Andante Travels

Introduction

Syria has a diverse and beautiful landscape which lies at the heart of land and sea routes, connecting the Mediterranean and the great overland routes to the East to central Asia and China. we drive from south to north flying back from Aleppo so there is no back-tracking and more time on the sites.

During the third millennium BC, small city states grew up in the fertile areas, and their rulers developed economies supporting fine craftsmen. The trade routes brought not only goods but cult, myth, and the art of writing.

The wealth and critical location attracted larger neighbours, and over five millennia powerful states invaded the country - amongst them the armies of Akkad, Egypt, the Hittites, Assyria, the Greeks, the Romans, of Islam, the Crusaders and the Mongol hordes.

Far less used to tourism than neighbouring Jordan, Syria nonetheless boasts some of the most important monuments of the ancient world: Palmyra, Krak des Chevaliers, Bosra, Damascus and Apamea. There is the chance to see the early Christian sites of Mushabek and St Simeon, and we visit the elaborately decorated Umayad Mosque in Damascus.

We will be crossing basalt and sandstone deserts, Mediterranean wooded hills and finally reach the dead Byzantine cities of the north - little-known and astonishingly complete. There is also time for the souks of Damascus and Aleppo.

Itinerary

day one
Fly to Damascus and drive to our hotel.

day two
A full day exploring Damascus including the National Museum, the 8th century Umayyad Mosque built over the remains of the Temple of Jupiter, the Azem Palace, and the Street called Straight.  You may prefer to take half the day free to explore alone. The prophet Mohammed is said to have looked upon Damascus and said that if man had the choice of only one paradise, then the wordly paradise of Damascus would have to be forfeited in favour of the spiritual one.

day three
The drive south through the desert plains of the Hauran to the black basalt city of Bosra is memorable - a bleak, dark landscape where it is difficult to imagine how the herds of goats scrape an existance. All the more surprising when we arrive in the very complete ancient city, built of this black basalt stone which must once have supported a huge population.  There are still people living within its mostly ruinous structures today. The city is famed for its complete and dramatic theatre.

day four
Drive across the desert to Palmyra, and visit the extensive ruinous city of Queen Zenobia and one of the most impressive spectacles to any visitor to Syria. In the middle of the desert, yet provided with plentiful water by a spring, it is not surprising that this site has been occupied sporadically since the 8th cent. BC.  It was already significant in the 2nd millennium BC and is mentioned in documents from the northern city of Mari.  Palmyra played the role of commercial middleman for the great trade routes between the East and the Mediterranean and enjoyed enormous prosperity.

day five
There is free time to explore Palmyra before driving to Krak des Chevaliers, headquarters of the Knights Hospitallers and the supreme example of Crusader castle building will never disappoint. Today is devoted to the story of the Crusades - particularly the colourful Salah ad-Din and his adversaries. Continue to Hama.

day six
The famous norias of Hama (literally wheel of pots) may have originated in the Byzantine period, but the 17 surviving wheels are no earlier than the medieval period. Not far to the north-west, also on the Orontes river, is the ancient city of Apamea, whose ruins cover a huge area. The day ends to the north, with a visit to Serjilla, best preserved of the Dead Byzantine cities - very little visited but spectacular.

day seven
Free day in Aleppo, with its medieval markets - the biggest souk in the world. You could easily get lost amongst the thousands of colourful stalls selling everything you might ever want - and several things you might not... Shopping here is a real experience and gives the opportunity to try out your bargaining skills with willing partners.

Or you may choose to take an optional visit to the monasteries of Mushabak and St Simeon. The latter grew up around the pillar of the ascetic monk St Simon Stylites, born in 386. Simeon entered a monastic order at 16, and by the age of 25 he discovered his requirement for bodily isolation leading to his living on a platform on the top of a 2 metre pillar for 42 years. The large tell site of Ain Dara is not far away, with its important Aramean temple. Return to Aleppo mid afternoon for free time.

day eight
More time in Aleppo including the National Museum, the Grand Mosque and the imposing Citadel. Free time this afternoon to epxlore further - Nick will be able to provide suggestions.

day nine
Free morning in Aleppo before mid-afternoon flight from Aleppo to Damascus.

day ten
Fly home from Damascus to London.

Included

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Flights scheduled return flights from London to Damascus or arrange your own flights
• Transfers private coach provided to coincide with group flights - join this or make your own way between hotel and airport
• Local Travel Private a/c coach.
• Meals Lunches (maybe simple picnics) included except Days 3, 7, 8 & 9; all dinners included except Day 1 (when you arrive too late) and Day 8
• Guide Lecturer (also local guides where these are compulsory) Not to be confused with "guest lecturers"!  The guide lecturer will be with you from breakfast to supper, and probably even a drink in the bar afterwards.  There is the occasional site where they may not be allowed to guide because of local regulations (we normally manage to circumnavigate these) but otherwise the guides are just that.  They will have been chosen because of specialist knowledge and their ability to communicate and interest you.  After 22 years of making tours worldwide, we are highly appreciative of the attributes of a good guide, and intensely critical of people who do not possess them.  If you would like to know more about Nick Jackson, please click his name.
• Local Guide
• Fieldnotes written for the tour
• Entry Entry to all sites in programme (optional excursion on Day 7 £10)
• We tip the driver and local guide on your behalf

You Arrange

• Flights if you prefer. There are unlikely to be many options for flights to Syria, but you may be lucky
• Meals except for lunches on Days 2, 4, 5 & 6; and dinner on Day 8. Most meals are included on this Bare Bones tour, as there is not much opportunity to find restaurants for yourself

Flights & Visa

Please note these flights are an indication of what the flights are likely to be. Please contact the office for exact details.

Scheduled flights with BMI
BD943                   London Heathrow / Damascus               18:00 / 01:10+1
BD944                   Damascus / London Heathrow               09:25 / 13:00

Visa and Passport Requirements (for British passport holders only)*

Passports must be valid for 6 months after your return home. You cannot enter Syria if you have an Israeli stamp in you passport or a stamp indicating an Israel-Jordon border crossing. Visas will be arranged for you by Andante Travels and will be administered on arrival at Damascus airport.

Hotels

3+1 nights in a business-style hotel in Damascus (1 B&B, 3 HB); 
1 night half-board in a hotel in Palmyra;
1 night half-board in a hotel with pool in the centre of Hama;
3 nights in a converted minor palace in Aleppo (2 HB, 1 B&B)

All chosen for their central positions so it is easy for you to epxlore on your own.

Comments

What Did You Enjoy Most About This Tour?

Hard to say: among the sites we visited - Crac des Chevaliers was better than I dared hope; Palmyra at sunset with almost no other tourists was magical; Sejilla unlike almost anything I had ever seen before... Guest, March 2009

The quality of information imparted by Nick Jackson was of the highest standard. His intelligence and breadth of information was very impressive. He had a very good way of delivering information with humour and enthusiasm. Also the Syrian guide was excellent. The coach driver was top class. Guest, March 2009

The amazing breadth of the tour and the knowledge and educative skills of Nick Jackson and Fayez. They were flexible and alert to all our needs, but did not overly 'nanny' us. Guest, March 2009

Visiting Syria - seeing a different country and culture and learning about many different civilisations and religions which have all been part of Syria. Guest, March 2009

 

 

 

 

 

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