Has anyone made the trip to Syria, especially on a US passport? I'd enjoy seeing Syria one day, given that my mother's family came to the US from there nearly 100 years ago, but given the tensions between the US and Syria (as well as some lesser tensions between Turkey and Syria over land - according to my wife) I don't know if this is legal, possible or even advisable.

My friend - who is a US citizen who moved to the US from Syria when she was three - has offered to take me. She still has family there, and when she visits she has not only her US passport but a Syrian identity card which proves her Syrian birth, and she has no issues because of it - it also doesn't hurt that she speaks Arabic, and is not Jewish

Any experiences or thoughts?

My ex (a Brit) goes there all the time for work and thinks it's better than here, in some areas, business culture especially. Never had any hassles and really easy to get to from here.

Yea I'd say go see Lebanon instead cooler funnier and definately more modern

I definitely want to visit Lebanon when I can - my friend's mom lives in Beirut and we are very close, given that I only see her when she visits NYC. I've heard it is so beautiful, and much more of a "European" culture than Syria.

I am more concerned about having Syria stamped on a US passport - I guess I'll have to ask the US embassy if it is OK.

Well, since I'm still in Beirut for a few days before my move to Istanbul, I guess I can talk about it, and yes, one can say it's funnier and more modern, but I would definitely and warmly advise for the Syrian trip instead ! Mostly for the sincere and smily contact with people, and for the magnificent beauty of the sites there !
I have a few american friends who came to visit me these past years in Lebanon (including one with a very jewish name !), and we crossed the syrian border very easily, no hassle at all. So Djgardner, I would say Go for it ! And enjoy !!!