Fairytale of the Orient 8 days/ 7 nights
Syria appears as a colorful mosaic of colors, smells and sounds. This one week tour captures the spirit of Orient with its charms and legends. You will admire the beauty and splendor of its archaeological sites, imposing castles, ancient cities and wonderful sceneries. In the rich ancient kingdoms of Ugarit and Ebla you will discover the face of the first cities that rose and fell thousands years ago. Krack des Chevaliers dramatically located in the mountains will remain you of the tormented era of the Crusaders. Experience the magic of Damascus, the oldest inhabited city in the world, with its mesmerizing labyrinth of souks, the lavishly ornamented palaces, narrow picturesque streets and ancient houses, and of the fairytale city of Aleppo enveloped in the perfume of roses, fragrant soaps and incense. Palmyra in the colors of the setting sun and the highly atmospheric, magnetizing ‘Dead Cities’ will make Syria for you unforgettable. This land of outstanding beauty and fascinating history rolls out the carpets of jasmine to invite you to discover its splendid and undreamt gems.
Departure from the Aqaba airport.
Departure.
Drive back to Damascus, afternoon free to explore or shop.
Departure.
day
1 :Arrival Damascus
Arrive at the Damascus national airport. Meet and greet, assistance with visa formalities. Transfer to hotel.
Dinner and Overnight in Damascus
day
2 :Damascus
Entire day sightseeing in Damascus, city with history stretching back to 4000 years. In the morning excursion to the National Museum to admire its rich archeological treasures. In the afternoon visit to the inspiring Umayyad Mosque, one of the greatest monuments of Islam; to 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 and the Straight Street of the biblical association, the vibrant souks. Sunset over Damascus from the Mount Kassioun.
Dinner and Overnight in Damascus
day
3 :Maaloula, Krack des Chevaliers, Amrit, Lattakia
Day 02 A short drive brings us to Maaloula, a picturesque village perched in the rock. Visit St. Sergius monastery, and St. Takla Convent, ones of the well-known eastern martyrs. Here Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ can still be heard. Continue to the extraordinary site of Qalat al-Husn, better known as Krack des Chevaliers. It is the best preserved of all Crusader castles. On the way to the coastal city Lattakia visit of Amrit, ancient Phoenician city with a mysterious water temple.
Dinner and Overnight in Lattakia
day
4 :Ugarit, Saladin Castle, St. Simeon, Aleppo
Morning excursion to Ugarit, the old kingdom on the Syrian coast that had given to the humanity the first alphabet in the world. Drive through the mountains to visit the inspiring remains of another legendary Crusader castle, the Saladin Castle which rises out of a rock you must pass through a deep narrow canyon between two walls of sheer vertical rock. Transfer to Aleppo.
Dinner and Overnight in Aleppo
day
5 :Aleppo
Morning sightseeing in Aleppo, perhaps the most alluring and unspoiled city in the Middle East. Visit includes the colossal Citadel, the Great mosque, khans and madrassas, the famous Christian Quarter. The vibrant souks with stalls selling every imaginable variety of merchandise provide a vivid impression of life in the Late Antique world. Afternoon visit St. Simeon Monastery set in the beautiful limestone hills. This 6th century masterpiece of Early Christian Architecture rose around the site of the pillar on top of which St Simeon lived for 42 years. Site offers splendid views reaching out to Turkey. Transfer back to Aleppo.
Dinner and Overnight in Aleppo.
day
6 :Ebla, Hama, Palmyra
Visit to the millenary Ebla, recently discovered missing station on the Silk Road between the Euphrates and the Mediterranean, destroyed around 1600 BC. Then continue to Hama to see (and hear) the ancient waterwheels driven by the Orontes River to view the ancient Roman waterwheels. Local people like to say if the squeaking of the "Norias" stopped for a night, the entire town would suffer from insomnia. Through desert to the oasis Palmyra. In the evening drive up the hill to the Arab fortress for the unforgettable sun set over this legendary oasis of thousands of palm trees and colons.
Dinner and Overnight in Palmyra
day
7 :Palmyra, Damascus
An entire day is devoted to Palmyra, one of the most awe-inspiring of all Roman sites. This rich caravan city which rises majestically out of the wilderness. It was the capital of the famous Queen Zenobia, who dared to challenge the power of Rome. Visit includes the spectacular ruins of the Temple of Bel, the mystic valley of Tombs, theatre, agora, the triumphal arc and colonnaded avenue. Transfer to Damascus.
Dinner and Overnight in Damascus
day
8 :Departure from Damascus
After the breakfast transfer to the Damascus airport. Departure
Guaranteed Departure 08 days
/ 07 nights:
After the breakfast transfer to the Damascus airport. Departure
Departure for Bosra, Roman capital entirely clod in black basalt. Visit of numerous vestiges among which the Roman theatre, one of the most well preserved theatres of its kind in the world. Cross the Jordanian border and exploration of Jerash, remarkably well preserved Roman city: hippodrome, arc of triumph, fountains, Byzantine churches, temples and theatres.
Dinner and overnight in Amman.
