Tour SL1 - The Cradle of Civilization
12 Days / 11 Nights Damascus, Palmyra, Beirut, Aleppo

Day 1 - En Route
Upon arrival at Damascus Airport, you will be met by our representative, assisted through formalities and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - Damascus
Start your sightseeing tour in the capital Damascus. It is considered the oldest capital and continually inhabited city in the world. Visit the National museum and visit the Umaayda Mosque, Saladin’s Tomb and Hananya Chapel, as well as St. Paul’s window and the ancient covered bazaar. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (BD)

Day 3 - Seydnaya / Maaloula / Homs
In the morning you will depart for the village of Seydnaya to visit the monastery dating back to the 6th century and the surrounding vineyards and olive groves. Continue to the city of Maaloula where the main language is Aramaic (the language of Christ). Visit the monasteries of St. Takla and St Sarkis. Visit the Crusade Castle of Nights, Crac des Chevaliers. Drive to Homs and overnight at your hotel. (BD)

Day 4 - Ugarit / St Simon / Aleppo
In the morning you will depart for Latakia to visit Ugarit’s 16th century B.C. archeological site where the world’s first alphabet was invented. In the afternoon you will tour St Semion ancient monastery and Citadel, the simplicity and harmony are combined to make the Basilica a masterpiece of its time. Overnight at your hotel in Aleppo. (BD)

Day 5 - Aleppo
After breakfast you will start your city tour of Aleppo by visiting the Museum which houses exhibits from the stone age to modern times. Continue to visit the Arabian citadel, great mosque, bazaars and Khans. Overnight at your hotel in Aleppo. (BD)

Day 6 - Apamea / Hama / Palmyra
In the morning you will visit the ancient city of Apamea with its colonnade street and the mosaic museum. Continue to Hama to view the water wheels which were used to irrigate the high agricultural land and on to Palmyra. Overnight at hotel. (BD)

Day 7 - Palmyra
Drive to Queen Zenobia’s empire city of Palmyra known as the “Bride of the Syrian Desert” Take a tour the ancient city and visit the ancient theater, Colonnade Street, Bell Temple and tomb of Palmyra. Continue to Damascus. Overnight at your hotel. (BD)

Day 8 - Damascus / Anjar / Baalbeck / Beirut
Today you will start your trip to Beirut. After crossing the Lebanese border you will stop at Anjar to visit the Remaining Byzantine, Roman and Omayad ruins of the oldest caravan’s rest house. Continue to Baalbeck in the Beqaa Valley to visit the Roman temple of Jupiter, Venus and Bacchus one of the best and the largest Roman architecture temples in the world. Overnight at hotel. (BD)

Day 9 - Beirut / Dier El Kamar / Beiteddine
In Beirut, visit the Phoenician and Roman excavations, admire the Martyr’s Square, Parliament building, Ottoman and French mandate architecture. Visit the restored historic city center, with its beautiful architecture and cafes; continue to visit the Beirut National Museum. Drive south to the Chouf, visit Dier El Kamar, the ancient capital of Mount Lebanon. Proceed to the Palace of Beiteddine, built by Emir Bechir to visit this delightful example of early 19th century Oriental Lebanese architecture, surrounded by terraced Gardens and the museum of Byzantine mosaics. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 10 - Jeita / Harissa / Byblos
After breakfast you will Visit one of the world’s most beautiful Grotto, a masterpiece of natural beauty and take boat ride in the lower gallery. Continue to the mountain of Harissa where the Statue of Virgin Mary overlooking and dominating the Bay of Jounieh. Visit the old Church and the Cathedral. Continue to Byblos, the oldest inhabited city of the world where you will see the Phonecian, Roman Medieval Port, the Crusader Church and the Souks. Return to Beirut and overnight. (B)

Day 11 - Tripoli Cedars / Kozhaya
In the morning you will visit Tripoli, the second capital of Lebanon to visit the Crusaders Castle of St. Gilles, Tylan Mosque and the Souks. Continue to visit the Holly Cedars of Lebanon, from its trees was built the Temple of God in Jerusalem. Continue to Becharre, short stop to visit Khalil Gibrans’s Birthplace and Museum then on to Kozhaya Valley to visit St. Antoine’s Monastery and Church carved in the Rocky Mountains. Return to Beirut and overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 12 - En Route
Transfer to Beirut Airport for your departure. (B)