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Steeped in history, visitors are delighted by the myriad of archaeological sites, scenery, bustling souks and desert camps, along with great cuisine and incredibly hospitable locals. Boasting the oldest inhabited city, spectacular Roman ruins and the fabulous crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers, described by Lawrence of Arabia as 'the finest castle in all the world', this trip will transport you back in time and show you a diverse range of history, culture and politics.
Itinerary
| Day 1 - Damascus Tour starts in the hotel
in the evening where you can meet your
group and tour leader.
Traditional Style Hotel (no meals) | | Day 2 - Damascus Day 2: Damascus: After breakfast our full
day city tour of Damascus starts at the
Omayyad Mosque. Built in 705AD it is one
of the most important Islamic buildings,
with magnificent domes and mosaicencrusted
minarets. This site of worship,
which stretches back, as such, for over
3000 years, contains a byzantine basilica
with a casket said to contain the head of
St. John the Baptist. After visiting the
tomb of Saladin nearby we move on to
the 18th Century Azem Palace of the
Governor of Damascus, built with the
contrasting effect of black basalt stone
and pale limestone and sandstone. Set
around a courtyard are the many rooms
which have been richly restored, each
with a different themed display of family
life. We shall walk along Straight Street,
(where Paul of Tarsus is said to have had
his conversion) which bisects the Old
City, and further explore the Hamidiyya
Souk. After lunch and a leisurely stroll
through the Souq with its network of
small streets and alleyways, we’ll visit
some of the beautiful old Damascene
houses built around courtyards, their
entrances hidden behind heavy decorated
doors.
Hotel (B, L, D)
| | Day 3 - Damascus – Apamea – Aleppo Today we leave Damascus and head
north, visiting Apamea, Syria’s largest
classical site. Continuing on to Aleppo we
will begin our time in this ancient and
fascinating city by visiting the Citadel
that dominates the city skyline and was
the Muslim powerbase during the
Crusades, as well as the Museum. In the
evening there is the chance to follow in
the footsteps of Agatha Christie and T.E.
Lawrence and relax with a sundowner at
the famous Baron Hotel (which still has
Lawrence of Arabia’s unpaid bar bill), or
investigate Aleppo’s nightlife.
Traditional style Hotel (B, L, D) | | Day 4 - Aleppo Today we will spend more
time exploring the city of Aleppo -
deserving of its status as a “World
Heritage Site” (vying with Damascus for
title of the world’s oldest continually
inhabited city). We will visit the Great
Mosque and wander through the
legendary Souq, which is still the main
centre of commerce and regarded as one
of finest souks in the Middle East.
Hotel (B, L, D)
| | Day 5 - Aleppo – Deir Ez-Zur Leaving
Aleppo we drive eastwards to the Ar
Raqqa region – across wild arid desert
plains and wooded hills to the River
Euphrates, the life-blood of the country.
We follow the river, crossing the dam
that forms Lake Assad, created in 1960s
to harness this mighty waterway to
provide irrigation and hydroelectricity.
We first make for the castle and
abandoned walled Roman city at Ar
Rasafa. This remote stronghold (inhabited
in Assyrian times) was once a thriving city
but after numerous attacks, was finally
abandoned when the Mongols invaded in
the 13th century. It is now an eerie but
fascinating place to explore. After a quick
stop at Halabiyya, we head to the lively
market town of Deir Ez-Zur, where local
people travel from surrounding villages to
buy and sell their produce.
Hotel (B, L, D)
| | Day 6 - Deir Ez-Zur – Palmyra Taking some time to explore Deir Ez-zur we visit the simple, yet beautiful Armenian
church. A recent addition to the town,
the church houses a moving memorial and
museum, dedicated to the Armenians
massacred by the Turks in 1915, and gives
a fascinating insight into the modern
history of the region. Heading deeper
into the barren heart of the Syrian
Desert, we travel on to Palmyra where
we visit one of the most stunning
archaeological sites in the Middle East –
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the ancient 2nd century city of Tadmor
(Palmyra) whose magnificent funerary
towers, colonnades and temples rise up
out of the inhospitable terrain. We spend
tonight in a Bedouin camp, enjoying
traditional hospitality and experiencing a
way of life that was once widespread
throughout much of the Arab world.
Bedouin Camp (B, L, D)
| | Day 7 - In Palmyra We have the full day to explore the Roman ruins of Palmyra
(City of Palms), including the valley of
the tombs, Bel temple, the old city and
the museum. Spanning over 50 hectares,
there is plenty of opportunity to wander
through the rows of marble arches,
clamber up the towers and drink in the
striking desert scenery. Tonight we stay
in a nearby hotel.
Hotel (B, L, D) | | Day 8 - Palmyra – Krak des Chevaliers -Malulah - Damascus Leaving the desert
behind us, we drive on to Damascus. Enroute we will stop at the Crusader castle
of Krak des Chevaliers. Precariously
perched on a hilltop with spectacular
views of the surrounding countryside, it is
the best-preserved fortress in a string of
Crusader castles running south to
Jerusalem, and a highlight of any trip to
Syria. We shall explore the castle
(torches required for some of the darker
passageways!) before heading on to
Malulah. Nestled in the foothills of Jebel
Liblan, it’s one of the few places where
people still speak Aramaic – the language
of Christ. Here we vist St Sergious
monastery and the Convent of St Thecla,
and take a walk through the gorge that
separates the two. The gorge is
peppered with shrines and caves, and is
reputed to be formed as an escape route
from when St Thecla was chased into the
hills. A short drive south takes us back to
Syria’s vibrant capital Damascus, where
we will enjoy our final night of the tour.
Hotel (B, L, D)
| | Day 9 - Damascus Damascus Tour will end after
breakfast.(B)
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Bordering Turkey, Iraq, the Lebanon and Jordan, Syria is one of the Middle East's most interesting and historically rich countries.
Price From
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Holiday valid to
17 April 2010
Price Includes Trip is on full board basis.
Transport as outlined in itinerary
Accommodation on a twin share basis
All meals, mineral water, and entrance
fees
Price Excludes Visas (if not arriving on group flight)
Tips to local guides
Beverages & any costs of a personal
nature.
International Flights
Highlights of Discover Syria
| - Historical Damascus & Aleppo |
| - River Euphrates & Deir-ez-Zur |
| - Roman ruins at Palmyra |
| - Overnight in Bedouin Camp |
| - Crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers |
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