Pearl of the Orient
Situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, Syria is probably one
of the few destinations in the world that promises something special for
every traveller. A warm climate, the renowned hospitality of its people and
a staggering 8,500 years of tangible history make Syria a great choice for
holidays at any time of the year.
With Biblical sites, Roman cities and Crusader castles, with a
Mediterranean coast and desert climate, Syria is part of a region recognized
as the very cradle of civilization, not least in the central area around the
banks of the Euphrates where evidence of an ancient history dates back to
the fourth millennium BC.
Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, early Christians, Crusaders and Arabs have
all left their mark with temples, arcades, churches, castles and mosques.
To find out about Egypt & Beyond's travel packages to this fascinating
destination, call us at 011 678-4777 or 011 478-2884 or email
info@egyptandbeyond.co.za.
Click on the links below for more information about these packages and
for more about this destination.
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Syria - Cradle of Civilization
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Packages
Short Trip Syria
3 1/2 days - 3 nights
- Day1:
Arrival in Damascus. Meet and assist and transfer to the hotel for a
welcoming drink. Visit the National Museum. In the afternoon, visit to the
Old town: the Omayyad Mosque, the Azem Palace, the Straight Street, the
Greek Patriarchy, the Chapel of St. Ananias, the Window of St. Paul and
stroll in Souq Hamidiyeh. Dinner and overnight in Damascus
- Day2:
Drive to Palmyra and visit the Temple of Bel, the Great Colonnade, the
Agora, the Theatre, the Tombs. Drive to Hama. Dinner and overnight in
Carlton Idleb.
- Day3:
Early wake up; visit the famous Nourias of Hama. Departure for Homs.
Visit the "Al Zounar Church" and the Castle of the Knights, "Crac des
Chevaliers." Visit Tartus and the Mediterranean Sea. En route, visit
Seydnaya and Maaloula. Back to Damascus for dinner and overnight in the
hotel.
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6 Days Syria Short Religious Tour
6 days - 5 nights
- Day1:
Arrival at Damascus airport. Meet and assist and transfer to the
hotel. Dinner and a great view of Damascus at Qassioun Mountain and
overnight in Damascus.
- Day2:
Full day visit to Damascus: the Tekkiye Suleimanie, the Omayyad
Mosque, the Azem Palace, the Museum of Arab Sciences and Medicine, the
Window of St. Paul and the St. Ananias Church. Then you see two muslim
piligrimage places - the Si'triieh Mosque and the Seydnah Zeinab -
followed by a stroll in Souk Hamidiyeh. Dinner and overnight in Damascus
- Day3:
Departure to the medieval castle of Crac des Chevaliers, the
Al Zounar Church and the St. George Monastery in and near Homs.
Continuation to Hama to admire the medieval Roman waterwheels. Dinner
and overnight in Hama.
- Day4:
Departure to Palmyra: visit of the Temple of Bel, the Arch of
Triumph, the Great Colonnade, the Agora, the Theater, the temple of Baal
Shamin, the tombs and the regional museum. Dinner and overnight in a
Bedouin tent with show.
- Day5:
Departure to Damascus: on the road, visit of the convent of Mar
Sarkis Sergius and the Monastery of Mar Takla in Ma'aloula. Listen to
the locals speaking Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ, and admire
the prehistoric caves. Proceed to Damascus. Dinner and overnight in
Damascus.
- Day6:
Transfer to the airport for departure.
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8 Days Syria and Resorts
8 days - 7 nights
- Day1:
Arrival to Damascus airport. Meet and assist and ransfer to the
hotel. Dinner and overview at Qassioun Mountain and overnight in
Damascus.
