Tchak Tchak Tchak That’s the sound of the coppersmiths at work as you approach Khan Al Nahasin, the copper market in Aleppo. Tchak Tchak Tchak. Your footsteps on the cobblestones echo their rhythm. The Aleppian khan or souk dates back to the 16th century when it was the epicentre of copper trade in the Syrian [...]

Some travel souvenirs remind you of the world, others tell a story that goes back in time. This is called kabkab, the Arabic word for clogs. And this souvenir is a mini kabkab. You slide one on the thumb, the other on the first finger and you click them like finger cymbals. Clogs aren’t usually [...]

The mere mention of the name Hama, the Syrian town 140 km south of Aleppo, triggers images of giant waterwheels gently turning along the banks of a river. Most travellers drop in for a short visit on their way to the larger metropolises of Aleppo or Damascus. The city of Hama, or Hamat (means citadel [...]

If you speak to a resident of Aleppo or a national living abroad, you’ll soon discover that Aleppians share a common passion. They pride themselves in their cuisine and unequivocally declare theirs to be the best in the Middle East. With a strong attachment to culinary traditions, their recipes are well-guarded. The home cook learns [...]

On the approach to the ancient city of Aleppo in Syria, if like you, your car overheats and stops on the road don’t fret. There is always a willing local or a fellow traveller who is keen to lend a hand. Or his car. With the nearest petrol station only a few of kilometres away, [...]