Tour Dates:
- 11 June 2011 - 17 September 2011 - 7 April 2012 - 9 June 2012 - 15 September 2012. Enigmatic Syria is a treasure trove of culture, a land where the legacies of long forgotten empires can be seen around every corner. Its cities are some of the oldest on earth, bearing the traces of the numerous civilizations that have traversed this ancient land over the centuries – Syria is a land where history comes alive. On this short tour we take in the marvelous cities of Damascus and Aleppo, where Arabic culture is at its most vibrant and it is easy to imagine yourself in a previous century. We visit ancient churches and stunning villages, as well as abandoned Byzantine cities and the mighty Krak des Chevaliers, once a Crusader stronghold and still as impressive as it ever was. We also head into the desert to meet Bedouin tribes and discover the unique ‘beehive houses’ that dot the remote corners of this country, as well as exploring the awe-inspiring site of Palmyra, once home the legendary Queen Zenobia. As well as the highlights, this tour explores some of the lesser known gems of the country that few travelers bother to see – a truly comprehensive journey around this magical land. Tour Itinerary: Day 1: Damascus. Arrive in Damascus and transfer to the hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, you may have time to explore the city. Overnight at Al Jala’a Hotel or similar. Damascus: Damascus is one of the great cities of the Arab world and has played a major part in the region’s history. It lays claim to being the oldest continually inhabited in the world – although Aleppo also vies for this title – and archaeological excavations have found artifacts dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Damascus is a place which exudes the spirit of the Middle East, with its lively souqs, centuries old monuments and men walking the streets dressed in traditional galabiyyas and kuffeyehs, while veiled women sweep gracefully through its ancient alleyways. It is home to some incredible architecture and monuments, and walking around its medieval lanes is an absolute delight as you stumble across old tombs and shrines and marvel at its Islamic heritage. Damascus is home to a number of impressive mosques, most notably the Umayyad mosque – one of the most important in the world and decorated exquisitely. Dating back to the glory days of Islam, it was constructed on the site of a former pagan shrine and Christian church when Damascus was the capital of the Islamic world, and is still an immensely important place of worship. Damascus’ souqs give on the best flavor of what this city was once like, with shops and stalls packed into narrow streets, and local people haggling assertively to gain the best deal on all manner of things from sticky Damascene pastries to carpets and household goods. Damascus is a city which everyone should experience at least once in their lives. Day 2: Damascus. We spend today exploring Damascus, learning about its fascinating past and uncovering many of its stunning monuments. We visit Azem Palace, the National Museum and the Umayyad Mosque, which contains the tomb of Saladin, as well as the Chapel of Ananias and St Paul’s Chapel. Afterward there is time to explore the souqs for an unforgettable flavor of Damascus life. Overnight at Al Jala’a Hotel or similar. Includes: (B), (D). Day 3: Bosra – Shahba - Qanawat. We head south, stopping first at Ezra’a, home to some of Syria’s oldest functioning churches dating back to the 6th century. From there we drive to Bosra with its spectacular Roman amphitheater. On our way back to Damascus we see the stunning mosaics at Shaba and visit the ruined city of Qanawat. Overnight at Al Jala’a Hotel or similar. Includes: (B), (D). Bosra: Bosra is renowned for its Roman amphitheater which was built in the 2nd century when Bosra became the Roman provincial capital of Arabia. It is one of the largest amphitheaters in existence and is quite spectacular – it is free-standing rather than built into the side of a hill, and was greatly fortified over the years by subsequent Arab rulers of the town so that it now resembles something of a citadel. The original theater, which has been miraculously preserved, seats 15,000 and its stage is 45 meters in length. It has been designed so that all the audience can hear the actors without the use of any special equipment. Day 4: Maalula – Krak des Chevaliers - Hama. We first visit the picturesque cliffside village of Maalula and its monasteries of Mar Takla and Mar Sarkis. Maalula is unique in that its inhabitants still speak Aramaic, the language of the bible. From here we head to the imposing crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers, one of the best examples of the crusader legacy in all of the Middle East. Later we drive to Hama, a delightful town known for its centuries old enormous waterwheels, known as norias. Overnight Orient House or similar. Includes: (B), (D). Krak des Chevaliers: Krak des Chevaliers dates back 800 or so years, to a time when the Crusades were in full flow and European armies were hell bent on ‘liberating’ the holy land from the forces of Islam. It is without a doubt one of Syria’s most impressive sites and is incredibly well preserved, sitting as it does on the top of a hill with commanding views of the surrounding area. The castle was never taken by Arab armies, but the Crusaders were besieged there in 1271 and forced to surrender. The castle itself is surrounded by two defensive walls separated by a moat, which protected the inner fortress. Inside are vast chambers and chapels supported with impressive pillars where crusaders numbering up to 2000 could retreat in the face of hostilities. Syria holds many examples of crusader castles, but it is Krak that is the most impressive. Hama: Hama is a pretty town sat on the banks