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Tours
By Region |
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 FROM
PALMYRA TO BAALBECK
A cultural tour of
Syria & Lebanon
This
is where we it all began. Both Syria & Lebanon are the cradles of our
history. These are countries as old as civilizations and contain cities that
rightly claim to be the oldest living ones in the world. Every step we take
in this magnificent region, we are treading on history and historical relics.
The culture, as fascinating now as it was in the past, still exhibits traces
of ancient rituals and values in everyday life. This 9-day artistically tailored
itinerary takes us step by step through the history of mankind making for
an unforgettable journey.
Day 01: Arrive
Damascus
Ahlaan wa Sahlaan – the musical Arabic greeting – Welcome, welcome.
We are warmly received. Our drive to our hotel in the city, which rightfully
claims to be the oldest living city in the world, will be our first glimpse into
this journey into human history.
Overnight: Venezia Hotel, Damascus (3 nights) (D)
Day 02: Damascus / Bosra / Damascus
After breakfast we will be heading out for a day excursion to visit Bosra, which
is famous for its Roman amphitheater dated back to the 2nd century AD, together
with an ancient Islamic minaret. (B, D)
Day 03: Damascus
We start the day to visit one of the oldest cities in the world, Damascus, to
see the National Museum, Tukia Al Sulaymanieh, Suq Al Hamidiye, Ommayad Mosque,
Saladdin Memorial, Azem Palace, Straight Street of Damascus, St. Ananias Chapel,
St. Paul Chapel. (B, D)
 Day
04: Damascus / Palmyra (Drive)
This morning head for Palmyra - the capital of the female Queen Zenobia, who
challenged the Roman Empire and dominated as far as Egypt. We feel the might
of Queen Zeonobia and experience the Silk Road halt that Palmyra was also famous
for. We visit the Museum, the Bel Temple, Tower Tombs, the Theater, the Monumental
Arch, Zenobia Bath, Bel Shamin, Nebo Temple, the Street of Colonnades, Agora.
Overnight: Villa Palmyra Hotel, Palmyra (1 night) (B, D)
Day 05: Palmyra / Krac des Chevaliers / Hama
/ Aleppo (Drive)
Today we drive to the fascinating Krak des Chevaliers, the castle that played
a vital role during the crusaders war. Visiting this strategically built castle,
we then continue onto Hama to visit the ancient water wheels before reaching
Aleppo.
Overnight: Mirage Palace Hotel, Aleppo (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 06: Aleppo / St. Simeon / Aleppo
We drive to the famous St. Simeon - a striking example of the architecture during
the times of the Dead Cities that flourished for more than 400 years. From here
we continue for Aleppo and visit the most dominating site of Aleppo, the Citadel.
The Citadel dates back to the Fatimid & Ayyubid eras - 11th & 12th Centuries
AD. Next stop is Al Wazir Caravanserai with all kinds of goods. (B, D)
 Day
07: Aleppo / Baalbeck / Beirut (Drive)
Drive early morning towards the border, cross into Lebanon, meet & assist
with entry formalities and proceed to visit Lebanon’s greatest Roman treasure,
Baalbeck, counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The site includes the
temples of Jupiter, Bacchus & Venus, with the remarkable Great Court and
the Hexagonal Forecourt. Drive then through Beqaa Plain and Visit Ksara Winery,
a large producer, famous for using the Roman caves as wine natural cellars, producing
many varieties of wines of which 50% are red. After wine tasting, cross Mount
Lebanon range and descent to Beirut.
Overnight: Lancaster Hotel, Beirut (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 08: Beirut / Dog River / Byblos (Drive)
Visit the National Museum and drive to the downtown district to see the huge
reconstruction project-taking place to create a new commercial and residential
district of the 21st century. This project has actually discovered that the capital
is standing on the site of a very ancient settlement going back at least 5,000
years. Recent excavations have uncovered important archaeological sites from
Canaanite, Phoenician, and Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Omayyad, Abbassid, Crusader,
Mamluke and Ottoman eras. The 1.80 sq. meters reconstruction project includes
new buildings but constructed in the traditional style, besides hundreds of old
structures that have been restored and renovated to its original shapes, including
Beirut’s souks and historical mosques and churches. Drive 20km along the
highway north of Beirut to visit the Dog River, for its commemorative inscriptions
that have been left behind by conquering armies between 2nd millenium BC. and
1949 AD. Then proceed north to discover a town that goes back 7,000 years; and
the worlds oldest continuously inhabited. Located 37km north of Beirut, Byblos
is a quite charming small town of great history. Visit its ancient sites, and
then explore the old part of the town on foot, starting from fishermen’s
harbor, leading uphill towards the Church of St. John the Baptist and souks.
Return to Beirut. (B, D)
Day 09: Depart Beirut
After a journey into history, antiquity and culture, we bid farewell with a transfer
to the airport for our flight back home. (B)
Departure
Dates |
| 2010
English Speaking Departures
Daily
2011
English Speaking Departures
Daily
|
Inclusions |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
| Hotel
Accommodation as mentioned or similar |
International
Airfare & Departure Taxes |
| Meal
Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
D=Dinner) |
Insurances
/ Visa Fees |
| Tours
and transfers by private transportation |
Tips/Gratuities |
| Entrance
Fees to Museums and Sites |
|
| Services
of local English speaking driver/guide |
|
|
Tour
Price |
|
| We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars),
CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent
EURO (for clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no
modification has been made to the tour itinerary,
we will honour that rate.
For
complete payment procedures, please download
 Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat. |
| Departure |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
|
2010 |
US
$ 2560 |
US
$ 585 |
|
2011 |
US
$ 2795 |
US
$ 585 |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour |
| Canada
- West Coast |
N/A |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
N/A |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
|
Participants |
| This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum
of 10 participants. |
Notes
|
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates
other than the above ones or with a customised
itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy
to work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
|
|
|
| © Copyright 1999-2010 Bestway
Tours & Safaris |
Site last updated May 27,
2010 |
| Photographs by Peter
Langer & Mahmood
Poonja |
Website © 1999-2010 Powered
by BTS |
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