Escorted Group or Private Journey • Temple of Bel at Palmyra • Crac des Chevaliers Castle • Souqs of Aleppo

Syria is a country where you literally trip over history, so extensive are the remains of the many civilizations that have held sway in the region. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, early Christians, Crusaders and Arabs have all left their mark with temples, arcades, churches, castles and mosques. This tour offers an excellent insight into the country’s fascinating history.

Day 1 To Damascus
Fly from London to Damascus with British Airways. Transfer to the Cham Palace Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 2 Damascus
Morning tour of Damascus visiting the Azem Palace, the tiny Chapel of Ananias, the vibrant souqs and the inspiring Umayyad Mosque. Afternoon visit to the National Museum and Mount Qassioun.

Day 3 Crac des Chevaliers & Homs
Drive to Crac des Chevaliers to visit the imposing Crusader castle. Continue to Homs and stay overnight at the Safir Hotel, Homs.

Day 4 Hama, Apamea & Lattakia
Drive to the town of Hama, noted for its huge wooden waterwheels, then continue to Apamea, a Graeco-Roman site. Drive to the Cote d’Azur Cham, Lattakia for a stay of 1 night.

Day 5 To Saladin’s Castle & Aleppo
Morning visit to the ancient coastal city of Ugarit then drive to Aleppo stopping en route at a virtually impregnable castle, now named after the immortal Saladin. Stay for 2 nights at the Chabha Cham Palace, Aleppo.

Day 6 Aleppo & St. Simeon
Morning visit to the church of St. Simeon, where the stylite sat atop his pillar for 42 years. Afternoon tour of Aleppo.

Day 7 To Palmyra
Transfer to the oasis city of Palmyra. Afternoon tour. Overnight at the Palmyra Cham Palace.

Day 8 To Damascus
Continue sightseeing in Palmyra this morning and then transfer to Damascus stopping en route in the village of Maalula where the language of Jesus, Aramaic, is still spoken. Overnight at the Cham Palace.

Day 9 To London
Fly from Damascus to London with British Airways.