Syria with Luxury & Style (10 Days): Sample Itinerary Outline
ID #: DT-S-10-10-22-10-BESI
Days
1 - 2: Damascus, SYRIA
Arrive in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where an A&K
representative assists you with customs and immigration formalities
and escorts you to your hotel.
►Some suggested Damascus hotels (in alphabetical order): Beit Al Wali Four
Seasons Hotel, Damascus
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
Day 3: Damascus, SYRIA
Begin your full day at the Umayyad Mosque, built on a site dating
back to the ninth century BC; its minaret is where Jesus will
reputedly appear on Judgment Day. Continue to the intricate, garden-aanked
Azem Palace, which was constructed in 1749, before heading to the
chapel of St. Ananea and the National Museum, which houses remnants
of the first known alphabet. Take a private tour of the Old Houses
(Palaces), and pause for tea at the Al Nowfara cafe before seeing
the famed Handicraft Market and appreciating the panoramic view from
Mount Kassioun.
►For Damascus hotel suggestions, see above.
Day 4: Damscus / Palmyra, SYRIA
This morning, drive to Palmyra (Tadmor), a staging post for
travelling caravans and a link on the old Silk Road from China to
India and Europe; its atypical, Greek and Roman-inauenced layout is
immediately apparent. Traverse sites that include the agora (forum),
Temple of Bel and Nabo Temple, which has roots dating back to the
first century BC. You also privately tour the otherwise closed tombs
of Borpha and Bolha.
►Some suggested Palmyra hotels (in alphabetical order): Dedeman Palmyra Semiramis Hotel, Palmyra
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
Day 5: Palmyra / Rasafa / Aleppo, SYRIA
Explore the Syrian city of Rasafa, which is mentioned in the Old
Testament. It was subject to many attacks during the course of
history due, in part, to its desirable location along the Silk Road.
From there, visit the fortress Jaabar Citadel. Located on a small
island on the Euphrates River, it — like most Arab fortresses — is
situated on a hill and surrounded by walls, towers and a ditch.
►Suggested hotel:
Sheraton Aleppo Hotel
Day 6: Aleppo, SYRIA
Spend the day in Aleppo, exploring its bustling souks — built
beneath limestone arches — which come alive with the colors and
aromas of the Levant. Tour the Grand Mosque that dates back to early
Islamic times as well as the striking Islamic Citadel, a
10th-century marvel at the eastern edge of the souks. Also, pay a
visit to St. Simeon’s Church; dating back to the fifth century AD,
it is built on the site of the pillar of the famous hermitmonk.
►Suggested hotel: Sheraton Aleppo Hotel
Day 7: Aleppo / Ebla / Apamea / Lattakia, SYRIA
Ebla, the Bronze Age city found at Tell Mardikh, is one of the most
important archaeological discoveries in Syria. After exploring its
ruins, continue to Apamea on the bank of the Orontes River, and
Salah el-Din’s Castle, which is among the most prestigious castles
of the medieval period. A standout of this magnificent,
strategically positioned fortress is its ditch, which was cut into
living rock — likely by the Byzantines — and is nearly 100 feet
deep.
►Suggested hotel: Afamia Rotana Resort
Day 8: Lattakia / Ugarit / Crac des Chevaliers / Maaloula /
Damascus, SYRIA
A cradle of urban culture, Ugarit — today’s first stop — was at its
height from 1450 BC to 1200 BC. Continue to the UNESCO World
Heritage Site of Crac des Chevaliers, among the best preserved
examples of the Crusader castles. This expansive citadel has 13
massive towers as well as many stores, tanks, corridors, bridges and
stables. From there, visit the scenic village of Maaloula, the only
remaining place where Jesus’ language, Aramaic, is spoken.
►For Damascus hotel suggestions, see above.
Day 9: Damascus / Bosra / Chahba / Qanawat / Damascus, SYRIA
Your journey takes you to ancient Bosra, where you see its fabled
Roman amphitheater that accommodated 15,000 as well as other Roman
ruins, part of the Byzantine Bahira Church and el-Mabrak Mosque.
Curiously, it was an Alawite peasant who stumbled upon the forgotten
village in 1928. Continue to the symbolic Roman city of Chahba,
founded by the Emperor Philip the Arab. Among the main ruins is a
forum, palace, temple, theater, baths and a kalybe (a triumphal
arch). There is also a museum of mosaics exhibiting Syro-Roman art
with themes that include Orpheus surrounded by animals, the wedding
of Ariadne and Bacchus and a scene between Aphrodite and Ares.
►For Damascus hotel suggestions, see above.
Day 10: Damascus, SYRIA
Transfer to the Damascus airport to board your international flight.