|
FROM
PALMYRA TO BAALBECK
A
World Heritage Sites Tour of Syria & Lebanon |
 |
This
is where we it all began. Both Syria & Lebanon are
the cradles of our history. These are countries as old
as civilizations
and contain cities that rightly claim to be the oldest
living ones in the world. Every step we take in this magnificent
region, we are treading on history and historical relics.
The culture, as fascinating now as it was in the past,
still
exhibits traces of ancient rituals and values in everyday
life. This 9-day artistically tailored itinerary takes
us step by step through the history of mankind making for
an
unforgettable journey.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Damascus |
|
02
|
Damascus
|
| 03 |
Damascus
/ Maaloula / Palmyra |
|
04
|
Palmyra |
|
05
|
Palmyra / Krac des Chevaliers / Hama / Aleppo |
|
06
|
Aleppo
/ St. Simeon / Aleppo |
|
07
|
Aleppo
/ Baalbeck / Beirut |
|
08
|
Beirut
/ Dog River / Byblos |
|
09
|
Beirut
|
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
World Heritage Sites in Lebanon covered on this tour |
|
Anjar (1984) |
The
ruins of Anjar, a city founded by Caliph Walid I at the
beginning of the 8th century, has a very methodical layout,
reminiscent of the palace-cities of ancient times. It
is a unique testimony to Omayyad city-planning. |
|
Baalbek (1984) |
This
Phoenician city, the seat of a worship to a triad of deities,
was known as Heliopolis during the Greek period. It retained
its religious function in Roman times when the sanctuary
of Heliopolitan Jupiter drew thousands of pilgrims. Baalbek,
with its colossal structures, is one of the most impressive
examples of Imperial Roman architecture at its apogee. |
|
Byblos (1984) |
Byblos
is the site of the multi-layered ruins of one of the most
ancient cities of Lebanon, inhabited since Neolithic times
and closely tied to the legends and history of the Mediterranean
region for many thousands of years. Byblos is directly
associated with the history of the diffusion of the Phoenician
alphabet. |
|
Tyre (1984) |
Tyre,
where, according to legend, the purple dye was invented,
was the great Phoenician city that ruled the seas and
founded prosperous colonies such as Cadiz and Carthage.
Its historical role declined at the end of the Crusades.
It conserves important archaeological remains, mainly
from Roman times. |
| World
Heritage Sites in Syria covered on this tour |
|
Ancient City of Damascus (1979) |
Founded
in the 3rd millenium B.C. it is one of the oldest cities
in the Middle East. In the Middle Ages Damascus was the
centre of a flourishing artisan industry (swords and laces).
Amongst the 125 monuments from the different periods of
its history, the 8th-century Great Mosque of the Umajjades
is one of the most spectacular, built on the site of an
Assyrian sanctuary. |
|
Site of Palmyra (1980) |
An
oasis in the Syrian desert, north-east of Damascus, Palmyra
contains the monumental ruins of a great city that was
one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient
world. The art and architecture of Palmyra, at the crossroads
of several civilizations from the 1st to the 2nd century,
married Graeco-Roman techniques with local traditions
and Persian influences. |
| Ancient
City of Aleppo (1986) |
Located
at the crossroads of various trade routes since the 2nd
millenium B.C., Aleppo was ruled successively by the Hittites,
Assyrians, Arabs, Mongols, Mamelukes and Ottomans. Its
13th-century citadel, its 12th-century Great Mosque and
various 17th-century medersas, palaces, caravanserais
and hammams give it a cohesive and unique urban fabric,
now threatened by overpopulation. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
01: Arrive
Damascus
Ahlaan wa Sahlaan – the musical Arabic greeting – Welcome, welcome.
We are warmly received. Our drive to our hotel in the city, which rightfully
claims to be the oldest living city in the world, will be our first glimpse into
this journey into human history.
Overnight: Venezia Hotel, Damascus (3 nights) (D)
Day 02: Damascus / Bosra / Damascus
After breakfast we will be heading out for a day excursion to visit Bosra, which
is famous for its Roman amphitheater dated back to the 2nd century AD, together
with an ancient Islamic minaret. (B, D)
Day 03: Damascus
We start the day to visit one of the oldest cities in the world, Damascus, to
see the National Museum, Tukia Al Sulaymanieh, Suq Al Hamidiye, Ommayad Mosque,
Saladdin Memorial, Azem Palace, Straight Street of Damascus, St. Ananias Chapel,
St. Paul Chapel. (B, D)
Day
04: Damascus / Palmyra (Drive)
This morning head for Palmyra - the capital of the female Queen Zenobia, who
challenged the Roman Empire and dominated as far as Egypt. We feel the might
of Queen Zeonobia and experience the Silk Road halt that Palmyra was also famous
for. We visit the Museum, the Bel Temple, Tower Tombs, the Theater, the Monumental
Arch, Zenobia Bath, Bel Shamin, Nebo Temple, the Street of Colonnades, Agora.
Overnight: Villa Palmyra Hotel, Palmyra (1 night) (B, D)
Day 05: Palmyra / Krac des Chevaliers / Hama / Aleppo (Drive)
Today we drive to the fascinating Krak des Chevaliers, the castle that played
a vital role during the crusaders war. Visiting this strategically built castle,
we then continue onto Hama to visit the ancient water wheels before reaching
Aleppo.
Overnight: Mirage Palace Hotel, Aleppo (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 06: Aleppo / St. Simeon / Aleppo
We drive to the famous St. Simeon - a striking example of the architecture during
the times of the Dead Cities that flourished for more than 400 years. From here
we continue for Aleppo and visit the most dominating site of Aleppo, the Citadel.
The Citadel dates back to the Fatimid & Ayyubid eras - 11th & 12th Centuries
AD. Next stop is Al Wazir Caravanserai with all kinds of goods. (B, D)
Day
07: Aleppo / Baalbeck / Beirut (Drive)
Drive early morning towards the border, cross into Lebanon, meet & assist
with entry formalities and proceed to visit Lebanon’s greatest Roman treasure,
Baalbeck, counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The site includes the
temples of Jupiter, Bacchus & Venus, with the remarkable Great Court and
the Hexagonal Forecourt. Drive then through Beqaa Plain and Visit Ksara Winery,
a large producer, famous for using the Roman caves as wine natural cellars, producing
many varieties of wines of which 50% are red. After wine tasting, cross Mount
Lebanon range and descent to Beirut.
Overnight: Lancaster Hotel, Beirut (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 08: Beirut / Dog River / Byblos (Drive)
Visit the National Museum and drive to the downtown district to see the huge
reconstruction project-taking place to create a new commercial and residential
district of the 21st century. This project has actually discovered that the capital
is standing on the site of a very ancient settlement going back at least 5,000
years. Recent excavations have uncovered important archaeological sites from
Canaanite, Phoenician, and Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Omayyad, Abbassid, Crusader,
Mamluke and Ottoman eras. The 1.80 sq. meters reconstruction project includes
new buildings but constructed in the traditional style, besides hundreds of old
structures that have been restored and renovated to its original shapes, including
Beirut’s souks and historical mosques and churches. Drive 20km along the
highway north of Beirut to visit the Dog River, for its commemorative inscriptions
that have been left behind by conquering armies between 2nd millenium BC. and
1949 AD. Then proceed north to discover a town that goes back 7,000 years; and
the worlds oldest continuously inhabited. Located 37km north of Beirut, Byblos
is a quite charming small town of great history. Visit its ancient sites, and
then explore the old part of the town on foot, starting from fishermen’s
harbor, leading uphill towards the Church of St. John the Baptist and souks.
Return to Beirut. (B, D)
Day 09: Depart Beirut
After a journey into history, antiquity and culture, we bid farewell with a transfer
to the airport for our flight back home. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
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|
Departure Dates |
|
2010
Daily
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
| 2010 |
2560 |
585 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
•
Hotel accommodation as mentioned
• Meal plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
D=Dinner)
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites
• Local English speaking guides
|
•
International Airfare / Departure Taxes
• Personal Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides |
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 1200 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 10
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
|
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Site
updated Jun 01, 2009
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