SYR 1: Classical Syria I

8 days, 7 nights

1.Day: Europe – Damascus

Arrival at Damascus airport, meeting & assistance and transfer to the hotel. Dinner & overnight

2.Day: Damascus – Bosra – Damascus

Visit to Bosra whose enormous edifices built of hard basaltic stones reveal a glorious past, it was one of the ten prominent Roman cities. Start the visit at the Roman gate of the wind & walk to the underground market, the Lantern gate, the Islamic castle, the Great Roman Theater, the water reservoir, the Nabatean gate, the Byzantine cathedral & the church of the Nestorian monk Bahira who met prophet Mohammed & predicated his mission.  Return to Damascus for dinner and overnight

3.Day: Full Day Damascus,

After breakfast start exploring the oldest inhabited capital in the world, visiting: the National Museum, the Takiyah Sulaimaniyah, the Umayyad Mosque, the tomb of Saladin, Azem Palace and Straight Street, then proceed to the Christian quarter where we are going to see St. Anannias chapel, St. Paul’s window & Bab Sharki. Then through the old famous bazaars of Damascus “Hamidiyah”. Before sunset drive to Qassion mountain 350 meters above the city level for a panoramic view. Dinner for this evening will be special either on the top of Qasion Mountain or in one of the deluxe restaurants in the old city. Back to the hotel & overnight.

4.Day: Damascus – Palmyra

After breakfast drive to the ancient city of Palmyra to visit the temple of god Bel, the monumental arch, the via-recta, and the agora, the theater and the bath of Queen Zenobia & the tower tombs.. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Palmyra.

5.Day: Palmyra - Krak Des Chevaliers – Aleppo

B/F and drive to Krak des Chevaliers, one of the most extensive crusaders’ forts in the Middle East, and on to visit Hama, famous for its giant water wheels. Afterwards drive to Aleppo, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

6.Day : Aleppo – St Simeon – Aleppo

B/F and visit of Aleppo museum and the markets. In the afternoon drive through the green coastal mountains to one of the most charming dead cities, the monastery of St. Simeon the stylite who spent 40 years of outdoors prayers and meditation on top of a pillar.. Return to hotel in Aleppo for dinner and overnight.

7.Day: Aleppo – Apamea – Maaloula – Damascus

After breakfast drive to the Greco-Roman city of Apamea and on to Maaloula, the village whose native tongue is Aramaic, the very language of Jesus Christ. Colorful houses are built on the cliff face like nests. Visit to the churches of St. Tekla and St. Serkis. Continue to Damascus.

8.Day : Damascus – Europe

B/F and transfer to Damascus airport for departure