special classical tour to syria :

Tour itinerary:

Day 01 : Amman - Damascus

Our Guide will Meet the Clients at Syrian Jordanian Border & Assist them to Finalize the Visa Procedures then Drive to Damascus,

DAMASCUS OVERNIGHT

Day 02 : Damascus – Full Day City Tour

 Start Damascus City Tour which will Contain

- The National Museum of Damascus

This museum contains a world-class archaeological and historical collection. There are two wings to this Museum, the east wing and the west wing. The west wing contains pre-classical and Arab Islamic collections, and the east wing contains Classical and Byzantine collections. The façade of this museum is fragments of the twin-towered gateway of Qasr al Heir. The west wing has rooms devoted to Ras Shamra (Ugarit) with small clay tablets of what is known to be the oldest Alphabet in the world, the Ugaritic Alphabet. It also contains the ivory head of an unknown prince, a collection of cylinder seals, and Mycenaean pottery imported from Greece. Another room is devoted to Mari, the Bronze Age sight on the Euphrates. Here you will find the 3rd Millennium treasure of King Cansud. Further on,  you will find a room concentrating on finds from Raqqa, the Abbassid city on the Euphrates. Another hall contains Islamic jewelry, coins and armor, and the final hall is the Damascus Salon, a wood-and-marble paneled room from an 18th-century palace. As for the east wing, there are a few rooms exhibiting pottery, sculptures and glassware ranging from the Phoenicians to the classical periods. There are rooms concentrating on the Hauran and Jebel al Arab, where most objects are made of Basalt. Another hall contains classical statues carved in ivory, bronze, and marble, which were found at Palmyra. Further on lies the Palmyra room and adjacent to that is the Doura Europos room. The most popular part of the museum is the 2nd century AD Synagogue that has been reconstructed. Its walls are covered with Talmudic injunctions and paintings of human figures that are in scenes from the Scriptures

- The Umayyad Mosque

Lying at the east end of Souk al Hamidiyeh, it is a place of magnificent beauty. Its history goes back three thousand years. This location was first used as a temple dedicated to the worship of Hadad, who is the Aramean deity representing sun and thunder. Later on, in the 1st century AD, a large temple was built by the Romans and was dedicated to the Roman god of gods, Jupiter. When the Roman capital moved from Rome to Constantinople in 330 Christianity began to spread in the empire and was soon considered the official religion. It was then that the Emperor Theodosius abolished pagan worship and made it the cathedral of the city, and it was dedicated to John the Baptist.  Arab conquest in 636 did not affect it, it remained a church although the Muslims built a mud brick structure against the southern wall so that they could pray. Through time Christians became few and Muslims were increasing, so it was changed into a mosque. It was worked on by Architects from Constantinople, Egypt, and Damascus. It now holds the Shrine of John the Baptist's head, and there are many rumors to explain how it came to be here. One is that Herod sent it to Damascus so that the Romans could be sure of his execution, while another is that when the Arabs took over the church, John the Baptist's blood bubbled and when the church was demolished his head was found underneath it with skin and hair. The plan of the mosque is quite simple, there is a magnificent courtyard which is heavily decorated by mosaics. In the middle of the courtyard are the Dome of the hours, the ablutions fountain, and the beautifully decorated Dome of the treasure.  This mosque is one of the few mosques that has three minarets, Minaret of the Bride (9th and 12th centuries), Minaret of Qat Bey (15th century), and the Minaret of Jesus (13th century).

- Azem Palace

The Azem Palace was built, in the 18th century, as a palatial residence for Assad Pasha al-Azem, Ottoman governor of Damascus for 14 years. It is considered a great example of Damascene houses. The governor had diverted the waters of Barada to his gardens and summoned most carpenters and masons in Damascus. He also ordered for roman columns from Bosra to be brought in along with the ancient paving of Banyas. It is divided into separate quarters, one for the kitchens, one for the haremlek, where the governor's family used to live in private, and the third was the selamlek where the governor and other male members of the family would receive guests and conduct their business. Along the south side of the selamlek is a liwan that is very deep into the wall to free it from sunlight during the day. Next to this liwan is a room where the governor would receive his guests, there is a beautiful fountain at the center of its marble floor. The selamlek is, for the most part, used as the Museum of Popular Arts and Tradition. Each room is designed and decorated to show you some of the typical Damascene traditions, including preparation for Hajj and preparation for marriage.

