12 Days in Syria, Jordan

with a taste of Lebanon

DAY 1 - Arrive Damascus. Upon arrival you will be greeted by a representative of Caravan-Serai and then transferred to your hotel for the evening.

DAY 2 ñ After breakfast enjoy a full day tour of Damascus, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Visit the Omayyad Mosque, the "Street Called Straight", Azzam Palace, the souq, and the National Museum. Overnight in Damascus.

Day 3 ñ After breakfast, depart Damascus for Lebanon. You will visit the ruins at Baalbek, Lebanon's most famous Roman treasure, and Anjar, unique in that it is exclusively from the Omayyad period. Continue on to the coastal town of Jounier before arriving in Beirut where you will spend the night.

Day 4 ñ Today after breakfast you will begin your explorations of the ancient and dynamic city of Beirut. You will see evidence of this city's vitality and long history as a trade center, both in modern times and in ancient times. Continue on to Tripoli before crossing back into Syria. Visit Crac Des Chevaliers, a 12th century fortress which was built and occupied by the crusaders in 1110BC. After exploring this mountaintop fortress, continue to Homs for overnight.

Day 5 - After breakfast Tour Homs, then depart for Aleppo (Haleb). Established over 10,000 years ago, Aleppo vies with Damascus for the title of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. On the way to Aleppo, you will stop to visit Hama to see the ancient water wheels, or norias, and Apamea, which was a major Seleucid city and military garrison, with magnificent Roman and Byzantine ruins. Apamea was a powerful city in the early Bronze Age after 1800 BC. Also visit the ancient city of Ebla, where the earliest libraries have been discovered. Overnight in Aleppo

Day 6 - Spend a full day exploring Aleppo, a city that vies with Damascus as the oldest continuously inhabited city. You will visit the famous souks, housed in miles of labyrinthine passageways at the foot of the Aleppo Citadel. Also visit the museum and the Citadel. Visit the Basilica of St. Simeon, where St. Simeon the Stylite, a Christian ascetic, settled in 412. He lived for nearly 40 years on the top of a column, surrounded by pilgrims. Return to Aleppo for overnight.

Day 7 - Spend the day outside of Aleppo, exploring Raqqa, Rasafa and the Euphrates. These ancient cities have magnificent ruins and are examples of the earliest civilizations. Continue to Palmyra for overnight

Day 8 Enjoy a full day exploring Palmyra, the city of Queen Zenobia (267-272AD). This oasis, rising up out of the desert, is one of the most graceful and splendid ancient sites in the east. Its glory and greatness are still evident after 2,000 years. In the afternoon, depart for Damascus for overnight.

Day 9 From Damascus, head south to the border, crossing into Jordan. On your way to Amman, visit the preserved Roman city of Jerash. Here you can see the Elliptical Forum, the Street of Columns, and the Temple of Artemis. This ancient city hosts an annual Arts Festival, with performances taking place in the theater. Overnight in Amman.

Day 10 After breakfast, depart Amman and travel to Mt. Nebo, where Moses stood to see the Promised Land he could not enter. From there, continue to Madaba to view an ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land. After lunch explore the castle of Kerak before continuing on to Petra for overnight.

Day 11 - Enjoy a full day exploring Petra. This incredible hidden city, inhabited by the ancient Nabateans, lay concealed from 100 AD until it was re-discovered by a Dutch explorer in 1871. Take a horse ride to the "Siq" (Canyon) into the valley to see the Treasury, carved in pink stone, and continue past the Roman Theatre, the Corinthian Tomb and the Palace Tomb. Return to Amman for overnight.

Day 12 - Transfer to Queen Alia International Airport for departure.

Cities and Sites to be visited:
Aleppo, Anjar, Baalbek, Beirut, Beiteddin, Byblos, Damascus, Crac Des Chevaliers, Hama, Homs, Jeita, Ma'alula, Omayyad Mosque, Palmyra, Raqqa, Rasafa, Salahdine, St. Simeon, Sydnaya, Tabqa, Tripoli.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

INCLUDED:
Accommodations in 4 Star hotels (upgarde to 5 star available);. Half-board* (*breakfast and dinner or lunch); Air-conditioned motor coach English-speaking guide; All applicable entrance fees, service charges, porterage, and taxes for tours and sites on the itinerary

NOT INCLUDED:
Personal expenses such as room service, mini-bar charges, telephone/fax calls, laundry, dry cleaning, etc.; Optional tours or entrance fees not shown on the itinerary; Refreshments, alcoholic beverages, snacks, etc., en route or during meals, tips and gratuities; Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend you purchase before your trip; Airfare; Tips for guide and driver (we usually recommend $3-$4 for the driver and $5-$7 for the guide-all per person per day).

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