- Day2:
Full day visit to Damascus: the Tekkiye Suleimaniye, the Omayyad
Mosque, the Saladins Shrine, the Azem Palace, the museum of Arab
Sciences and Medicine, the Window of St. Paul and the St. Ananias
Church and stroll in Souk Hamidiyeh. Dinner and overnight in
Damascus
- Day3:
Breakfast. Departure for Lattakia at the early morning, with en
route visit to Mashta Al Helou Resort, Safita, Kafroun and Wadil
Ayoun. Back to Tartous. Dinner and overnight in Tartous
- Day4:
Breakfast. Proceed to Lattakia. En route visit to the Ain Al
Mreizeh lake in Banias. Visit the Cot'e D'Azur and proceed to the
resort of Slunfeh and Kassab with beautiful green valleys, and the
unique shop, found only there, selling various original oil soaps,
recognized worldwide for their therapeutic results. Dinner and
overnight in Idleb. Take a beautiful Hamam in the wonderful waters
of Idleb.
- Day5:
Breakfast. Proceed to Aleppo. En route visit to Idleb and Ebla
treasures and pre-Christ monuments. Proceed to Aleppo. Full day
visit to Aleppo, including the Citadel, the Great Mosque and the old
and new quarters of the city. Stroll in the famous souq and buy
precious textiles. Dinner and overnight in Aleppo
- Day6:
Early rise and visit the St. Simeon Cathedral. Departure for
Palmyra: visit to the Temple of Bel, The Arch of Triumph, the Great
Colonnade, the Agora, the theater, the temple of Baal Shamin, the
tombs and the regional museum. Dinner and overnight in a Bedouin
tent with show.
- Day7:
Departure for Damascus: on the road, visit of the convent of Mar
Sarkis and Sergius and Monastery of Mar Takla in Ma’aloula. Listen
to the locals speaking Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ, and
admire the prehistorically Caverns. Proceed to Damascus for dinner
and overnight.
- Day8:
Transfer to the aiport for departure
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8 Days Syria Historical Tour
8 days - 7 nights
- Day1:
Arrival at Damascus airport. Meet and assist and transfer
to the hotel. Dinner at Qassioun Mountain and overnight in
Damascus
- Day2:
Full day visit to Damascus: the Tekkiye Suleimaniye, the
Omayyad Mosque, the Azem Palace, the Museum of Arab Sciences
and Medicine, the Window of St. Paul and the St. Ananias
Church as well as the Si'triieh Mosque and the mosque of
Seydnah Zeinab (both Muslim pilgrimage sites). Do not miss a
stroll into Souq Hamidiyeh. Dinner and overnight in Damascus
- Day3:
Visit the Christian villages of Ma'aloula and Seydnaya,
the Saint.Teklas Monastery and the old Catholic church of
Sergius and Bacchus; visit the orthodox monastery of Saint
Elias and listen to the locals speaking Aramaic, the language
of Jesus Christ. Walk along the paths where St. Paul walked
and taught Christianity. After the visit to the Castle,
continuation to Lattakia via Tartous. Dinner and overnight in
Lattakia.
- Day4:
Visit to Ugarit (the place where the first alphabet was
found) and the castle of Marqab. Proceed to Aleppo. En route,
visit Idleb and Ebla. Lunch. Half-day city tour in
Aleppo, including the Great Mosque and the souks of Aleppo
with their unique textiles, perfumes, and alluring oil soaps.
Visit to the old and new quarters of the city. Dinner and
overnight in Aleppo.
- Day5:
Full day visit to Aleppo: the museum and the immense
citadel. In the afternoon, visit the Sanctuary of Saint
Simeon. Departure to Palmyra: on the road, visit Hama
and Homs. Lunch. Dinner and overnight in Palmyra.
- Day6:
Visit to Palmyra including: the Temple of Bel, the Arch of
Triumph, the Great Colonnade, the theatre, the Agora, the
tombs and the regional museum. Dinner in a Bedouin tent.
Overnight in Palmyra.
- Day7:
Departure to Damascus. In the afternoon, short visit to
the southern part of Syria, and the Dead Cities: Qanawat,
Shahba, Bosra and the church of Saint Georges in Ezraa. Dinner
and overnight in Damascus.
- Day8:
Transfer to the International Airport in Damascus for
departure.