- A Street Called Straight ( Via Recta )

Straight street or in Roman, Via Recta, was the main link between east and west Damascus. When it was taken over by the Greeks and Alexander the Great, the "old city" was redesigned into the Hippodamian grid pattern, following the ideas of Hippodamus. This reflected the Greek sense of order. Under Roman rule, Via Recta was widened and became a colonnaded thoroughfare. These columns are still recognizable at the moment. Starting from the western section of this Street you will be passing through the Arab Gate of the Water Trough, Bab al-Jabiye. This is where the Roman gate of Jupiter once stood. The Mosque of Hisham (built in 1427), with fine stalactite design, is a bit further on. It is believed that the theatre built by Herod the Great in the 1st century BC was in this area. Going further into the covered section of the street you will find two khans (Khan Djaqmaq, and Khan al-Zait), the former is a Mameluke structure built in 1420, the latter was originally a caravanserai for olive oil. On the eastern side you will find a Roman arch, which was found by workmen under the French Mandate. It is thought to have been part of a 3rd century AD Tetrapylon at the intersection of the Via Recta. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchal church of  Virgin Mary is to the north of the arch, this piece of land has been the site of a church going as far back as the Byzantine Empire. This area is the Christian quarter of Damascus, where Christians were allowed to have their churches during the Arab invasions. To the south is the Jewish quarter (although Christians now mostly inhabit it). Further on lies St. Paul's chapel, which is where St. Paul fled by being dropped in a basket through a window in the wall. The end of Straight Street is where Bab Sharki lies, the Roman gate of the Sun. The House of Ananias is nearby

- The Souks

Souk Al Hamidiyeh
Souk al Hamidiyeh, is the most important Bazaar Street of the old city. It runs 500 meters from east to west and ends at a Roman archway before the Umayyad mosque. Most of the souk is arched over with high iron ribs with corrugated metal. This bazaar has been rebuilt several times, most recently in the 13th century. It is built on the site of an ancient Roman fortress. Some of these remains can still be seen as you walk through the souk. The Hamidiyeh is a souk for general goods where a lot of souvenirs can be bought. Women's clothing (gallabiyas),  gold lame toreador pants, nargilehs (hubble-bubble pipes), jewelry, chessboards and inlaid mosaic boxes are the most popular among tourists. 

Souk Midhat Pasha
This souk is often known as Souk al Taweel. It is parallel to Souk al-Hamidiyeh and runs from Bab Sharki to Bab al-Jabieh. It was built in 1878 by the governor of Damascus, Midhat Pasha. The most interesting vestige in this souk, is the Arabic style house known as Maktab Anbar. 

Souk Al Bzouriyeh
This is the souk that extends from Souk Midhat Pasha to the Azem palace. It is famous for its small spice and soap shops and for the al- Nouri bath--one of the few baths remaining from the 12th century. Also located there is Khan Asaad Pasha.

Souk Al Harir
This souk which is situated near the Umayyad mosque was built by Darwish Pasha in 1574. It joins with Al Hamidiyeh on one side and with souk al Khayateen the other end. The mausoleum of Nur Eddin Zengi is located between these two souks. 

Then Continue To Hotel , Check In & O/N

DAMASCUS OVERNIGHT

 Day 03 : Damascus – Maaloula - Palmyra – Homs

After Early Breakfast then Drive North to Visit Maaloula

MAALOULA

the Christian village located 56 km to the north of Damascus on a top of mountain , its houses looks suspended in mid-air . it’s inhabitance still speak Aramaic the language which spoken by Christ.  in Maaloula there is two main monasteries : Saint Sergios called after the two saints Sergios & Bachus who were sentenced to death by the Romans in 297 for converting to Christianity  & Saint Taqla monastery ( the first woman Christian martyr ),

Then Dive East to Visit Palmyra

PALMYRA

The Desert Diamond/ (207 K.M to the North East of Damascus)   which is a representation of Orient Culture

characteristic in the historical development for Arabs & Aramians   in the time Romans were controls the Mediterranean Sea, 

Start tour visiting the:

- Museum

which is a charming little museum where is displayed a beautiful collection of well-preserved statues discovered on the site of Palmyra as well as mosaics discovered in private houses.

