Syria
SYRIA AT A GLANCE (5 Days)
Day 1
Upon arrival at Damascus airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Dinner is provided as you will be staying the night in Damascus.
Day 2
After breakfast at your hotel you will spend the day sightseeing in Damascus, one of the oldest cities in the world. Among the sites you will see today: the National Museaum, the Hamidiyah Bazaar, the Omayyad Mosque, the tomb of Saladin, Straight Street, the Chapel of Ananias, and the Chapel of St. Paul. You will once again overnight in Damascus.
Day 3
After breakfast and checkout, take a short drive to Maaloula, a community that still speaks Aramaic. You can also visit St. Sergio’s Convent which claims to be the oldest Christian convent in the world. Then proceed to Crac Des Chevaliers, the best preserved crusader castle in the world. Continue on to Palmyra where you will overnight.
Day 4
After breakfast you will spend the day sightseeing in Palmyra, sometimes called the Queen ofthe Desert. Located midway between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates, this oasis was an essential watering place for the many camel caravans that formerly traversed the route in the time of the Roman Empire. Spend some time today exploring the Temple of Bel, the Funerary Temple, the agora, and the Valley of the Tombs. Drive back to Damascus where you will overnight.
Day 5
After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred to the Damascus airport in time for your departure flight.
ON THE STEPS OF ST. PAUL (10 Days)
Day 1
Upon arrival at Damascus airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Dinner is provided as you will be staying the night in Damascus.
Day 2
After breakfast at your hotel you will drive to Kaukab Hill, the site where St. Paul was converted.The rest of the day will be spent sightseeing in Damascus, one of the oldest cities in the world. Among the sites you will see today: the National Museaum, the Hamidiyah Bazaar, the Omayyad Mosque, the tomb of Saladin, Straight Street, the Chapel of Ananias, and the Chapel of St. Paul. You will once again overnight in Damascus.
Day 3
After breakfast at your hotel you will spend the day visiting several ancient Christian communities, starting with Sydnaya. You will also visit Maaloula, a community that still speaks Aramaic, St. Sergio’s Convent, which claims to be the oldest convent in the Christian world, the village of Qara, and Crac Des Chevaliers, the best preserved crusader castle in the world. Finishthe day at Al Mashta Village where you will spend the night.
Day 4
After breakfast at your hotel you will travel to the Valley of Christians and visit the monastery oSt. George. Then take a leisurely drive through beautiful orchards to the picturesque town of Safita where the Castle Blanc sits at the highest point in the village. You will also visit the village of Tartous before arriving at Lattakia where you will overnight.
Day 5
After breakfast at your hotel you will visit Ugarit, the Bronze Age seaport where ships from Egypt, Cyprus, Crete, and Greece stopped to trade. You will then visit the Castle of Saladin before visiting the monastery of St. Simon, named for the saint who lived atop a column for 42 years. You will finish the day in Aleppo where you will overnight.
Day 6
After breakfast at your hotel you will spend the day exploring Aleppo, a city that was once oneof the major commercial cities in the Orient. You will visit the ancient Tell, the Citadel of Aleppo, and the Great Mosque before ending the day in the old city’s soq, the oldest enclosed shopping center in the world. Overnight in Aleppo.
Day 7
After breakfast at your hotel, you will drive to the Roman city of Apamee and walk in the footsteps of Antony and Cleopatra. You will make a stop at the local museum before first proceeding to Hama, then Homs to visit St. Elian Church and Mother Belt Church. Your journey continues to Palmyra where you will overnight.
Day 8
After breakfast at your hotel, you will spend the day sightseeing in Palmyra, nicknamed The Queen of the Desert. You will visit the Temple of Bel, the Funerary Temple, the ancient agora, and the Valley of the Tombs. Drive to Damascus where you will spend the night.
Day 9
Breakfast at your hotel. No tours are scheduled for today. Explore Damascus at your leisure.
Day 10
Breakfast will be provided at your hotel. You will be transferred to Damascus airport in time for your departing flight.
Get started with the sample itinerary above or e-mail Jacky with your "wish-list" and ideas, time frame and budget requirements and we will get back to you with suggestions and a price quote for your completely customized itinerary.