[ Back to Package Index ]
9 Days Religious Tour Syria
9 days - 8 nights
- Day1:
Arrival at Damascus airport. Meet and assist and
transfer to the hotel. Half day city tour. Tekkiye
Suleimanie, the Omayyad Mosque, the Azem Palace, the old
Khans , the Museum of Arab Sciences and Medicine, the Window
of Saint Paul and the Saint Ananias Church, as well as the
Greek Orthodox Patriarchy and stroll in Souk Hamidiyeh.
Dinner at Qassioun Mountain and overnight in Damascus
- Day2:
Visit Damascus: the national museum, the Roukeiah and
the Seydnah Zeinab Mosque (Muslim pilgrimage sites), and
proceed to the Christian villages of Ma'aloula and Seydnaya,
the Saint Teklas Monastery and the Catholic Church of
Sergius and Bacchus. Visit the orthodox monastery of Saint
Elias and listen to the locals speaking Aramaic, the
language of Jesus Christ. Walk on the paths where Saint Paul
walked and taught Christianity. Back to Damascus. Dinner and
overnight in Seydnaya.
- Day3:
Departure for Homs. En route, visit Saint George's
Monastery and the Al Zounar Church. Proceed to Homs and
visit the Crac des Chevaliers and the Christian village of
Safita. Dinner and overnight in Mashta Al Helou resort.
- Day4:
Proceed in the early morning to Aleppo. Visit the
Sanctuary of Saint Simeon. Full day in Aleppo: the museum,
the Castle, the souq. Dinner and overnight in Aleppo.
- Day5:
Early departure for Resafe and Halebiye. En route, visit
the Qal'at Al Jaabar. Proceed to Resafe, mentioned in the
Bible as Receph (2 Kings XIX,12:Isaiah XXXVII,12 ) this city
is, and has been, a famous pilgrimage center in honour of
St.Sergius since the Byzantine period. The remains of this
lime stone city, the basilica and cisterns are all contained
within a great wall. Proceed to Deir Ez Zor. En route, visit
Halebieh, including the Citadel, basilicas, forum and bath.
Dinner and overnight in Deir Ez Zor.
- Day6:
Departure for Dura Europos and Mari. The site of Mari
dates back to the 4th Millenium. The city was inhabited
between 2600 - 2340 BC. Proceed to the Hellenistic site of
Doura Europos, where different temples, a Christian chapel
and a synagogue are found. The excavations of this
unfinished site next to the Euphrates revealed an agora,
baths, palaces and forum. Back to Deir Ez Zor. Dinner and
overnight.
- Day7:
Departure for Palmyra. Explore the city and the
monuments of Palmyra, the tombs, the old city. Dinner and
overnight in Bedouin Tent.
- Day8:
Back to Damascus. Free day for relaxing and shopping.
- Day9:
Transfer to the International Airport Damascus.
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10 Days Syria Cultural Treasures
10 Days Syria
- Day1:
Arrival at Damascus airport. Meet and assist and
transfer to the hotel. Dinner at Qassioun Mountain and
overnight in Damascus
- Day2:
In the morning, you visit Damascus: the Tekkiye
Suleimaniye, the Omayyad Mosque, the Azem Palace, the
Window of St. Paul and the St. Ananias Church. The
afternoon is free to explore and shop in the old town or
experience a 2-hour Hammam (Turkish bath). Dinner and
overnight in Damascus.
- Day3:
Excursion to the Dead Cities of the South: Shahba,
Shaqqa, Qanawat and Bosra. While returning to Damascus,
visit Ezra. Dinner and overnight in Damascus.
- Day4:
Drive to Palmyra via the ancient village of Maaloula,
where Aramaic (the language of Jesus Christ) is still
spoken and visit St. Sergio's Convent. Dinner and
overnight in Palmyra.
- Day5:
A full day to enjoy the immense ruins and museum of
Palmyra, including the Temple of Bel, the Arch of Triumph,
the Great Colonnade, the Agora, the Theater, the temple of
Baal Shamin, the Tombs and the regional Museum. Dinner and
overnight in Palmyra.