- Temple of Bel

Bel is identified by the Greeks as Zeus and as Jupiter by the Romans, and is lord and master of the universe, creator of the world and leader of the gods. He was originally a Babylonian god, and was often mentioned in a triad with the inferior Yarhibol, god of Sun, and god of the moon Aglibol. The temple is set on an artificial mound that dates back to the 2nd millennium BC and it is almost sure that this site has always been the site of a shrine. This sanctuary is walled and has a courtyard in the center of it, and in the center of the courtyard the cella, which is the original place of worship. Inside the cella are the altar where sacrifices were made and a sacred pool. There are two chambers; North and South, both have carved monolithic ceilings. The Northern one is exceptionally known for the seven planets surrounded by the 12 signs of the Zodiac carving, and a procession of camels and veiled women, and the god of Fertility Makkabel. The walls of the courtyard are 205 meters in length and are surrounded by Corinthian headed columns on the outside and porticos with a double row of columns along the inside wall except on the west side where there is one row. There are three monumental gateways, of which the entry is through the west gate. These were modified by the Arabs in 1132 when the Arabs erected a bastion, and the temple was converted into a mosque. The base of a statue mentions the date 45 AD and the temple was originally dedicated during the reign of Tiberius in 32 AD. 

- Colonnaded Street and Public Buildings
The colonnaded street, or the decumanus, which is the main axis of the city runs from northwest to southeast for 1.2 Km. Starting from the Temple of Bel which is on the southeast side towards the Arab castle on the northwest side. Nearly at the beginning of the colonnade is the monumental arch, which has been very well preserved and is almost always the vestige with which Palmyra is associated. Further on, is the Temple of Nebo, which is much smaller than the Temple of Bel. Nebo is the Mesopotamian god of Wisdom and oracles, and often identified as the Greek God Apollo. This temple was built in the 1st century AD, and some work was later added in the 3rd century. At a further point down the  decumanus where there are four columns made out of Egyptian red granite on the right, are the Baths of Diocletian. On the left is the theater which is worthy of comparison to those at Bosra, and Cyrrhus. It was first built in the 2nd century AD and work continued into the 3rd century. Behind the theatre is the Senate which is a small peristyled court around which are rows of seating for the senators. South of the senate is the Tariff Court where a stone inscribed with the Palmyrene tariffs of 137 AD, and the Agora. Also remaining around the colonnaded area are the tetrapylon (reconstructed in 1963), and the funerary temple (2nd century).

- Diocletian's Camp
This area was originally constructed in the 2nd century, and was built by Sosianus Hierocles, the Governor of Syria under the great emperor Diocletian. The main vestiges of interest are the tetapylon of which little remains, and the principia or the Temple of Standards.

- Temple of Baal Shamin
The remains of the temple dedicated to Baal Shamin, the Semitic deity which resembles Bel is located to the northeast of the main Tetrapylon. It was first built in 17 AD but was further built and reconstructed in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. It has been very well renovated.

- Valley of the Tombs
Out through the Damascus gate, which is located south of Diocletians camp, is the Valley of the Tombs. This is a large area with several tower and temple tombs and hypogeums. Of the most interesting are the Tower Tombs of Kithoth, Iamliku, Elahbel, Atenatan, and the Hypogeum of Yarhai. There are two other necropolises, the first is to the southwest of Palmyra and includes the Hypogea of the Three Brothers, Atenatan, Hairan and Dionysus. The other necropolis which is situated southeast of Palmyra includes the tombs of Artaban, Breiki, and Bolha.,

