Syria: Suggested Tours

Land at Damascus International Airport under your own arrangements (We recommend the flights offered by BMI from London Heathrow). On arrival you will be met and assisted with the immigration and customs formalities by a Corinthian Travel representative, then transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the Old City.

Accommodation: Stay for 3 nights at the Talisman Al Ameen Hotel (Deluxe Room) / Al Pasha Hotel (Junior Suite).

Today there will be a full day walking tour of the old city of Damascus - one of the longest inhabited places on earth. Starting at the Umayyad Mosque, the great 8th century architectural jewel of the Syrian capital you will immediately plunge deep into the city’s fascinating past. Next, visit the tomb of the great Crusader period general Saladin and the Azam Palace – the beautiful 18th century residence of one of the city’s Ottoman governors. In the afternoon delve into the ancient maze of streets that comprise the Christian quarter and visit the lively, colourful ancient souqs (markets). This evening enjoy a typical Syrian meal at one of the finest restaurants in Damascus.

This morning leave Damascus for a full day excursion to the Hauran. The first stop will be at Shahba (ancient Philipopolis), the birthplace of the 3rd century A.D. Roman emperor Philip the Arab. The ruins include some stunning mosaics now housed in the city’s small museum. Nearby, at Qanawat, (ancient Canatha) visit the temple of Zeus Helios and the Seraya Palace complex then continue to Bosra. This afternoon visit the extensive ancient remains of Bosra including the amazingly well preserved Roman theatre.

This morning drive to the Crusader castle of Crac des Chevaliers. This stunning piece of military architecture was described by T.E. Lawrence as: ‘the best preserved and most wholly admirable castle in the world’. Its fortifications are the easternmost of a chain of five castles sited to secure the Homs Gap – the easiest access between the Mediterranean and the Syrian interior. Next visit St George’s Monastery then drive through the Jebel Alawi to Hama via the great Romano-Phoenician temple complex dedicated to Baal at Hosn Sulaiman.

Accommodation: Stay for 1 night at the Apamee Cham Palace Hotel (Standard Room) / Apamee Cham Palace Hotel (Standard Room).

Today drive to the coastal city of Latakia. The well-preserved castle at Misyaf will be your first stop. What makes this site particularly intriguing is its association with the mysterious order of the Hashishiyyin, or Assassins. From here drive to the great Crusader castle of Marqab which dominates the Syria littoral, then visit Ugarit, an important Bronze Age site that was settled in the the 6th millennium B.C.

Accommodation: Stay for 1 night at the Afamia Rotana Resort (Sea Facing Room) / Afamia Rotana Resort (Sea Facing Room).

Following breakfast drive to Saladin’s castle, a superb example of early Crusader military architecture, then drive through the coastal mountain range to the Classical site of Apamea. The ruins of this stunning Roman city are set in a rural location and are amongst the most attractive in Syria. The site’s main feature is a magnificent colonnaded street, over 1.5 kilometres in length, and lined with columns along almost its entire route. Next visit Serjilla, one of the best preserved sites from among over 700 that are collectively known as the dead cities, then continue to Aleppo.

Accommodation: Stay for 3 nights at the Beit Salahieh (Standard Room) / Mansouriya Hotel (Suite).

Today there will be a full day tour of Aleppo. Start at the city’s important museum, then continue to Aleppo Citadel. Next visit the attractive Grand Mosque and explore some of the wonderful Islamic architecture to be found amongst the great khans (warehouses).This afternoon plunge into the great covered souqs. Said to be over 15 kilometers in length, visiting the souqs is a total immersion into the Middle Eastern experience. This evening there will be a short walking tour of the ancient twisting lanes of Aleppo’s Armenian quarter ending at one of Aleppo’s finest restaurants.

This morning drive west to Mushabbak, one of the most complete Byzantine basilica churches in Northern Syria, then continue to the village of Deir Semaan. In the 5th century Deir Semaan was a major hub for pilgrims visiting the nearby St Simeon’s Monastery and was complete with hostelries, a church and three major monasteries. From here you will walk along the original sacred way up to St Simeon’s, a site noted as a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Following a picnic lunch return to Aleppo where the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

After breakfast drive east across the Syrian desert to Deir ez Zor. The striking ruined desert city of Resafe will be your first stop. The ruins’ desert location are spectacular in their isolation. The site is surrounded by extensive walls and contains the remains of a beautiful Byzantine Basilica and extensive underground cisterns. Following a picnic lunch, drive on to see the imposing fortress of Halibiye (ancient Zenobia), then continue to Deir ez Zor.

Accommodation: Stay for 1 night at the Fourat Cham Palace (Standard Room) / Fourat Cham Palace (Standard Room).

This morning journey further east along the Euphrates to Mari. This significant site dates to the 3rd millennium and reached its zenith at the end of the 18th century B.C. A little upstream, occupying a striking desert location is Dura Europos, a fortress city founded as a military colony by Seleucus 1 Nikator. Return to Deir ez Zor for lunch (payable locally), then drive to Palmyra.

Accommodation: Stay for 2 nights at the Tadamora Palace Hotel & Spa (Standard Room) / Tadamora Palace Hotel & Spa (Standard Room).

Today there will be a full day tour of Palmyra. The spectacular oasis contains one of the Middle East’s greatest archeological treasures. Under its rulers in the 2nd and 3rd century A.D. Palmyra rose to become the premier caravan city in the Middle East, achieving its apogee under the great Queen Zenobia. The Temple of Bel is Palmyra’s greatest monument and dominates the site. A colonnaded street of more than 1.2 kilometres leads from here through a grand Monumental Arch into the heart of the city. An unusual feature of the main thoroughfare is that it is not paved, making it easier for horses and camels to negotiate. At sunset the view of the site from the 17th century castle of Ibn Maan is magical.

This morning leave Palmyra for Damascus. The Monastery of Mar Musa will be your first stop. It was founded in the 6th century AD and is magnificently sited on a cliff overlooking the desert wilderness. From here continue to Ma’alula in the Anti-Lebanon hills. The Byzantine Monastery of St Sergius and Bacchus here dates to the 4th century AD and is said to be one of the oldest in the world. Aramaic – the language of Christ - is still spoken in Ma’alula. Next, continue to the Convent of Our Lady of Seidnaya. This attractive fortress-like compound was founded by the emperor Justinian and at one time the most famous centre of Christian pilgrimage in the East after Jerusalem. Following your visit drive on to Damascus.

Accommodation: Stay for 2 nights at the Talisman Al Ameen Hotel (Deluxe Room) / Al Pasha Hotel (Junior Suite).

Today complete your sightseeing of Damascus. The morning will start at the National Museum with its superb collection showcasing more than 50 centuries of Syria’s rich past. Next, drive to the old city entering at the Eastern Gate. Here you will walk in the footsteps of St Paul along the famed and ancient Street Called Straight to the Chapel of St Ananias. Continue to the Chapel of St Paul which purportedly marks the spot from where Paul was lowered down from the city walls in a basket one night to escape persecution. The afternoon will be at leisure or free to continue exploring Damascus with your guide.

Transfer to Damascus International Airport and check-in for your onward flight.