Home > Destinations > Jordan, Syria & Lebanon > Ancient Syria: From City to Desert
ANCIENT SYRIA: FROM CITY TO DESERT
Day 1 London Heathrow to Damascus
Fly from London Heathrow with BMI to Damascus where you will be met upon
arrival and transferred to Beit Zafran where you will stay for the next two
nights.(N)
Day 2 Damascus
One of the most evocative and exotic cities of the world, ancient Damascus is a fascinating
place of covered souks, great mosques and vibrant street life. Today, with your guide, you
will have the opportunity to tour the city. Places of interest include the Azem Palace, the
inspiring Umayyad Mosque, the National Museum and the numerous cavernous souks.(B)
Day 3 Damascus to Palmyra – 245 kms
This morning drive east through the desert to Palmyra, one of the world's most famous caravan
cities, ancient Roman centre and a major link in the old Silk Road from China linking the east
to Damascus and Rome. Stay for two nights at the Palmyra Zenobia Cham Palace Hotel.(B)
Day 4 Palmyra
Spend the day exploring the extensively excavated, and beautifully restored, ruins of the
2nd Century AD Roman city with your guide. Palmyra is undoubtedly one of the world's great
historical sites and today you will have the opportunity to explore it in its entirety.(B)
Day 5 Palmyra to Deir ez–Zor – 220 kms
via Qasr Al–Heir Al–Sharqi
After breakfast leave Palmyra and continue north–east through the desert to the castle of
Qasr Al–Heir Al–Sharqi. Built in 700 AD by the Umayyads, the fortress served both as a stop
on caravan routes from Mesopotamia to Syria and as an outpost to maintain control of the
region.
Later continue onto Deir ez–Zor and your Hotel where you will stay for the next two nights. An important crossroad in the Syrian Desert, Deir ez–Zor – a town spread along the southern bank of the Euphrates River – links Aleppo with the eastern edge of the country and Damascus and Palmyra with the north.(B)
Day 6 Deir ez–Zor – visit Mari and Dura Europos
Today visit the ancient city of Dura Europos which is known for its remarkable frescos that
provide a unique insight into Judaic and early Christian art. Places of interest include the
Palmyra Gate, Christian Chapel, synagogue, baths complex and numerous temple ruins. Also visit
nearby Mari, an ancient settlement – discovered by chance in 1933 by a Bedouin nomad – which
over the years has proved to be of crucial importance to the archaeological understanding of
ancient Syria.(B)
Day 7 Deir ez–Zor to Raqqa – 180kms
This morning leave Deir ez–Zor and drive to Raqqa, a small market town that attracts
numerous villagers and local Bedouin from the surrounding countryside on market days.
Founded by Alexander the Great, Raqqa was the summer capital of the Abbasid Empire
and the town's circular plan mirrors that of Baghdad. On your arrival continue onto
your Hotel where you will stay for the next two nights.(B)
Day 8 Raqqa – visit Rasafeh and Qalat Jaber
Today, after breakfast, drive south to Rasafeh where the impressive ruins of
this huge walled city rise from the desert seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
Built in Byzantine times as a defence against the Sassanian Persian threat,
Rasafeh gained importance with the rise of the cult of St Sergius, and was later
renamed Sergiopolis in the saint's honour. Places of interest include an enormous
basilica, frieze-adorned ramparts and cathedral–like underground cisterns.
Afterwards continue to the nearby castle of Qalat Jaber – overlooking Lake Assad – before
returning to Raqqa in the afternoon.(B)
Day 9 Raqqa to Aleppo – 140 kms
This morning leave Raqqa and drive west to Aleppo. Syria's second largest city
and one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, Aleppo is a
vibrant city of bustling covered souks and khans where traditional trade and
commerce, which flourished with the passing trade routes, remains the lifeblood
of the city. On your arrival continue to the Beit Salahieh Hotel where you will
stay for the next three nights.(B)
Day 10 Aleppo
Today leave your hotel and drive out of the city to visit the monastic
Church of St Simeon the Stylite where St Simeon lived, chained to a stone
column, for forty-two years. Later return to Aleppo and tour this beautiful
city which is dominated by a huge citadel.(B)
Day 11 Aleppo – visit Antioch(Antakya)
This morning it will be an early start for the day-trip into Turkey to visit Antioch,
modern day Antakya. The visit to Antioch will take most of the day and, although an open
border between the two countries, you should be prepared for some potential delays both
entering Turkey and returning to Syria.
Once in Antioch, places of interest include the famous Antakya Archaeology Museum with its fine collections of Roman and Byzantine mosaics as well as the Cave-Church of St Peter where it is believed St Peter and St Paul once preached. Later return across the border back into Syria and your hotel in Aleppo.(B)
Day 12 Aleppo to Damascus – 350kms
via Crac de Chevaliers
After breakfast leave Aleppo and drive to the formidable Crac des Chevaliers, the
greatest crusader castle of all. With its dramatic setting overlooking the mountains
the citadel stands as a bold reminder of the holy crusades. In the afternoon continue
onto Damascus and the Beit Zafran where you will stay for the next two nights. (B)
Day 13 Damascus – visit Bosra
This morning leave Damascus and drive south to the substantial, impressive and largely
intact Roman remains at Bosra. Originally known as Busrana, Bosra was first mentioned
in the records of Egyptian Pharaoh Tuthmosis III in the 15th Century BC, was occupied
by the Greeks after Alexander the Great's conquest of the region and was also controlled
by the Seleucids and Nabateans. Places of interest include the breathtaking Roman theatre,
the Monumental Arch, bath complex, Nymphaeum water fountain and the remains of the Roman
marketplace. Later return to Damascus and your hotel in the afternoon. (B)
Day 14 Damascus to London Heathrow
Today leave your hotel and transfer to Damascus Airport for your return BMI flight
to London Heathrow.(B)
STAYING ON
Relax on Syria’s little known Mediterranean coast. Historic Tartus, or the resorts of Lattakia, offer the opportunity of a coastal route north to Aleppo from Damascus as well as the chance to unwind midway through your tour.
Extend your stay and continue from Bosra on into Jordan. From Amman it is only a short series of drives to the Dead Sea, Lawrence of Arabia’s Wadi Rum and the world famous ‘Rose–Red City’ of Petra.
Planning your journey: We can design a unique journey to suit you as our tours are totally tailor made. By combining your own ideas with our knowledge and experience we can help you to create your own journey tailored exactly to your requirements Once you have formulated your ideas, or if you require some general or specific advice, please call us on 01892 515966 or simply send your ideas to pettitts@btconnect.com. On receipt of your enquiry we will provide you with a full written quotation together with our suggestions and recommendations.
A Guide to Price –ANCIENT SYRIA: FROM CITY TO DESERT
Prices vary according to selected airlines, hotels and season, however, for an indication to the current cost of this itinerary please contact us. If you wish to travel alone we will be pleased to assist you with your arrangements and can provide a proposal on request.
Note: Meal Basis (N) = No Meal; (B) = Breakfast; (L) = Lunch; (D) = Dinner
For further important information please click here.