- Day6:
Visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers before heading
to the water wheels (Nouria) of Hama. Dinner and overnight
in Hama.
- Day7:
Transfer to Aleppo via Apamea and the Byzantine site
of St. Simon the Stylite. Dinner and overnight in Aleppo.
- Day8:
Full Day visit toAleppo: the Museum, the Great Mosque,
the Castle and the littered Souks, the old and new
quarters of the city. Stroll in the famous souq and buy
precious textiles and the famous original oil soaps.
Dinner and overnight in Aleppo.
- Day9:
Transfer to Damascus via Ebla. Dinner and overnight in
Damascus
- Day10:
Transfer to the International Airport Damascus for
departure.
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11 Day Cultural Tour
11days - 10 nights
- Day1:
Arrival to Damascus airport. MAAS & Transfer to the hotel. Diner
at Qassioun Mountain + O/N in Damascus
- Day2:
Full day visit of Damascus: the Tekkiye Suleimaniye, the Omayyad
Mosque, the Saladin shrine, the Azem Palace, the Museum of Arab
Sciences and Medicine, the Window of St. Paul and the St. Ananias
Church and stroll in Souk Hamidiyeh. Diner + O/N in Damascus
- Day3:
Excursion to the Dead Cities of the South: Shahba, Shaqqa, Qanawat
and Bosra. While returning to Damascus, visit Ezraa. Dinner and
overnight in Damascus.
- Day4:
Departure Homs. En route, stop at the Christian Villages, Sednaya
and Ma’aloula. Continue to Homs, visiting the Al Zounar Churches, the
St. George Monastery and Crac Des Chevaliers. Lunch. Transfer to Hama
for Dinner and overnight.
- Day5:
In the morning, visit the Hellenic site of Aphamea. In the
afternoon, excursion to Qasr Ibn Wardan. Dinner and overnight in Hama.
- Day6:
Departure to Maaret Ennumaan: visit the Museum situated in the
Caravanserai. Continue to Greade and Roueiha for visit. Drive to
Aleppo for Dinner and overnight.
- Day7:
Full Day visit to Aleppo: the Museum, the Great Mosque, the
Citadel and the old and new quarters of the city. Stroll in the famous
souq and buy precious textiles. In the afternoon, excursion to the
Sanctuary of St. Simeon. Return to Aleppo for Dinner and overnight.
- Day8:
Departure to the Syrian Coast via Ebla and Idleb. Stop en route to
admire the excavations of Paolo Matthias in Ebla. Visit the Cote d 'Azur
and the coast. Lunch. Back to Aleppo for Dinner and overnight.
- Day9:
Departure for Palmyra, Queen of the Desert: visit the Temple of
Bel, the Arch of Triumph, the Great Colonnade, the Agora, the Theater,
the temple of Baal Shamin, the Tombs and the regional Museum. Dinner
and overnight in a Bedouin tent with show.
- Day10:
Early rise in the morning to admire the wonderful sunrise at
Palmyra - then proceed to Damascus for a free day for shopping and
individual programs. Dinner and overnight in Damascus.
- Day11:
Transfer to the International Airport Damascus for departure.
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Syria Big Tour
14 days - 13 nights
- Day1:
Arrival Damascus. Dinner and overnight.
- Day2:
Damascus City Tour (Azem Palace, Omayyad Mosque, St. Paul Church,
St. Ananias Church, Souq Al Hamadyia), free afternoon for shopping.
Dinner and overnight.
- Day3:
Morning: National Museum. Afternoon: Hammam/Shopping, great Dinner
whether at Kasioun Mountain or traditional Restaurant in the Old Town
of Damascus. Dinner and overnight.
- Day4:
Excursion to the Theatre of Bosra and the sites at Qanawat and Shahba. Back to Damascus for Dinner and overnight.
- Day5:
Drive to Palmyra via the ancient village of Maaloula, where
Aramaic (the language of Jesus Christ) is still spoken and St.
Sergio’s Convent. Stop in Sednaya. Dinner and overnight.
