Syria Tourist Trap Tips by TheWanderingCamel Top 5 Page for this destination

Apamea "antiquities"

I don't know that I would call this a "tourist trap" - they're more of a pest really. Out they pop from behind the pillars - scruffy fellows who tell you they have something special they found in a "tom-be". With assurances that whatever it is -a marble Roman head, a few coins, a clay statue - is real (''I am Mussulman -I do not lie") they buzz around you like persistent mosquitos.

Unique Suggestions: By all means buy from them - they're only trying to earn a bit of money - if you like what they're selling and you can beat the price down to something you are prepared to pay but don't for a moment think that what you have bought is the real thing. For a start, if it was, you (and they) would be commiting a felony - the sale of antiquities in this manner is illegal. Just play the game, haggle and, when you get home, enjoy your 'truly antiquity".

Fun Alternatives: If you don't want to play this game, just be firm and say "No. I'm not interested" - with a smile.