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Optional excursions in Syria...
Examples of what you can add on to
your short break or tailor made tour in Syria. Only available when booking
your holiday to Syria with us.
Half day visit to Bosra, approx: £120 per person (based on two people)
Bosra was mentioned in the lists of Tutmoses III and Akhenaten in the 14th
century BC, and was the capitol of the Province of Arabia under the Romans in
106 AD. The city prospered under the Romans as the seat of the administrator of
the region, and due to its strategic position on the main caravan routes. Under
the Byzantine Empire, Bosra remained important as the seat of a primate who
governed over 33 priests in the region prior to its fall to the Muslims in 634
AD. It is widely believed that Bosra was where Mohammed met the Nestorian monk
Boheira, who told him of his future vocation as a prophet.
The most important building
in Bosra today is the Roman theatre built in the 2nd century AD. Considered one
of the most beautiful and well preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, it
can seat up to 15,000 spectators and is still used today for the annual arts
festival.
You will then return to Damascus. The journey time from Bosra to Damascus is
approximately 2 hours.
Half day tour of Damascus, approx: £55 per person
(based on two people)
Your tour today will include the beautiful Umayyad Mosque which stands in
the heart of the old city and was built in 705 AD when Damascus was the capital
of the Arab Islamic Empire. In contrast to this, you will see the mid-eighteenth
century Azem Palace, which was originally built for the Governor of Damascus and
now houses the Museum of Arts. Behind the Bab Keissan Gate, you will visit the
tiny and ancient underground church of St. Ananias, the legendary site of the
house of Ananias, the man responsible for the restoration of Saul’s sight (after
which he converted to Christianity, becoming St Paul). After his conversion, he
had to flee the Jews of the city who wished to murder him, and tradition has it
that he was lowered from the city walls in a basket, at a place now marked by
the Bab Keissan.
There will be time to wander through the bustling covered souqs, full of
fragrant scents, spices and colourful merchandise, ideal for shopping for
souvenirs.
The Souqs & bazaars are closed on Friday.
Full day excursion to Palmyra, approx: £145 per
person (based on two people)
This morning drive from Damascus to Palmyra, a distance of approximately 290
km and a journey time of approximately 3.5 hours.
The Emperor Hadrian visited Palmyra in 130 AD and declared it a free city, but
it became a Roman colony in 217 AD. A great city under the rule of Odenathus,
the city's downfall began when Odenathus was killed in 266 AD. His wife, Zenobia,
a descendant of Cleopatra, became ruler and declared Palmyra independent, intent
on taking on Rome herself. The Roman Emperor Aurelian besieged her forces and
destroyed Palmyra in 271 AD, taking Zenobia captive to Rome. The ruins remaining
today at Palmyra are magnificent and include the great Temple of Bel, the Great
Colonnade, the theatre and the underground tombs. Above the city, on a hilltop,
stands a beautiful ruined Arab castle. After your tour return to Damascus.
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