Jewel of the Middle East- Syria
SYRIA – an ancient land rich in history and blessed with a most hospitable people.
Delight in Damascus’s Old Town as you tour the lively souks and streets but make sure you venture behind the deceptively plain exteriors of old Damascus houses; you will then find intriguingly lovely courtyards of houses as Beit Nizam and Beit el Aqqad.
Visit the most beautiful mosque in Syria, the Omayyad mosque in Damascus and take a moment afterwards to see the modest mausoleum of the great Arab leader, Saladin.
Follow in the steps of St Paul in The Street Called Straight and visit the reputed site of St Ananias’ house where Paul was baptised.
Contemplate the extraordinary life of the ascetic St Simeon Stylites who lived on a pillar for thirty seven years. The site of his basilica near Aleppo is a hauntingly beautiful spot.
See Crac des Chevaliers a ‘fairy tale’ castle in appearance and the best preserved of the Crusader Castles of the Middle East.
Spend a couple of days in Aleppo visiting its’ imposing Citadel, charming Christian Jdeida quarter and markets. After a morning’s sightseeing, find your way to the unique Baron hotel; have a drink in the bar and a journey through the history of the 20th century with past residents from TE Lawrence to Nasser to Agatha Christie.
Not to be missed – Palmyra at sunset; astonishingly beautiful, the ancient city rises out of the desert like a rose mirage and will take your breath away.
As part of our service, to welcome you to your trip we send you a fact file on your destination together with essential holiday reading and music to get you in the mood.