- Day6:
A full day in Palmyra to enjoy the immense ruins and museum of
Palmyra (including the Temple of Bel, the Necropolis, the Agora and
Colonnade street). Sunset at the hill of Fakhr Addin citadel. Dinner
and overnight.
- Day7:
Visit the ancient sites of Mari and Dura Europos. Overnight and
great dinner in Deir ez-Zor.
- Day8:
Drive to Aleppo, visiting Jabaar Castle and Lake Assad. Dinner and
overnight in Aleppo.
- Day9:
Join the big tour in Aleppo. Visit the Citadel, the Khans, the
Great Mosque and the old Bazaar. Dinner and overnight.
- Day10:
Day trip to St. Simeon, the dead cities and Ain Dara, visiting the
ancient sites of Idlib and Ebla. Overnight in Aleppo.
- Day11:
Transfer to Latakiya, visiting Hama, Saladins castle and the roman
site of Apameia. Dinner and overnight.
- Day12:
Drive to Homs via Ugarit, Tartus and Amrit. Dinner and overnight.
- Day13:
Your Tour continues in Homs. There, after visiting Crac des
Chevaliers and Mar Mousa, overnight in Damascus.
- Day14:
Transfer to the International Airport Damascus.
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Syria Reload
14 days - 13 nights
- Day1:
Arrival at Damascus Airport. Meet and assist, transfer to your hotel
in the center of the town. Dinner and overnight.
- Day2:
- Day excursion to the Dead Cities of the south, to Shahba and Bosra.
Back to Damascus. Dinner and overnight.
- Day3:
Drive to the Coast. On the way, you visit the mediaeval fortress Crac
des Chevaliers and the Christian villages of Maaloula and Sednaya, in
which Aramaic is still spoken. Dinner and overnight.
- Day4:
In the morning you discover the coast town Tartus and the island Arwad.
The afternoon is free to bathe in the sea. Dinner and overnight.
- Day5:
Full free day in Tartus. Dinner and overnight.
- Day6:
Day excursion to Lattakia and the ancient site of Ugarit, where the
first Alphabet was invented. In the afternoon, you drive to Qalaat
Al Marqab, another fortress of the crusaders, which provides a great view
over the region. Back to Tartus for dinner and overnight.
- Day7:
Drive to Aleppo through the Hellenistic city of Apamea and the ancient
site of Ebla. Dinner and overnight in Aleppo.
- Day8:
In the morning, you discover the city of trade Aleppo, with its Khans,
its immense Bazaars, the Ommayad mosque and the Madrassat. In the
afternoon, excursion to the Convent of St. Simeon the Stylite. Back to
Aleppo for Dinner and overnight.
- Day9:
Today you visit the precious finds of more than 200 years of
excavations in Syria at the museum of Aleppo. The afternoon gives you the
possibility to learn about the project for the rehabilitation of the old
city of Aleppo. Dinner and overnight.
- Day10:
Drive to Palmyra. On the way, you visit Hama and its antique
Waterwheels, as well as Homs. Dinner and overnight.
- Day11:
A full day to discover the Pearl of the Desert - Palmyra - town
between orient and occident, town of trade, of richness - and of its
queen, Zenobia, who led it to its highest point and its destruction. You
see the Temple of Bel, the Necropolis and the well preserved centre of the
town. Dinner and overnight.
- Day12:
Transfer to Damascus where you can discover the Old Town with its
precious buildings from over 2000 years ago. You visit the Omayyad mosque,
the street called Straight and the Chapels of St. Ananias and St. Paul.
Thereafter, you stroll into Souq Hamadiya to shop in one of the colorful
and most alive Bazaars of the orient. Dinner and overnight.
- Day13:
Today, you visit the remains of the former leaders of Damascus: the
reopened Citadel, the Azem palace and the tomb of Saladin. In the
afternoon you go to the National Museum to explore the history of Syria.
Dinner and overnight.
- Day14:
After breakfast, transfer to the International Airport Damascus for
departure.
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