It has the colour and vitality of an old Arab town, but little of the usual hassle, boasting superb Crusader and caravanserai buildings, a fine mosque, and a picturesque port.
The town was land-locked and ways away from any body of water. 
mnli hypothesis: The town was land-locked and ways away from any body of water.  premise: It has the colour and vitality of an old Arab town, but little of the usual hassle, boasting superb Crusader and caravanserai buildings, a fine mosque, and a picturesque port.