Full details can be found on the website, which will enable you to appreciate how different all of this really is.

The ‘Spirit of Syria’ is divided into 2 parts in case it is not possible for you to experience the whole trip.  Hotels throughout are 5 star, with the exception of a 4 star hotel in a beautifully restored 17thC. house in Aleppo.

SPIRIT OF SYRIA’ part One: ‘ANCIENT AND MODERN’, departing October 2006 - email Mercian for full details

Day 1 : Depart London for Damascus. Welcome Reception, Lecture, Panoramic Restaurant Dinner.

Day 2 : Explore Damascus (i):  Private lunch reception in restored 18th C. Damascene house, Panoramic View afternoon tea on mountain.  Private Dinner reception in 15thC. converted Damascene house.

Day 3 : Explore Damascus (ii).  Lunch  in pilgrimage village at Seidnaya.  Visit Maaloula, where Aramaic is still spoken and  walk the Fajj (ravine).  Dinner in elegant restaurant in Damascus.

Day 4 : Visit theatres and amphitheatre at Shahba, Qanawat and the spectacular site of Bosra.  Return to Damascus by special old steam train.  Special Farewell Damascus Evening to experience local traditions. O/n Damascus.

Day 5 : Visit Dumeir and magnificent Palmyra.  Drinks on the roof of Arab Castle, overlooking site of  Palmyra, to watch sunset.  Dinner under the stars in a Bedouin tent. O/n palmyra.

Day 6 :  Conclude site visit of Palmyra.  Bathe and lunch at Abasyah sulphur springs; 4x4 desert drive to Palmyra’s Quarry.  O/n Palmyra.

Day 7 :  Depart Palmyra for Qatna. Lunch overlooking ‘the finest castle in the world’, the Crusader and Islamic Krac des Chevaliers. Tour of Castle. Safita.  Dine in local, Syrian restaurant. O/n Safita

Day 8 :  Depart Safita for the site of Amrit.  Cathedral & museum of Tartus. Stunningly situated Marqab Castle.  Dine in local, famous fish restaurant in Lattakia.  O/n Lattakia

Day 9 :  Visit famous site of Ugarit; coffee under the orange trees.  Lunch at the breath-taking Castle of Saladin.  Tour around the complex.  O/n Lattakia.
   
Day 10 :  Morning at leisure on private beach overlooking Mediterranean.  Harbour boat trips optional.  Depart for picnic lunch at the site of Aphamea.  Full tour of site. Depart for Hama with a view to looking at the handicrafts for which the town is known.  O/n Hama

Day 11 :  Visit incredible Ma’arat An-Nu-aman Mosaic Museum housed in 16th C. building.  Visit the Dead Cities of Serjeleh and Bara.  Depart for famous site of Ebla and then on to Aleppo for night-time illuminated City Tour.  Hotel and restaurant is in a 17thC. beautifully restored house. O/n Aleppo.

Day 12 :  Full City Tour with possibility of Turkish bath. Shopping in the Souqs.  Local lunch in front of Citadel.  Local evening dining.  O/n Alepp

Day 13 :  Remarkable sites of  St. Simeon (considered to be the ‘most monumental early Christian building’), Ain Dara, the Roman Road, Qalb Lozeh, local Kurdish lunch.  Special private reception and dinner in a 16th C. restored house.  O/n Aleppo.

Day 14 :  Group One depart from your hotel in Aleppo to the airport for your return to the United Kingdom, by scheduled IATA carrier.

SPIRIT OF SYRIA – RIVER, DESERT AND ORCHARDS

Extended part of journey commences: ‘Spirit of Syria part Two – River, Desert and Orchards’:

Najim Castle, Jaber Castle in fairytale setting, Al Thawra Dam, Baghdad Gate, remote and historically important Halebiye on the Euphrates.  Dinner in local restaurant near Euphrates. O/n Deir Ez-Zur.

Day 15 :  Deir Ez-Zur Museum, visit to site known as ‘Pompeii of the Syrian Desert’, Dura Europos, and then the important Bronze age site of Mari.  O/n Deir Ez-Zur

Day 16:  Desert Day starting in 4x4’s to visit the startling sites of Qasr al-Heir al-Sharqi and Resafeh (considered to have outstanding Byzantine architecture).  Possible Bedouin meeting.  O/n Hama

Day 17 :  Very Special Farewell to Syria: invitation by our Syrian Agent to join her in the famous orchards outside Damascus as her personal guests.  Experience Syrian cooking,  mix with Syrian people, swim in the pool, and enjoy the sound of the Oud ringing out across the hills.  O/n Damascus.

Day 18 :  Return to LHR by scheduled IATA carrier.

Included: All meals as specified in the above itineraries including beverages at coffee stops.  The professional services of your Tour Leader, Tour Manager and the English speaking licensed professional Syrian Guide.  Meet and greet service at the airports on arrival and departure.  The use of an air conditioned modern coach throughout the tour, the hire of the steam train, 4 x 4 vehicle hire where needed, gratuities for airport and hotel porterage and waiters, site entrance fees and your scheduled air fare and tax plus the following accommodation.

Not included in the Cost of the above Tour: personal expenditure, laundry, telephone call, additional or alternate drinks at private receptions or on pit stops, drinks and beverages with meals, snacks at coffee stops, air fuel surcharges (200 S. pounds) and any entry tax which may apply at the time, the Lattakia harbour tour which is optional.