Day 1: Arrive Damascus
Arrive into Damascus where you will be met and guided through immigration and customs. Transfer to you hotel.
Day 2: Damascus (B)
Full day to explore Damascus, which lays claim to being the oldest continuously habited city in the world. Capital of the Arab world under the Umayyads in the 7th Century it has been a centre of economic power and cultural importance since the 3rd millennium BC. Visit the National Museum, the Umayyad Mosque, Azem Palace, Street called Straight, St. Anania Church and the window of St. Paul.
Day 3: Hauran, Damascus (B)
Today you will visit the Hauran region to the south of Damascus. The highlight of the day is the visit to the Roman city of Bosra with its spectacular, preserved amphitheatre. Also a visit to the mosaics at Shahba and the ruins of Qanawat are scheduled for today. Return to your hotel.
Day 4: Crusader Castles, Lattakia (B)
Explore the crusader heritage of Syria with a visit to the 'impregnable' Krak des Chevalier and then Saladin's Castle on the way to the coastal resort of Lattakia.
Day 5: Mediterranean Coast, Ebla, Aleppo (B)
Spend the morning relaxing on the Mediterranean coast or alternatively visit the extensive remains of the Canaanite city of Ugarit. In the afternoon transfer to Aleppo via Ebla - the site of one of the oldest civilisations in Syria, where the discovery of 17,000 clay tablets containing details of the Royal Archives have illuminated everyday life .
Day 6: Aleppo (B)
Vying with Damascus as the world's oldest city, Aleppo has been an important hub in the region for millennia. The city is dominated by the medieval citadel and is famous for its caravansaries and its extensive, warren-like, covered bazaar. Explore all this and the Grand Mosque on a morning guided tour of the city. Free afternoon to soak up the atmosphere, explore the shops in the bazaar, have a Turkish bath or take the option of an excursion to some of the many ancient sites in the area.
Day 7: St. Simeon, Ain Dara (B)
Excursion from Aleppo to visit the monastery of St. Simeon, where the saint lived and preached on top of a pillar in the 5th Century. Continue to the 9th-century BC Arameaean temple of Ain Dara before returning to Aleppo.
Day 8: Aleppo, Hama, Palmyra (B)
Transfer from Aleppo to visit the majestic ruins of Apamea, built around 300BC. Continue to Hama and to view the famous Norias (water-wheels). In the afternoon travel to Palmyra and look down on the magnificent ruins of the desert city at sunset.
Day 9: Palmyra (B)
Explore the ruins of Palmyra, in the heart of the Syrian Desert. In its strategic location Palmyra was an important stop for trading caravans on the silk route and which brought great wealth to the city. It particularly flourished under the Romans and created a wealthy class of citizens. The most famous ruler of the city is Queen Zenobia who rebelled against Roman rule and was taken to Rome in gold chains. Take a full-day tour of the site including the Bel Temple, Colonnade and the Valley of the Tombs. Your accommodation in Palmyra is in the Zenobia Cham, which looks out directly on to the ruins.
Day 10: Ma aloula, Sedanya, Damascus (B)
Travel from Palmyra to visit Ma'aloula, the last place in the world where Aramaic, the language of Jesus, is still spoken as a living language. Continue to the 6th-century monastery of Sedanya, also an important pilgrimage centre during the Crusades before arriving in Damascus and transferring to your hotel.
Day 11: Leave Damascus (B)
Free time until transfer to the airport for you international flight.
Day 1: Arrive Damascus
Day 2: Damascus (B)
Day 3: Hauran, Damascus (B)
Day 4: Crusader Castles, Lattakia (B)
Day 5: Mediterranean Coast, Ebla, Aleppo (B)
Day 6: Aleppo (B)
Day 7: St. Simeon, Ain Dara (B)
Day 8: Aleppo, Hama, Palmyra (B)
Day 9: Palmyra (B)
Day 10: Ma aloula, Sedanya, Damascus (B)
Day 11: Leave Damascus (B)