of the Orontes River, and its main claim to fame are its 17 huge waterwheels, known locally as norias, which reach up to 20 metres in diameter. Those that remain date from the Mamluk and Ottoman periods and are still in use today, their old beams groaning as they turn. The town is also home to a small but interesting souq, a citadel, and some charming old examples of Islamic architecture, as well as the obligatory narrow atmospheric streets of the old quarter, making it a pleasant place to wander round or sit at one of the local coffee shops. Day 5: Apamea – Dead Cities - Aleppo. We visit Apamea, the most important Hellenistic site in Syria, before heading to the abandoned Byzantine cities of Bara and Serjella. We then drive via St Simeon’s pillar to Aleppo, one of the Middle East’s most important cities, where we stay for two nights in a gorgeous converted traditional house. Overnight Tourath House or similar. Includes: (B), (D). Apamea: Originally founded in the 3rd century BC, Apamea was a significant city that was once home to around half a million people, and was renowned for its horses – as well as 30,000 of the animals it held a large population of elephants used for battle purposes. The city was attacked by the Persians in the 6th and 7th centuries and fell into decline after the rise of Islam. Today it is a shadow of what it must have been, but its long colonnaded streets, columns and mosaics give hint to its former glories and it is a fascinating place to wander around. Aleppo: Syria’s second largest city has gained its prominence and wealth from commerce and has long been a hub for different communities who have come here to buy and sell. Aleppo also claims to be the world’s oldest continually inhabited city, along with Damascus; whatever the truth there is no doubt that it is an ancient place, with ancient texts mentioning it back as far as the 18th century BC. Today it is an intriguing place best known for its souqs which are an absolute hive of local activity and the main focus for shopping. Aleppo is home to some amazing Islamic architecture, with madrassas and mosques seemingly sprouting from every corner in the old city. It is dominated by the citadel, an impressive set of fortifications that are entered by crossing a bridge over a moat through an imposing gate, once used as a base for Muslim forces during the time of the crusades. Day 6: Aleppo. We spend today exploring Aleppo and visiting its sites, including the Citadel, the Umayyad Mosque, its National Museum and caravanserai among other treasures. We also visit its famed souq for a taste of local life. Overnight Tourath Hous or similar. Includes: (B), (D). Day 7: Rasafa – Beehive Houses - Palmyra. Drive east to the fortress city of Rasafa, lying far from anywhere in the middle of the desert. We then visit a community of beehive houses – one of the most extraordinary sights in Syria – and meet local Bedouin before driving to the desert city of Palmyra. Overnight Heliopolis Hotel or similar. Includes: (B), (D). Beehive houses: These unique houses can be found in the Euphrates regions of both Turkey and Syria. Built from mud, they taper to a point at the top with a small opening and consist of just one room inside. The mud walls act as a form of insulation, keeping them cool in summer and comparatively warm in the winter. Although some families still choose to live in these houses, many are becoming abandoned in favor of more modern housing. The Bedouin: Bedouin is a collective name given to a variety of desert dwelling tribes, spread out from the Arabian peninsula to north Africa. Traditionally the Bedouin were largely nomadic, taking their large goat hair tents and moving to find pasture for their flocks throughout the arid desert wastes. Although different tribes were united, typically the Bedu would live separately in their family groups – a necessity so as not to put excess pressure on the meagre resources of the landscape. Nowadays modernity has taken its toll on traditional Bedouin life, as many have settled in towns and cities in search of a more secure existence, but many nomadic families still exist. The recent imposition of national borders on the homelands of the Bedouin has also acted to circumscribe traditional patterns of migration. The Bedouin are famed for their culture of hospitality which dictates that they treat visitors as honored guests. Day 8: Palmyra - Damascus. We spend today exploring Palmyra, one of Syria’s true highlights. This ruined city is incredibly atmospheric and was once an important staging post for caravans making the long journey from India and southern Arabia to the markets of Aleppo and the coast. Later we return to Damascus for our final night. Overnight Al Jala’a Hotel or similar. Includes: (B), (D). Palmyra: Palmyra was one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world, an oasis city in the middle of the desert that offered respite for weary travelers and merchants. Standing at the crossroads of many different civilizations it grew to become a very prosperous city by the 1st century and was incorporated into the Roman Empire with the fall of the Nabataean civilization. In its prime Palmyra contained temples, colonnaded streets and numerous other buildings but fell foul of Rome when its ruler Queen Zenobia decided to assert the city’s independence in the 3rd century. Palmyra fell into decline but what is left is still utterly impressive. There are numerous temples to explore, huge pillars poking at the sky and some unusual funerary towers which once served as a repository for the dead. The sight of Palmyra’s ruins glowing in the early morning or late afternoon sun is one of the enduring pictures of Syria which you will take back with you. Day 9: Damascus: Tour ends. Includes: (B). Notes: Prices: 
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