Whirlwind Syria & Lebanon

11 days in Syria & Lebanon

DAY 1 - Arrive Damascus.

DAY 2 - Tour Damascus - thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, and later the capital of the Islamic world under the Omayyad Caliphs. Visit the Omayyad Mosque, which is an excellent example of Islamic architecture, in the old city with its souks, and the church where St. Paul received his vision.

DAY 3 - From Damascus you will be heading to Sydnaya and Ma'aloula. Ma'aloula is the only place left where the inhabitants still speak Aramaic, the language of Christ. Continue on to Palmyra for overnight.

DAY 4 - Full day tour of Palmyra. Constructed by the Arab Queen Zenobia (267-272AD) it is considered the "Queen of the Desert". This pearl in the middle of the desert is one of the most graceful and splendid ancient sites in the east. Its glory and greatness is still evident after 2,000 years. Later in the afternoon you will depart for Homs. There you will have an introduction to the city and overnight.

DAY 5 - Spend today in Homs then depart for the Crac Des Chevaliers, a 12th century fortress which was occupied by the crusaders in 1110BC. After exploring this mountaintop castle, travel to Hama where you will be able to see the great Byzantine water wheels, or norias. Then to Apamea, which was a major Seleucid city and military garrison, with magnificent Roman and Byzantine ruins. Continue to Aleppo (Haleb). Aleppo was established over 10,000 years ago and vies with Damascus for the title of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world -- en route visit the Bronze Age city of Ebla (Tel Mardika) and the Crusader castle of Sahyun. Overnight in Aleppo.

DAY 6 - Tour Aleppo, famous for its souks housed in miles of labyrinthine passageways at the foot of the Citadel. These are some of the oldest markets in the world! Visit the Citadel, in the heart of the city surrounded by an impressive moat. Then experience the souk, the old quarter, and the National Museum. Overnight in Aleppo.

DAY 7 - Venture outside of Aleppo and spend the day visiting Ragga, Tabga and Rasafa. Return to Aleppo for the night.

DAY 8 - From Aleppo you will 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. From there you will head to the Salahdine Castle and Ugarit, an ancient Canaanite city, and birthplace to the forerunner of modern alphabets. Finally, you will end up in Lattakia, which is Syria's busiest and most modern port. In the Hellenistic period Seleugus gave it the name of Laodicea Admare in honor of his mother. Overnight in Lattakia.

DAY 9 - From Lattakia you will be heading to Damascus, on the way you will stop in Tartus. Overnight in Damascus

DAY 10 - Half-day sightseeing in Damascus, then cross the border to Lebanon to tour Baalbeck and Anjar. Return to Damascus for an overnight.

DAY 11 - Transfer to airport for flight home.

Cities and Sites to be visited:
Aleppo, Anjar, Apamea, Baalbeck, Crac Des Chevaliers, Damascus, Ebla, Hama, Homs, Lattakia, Ma'aloula, Omayyad Mosque, Palmyra, Ragga, Rasafa, Salahdine, St. Simeon, Sydnaya, Tabga, Tartus, Ugarit.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

INCLUDED:
Accommodations at 4 star or 5 star hotels, shared double room, half-board (breakfast and dinner)
Air-conditioned car, van, or motor-coach depending on number of passengers
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 for guide and driver (we usually recommend $4 for the driver and $8 for the guide-all per person per day)
Trip Insurance (strongly recommended)
Visas for Syria (must be obtained prior to arrival) and Lebanon (obtained at the border)
Airfare

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