The Barada Valley   Maalula Barada Valley Shahba & Sweida Bosra & Izraa Crac Chevaliers Upstream from Damascus, the valley of the Barada is one of the favourite places for Damascenes to spend a day. It gives the comforting sight of running waters, an attraction which is difficult to assess when one is not a neighbour of the desert. The spring of Ain EI-Figeh is in a charming place 25 km from Damascus on the road to Zabadani. Further on at 40 km is Souk wadi Barada where Moslems venerate an apocryphal tomb of Abel and Tekyeh where the remains of an old Roman road exist: these are places city dwellers go when they want a small break from the daily routine. There are also villages such as Dummar with small countryside restaurants and taverns that are popular in the summer along the road from the outskirts of Damascus. Zabadani However, the real lovers of fresh air will go still higher, up to the source of the Barada: Zabadani, a resort 50 km. from Damascus. Located at an altitude of 1200 m., this village is very enjoyable in summer when it is too hot in Damascus. Getting a room in a hotel in this period is difficult and must be booked in advance. But what a pleasure to go sightseeing or picnicking at the edge of the lake, 8 kilometers away. This lake, scarcely two hectares in area, constitutes the spring of the river Barada, a fountain with clear waters where lunch can be taken under the cool shade in a nice rustic restaurant. A small railway operates on Fridays and holidays from Damascus to these mountain resorts. Bloudane Do you need still cooler, fresher air? Then go up to Bloudane which is 7 km from Zabadani, where you will be at an altitude of 1400 m. Here there are many small springs one of which provides the mineral water Boukein which is marketed throughout Syria.
© UR Travel 2006