|
THE
WONDERS OF SYRIA
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Syria |
 |
There
are few countries that can claim to show one a true panorama
of history, Syria is one of them. This tour is an artistically
designed program that will take us through the different
phases of human history in this ancient land. We cover
the Mesopotamian, Biblical, Christian, Islamic, Crusades
and
Medieval as well as "modern" ages - all in one
small but extremely rich country. Our 8-day journey has
been tailored to combine with our other journeys to similarly
rich countries such as Iran, Lebanon and Jordan.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01 |
Damascus
|
|
02 |
Damascus / Bosra / Damascus |
| 03 |
Damascus |
|
04 |
Damascus
/ Palmyra |
|
05 |
Palmyra
/ Krak des Chevaliers / Aleppo |
|
06 |
Aleppo
/ St. Simeon / Aleppo |
|
07 |
Aleppo
/ Maaloula / Damascus |
|
08 |
Damascus |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
| World
Heritage Sites in Syria covered on this tour |
|
Ancient City of Damascus (1979) |
Founded
in the 3rd millenium B.C. it is one of the oldest cities
in the Middle East. In the Middle Ages Damascus was the
centre of a flourishing artisan industry (swords and laces).
Amongst the 125 monuments from the different periods of
its history, the 8th-century Great Mosque of the Umajjades
is one of the most spectacular, built on the site of an
Assyrian sanctuary. |
|
Site of Palmyra (1980) |
An
oasis in the Syrian desert, north-east of Damascus, Palmyra
contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was
one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient
world. The art and architecture of Palmyra, at the crossroads
of several civilizations from the 1st to the 2nd century,
married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions
and Persian influences. |
| Ancient
City of Aleppo (1986) |
Located
at the crossroads of various trade routes since the 2nd
millenium B.C., Aleppo was ruled successively by the Hittites,
Assyrians, Arabs, Mongols, Mamelukes and Ottomans. Its
13th-century citadel, its 12th-century Great Mosque and
various 17th-century medersas, palaces, caravanserais
and hammams give it a cohesive and unique urban fabric,
now threatened by overpopulation. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
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: Cham Palace 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)
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: Cham Palace Hotel, Palmyra (1 night) (B, D)
Day 05: Palmyra / Krak des Chevaliers / Aleppo (Drive)
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: Cham Palace 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.
Overnight: Cham Palace Hotel, Aleppo (1 night) (B, D)
Day 07: Aleppo / Maaloula / Damascus (Drive)
This morning we return to Damascus with a stop to visit Maaloula,
the virgin village whose native tongue is Aramaic, the language
of Jesus Christ.
Overnight: Cham Palace Hotel, Damascus (1 night) (B, D)
Day 08: Depart Damascus
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. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
Back
to top
|
Departure Dates |
2008
Jan 05 & 19, Feb 02 & 16, Mar 01 & 15,
Apr 05 & 19, May 03 & 17, Jun 07 & 21,
Jul 05 & 19,
Aug 02 & 16, Sep 06 & 20, Oct 04 & 18, Nov 01 & 15 & Dec
06
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
| 2008 |
1540 |
540 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
•
Hotel accommodation as mentioned or similar
• Meal plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner)
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites
• Services of local English speaking guides
• Visa Support as required |
•
International Airfare / Departure Taxes
• Personal Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides |
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1200 |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1400 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 2
and a maximum of 15
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
|
Back
to top
|
|
|
|
Site
updated April 04, 2008
|
|
|
