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Day
01: Arrive Damascus
Ahlaan wa Sahlaan – the musical Arabic greeting –
Welcome, welcome. We are warmly received. Our drive to our
hotel in the city, which rightfully claims to be the oldest
living city in the world, will be our first glimpse into this
journey into human history.
Overnight: Talisman Hotel, Damascus (3 nights)
Day 02: Damascus / Bosra / Damascus
After breakfast we will be heading out for a day excursion
to visit Bosra, which is famous for its Roman amphitheater
dated back to the 2nd century AD, together with an ancient
Islamic minaret. (B, D)
Day 03: Damascus
We start the day to visit one of the oldest cities in the
world, Damascus, to see the National Museum, Tukia Al Sulaymanieh,
Suq Al Hamidiye, Ommayad Mosque, Saladdin Memorial, Azem Palace,
Straight Street of Damascus, St. Ananias Chapel, St. Paul
Chapel. (B, D)
Day 04: Damascus / Palmyra (Drive 217 kms / 135 miles)
This morning head for Palmyra - the capital of the female
Queen Zenobia, who challenged the Roman Empire and dominated
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.
Overnight: Semiramis Hotel, Palmyra (1 night) (B,
D)
Day
05: Palmyra / Krak des Chevaliers / Aleppo (Drive 211 kms
/ 131 miles)
Today we drive to the fascinating Krak des Chevaliers, the
castle that played a vital role during the crusaders war.
Visiting this strategically built castle, we then continue
onto Hama to visit the ancient water wheels before reaching
Aleppo.
Overnight: Dar Zamaria Hotel, Aleppo (2 nights) (B,
D)
Day 06: Aleppo / St. Simeon / Aleppo
We drive to 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 Aleppo, the
Citadel. The Citadel dates back to the Fatimid & Ayyubid
eras - 11th & 12th Centuries AD. Next stop is Al Wazir
Caravanserai with all kinds of goods. (B, D)
Day 07: Aleppo / Baalbeck / Beirut (Drive 300 kms
/ 187 miles)
Drive early morning towards the border, cross into Lebanon,
meet & assist with entry formalities and proceed to visit
Lebanon’s greatest Roman treasure, Baalbeck, counted
among the wonders of the ancient world. The site includes
the temples of Jupiter, Bacchus & Venus, with the remarkable
Great Court and the Hexagonal Forecourt. Drive then through
Beqaa Plain and Visit Ksara Winery, a large producer, famous
for using the Roman caves as wine natural cellars, producing
many varieties of wines of which 50% are red. After wine tasting,
cross Mount Lebanon range and descent to Beirut.
Overnight: Casa D’Or Hotel, Beirut (2 nights)
(B, D)
Day 08: Beirut / Dog River / Byblos (Drive)
Visit the National Museum and drive to the downtown district
to see the huge reconstruction project-taking place to create
a new commercial and residential district of the 21st century.
This project has actually discovered that the capital is standing
on the site of a very ancient settlement going back at least
5,000 years. Recent excavations have uncovered important archaeological
sites from Canaanite, Phoenician, and Persian, Roman, Byzantine,
Omayyad, Abbassid, Crusader, Mamluke and Ottoman eras. The
1.80 sq. meters reconstruction project includes new buildings
but constructed in the traditional style, besides hundreds
of old structures that have been restored and renovated to
its original shapes, including Beirut’s souks and historical
mosques and churches. Drive 20km along the highway north of
Beirut to visit the Dog River, for its commemorative inscriptions
that have been left behind by conquering armies between 2nd
millenium BC. and 1949 AD. Then proceed north to discover
a town that goes back 7,000 years; and the worlds oldest continuously
inhabited. Located 37km north of Beirut, Byblos is a quite
charming small town of great history. Visit its ancient sites,
and then explore the old part of the town on foot, starting
from fishermen’s harbor, leading uphill towards the
Church of St. John the Baptist and souks. Return to Beirut.
(B, D)
Day 09: Depart Beirut
After a journey into history, antiquity and culture, we bid
farewell with a transfer to the airport for our flight back
home. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)
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