A HUGE thank you to Syrian Guides for making this journey possible. From managing all the logistics to guiding me safely through the country, their local knowledge and support made all the difference. Traveling Syria isn’t simple - it’s actually one of the only countries I’ve been to that I REALLY recommend you get yourself a guide. Having the right people around you matters, and I genuinely couldn’t have done this trip the same way without Syrian Guides. If you’re considering traveling to Syria, I can highly recommend them. Here’s a link to their website: https://syrianguides.com ______________________________ In this video, I travel to Syria in 2025 to see what the country is really like right now - especially as a solo female traveler. This first episode begins in Beirut, Lebanon, where I cross the border into Damascus - one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. I explore the Old City, walk through the souks, visit the Umayyad Mosque, pay a (heartbreaking) visit to Jobar, where we meet a very special person. I also share what it feels like to travel here today, from safety to the role of women in Syrian society. From there, we head into the mountains to Maaloula, a small Christian village where Aramaic, the language believed to have been spoken by Jesus, is still spoken today. Syria is still fragile, and the future remains uncertain, but this journey gave me a very different perspective on a place the world rarely sees this way. ______________________________ 🌞 About Me: Hey, I’m Flora - adventure traveler, storyteller, and lover of all things outdoors. Join me as I discover the hidden gems of the world and share the magic of travel with you :) 👉 Support my Channel: If you’d like to help me keep creating adventures: https://buymeacoffee.com/floragonning 🌍 Connect with Me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flora_gonning/ For Inquiries/Collaborations: floragonning@gmail.com 🗺️ Details: Time of Visit: November 2025 🎥 Gear: Main camera: Panasonic Lumix S5 mark ii Lens: Sigma 24-70 F2.8 Side camera: Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Microphone: Rode VideoMicro Drone: DJI Mini 4 Pro I license my music from @Musicbed. Here’s an affiliate link which will get you a discount! https://fm.pxf.io/floragonning 📌 Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction 1:44 - Crossing the border from Lebanon 5:09 - First impressions of Damascus 9:16 - Trying my first Syrian shawarma 9:56 - Into the souks 10:23 - Umayyad Mosque 12:12 - Exploring Jobar 15:30 - Abu Saleh 20:30 - The road trip begins 22:31 - Maaloula 27:10 - FInal thoughts 29:14 - Next week #TravelingSyria #SyriaVlog #MiddleEastTravel