The Middle East is a region with a history that goes back to the dawn of civilization. In this thoughtful tour we visit three of the most interesting and diverse of the Middle Eastern countries. We experience both the traditional and intricate past in sites like Baalbeck, Palmyra and Petra, and we also experience the glittering modern present and future in the cities of Damascus and Beirut. This tour covers 10 World Heritage Sites all a living testimony to this extraordinary area.

Day 01: Arrive Amman
Arrival at Amman airport. Meet and assist and transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Fanar Hotel, Amman (1 night)

Day 02: Amman / Madaba / Mt Nebo / Kerak / Petra (Drive)
This morning we proceed to Madaba to visit its famous St. George Church where the oldest mosaic map of Palestine ever exists. Then drive to Mt. Nebo for its spectacular view of the Holy Land. Continue onto the Crusader Castle of Kerak for a visit then onto Petra.
Overnight: Panorama Hotel, Petra (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 03: Petra
Today we will be visiting one of the top most magnificent sites in the Middle East. After passing the main gate we take a horse ride for about 700 meters to the entrance of the SIQmand walk along the SIQ until the most astonishing monuments of Petra, the Treasury, appear all of a sudden. We wander among the tombs, temples, water cisterns, the Roman Theater, street of Facades, the Royal Tombs, the massive Courthouse, Roman Street and Triumphal Arch and ending at Qasr Al-Bint. Time flies at Petra and before we know, it will be time to proceed to our hotel.
Overnight: Panorama, Petra (1 night) (B, D)

Day 04: Petra / Wadi Rum / Amman (Drive)
Drive to Wadi Rum for a jeep tour to discover what Laurence of Arabia did, then proceed back to Amman.
Overnight: Fanar Hotel, Amman (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 05: Amman
Morning tour of Amman city, which is also known as Philadelphia. Then drive to visit Jerash, the Greco-Roman city, where we also cover the Triumphal Arch, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Zeus, the Forum, a mile long street of Columns, the Nymphaeum, the Temple of Airtimes and the Viaduct Church. (B, D)

Day 06: Amman / Bosra / Damascus (Drive)
Proceed towards the northern border with Syria. Meet & assist and proceed to Bosra to visit its Roman amphitheater, which dated back to the 2nd century AD, together with an ancient Islamic minaret. Continue to our hotel.
Overnight: Venezia Hotel, Damascus (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 07: Damascus
Visit one of the world’s oldest cities where many civilizations have left their marks over the centuries: Armenians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs. Some of the most popular sites to visit: The Omayyad Mosque, Al-Azem Palace, the Chapel of St. Ananias, St. Paul’s Window, the National Museum, Hamidiye Bazaar, Saladin Mausoleum and the legendary Straight Street of Damascus. (B, D)

Day 08: Damascus / Maaloula / Palmyra (Drive)
Drive to Maaloula, one of the most beautiful and picturesque villages in the region (60km from Damascus) and 1300 meters above sea level. It is said to be the first monastery in Christianity, and the unique thing is that the inhabitants still speak Aramaic (the language in which Christ preached and addressed his pupils). Proceed to Palmyra.
Overnight: Villa Palmyra Hotel, Palmyra (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Palmyra
Palmyra was the capital of the Arab Emirate of Tadmor, which stretched to Egypt and the Bosphorus strait in the third century A.D. During the rule of its queen Zenobia who challenged the Emperors of Rome. Visit its highlights: Bel Temple, Bel Shamin Temple, Nebo Temple, the Street of Colonnade’s, the Theater, the Forum, the tombs, and the Museum. (B, D)

Day 10: Palmyra / Krak des Chevaliers / Hama / Aleppo (Drive)
This morning depart for Krak des Chevaliers, the castle that played a vital role during the crusaders war. Visiting this strategically built castle, we then continue onto Hama, a historical city located on the Orontes River, to visit the ancient water wheels (the norias). Arrive Aleppo, the second Capital of Syria.
Overnight: Mirage Palace, Aleppo (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 11: Aleppo
Today’s tour starts out with a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Aleppo. Then onto visit the most dominating site of Aleppo, the Citadel, which was dates back to the Fatimid & Ayyubid eras - 11th & 12th centuries AD. Next stop is the Grand Mosque and Al Wazir Caravanserai with all kinds of goods. We then continue for St. Simeon - a striking example of the architecture during the times of the Dead Cities that flourished for more than 400 years. (B, D)

Day 12: 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. Continue onto Beirut.
Overnight: Lancaster Hotel, Beirut (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 13: Beirut / the Dog River / Byblos
This morning tour starts with a visit to the National Museum and drive to the downtown district to see the huge reconstruction project to create a new commercial and residential district of the 21st century. Next stop will be the Dog River, where we will be seeing its commemorative inscriptions that have been left behind by conquering armies between 2nd millennium BC and 1949 AD. Proceed north to discover a town that goes back 7000 years and the world oldest continuously inhabited. Byblos is a 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. (B, D)

Day 14: Depart Beirut
After a journey into history, we bid farewell with a transfer for our flight home. (B)

Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Jan 08 & 22, Feb 05 & 19, Mar 04 & 18, Apr 08 & 22, May 06 & 20, Jun 10 & 24, Jul 08 & 22, Aug 12 & 26, Sep 09 & 23 & Oct 07 & 21

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel Accommodation as mentioned or similar International Airfare Meal Plan as mentioned (Breakfast, Dinner) Departure Taxes All Sightseeing and Transfers Visa Fees Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites Drinks/Beverages with meals Services of local English speaking driver/guide Tips/Gratuities to Drivers & Guides

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 2008 US $ 2295 • CA $ 2295 US $ 495 • CA $ 495

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1600 USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast CA $ 1400 USA - East Coast US $ 1200

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 15 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.