Escorted Group or Private Journey • Crusader Castles & Souqs • Outstanding Roman Sites • Umayyad Mosque

From the Phoenician heritage of coastal Lebanon to the Roman grandeur of Palmyra in the Syrian desert, these two countries have some of the richest historical sites in the region. Alongside these, the buzz of modern day life continues in the souqs and cafes of the major cities, and this tour takes in the best of both these worlds.

Day 1 To Beirut
Fly from London to Beirut with Middle East Airlines. Transfer to the Movenpick Hotel & Resort for 3 nights.

Day 2 Byblos & Beirut
Morning tour of Byblos which has a huge range of ruins dating back to the 7th century B.C. Return to Beirut for a tour, seeing the beautiful restoration work being done to return the city to its former glory.

Day 3 Tyre & Sidon
Morning visit to the ancient Phoenician port of Tyre with its Graeco-Roman remains. Return to Beirut stopping to see the souqs in Sidon and the Sea Castle, built on an island in the harbour by the Crusaders.

Day 4 Tripoli, Crac des Chevaliers & Homs
Morning transfer to Tripoli to see the Citadel of Raymond St Giles and the intricate Mamaluke architecture of the old town centre. Continue over the Syrian border to Crac des Chevaliers. Visit the imposing Crusader castle and continue to Homs. Overnight at the Safir Hotel, Homs.

Day 5 Hama & Aleppo
Drive to Hama, famous for its waterwheels, and continue to Aleppo. Stay at the Chahba Cham Palace for 2 nights.

Day 6 Aleppo
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
Drive to Palmyra. Afternoon tour of this oasis city. Overnight at the Palmyra Cham Palace.

Day 8 To Damascus
Continue your exploration of Palmyra this morning. Afternoon transfer to Damascus stopping en route at Maalula, where Aramaic, the language of Jesus, is still spoken. Stay at the Cham Palace Hotel for 3 nights.

Day 9 Damascus
Morning tour of Damascus visiting the Azem Palace, the tiny Chapel of Ananias, the souqs and the Umayyad Mosque. Afternoon visit to the National Museum and Mount Qassioun.

Day 10 Bosra
Morning visit to Bosra, home to one of the most complete examples of a Roman theatre. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 11 To Baalbeck & Beirut
Morning drive to the Lebanese border. En route stop at the Umayyad marketing town of Anjar, and Baalbeck, site of the superbly preserved Temple of Bacchus. Continue to Beirut and overnight at the Movenpick Hotel & Resort.

Day 12 To London
Transfer to the airport and fly to London with Middle East Airlines.