Enjoy this tour of Syria based in Damascus, with private meet and greet and airport transfers, and private day trips to see the sights of this ancient country. Start by seeing the splendours of old and new sections of Damascus, one of the the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Damascus has a wealth of historical sites dating back to many different periods of the city's history which will be explained by your expert English speaking guide. The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Grand Mosque of Damascus, is one of the largest mosques in the world. The "Street Called Straight" (referred to in the conversion of St. Paul in Acts 9:11), also known as the Via Recta. Journey to Palmyra with a private vehicle and guide, one of the most spectacular sites of the ancient world. In ancient times it was an important city of central Syria, located in an oasis 215 km northeast of Damascus and 120 km southwest of the Euphrates. It was a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian desert and still has impressive ruins and buildings. Finish with a tour to the most preserved Crusader citadel in the world, Crak des Chevaliers. The fortress was made a World Heritage Site in 2006, and is one of the few sites where Crusader art (in the form of frescoes) has been preserved. It is a mammoth castle with three rings of walls and amazing fortifications, perched on the top of a cliff. The fortress was described as “perhaps the best preserved and most wholly admirable castle in the world” by T. E. Lawrence.

Important Note; you cannot have an Israeli stamp in your passport to travel to Syria.

Day 1
Damascus
Transfer in a private vehicle from the airport to your Damascas hotel. The transfer includes visa service and airport meet and assist. Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax in your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). The Cham Palace Hotel is located downtown, in the heart of the city and has 400 luxurious guest rooms and suites. There are five restaurants on site, among them the only Chinese and Japanese revolving restaurant in Syria. Facilities also include the lobby bar and luxurious traditional English "Harry's Bar" on the 11th floor, a sidewalk cafe, the "Jet - Set discotheque", featuring live entertainment Banquet facilities for up to 500 guests, bowling, swimming pool, fitness center, gymnasium, sauna, hairdresser and beauty parlor and arcade. Damascus is the capital of Syria and its largest city, with about 4.5 million people. Established between 10,000 to 8,000BC, Damascus is credited with being the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. The old walled city, in particular, feels very ancient and is comprised of a maze of narrow alleys, punctuated by enigmatic doors that lead into pleasing, verdant courtyards and blank-faced houses.

Day 2
Damascus
The charm of Damascus lies in the wonderful sharp contrast between the historical and new areas. The modern area houses long, wide streets, luxurious buildings, modern hotels, elegant small apartments and the best library in the Middle East. In the historical part of the city, there are narrow lanes, caravansaries, baths, souks, old palaces, libraries, mosques and churches. All this make a visit to Damascus more than rewarding. Enjoy a visit to the national museum, and the Omayad Mosque, and take a stroll in the old Bazaars and Souks. Lunch included with tour. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Cham Palace.

Day 3
Damascus
Undoubtedly one of the finest examples of a Crusader fortress virtually still intact in a magnificent location close to the Mediterranean, Crac des Chevaliers is known as “The most preserved crusader citadel in the world”. It was held for 162 years by the Crusaders and later given to the Mamlouk. Its towers, stables, water-cistern, meeting-hall and chapel still give an ever lasting impression and was described by T.E Lawrence as such: "it is the most wholly admirable castle in the world". Enjoy a day excurion to this fascinating site with a private vehicle and driver, complete with a detailed visit of the castle. On your return to Damascus you may welcome the chance for some independent shopping and exploring the covered bazaar.


Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Overnight at Cham Palace.

Day 4
Damascus
Enjoy the drive through the magnificent scenery of the Syrian steppe to Palmyra in the comfort of a private driven vehicle. Enjoy a refreshing stop at a typical Bedouin cafe for lunch, before continuing to Palmyra to spend a memorable time among the edifices of this glorious city. One of the most spectacular sites of the ancient world, the dessert city of Palmyra has vast colonnaded streets, lavishly decorated tombs, ornate stone carvings and imposing temples. It combines late Hellenistic, Parathion and Roman tradition in classic era. It is a place full of the unusual and unexpected. At the end of the day, you will be brought back to your hotel in Damascus. Includes transportation in car/van, entrance fees and typical lunch). Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Overnight at Cham Palace.

Day 5
Damascus
Transfer in a private vehicle from the airport to your Damascas hotel. The transfer includes visa service and airport meet and assist. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.