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: Talisman Hotel, Damascus (3 nights)

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 217 kms / 135 miles)
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: Semiramis Hotel, Palmyra (1 night) (B, D)

Day 05: Palmyra /  Krak des Chevaliers / Aleppo (Drive 211 kms / 131 miles)
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: Dar Zamaria 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 300 kms / 187 miles)
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: Casa D’Or 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.  Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

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Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Daily
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels as mentioned (or similar) Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner) All sightseeing and transfers by private transportation Services of local English speaking driver/guide Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary International airfares Any departure taxes Tips / gratuities Visa fees / Insurance
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 2012 US $ 2795 US $ 585
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1100 Canada - East Coast US $ 1100 USA - East Coast US $ 900
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.