now. If you want a party town, Beirut. But, it will be significantly more expensive.

If you want a bustling city with lots of history, choose Damascus. Great souk!!

Amman is a quieter city, but there is a nightlife and some history.

Personally I'd plan on hitting them all over your various holidays.

VS

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:39 pm Post subject:

My choice would definately be Damascus. Fabulous city with wonderful people, one of the best old towns and, in the Umayed Mosque, examples of Islamic architecture in the Middle EAst.

I've not been to Beirut, mainly because my impression of it is of a rather pretentious and plastic place, though I could be wrong.

Jordan is wonderful, but Amman is not the most appealing of capital cities. Nice people, and a good Roman amphiteatre, but in terms of atmosphere or architecture, it can't compare with Damascus.