Then Drive to West to Homs, Arrive to Hotel, Check in & Overnight 

HOMS OVERNIGHT

Day 04 : Homs – Hama – Apamee – Ebla – Aleppo

Early Morning after Breakfast Drive North to Hama

HAMA

The City where you Can see the Water Wheels Made of Woods Thousands of Years ago

Then Continue Driving North to Visit Apamee

APAMEE

Aphamee ( 45 K.M to the North  of Hama ) which is one of the four cities founded by Seleucus I Nicator at the beginning of The 3rd century BC, the name Apamee was adopted to commemorate his Persian wife. It became one of the four main centers of the Seleucid state in Syria In 64 BC, Then Continue to visit Ma'arat Al-Nouma Museum which contains wonderful mosaic,

then drive to Ebla

EBLA

25 km south-east of Idleb. It is the site of important and recent archaeological discoveries. Excavations, have revealed a very old Syrian civilization, that of Ebla, which flourished in the 3rd and 2nd millenniums B.C. In the palace of this great kingdom, a library containing more than 17.000 clay tablets was uncovered. These tablets was uncovered. These tablets are the earliest written documents in Syria

then Continue to Aleppo

ALEPPO

The Second Capital Of Syria & the Industrial City , Arrive to Hotel, Check in & O/N

ALEPPO OVERNIGHT

Day 05 : Aleppo Tour – St. Semion - Aleppo

After Early Breakfast Start City Tour of Aleppo Which Contains

- Aleppo Museum where

All historical periods Passed on Syria are exhibited in this museum with Wonderful Treasures,

- The Aleppo Citadel

 A magnificent enormous fortress, the Aleppo Citadel, is sometimes considered to be one of the oldest in the region. The hill the Citadel stands on is supposed to date back to the 16th century BC, when the Amorites were in control.

- Umayyad Mosque

The Grand Mosque of Aleppo – Date Back to the Omayyad Period

- The Souks & Khans

The Aleppo souk, unlike the Damascus one, is covered by stone archways for about 30km. This makes it the longest covered souk in the Middle East. Apart from the Khans, there are many separate souks: cloth, yarns, gold, Women's clothes, and the spice souk (where you can enjoy a wonderful mixture of odors.) Khans: The central trading positions are Khan Al Gumruk, Khan Al Nahasin, Khan Al Sabun, and Khan Al Wazir. Then Drive North to Visit St. Semion Church

ST. SIMEON CHURCH

Situated 60 Km from Aleppo is the well-preserved Church of St. Simeon. This beautiful church was built in honor of St. Simeon the Stylite who lived here atop a column for 37 years. This church became famous and was visited by pilgrims from all around the area.

Then Drive Back to Aleppo for Overnight

ALEPPO OVERNIGHT

Day 06 : Aleppo –- Ugarit – Crack Des Chevaliers – Sednaya  

After Early Breakfast Drive West to Syrian Coast to Visit Ugarit

UGARIT 

the kingdom that had a golden past in administration, education, diplomacy, law, religion and economics between the 16th and 13th centuries B.C. It is the kingdom that gave humanity the first alphabet in the world. This alphabet is still preserved on a clay tablet at the National Museum in Damascus. Though it rose to prominence towards the end of the Bronze Age in the late second millennium BC, the earliest settlements at Ras Shamra go back much earlier. Neolithic remains were found at the base of the hill, dating from the seventh millennium. The earliest links of the inhabitants were probably with the Upper Euphrates area. The city, shared in the general rise in sophistication of technology and political organization in the area in the Early Bronze Age (third millennium BC).

Then Continue to Al Wadi To Visit Crack Des Chevaliers  

CRACK DES CHEVALIERS

the most famous castle of the middle ages. It stands proudly on a volcanic crater and overlooks the fertile plains, Homs & Lattakia Mountains. This castle tells the story of two centuries of bloody and wild struggle between the Arabs & the franks, which ended by liberating it in 1271 by the sultan Al-Zaher Baybar who rebuilt its ruined parts & added many others,

Then Drive South to Sednaya Check in at Hotel & Overnight

SEDNAYA OVERNIGHT

Day 07 : Damascus –Bosra - Amman 

After Early Breakfast Free Time Till Departure to Visit Bosra – Continue to Amman

Guide Will Assist You to Finalize the Visa Procedures at Syrian Border

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