Orontes Valley
Bordered by the Mediterranean coastal strip to the west and the vast desert to the east, this part of Syria is home to the charming town of Hama, with its giant norias (water wheels) and the striking Roman ruins of Apamea.
It is also home to one of Syrias most famous sites - Krak des Chevaliers which TE Lawrence described as "the finest castle in the world". In the mid twelfth century the Knights Hospitaller rebuilt the original fort into the imposing edifice that still stands defiantly today. Despite repeated sieges the fortress was never breached but ultimately given up.