Full Syria in 12 days

Day 2 – Full day in Damascus

• With more than 5000 years of history, Damascus might easily be the oldest capital in the world, a city absolutely packed with historical sites, as well as lively souks and bazaars.
• We will spend the entire day exploring the city’s most well-kept secrets, as well as landmarks such as the Umayyad Mosque (where Yahya is buried, John the Baptist for Christians) and Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque, one of the most important shrines for Shia people.
• As always, we will be visiting the city at our own pace, with plenty of time for photography and local interactions.
• Overnight in Damascus.

Day 3 – Maaloula and Mar Musa (overnight in Aleppo)

• On day 3, we will drive towards Aleppo, first stopping in Maaloula, one of the most important Christian towns in the Middle East, and one of the very few places in the world where people still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus.
• Once occupied by Al-Nusra, Maaloula was largely destroyed due to the recent war, but its most important churches and monasteries have been rebuilt, and we will visit two of them, where we might get the chance to meet nuns who were kidnapped and held as hostages for three months.
• After Maaloula, we will also stop in Mar Musa, a mindblowing, skyscraper-shaped, 6th-century monastery raised in the middle of rocky mountains.
• We should arrive in Aleppo in the evening. Free time for dinner and drinks.
• Overnight in Aleppo.

Day 4 – Full day in Aleppo

• Once the most populated city in Syria, and one of the most prominent cities in the Middle East, Aleppo was one of the most affected cities by the Syrian war.
• Life, however, is coming back to Aleppo, visible in the ongoing reconstruction and all the people who are slowly returning to their beautiful home city.
• During our visit, we will visit the Citadel of Aleppo – the last Syrian Army stronghold – as well as the historical souk and vibrant Christian district, which remained pretty untouched by the war, and is today filled with absolutely delicious restaurants serving Lebanese wine.
• Overnight in Aleppo.

Day 5 – Saladin Castle and Latakia

• On day 5 of the tour, we will have an early start, where we will be driving towards the Mediterranean coast of Syria.
• Our first stop is going to be the Castle of Saladin, Sahyun Castle in Arabic.
• Personally, I find this castle to be even more impressive than Krak de Chevalier, especially because of its location, surrounded by the beautiful nature that characterizes this part of the Mediterranean coast, and green all year long.
• The history of this stronghold is long: the Phoenicians had already fortified the place, Alexander the Great seized it, as well as the Byzantines a few centuries later.
• It is the Crusaders who, in the 12th century, gave the castle its current shape. At the time, it was called “Château de Saône” (named after a crusader). Its current name was only awarded in 1957, commemorating Saladin’s seizure of the place in 1188.
• In Latakia, we’ll be strolling the promenade and then look for some delicious local seafood.
• Overnight in Latakia.

Day 6 – Kessab and the Turkish border

• Kessab is located right on the Turkish border, in the most beautiful area in the whole country, surrounded by gorgeous nature located very close to the coastline, the reason why until before the war, many Syrians, especially from Aleppo province, used to come here on their holidays.
• Upon arrival, we will do a small hike, while checking out some of its gorgeous view points.
• Then, we will get very close to the Turkish border, where we will have a chance to see the separation wall between both countries, which goes all the way into the sea.
• Lunch in Kessab with a view of the mentioned border and after lunch, we’ll go to Tartus.
• Evening and overnight in Tartus.

Day 7 – Arwad Island & Safita

• Arwad is the only inhabited island in all of Syria, located a few kilometers from Syria mainland, today a fishing town with a predominantly Sunni Muslim population, but originally a Phoenician town whose foundations date back to the 2nd millennium BC.
• We’ll jump on a boat and visit the island and since the weather will probably be warm, we’ll also stop in the middle of the Mediterranean for a swim.
• Lunch in in either Tartus or Safita, which is 30 kilometers away only. Safita is a Greek Orthodox town home to a Crusader fortress and also hiking opportunities.
• Overnight in Safita.

Day 8 – Krak de Chevaliers & Homs

• After breakfast, we will head for Krak de Chevaliers, once described by Lawrence of Arabia as the most wholly admirable castle in the world, absolutely gorgeous and surrounded by lush green hills.
• After the visit, we will have an early lunch in a restaurant with stunning castle views, followed by our journey to Homs.
• Homs was, by far, the city most affected by the Syrian war, today mostly composed of destroyed buildings and rubble. Honestly, there’s not much left to see in Homs nowadays but we will do a quick visit.
• Overnight in Homs.

Day 9 – Palmyra

• Once one of the most important Roman cities, Palmyra is rich in both ancient and contemporary history, since the archaeological site was taken by ISIS on two separate occasions during the war. ISIS blew up the most important temple but the site is huge and most of its structures are still standing.
• For visiting Palmyra, we do need to arrange a special permit.
• After having a picnic lunch inside the ruins, we will head back to Damascus.
• Overnight in Damascus.

Day 10 – Free time in Damascus & Sayyidah Zaynab

• It’s been a long, hectic week, so we’d like to give you some free time to explore the Old City of Damascus, strolling the different bazaars while doing some shopping.
• We’ll meet again at lunchtime and then, we’ll head for Sayyidah Zaynab, a city located outside of Damascus home to one of the most important shrines for Shia pilgrims, with a similar vibe to Karbala and Najaf in Iraq, or Mashhad in Iran.
• Overnight in Damascus.

Day 11 – Day trip to Bosra

• On our 11th day, we will visit the southern part of Syria on a day trip to Busra, an ancient city home to one of the most admirable Roman amphitheaters in the whole world, as well as other important monuments.
• In Bosra, the local Syrians are culturally different, similar to Bedouins.
• We will have lunch in a traditional Bedouin tent, with locals from Bosra.
• After lunch back to Damascus.
• Overnight in Damascus.

Day 12 – New Damascus and Beirut transfer

• After breakfast, we will visit the remaining touristic places in Damascus, including the new part of town, the National Museum, Damascene Sword and the Artisan’s market.
• Transfer to Beirut and end of the tour.