Day 1: Arrival Damascus

Our representative welcomes you at Damascus Airport, then transfer to your hotel, check in, rest of the day is free.

Day 2: Damascus City Tour (B)

The whole day we discover the highlights of Damascus. We visit the National Museum with the reassembled 2nd century synagogue from Dour Europos. From here we continue to the Tekkiye Mosque Complex and the Azem Palace, a fine example of Damascene architecture. A must see is the impressing Umayyad Mosque and in the Christian quarter the Ananias Chapel and St. Paul's Window. In the evening we enjoy a panoramic view of Damascus from Kassioun Mountain. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Damascus – Palmyra (B)

Early we drive to Palmyra in the middle of the Syrian desert, in the third century the capital of Queen Zenobia's Empire at the famous Silk Road. We visit the colonnaded street, the theatre, the Bel Temple and funerary monuments. After a sunset view from the castle of Palmyra we return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 4: Crac des Chevaliers - Apamea - Ebla – Aleppo (B)

The well preserved Crusader castle Crac des Chevaliers is our fist destination in the morning. The fortress was the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades, able to house a garrison of 2,000. Then we visit the Hellenicstic Apamea on the Orontes River with its famous colonnaded street and the Mosaic Museum. In Ebla we see the very old library before we drive to Aleppo for overnight.

Day 5: St. Simeon Church – Aleppo (B)

After the breakfast we visit the St. Simeon Church from the 5 th century. The basilica is dedicated to the Christian saint Simeon Stylites, who lived over 30 years on a pillar. Back in Aleppo, one of the oldest inhabited cities, we head for the medieval Citadel, situated on a 40 meter high hill. Worth seeing are the Great Mosque, the famous souqs and khans as well as the Aleppo Museum. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Maaloula - Seidnaya – Damascus (B)

Located in the Anti Lebanon Mountains are the Christian villages Maaloula and Seidnaya. In Maaloula, the mountain town, the Aramaic language is still spoken. We visit here the important monasteries St. Tekla and St. Sergius from the 4th century. In Seidnaya we see also a monastery and the pilgrimage place Lady of Seidnaya, a chapel with icons of Virgin Mary. Proceed to Damascus hotel.

Day 7: Damascus - Barada Valley (B)

In the morning we drive to the Barada Valley, not far away from Damascus, and a popular place to enjoy fresh air and the river Barada. In Zabadani we relax at a lake and the nice plain of this area. Back in Damascus you have the rest of the day for free to visit the exciting souqs or one of the wonderful mosques. Overnight Damascus.

Day 8: Departure Damascus (B)

breakfast, then transfer to Damascus airport for your departure.

Legend

B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner