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Syria: Ancient Civilisations led by Chris Bradley...
Call us now on 0845 003 2211 or
01543 258631Departs 15th November 2011, 9 nights, from £1945 per person (single supplement
£465)
Highlights:
Temple of Bel at Palmyra • Crac des Chevaliers • Souqs at Aleppo • Led by Chris
Bradley
Syria is a country where visitors 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.
Itinerary...
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Day 1 To
Damascus: Fly from London
to Damascus with bmi and transfer to the Talisman hotel for 3 nights.
(N) |
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Day 2
Bosra & Shahba: Full day
excursion through the black basalt region of the Jebel Druze. See the
Zeinab Mosque and visit the former Nabataean capital of Bosra, which
became capital of the Roman province of Syria. Continue to Shahba, with
its wellpreserved Roman ruins of a palace, a temple, a theatre and
baths. (B, D) |
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Day 3
Damascus: Late morning
visit to the National Museum. This afternoon explore the Old City
including the Omayyad mosque, the chapel of St. Ananias, the window of
St. Paul and Hamidiyeh souq. (B) |
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Day 4 To
Crac des Chevaliers & Lattakia:
Morning drive to visit the imposing
Crusader castle of Crac des Chevaliers. Continue to Lattakia and visit
the ancient coastal city of Ugarit. Stay overnight at the Afamia Rotana
Resort. (B, L, D) |
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Day 5 To
Saladin’s Castle, Serjilla & Aleppo:
Morning drive to Aleppo via Saladin’s
castle and the ruins of Serjilla, one of the many ‘Cities of the Dead’.
Stay 2 nights at the Martini Hotel, Aleppo. (B, L, D) |
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Day 6
Aleppo & St. Simeon:
Morning visit to the church of St. Simeon, where the stylite sat atop
his pillar for 42 years. Return to Aleppo via a section of old Roman
Road. Afternoon tour of Aleppo including a visit to the Citadel and the
old souqs. (B, D) |
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Day 7 To
Apamea, Hama & Homs: Drive
to Apamea, a Graeco-Roman site, then continue to Homs via Hama, noted
for its huge wooden waterwheels. Stay overnight at the Safir Hotel,
Homs. (B, L, D) |
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Day 8 To
Palmyra: Morning drive to
the oasis city of Palmyra for an afternoon tour. Stay overnight at the
Semiramis Hotel, Palmyra or similar. (B, L, D) |
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Day 9 To
Damascus: Continue
sightseeing in Palmyra this morning and then drive to Damascus, stopping
en route in the village of Maalula where Aramaic, the language of Jesus,
is still spoken. A special meeting has been arranged with the priest who
will explain about the origin of the St Serjious Convent. There may also
be an opportunity to listen to him praying in Aramic, the language of
Jesus Christ. Stay 1 night at the Safir Al Saidah Zainab or similar. (B,
D) |
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Day 10 To
London: Transfer to the
airport and fly to London with bmi. (B) |
 Your
Expert tour leader...
Chris Bradley
A professional tour guide and
lecturer for 30 years, Chris is an expert in the history and culture of the
Middle East and North Africa. He has written the Syria, Iran, Lebanon and Turkey
chapters of the Insight Guide to the Silk Road as well as guidebooks to Libya,
Yemen, Red Sea, Cairo and Jordan. He lectures for NADFAS, the Royal Geographical
Society and RIBA.
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