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This tour offers an excellent
insight into Syria’s fascinating history. It selects the best sites of
every age including outstanding archaeological sites (Palmyra, Ebla)
and living ancient cities (Aleppo, Damascus. It invites its visitors
to dream about the glory of the ancient times…
History in Syria comes alive through every stone of its ancient
monuments, if you listen to them attentively they will tell you
ancient stories of their famous residents: on the coast amidst the
impregnable walls of the crusaders castles you will hear the roaring
of swords and horses’ hooves shifting you into tormented period of
Crusaders wars, nearby in the St. Simeon Monastery, stones of the
shattered pillar weep prayers of St Simeon, the solitary monk who
wanted to reach closer to the sky.
The haunted columns of the Roman city of Apamea whisper about the
restless shadow of Cleopatra running after her beloved Anthon.
You will be stunned in Palmyra’s temples where the echo of majestic
Gods cries the destiny of the rebellious Queen Zenobia, who dared to
rival Rome.
And what secrets conceal the Phoenician Water Temple and the eternal
creaking of the enormous Norias of Hama? Listening to a touching voice
conveying to prayer, in the shade of fountains of splendid khans and
palaces enveloped in the fragrance of orange trees and jasmine, or
plunged in the mesmerizing labyrinths of souks in the heart of
Damascus and Aleppo buzzing with life, you will dream of stories of
one and Thousand nights that narrates Syria, this fascinating land,
where you will feel that before centuries the time has stopped…
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Day 1: |
Arrive at
the Damascus airport, meet and greet, transfer to hotel.Overnight
and dinner in Damascus |
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Day 2:
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Entire day sightseeing in Damascus. In
the morning visit to the National Museum to admire its archeological
treasures. In the afternoon visit to the inspiring Umayyad Mosque, the
lavishly decorated 18th-century Azem Palace which looks like it comes
straight out of a tale in the Thousand and One Nights, the tiny Chapel
of Ananias of the biblical association and the vibrant souks. Sunset
over Damascus from the Mount Kassioun. Dinner and overnight in
Damascus |
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Day 3:
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Visit of Maaloula, a picturesque
village perched in the rocks concealing the church of St. Sergius,
where Mass is still celebrated in Aramaic, the language of Jesus.
Drive up to visit the Krack des Chevaliers. This imposing Crusader
castle is the archetype of a medieval castle from our legends. Drive
over the mountains and along the coast populated in antiquity by the
Phoenicians. Via Tartus to Amrit, a Phoenician site with a unique
water temple. Continue to the coastal city of Lattakia.Dinner and
overnight in Lattakia |
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Day 4:
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Morning visit to Ugarit, home of the
world’s first alphabet, transfer to the famous Saladin Castle
dramatically seated on a tall cliff, to reach the complex you must
pass through a deep narrow canyon between two walls of sheer
vertical rock. Drive north through the region of rugged lime hills to
the St. Simeon Monastery considered the most beautiful cathedral of
the Orient offering a breathtaking views that stretch to Turkey.
Transfer to Aleppo. Dinner and overnight |
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Day 5:
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Sightseeing in Aleppo, perhaps the most
picturesque and unspoiled of Arab cities. A magnificent citadel
dominates the maze of narrow alleyways, fabulous mosques, ancient
Christian churches, khans, madrassas and the colorful medieval souks,
the richest and the most fascinating in the Orient. Dinner and
overnight in Aleppo |
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Day 6:
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Drive along the Orontes Valley to Ebla
to contemplate the vestiges of the millenary city-state through which
ran the Silk Road caravans, continue to the classical site of Apamea,
one of the largest Roman cities in the eastern empire with a well
preserved colonnaded avenue of one mile in length. Stopping in Hama to
listen to the unceasing sound of the ancient gigantesque Roman
waterwheels (the famous 'Norias'). Transfer to the oasis city of
Palmyra. Dinner and overnight in Palmyra |
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Day 7:
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Entire day devoted to Palmyra, one of
the most awe-inspiring of all Roman sites and one of the most
impressive archaeological sites in the whole of the Orient. It is the
famous city of the legendary Queen Zenobia, who conquered Egypt and
rebelled against the Romans. The principal monuments are the colossal
Temple of Baal, which is almost identical in structure to the Temple
built by Herod in Jerusalem, the triumphal arch, colonnaded avenues,
theatre and agora, as well as the mystic Valley of the Tombs. In the
evening drive back to Damascus. Dinner and overnight in Damascus |
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Day 8:
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Departure |
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Rates included:
Meets and assist
Hotel accommodation
Transportation
Tour guide
Entrance fees to the sites
Dinners and breakfasts at hotels |
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Rates does not included:
Tips and departure taxes
Travel insurance
Visa fee to Syria
Lunches
Any other item not mentioned in our
offer |
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