Best of Syria - Vacation Package to Syria

Arrive in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where an A&K representative assists you with customs and immigration formalities and escorts you to your hotel.

Arrive in the Syrian capital of Damascus, where an A&K representative assists you with customs and immigration formalities and escorts you to your hotel.

Begin your full day at the Umayyad Mosque, built on a site dating back to the ninth century BC; its minaret is where Jesus will reputedly appear on Judgment Day. Continue to the intricate, garden-aanked Azem Palace, which was constructed in 1749, before heading to the chapel of St. Ananea and the National Museum, which houses remnants of the first known alphabet. Take a private tour of the Old Houses (Palaces), and pause for tea at the Al Nowfara cafe before seeing the famed Handicraft Market and appreciating the panoramic view from Mount Kassioun.

This morning, drive to Palmyra (Tadmor), a staging post for travelling caravans and a link on the old Silk Road from China to India and Europe; its atypical, Greek and Roman-inauenced layout is immediately apparent. Traverse sites that include the agora (forum), Temple of Bel and Nabo Temple, which has roots dating back to the first century BC. You also privately tour the otherwise closed tombs of Borpha and Bolha.

Explore the Syrian city of Rasafa, which is mentioned in the Old Testament. It was subject to many attacks during the course of history due, in part, to its desirable location along the Silk Road. From there, visit the fortress Jaabar Citadel. Located on a small island on the Euphrates River, it — like most Arab fortresses — is situated on a hill and surrounded by walls, towers and a ditch.

Spend the day in Aleppo, exploring its bustling souks — built beneath limestone arches — which come alive with the colors and aromas of the Levant. Tour the Grand Mosque that dates back to early Islamic times as well as the striking Islamic Citadel, a 10th-century marvel at the eastern edge of the souks. Also, pay a visit to St. Simeon’s Church; dating back to the fifth century AD, it is built on the site of the pillar of the famous hermitmonk.

Ebla, the Bronze Age city found at Tell Mardikh, is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Syria. After exploring its ruins, continue to Apamea on the bank of the Orontes River, and Salah el-Din’s Castle, which is among the most prestigious castles of the medieval period. A standout of this magnificent, strategically positioned fortress is its ditch, which was cut into living rock — likely by the Byzantines — and is nearly 100 feet deep

A cradle of urban culture, Ugarit — today’s first stop — was at its height from 1450 BC to 1200 BC. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Crac des Chevaliers, among the best preserved examples of the Crusader castles. This expansive citadel has 13 massive towers as well as many stores, tanks, corridors, bridges and stables. From there, visit the scenic village of Maaloula, the only remaining place where Jesus’ language, Aramaic, is spoken.

Your journey takes you to ancient Bosra, where you see its fabled Roman amphitheater that accommodated 15,000 as well as other Roman ruins, part of the Byzantine Bahira Church and el-Mabrak Mosque. Curiously, it was an Alawite peasant who stumbled upon the forgotten village in 1928. Continue to the symbolic Roman city of Chahba, founded by the Emperor Philip the Arab. Among the main ruins is a forum, palace, temple, theater, baths and a kalybe (a triumphal arch). There is also a museum of mosaics exhibiting Syro-Roman art with themes that include Orpheus surrounded by animals, the wedding of Ariadne and Bacchus and a scene between Aphrodite and Ares.

Transfer to the Damascus airport to board your international flight.