Which city is better to end a trip in? Damascus or Beirut?
 

We're looking to do Syria and Lebanon in September or October and where to start and end will most probably depend on the general quality of shopping and dining in each of these two cities. We like shopping (in general, no specific wants/needs) and dining (mostly good local traditional or modern cuisine). So we would want to add a couple of extra days at the end in one of these two cities (and don't want to lug any purchases through the whole tour. Fortunately, we are 100% flexible at this time, as nothing has been booked yet. Your thoughts?

Well, I don't shop, so I can't help with that. But the Damascus souk is a great place to wander. Good food available in both, but perhaps more, and more variety in Beirut. You might want to check the New York Times site - they've done articles recently on both.

I used Beirut as a base for visiting sites in Lebanon, if you're doing that it might also affect your decision. I'd probably decide based on flight prices and availability, as travel between the two is quite easy. (Make sure to get a multiple-entry visa for Syria if you go back to Damascus.) Click on my screen name for my TR including both cities.

Thanks. I wasn't completely clear above. We will be starting in DAM and ending in BEY ...OR starting in BEY and ending in DAM, and doing about 2 or 3 weeks in between. Flights and what's in between don't really matter and we will already have done the usual visiting in each terminus. Just trying do decide where to best relax at the end before returning home (or wherever we may go next).

You really need to get your Syrian visa ahead of time, but you can get the Lebanese visa at the border (might want to change money ahead of time to avoid the money lenders at the border) so it would make sense to start in Syria. But if you're going anywhere overland afterwards you'll have to go back to Syria - ask for a multiple entry visa - it costs the same.