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DAY 1: ARRIVE DAMASCUS Upon arrival today, our representative will meet you and escort you by private car to the center of historic Damascus, where you will spend two nights. Relax after your long journey or begin your tour of the city. DAY 2: DAMASCUS Damascus is believed to be the world’s oldest continuously inhabited capital city. From the earliest times, it has occupied a position of importance in the fields of science, culture, politics, arts, commerce, and industry. Many civilizations have left their marks on Damascus over the centuries: Aramaic, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab. Today you will visit some of the most important sites: Umayyud Mosque; Azem Palace; St. Ananias Church; St. Paul's window; the National Museum (which houses the famous Dura Europos Synagogue); the old city bazaars; Straight Street, which is mentioned in the Bible; and Saladin's Mausoleum. (B,L) DAY 3: DAMASCUS - CRAC DES CHEVALIERS - LATAKIA This morning, head north with your guide and driver for the governorate of Homs, where you will visit the Crac des Chevaliers, one of the best preserved examples of medieval military architecture. Described by T.E. Lawrence as the ".most wholly admirable castle in the world," the Crac des Chevaliers is a magnificent 12th-century fortress poised on a mountain-top with stunning views of the surrounding valley. Now a U.N. World Heritage Site, the castle served as the headquarters for the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades. After lunch, travel to Tartous and the antique Phoenician island of Arwad, site of the crusaders’ last stand in Syria. The Cathedral of Our Lady and the Old City walls will be visited before setting off north along the coast to Latakia, where you will overnight. (B,L) DAY 4: LATAKIA - UGARIT - APAMEA - ALEPPO Before leaving Latakia, visit the excavated site of Ugarit, which was once a prosperous and important kingdom and which dates from the 3rd millennium BC. The “Ugarit Alphabet” was discovered here -- it is reputed to be one of the world’s first written systems. Next, head east to visit Apamea, an old Roman desert trading post that links Latakia with Palmyra. Continue on to Aleppo, visiting (if you wish) the excavated site of the Kingdom of Ebla, where a library of 15,000 clay tablets written in cuneiform were discovered after 4,300 years. Though there isn’t much left today, Ebla is of great interests to archaeologists. Today an Italian team is excavating the site. Upon arrival in Aleppo, transfer to the hotel for a three-night stay. (B,L) DAY 5: ALEPPO This morning, venture into the heart of the city, where the gigantic Islamic medieval Citadel reflects the glory of Islamic architecture. The Grand Mosque of Aleppo, which was burned down in the 10th century, will be visited before making a trip to the archeological museum of Aleppo. Enjoy lunch in a typical Aleppo restaurant. After, continue visiting the wonders of Aleppo, including its medieval souks and caravansaries, filled with people and goods. (B,L) DAY 6: DAY TRIP TO ST. SIMEON Spend the day on an excursion to the green plains of Aleppo, where hundreds of “dead” cities are narrate the history of a prosperous Byzantine past. Your visit is to Al-Qatura ruins and to the 5 th-century of the Cathedral of St. Simeon the Zealot, who spent 40 years in outdoors prayer and meditation on top of a pillar. Nearby, drive to the Aramaic site of Ain Dara, a huge bas-reliefs of mythological animals still guarding the temple of goddess Ishtar. Continue your tour of the area before returning to Aleppo for overnight. (B,L) DAY 7: ALEPPO - RAQQA - RESAFE - DEIR EZZUR After breakfast, drive east to visit the Abbasid site of Al-Raqqa, which dates back to Alexander the Great, who allegedly founded the city. From here, you will get your first real glimpse of the Euphrates River. Continue along the Euphrates to Halabia and Zalabia, two sites that flourished during the reign of Queen Zenobia. Continue east to the ruins of Resafe, which was built out of rose-colored marble and encrusted with gypsum. Resafe’s origins date to the New Testament (called Receph in the books of 2 Kings and Isaiah). At the end of the day, transfer to Deir Ezzur for an overnight stay. (B,L) DAY 8: DEIR EZZUR - DURA EUROPOS - MARI - PALMYRA Today, visit Dura-Europos, the second most important stop on the Silk Road after Palmyra and dating to 290BC. Explore the ruins before visiting the Kingdom of Mari. Mari is regarded as a major site in Mesopotamian history, dating from 2,900BC. Tour the excavated palace of King Zimri Lim, the temple of Goddess Ishtar, the Nini Zaza Temple, and the Ziggurat. In the late afternoon, continue to Palmyra for a two-night stay. (B,L) DAY 9: PALMYRA Palmyra is Syria’s greatest historical treasure. Its ruins date to the 2 nd-century AD, although the city began its rise to glory under the Assyrians. For a time it was an important Greek outpost, and in 217AD it was annexed by Rome and became a center of unsurpassed wealth. The city's most famous resident was Zenobia, who ruled Palmyra after her husband died under suspicious circumstances. Zenobia took on the Roman forces but was soundly beaten in 271, and Palmyra was burned to the ground two years later. An earthquake finished the job in 1089. Today’s tour includes the museum, the beautiful Temple of Bel, Arch of Triumph, Senate, Agora Marketplace, Theatre, the Street of Colonnades, and the Royal Tombs. Conclude your day with a sunset visit to the Arab Castle, offering dramatic views of the entire city. (B,L) DAY 10: PALMYRA - MAALOULA - SEYDNAYA - DAMASCUS After breakfast, depart for the drive to Ma'aloula village. The people here still speak the Aramaic language spoken by Jesus Christ and their colorful houses are built onto the cliff face. Visit the early Byzantine church and then continue on to Seydnaya to visit the Convent of Our Lady, which houses a famous icon painted by St. Luke the Evangelist, kept hidden in a silver box deep in the monastery. Your day concludes in Damascus, where you will spend the night. (B,L) DAY 11: DEPART DAMASCUS Transfer today for your international departure. (B) |