We had several good days in Damascus staying in the old city (which is really OLD!) exploring the Souks and mosques etc. It really is a city of contrasts with different quarters across the city, including a large Christian and large Jewish quarter as well as . The New City area is vibrant and lively with modern shopping centres and attitudes as you would expect in a large city. The Souks in th old city remain as I experienced them in 2002, being vast and hassle free - selling all sorts of tat to waste money on if so inclined.