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Day 1-3: Damascus
Discover the highlights of Damascus.
Day 4-5: Palmyra
Palmyra, known as Bride of the Desert, once Queen Zenobia's Empire.
Day 6-8: Aleppo
Drive across the valley of the Euphrates to visit Qalaat Jabar, an Arabic fortress from the 12th century. Full day tour in Aleppo including the National Museum, the Great Mosque, the Koran School Al Halawiye (madrassa), the souq of Aleppo dating to the 16th century and the Citadel, already in Hellenistic and Roman times, the acropolis of the town. Excursion to St. Simeon.
Day 9: Hama
Visit Ebla, one of the most important archeological sites of Syria, then cross the Alawit mountain we continue towards inner Syria to visit Apamea, the most important and beautiful Hellenistic site in Syria.
Day 10: Salah Din Castle – Ugarit – Latakiaa
Visit the castle of Salah ad-Din, a masterpiece of military architecture; Ugarit where the remains of the capital of the Syrophoenician Kingdom Ras Shamra were found. The first consonantal alphabet was put together in the 14th century B.C. in Ugarit. Overnight on the Mediterranean.
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Day 11-12: Tartus – Crac de Chevaliers - Homs
Crusaders occupied Tartus in the European Middle Ages converting it into a fortress-town. We will see the ruins of the castle, the Cathedral and a brief walk about the old city. Onward to Crac de Chevalliers, the important crusader castle. Homs or Hims, strategically located at the fertile Orontes River, dates back to 2300 B.C. We will visit the prime attractions and most important historical sites.
Day 13: Maa'loula-Sydnaya-Deir Mar Musa el Habashi
Located in the Anti Lebanon Mountains are the Christian villages Maa’loula and Sydnaya. Ma’aloula is famed for its’ colorful houses built on the cliff face like nests and its’ monasteries, some dating back to the 6th C. It is said to be the only place left in the world where people still speak Aramaic. Sydnaya is a 6th C. pilgrimage location famed for its miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. We also visit Monastery Deir Mar Musa el Habashi, the ancient Syrian monastery of St. Moses the Abyssinian.
Day 14: Depart
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