I‘zāz

Day Trips

Wake up to the gentle call of prayer echoing through narrow lanes as you arrive in I‘zāz. The crisp air carries hints of olive trees and ancient stonework. Unpack in a traditional guesthouse nestled against the old city walls.

Settle in and explore the winding alleys leading to hidden courtyards lined with pomegranate trees. Stop at a family-run café for sweet mint tea and freshly baked flatbread sprinkled with za’atar. Listen as locals share stories of generations who have called this city home.

Climb a rooftop terrace to watch the sun dip behind the minarets, painting the town in amber and rose. Sample a dinner of mujaddara and stewed eggplant in a courtyard illuminated by lanterns. Drift to sleep to the distant rhythm of a ney flute carrying through the night.

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast of labneh, olives and fresh figs before heading to the Citadel of I‘zāz. Wander through massive stone walls that have stood since Byzantine times, imagining ancient legions marching within. Gaze from the ramparts over terraced hills dotted with olive groves.

Descend into the medieval bazaar at the citadel’s base, where vendors display colorful ceramics and handwoven textiles. Strike up a conversation with an artisan demonstrating traditional weaving techniques at a wooden loom. Relish a lunch of spiced lamb kebabs served with bulgur pilaf and parsley salad.

Return to the citadel as the setting sun casts long shadows between crumbling towers. Share a plate of mezze under a sycamore tree while local musicians play soft oud melodies. Retire to your guesthouse courtyard with a cup of cardamom coffee by starlight.

Join the early congregational prayer at the grand Umayyad mosque, its marble floors warmed by dawn light. Observe the intricate mosaics and Kufic inscriptions that speak of centuries of devotion. Enjoy a bowl of warm lentil soup from a nearby stall as sunlight filters through colored glass windows.

Stroll through the mosque’s serene courtyard, wandering beneath olive trees planted centuries ago. Meet an imam who explains the building’s layered history, from Roman foundations to Islamic art. Dine on fattoush salad and garlic yoghurt dip at a street café overlooking the minaret.

Witness the mosque illuminated by lanterns as the call to maghrib prayer resonates across the plaza. Sip on aromatic sage tea while local families gather around low tables laden with grilled fish. Let the gentle hum of evening conversations lull you into a reflective state.

Rise before sunrise for a guided walk among ancient olive trees that have nurtured the region for millennia. Feel dew on your boots as you watch silver-green leaves shimmer in soft light. Learn harvest techniques from a local farmer over freshly pressed olive oil drizzled on crusty bread.

Continue your journey through groves planted on terraced hillsides, where each tree tells a story of resilience. Enjoy a picnic of goat cheese, figs and rustic charcuterie under a grove canopy. Try your hand at handpicking olives and crushing them in a traditional mill.

Return to town with your bounty and join a communal workshop pressing fresh oil for the season. Sample warm oil drizzled over roasted vegetables while stars emerge above. End the day around a bonfire sharing laughter and tales of olive lore.

Step into the bustling Al-Madina souk as artisans arrange colorful spices into fragrant pyramids. Inhale the scent of cumin, cardamom and rose petals while haggling for vibrant silk scarves. Pause at a juice stall for freshly squeezed pomegranate and orange mixed with mint.

Wander past copper lanterns, hand-carved wooden boxes and brass teapots gleaming in morning light. Observe potters shaping clay vessels by wheel and taste a simple lunch of flatbread topped with tangy labneh. Purchase a small mosaic mirror as a keepsake of local craftsmanship.

The souk transforms at dusk under strings of fairy lights, casting a warm glow over merchants’ stalls. Sample street food like falafel wrapped in flatbread with pickled turnips and tahini drizzle. Let the lively chatter and distant rhythms draw you deeper into the market’s soul.

Begin with a ritual visit to a historic hammam, where heated steam softens your skin under vaulted marble ceilings. Relax as attendants perform exfoliation and aromatic soap massages infused with jasmine. Follow up with a gentle cup of cardamom-laced coffee in the courtyard.

Join a local family for an intimate cooking class in their courtyard kitchen. Learn to roll dough for mana’eesh topped with za’atar, fry fatayer stuffed with spinach and onion, and simmer a fragrant chicken tagine. Feast on your creations amid jasmine vines and the hum of afternoon prayers.

Dine at a clifftop restaurant overlooking the valley, ordering platters of kibbeh, stuffed grape leaves and smoky grilled vegetables. Watch the sunset paint the horizon in hues of gold and violet. End your meal with baklava dripping in honey and a final glass of mint tea.

Enter a sunlit atelier where local artisans gather to teach centuries-old crafts. Begin weaving colorful kilim patterns on a low loom, threading each strand with care. Learn the art of mother-of-pearl inlay from a master craftsman detailing geometric motifs on wooden boxes.

Observe a blacksmith forging decorative iron lanterns that will later light home courtyards. Try hammering a small medallion under expert guidance and admire intricate calligraphy carved on brass plates. Enjoy a light lunch of lentil fritters and shepherd’s salad amid the rhythmic clang of metal on anvil.

Return to the workshop to display your handmade pieces under soft lantern light. Share stories with artisans over aromatic spiced coffee and honey-soaked pastries. Leave with a deeper appreciation for hands-on craftsmanship preserved through generations.

Depart early for a scenic drive through olive-studded hills toward nearby villages untouched by time. Walk along dusty tracks lined with wild thyme and rosemary, each breath filled with herbal fragrance. Stop at a hilltop chapel for panoramic views of farmland and distant mountains.

Join villagers for a home-cooked lunch featuring lentil stews, fresh salad greens and hand-rolled grape leaves. Listen to elders recount local legends beneath the shade of an ancient mulberry tree. Sample homemade arak and toasted flatbread cooked on an open flame.

Settle by a rustic bonfire as dusk brings a chorus of crickets and night birds. Roast chestnuts and share poetry passed down through oral tradition. Return to I‘zāz under a star-strewn sky, carrying memories of pastoral tranquility.

Begin with a gentle stroll along the banks of the Afrin River, where reflections of old stone bridges shimmer on the water’s surface. Spot kingfishers darting among reeds as you enjoy a simple breakfast of honeyed yogurt and ripe figs. Inhale the fresh river breeze scented with wildflowers.

Visit a nearby riverside mill still grinding grain with waterpower and watch millers at work. Enjoy a picnic of stuffed zucchini flowers, tabbouleh and freshly baked bread under fluttering poplar leaves. Share laughter with fellow travelers as you dip toes in cool, flowing water.

Gather for a final feast in a courtyard lined with lanterns and citrus trees, joined by hosts and musicians playing the oud and darbuka. Savor slow-cooked lamb with sumac onions, aubergine salads and fragrant rice pilaf. Conclude your journey with a collective toast of pomegranate juice, honoring new friendships and lasting memories.