Sunlight on the ancient stones of Palmyra and Baalbek, the bustle of the Aleppo souq, the buzz of Beirut's nightlife, the decorative wonders of Damascene houses and picturesque villages beneath Mt Lebanon - our definitive guide is your essential companion in every corner of this diverse and hospitable region.

• TEMPT YOUR TASTEBUDS with our dedicated Food & Drink chapter covering the region's mouth-watering cuisine written by expert authors and chefs

• CONNECT WITH CULTURE through our comprehensive exploration of Syrian and Lebanese society and daily life

• UNRAVEL THE PAST with our in-depth coverage of the region's lengthy history and myriad historic sites

• FIND YOUR WAY using our 68 detailed maps, including customized itineraries maps and a full-color regional map

• TALK THE TALK with the help of our Arabic language chapter