Day 01: Depart home city for Tehran
We start our exciting Passage to Persia and Syria as we board for our flight for Tehran.

Day 02: Arrive Tehran
Upon arrival, we are welcomed ay Tehran, the pearl of Persia. After checking into our hotel, we enjoy a leisurely day and rest. Evening the beginning of cultural immersion into Persia begins with a welcome dinner a typical Persian restaurant where we will be entertained with poetry recitals and shisha hookah.
Overnight: Laleh Hotel, Tehran (2 nights) (D)

Day 03: Tehran
We start our exploration of Persia with a visit to the Carpet Museum displaying an excellent collection of old Iranian hand woven carpets, followed by the Museum of Reza Abbasi named after the most famous miniaturist in the Safavid’s era. It exhibits artifacts dating back to prehistoric, ancient and Islamic periods and is particularly rich in Islamic calligraphy. We culminate the day with an eny=teraining and cultural insight at the local colourful bazaar where we stroll through the narrow lanes. (B, D)

Day 04: Tehran / Yazd (Flight)
Tehran is a city of museums and we start with the unique Glass and Ceramic Museum and then the Archeological Museum where stone sculpture of a winged lion from Susa and a 6thC B.C. audience hall relief of Darius the Great from the Treasury at Persepolis are on display. We then visit the majestic Sa'dabad Palace before proceeding to the airport for our flight to Yazd, located in the heart of Iran. Yazd was a major stop on the international caravan routes to Central Asia and India. The architecture of Yazd is the most traditionally Persian to be found.
Overnight: Safaiyeh Hotel, Yazd (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 05: Yazd
As Yazd is home to the more traditional Persian architecture, we begin our day with a visit to the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence and Fire Temple (where a fire is still kept burning from 5thC AD). We continue to the magnificent Masjed-e Jameh and Amir-Chakhmaq Mosques and then tour Doulat Abad Garden with its traditional ventilation shaft (wind tower). Dinner will consist of local Yazdi cuisine. (B, D)

Day 06: Yazd / Shiraz (Drive 409 kms)
Morning we take a scenic drive to Pasargadae - the capital of Cyrus the Great where we also visit his tomb. From Pasargade we drive to Shiraz, well known known as the city of Roses and Nightingales, and rightly so, as it is the home of the finest Persian poets as well as the cradle of the Persian Civilization.
Overnight: Homa Hotel, Shiraz (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 07: Persepolis
Persepolis is the last and ultimate expression of the ancient Middle East. Nearly 2500 years ago, construction of the magnificent structures was initiated by Darius the Great with the intent to make it the focus of the mighty Achemenian Empire. Our tour will also include the Naqsh-e-Rustam where hewn out of a cliff rest the tombs believed to be of Darius I and II, Atraxerxes and Xerxes I. A typical Shirazi dinner awaits us at a local entertainment. (B, D)

Day 08: Shiraz / Isfahan (Flight)
We explore Shiraz visiting the picturesque Eram Garden, (famous for its cypress trees) and tombs of Persia’s best-known poets, Saadi and Hafiz. While there, why not enjoy a cup of chai at the wonderful atmospheric teahouse where one sits on a floor of cushions and mingle with the locals. We then visit the “modern” Nasirol-Molk mosque and the pretty Afif-Abad Garden followed by a visit to the Church of Saint Simmon the Zealot with the famed stained glass windows. The day culminates with a trip to a labyrinthine bazaar before our short flight to Isfahan.
Overnight: Abbasi Hotel, Esfahan (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Isfahan
Legend has it that Isfahan was founded at the time of Tahmourass or Keykavous. During the Safavid Era (16th/17thC AD.) Isfahan became a city of Gardens and Palaces and the beauty is indicated in the quote: "Isfahan is half of the world".
Isfahan is so beautiful that it can never be forgotten. We tour the magnificent medina including the Hacht Behesht Palace, a charming garden palace, built in 1680, with impressive mosaics and stalactite moldings. Next we visit the richly decorated and serene Armenian Vank Church and the glorious Friday Mosque. No trip to Isfahan is complete without visiting the famous old bridges that cross the Zayande River. We take some time here to stroll along the riverbanks, mingle with the friendly residents and join the local folks for the famous Isfahani tea. (B, D)

Day 14: Damascus / Palmyra (Drive)
This morning we head for the magnificent Palmyra - the capital of the female Queen Zenobia. She challenged the Roman Empire and her empire went as far as Egypt. We feel the might of Queen Zeonobia and experience the Silk Road halt that Palmyra was also famous for. We visit the Museum, the Bel Temple, Tower Tombs, the Theater, the Monumental Arch, Zenobia Bath, Bel Shamin, Nebo Temple, the Street of Colonnades, Agora. Evening stroll in the local village.
Overnight: Villa Palmyra Hotel, Palmyra (1 night) (B, D)

Day 15: Palmyra / Crac des Chevaliers / Aleppo (Drive)
Today we drive to the fascinating Crac des Chevaliers, the castle that played the vital role during the crusaders war. Visiting this strategically built castle, we then continue onto the ancient Silk Road city of Hama and visit, amongst others, the ancient water wheels before reaching Aleppo. Evening time to enjoy the bazaar.
Overnight: Mirage Palace Hotel, Aleppo (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 16: Aleppo / St. Simeon / Aleppo
Today we visit the famous St. Simeon - a striking example of the architecture during the times of the Dead Cities that flourished for more than 400 years. From here we continue for Aleppo and visit the most dominating site of the Citadel of Aleppo. The Citadel dates back to the Fatimid & Ayyubid eras - 11th & 12th C AD. Our Aleppo tour takes us to famous souq and the Al Wazir Caravanserai with all kinds of goods. (B, D)

Day 17: Aleppo / Maaloula / Damascus
Our countryside drive to Damascus takes us to Maaloula, the virgin village where the people still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ. Here we visit the famous church where St Paul’s pupil, St Takla took refuge. We continue for Damascus and have our farewell dinner at a typical local flair restaurant.
Overnight: Carlton Hotel, Damascus (1 night) (B, D)

Day 18: Depart Damascus / home city
After a journey into history, we bid farewell to the land that houses some of the oldest living cities in the world. Transfer to the airport for the departure flight. Ideal opportunity to join one of Bestway’s tours in the region. (B)