In between Aleppo and Damascus, I stopped by Homs as a hub to get to Krak des Chevaliers. The Lonely Planet guide recommended I stay at An-Nasr al-Jedid Hotel with its “beautiful hundred-year old building with high ceilings.” It certainly was old, with high ceilings, but could make do with a new lick of paint. I was the only one in the hotel and I found the “reception” to be less than desirable or helpful. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the town of Homs – quite beautiful and full of people walking around. Their main mosque was a quite nice to visit.