2011
T U R K E Y
S YRIA
And
J O R D A N


TOUR DATE
April 12 , 2011 Tuesday .- April 24, 2011 Sunday

Syria has always been a center where East and West meet with their varied civilization. It is no wonder that Syria is the cradle of civilization, which flourished throughout history. Monuments, the most important archaeological sites, impregnable castles, citadels and dead cities narrate the glorious history of ancient nations. The basaltic and the limestone ruins tell about a marvelous architectural art. The Corinthian columns, the khans spread all over the Silk Road, the castles still towering from the Medieval ages, the mosques and palaces are the witnesses of a great rich history. To know Syria is to have knowledge of a legendary world

TURKEY
Day 1 
April 12 , 2011 Tuesday Istanbul

Transfer to the  Hotel Ayasofaya.. If you arrive  a day or two before the tour starts, you will still be given transfer included in the price Please click here to check the arrival info .   At 04:00 PM meet at the lobby for group  meeting. Dinner  will be at a wonderful restaurant where we can enjoy the sun set in the horizon of this historic city. The Dinner is not included

S Y R I A 
TURKEY Day 2 April 13 , 2011 Wednesday  SYRIA  Halep ( Aleppo), Syria 
Transfer to the air port in Istanbul. Fly to Antakya. Transfer to the Syrian border drive 30 miles south to the Turkish - Syrian border. US citizens and Canadians need visa please click here  see info . After border crossing which can take an hour or so we will drive south to Halep ( Aleppo). The first wonderful surprise will be the Gate of Havva and the Roman road which lead the troops of the many and merchants  to Anatolia through out the history since the time of the Romans.St  Simon Monastery This citadel is 60 km north-west of Aleppo. It was named after the hermit Saint Simon (Sam'an), a shepherd from northern Syria, who became a monk after a revelation in a dream. Following Saint Simon's death in 459, the Emperor Zenon ordered that a cathedral be built where the saint used to pray. 
The layout was original, centering on the famous column from which Saint Simon used to preach. Four basilicas, arranged in the shape of a cross, opened into an octagon covered by a dome, in the center of which stood the holy column. 
It is a beautiful church built on the ridge of the hill where Saint Simon had taken up "residence". Simplicity and harmony combine to make the ruins of the Basilica of St. Simon (an earthquake destroyed parts of the church less than half a century after it had been built) a masterpiece of pre-Islamic art in Syria. When we arrive in Aleppo, which will be late afternoon, we will immediately experience the great food of Syria at a very typical Restaurant built in an old city in the old part of  Aleppo. The Syrian cuisine is varied and rich, in view of the fertility of Syrian lands and the abundance of their crops which enable the cook to be a master and to diversify in his choice and talent in the preparation of fresh meals made of vegetables, legumes and meats. The Syrian table is always decorated with the various delicious pastries famous all over the world. We will have our first experienceof the Syrian food at lunch  in Halep. This afternoon we will visit Aleppo the second capital of Syria (350 km north of Damascus), and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in history. Old schools, churches, mosques, baths and ancient houses, some dating back to the 15th century, like the al-Bunduqiah (Venetian) Consulate, which contains superb ornaments and antiquities.  
After our city site seeing we will enjoy home made food at the historic house where we will stay for 2 nights

SYRIA Day 3 April 14 , 2011 Thursday  Halep ( Aleppo), Syria 


After a great breakfast, you will especially like  the spread prepared with dried watermelon seed with 40 spices and olive oil ,  we will start the city tour of this ancient city. - Abraham is said to have camped on the acropolis which, long before his time, served as the foundation of a fortress (where the Aleppo citadel is standing now). He milked his grey cow there, hence Aleppo's name: "Halab al-Shahba". Ever since the 3rd millennium B.C., Aleppo has been a flourishing city, with a unique strategic position. This position gave the city a distinctive role from the days of the Akhadian and Amorite kingdoms until modern times. It was the meeting-point of several important commercial roads in the north. This enabled Aleppo to be the link in trade between Mesopotamia, the Fertile Crescent and Egypt. The Amorites made it their capital in the 18th century B.C. This position made it subject to invasions from various races; from Hittites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks and Romans. Aleppo was prominent in the Christian era; it became a Bishopric and a huge cathedral was built in it, which is still standing.  The conflict between Byzantium and Persia, however, resulted in the latter's occupation of Aleppo in 440. The Persians robbed the city, burned considerable parts of it and damaged many of its features. Though expelled by Justinian, the Persians still threatened Aleppo and frightened its inhabitants until the Arab Islamic conquest came in 636. The city then regained its status, both cultural and commercial. Apart from the Omayyad and Abbassid periods in which Aleppo flourished the Hamadani state established by Sayf al-Dawla in 944 made Aleppo the northern capital of Syria. Sayf al-Dawla built Aleppo's famous citadel, and in his days the city enjoyed great prosperity and fame in science, literature and medicine, despite this leader's military ambitions. Mention should be made of the two most prominent poets, al-Mutanabbi and Abu al-Firas; of the philosopher and scientist, al-Farabi; and of the linguist, Ibn Khalaweh, all of whom lived in Sayf al-Dawla's court and were renowned for great knowledge and scholarship. Aleppo was famous for its architecture; for its attractive churches, mosques, schools, tombs and baths. As an important center of trade between the eastern Mediterranean kingdoms and the merchants of Venice, Aleppo became prosperous and famous in the centuries preceding the Ottoman era. Many of its "khans" (caravanserai) are still in use even today; one of them is called "Banadiqa Khan", "Banadiqa" in Arabic being the term for "inhabitants of Venice". In the Ottoman age, Aleppo remained an important center of trade with Turkey, France, England and Holland. This caused various types of European architecture to be adopted in Aleppo which can be seen in many buildings today.   The National Museum; this includes in particular documents and relics from Ebla and Mari. After the museum of Bagdad was demolished, this museum stands as the best museum for documenting the history of Mesopotamia.
Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions will be a incredible window through which we can see the rich ethnography of the country.
- Al-Jami' al-Kabir (The Great Mosque), The site of the Great Mosque is the former Agora from the Hellenistic period, which later became the garden for the Cathedral of St. Helena, during the Christian era. It was built by the Umayyad Caliph al Walid, who had earlier founded the Great Mosque in Damascus. It was completed in 717 by his successor Caliph Suleiman. Nur al Din later rebuilt it in 1169 after a great fire and the Mamelukes made further alterations. This mosque has an enormous 45-meter minaret, which is completely detached from it, built by the Seljuks in 1070. The Great Mosque was built in its gardens, but the actual Cathedral remained a place of Christian worship until 1124. In this year, a besieging crusader army violated Islamic places of worship and in retaliation the Cathedral was changed into a Madrasa for Koranic teaching.  The inside comprises a courtyard,surrounded by student cells and a domed prayer hall. This is the only part which remains of the old cathedral. The finely decorated mihrab inside dates to 1245 when Nur al-Din remodeled the building.-Halawiyeh Madrasa This Koranic school was founded in 1124. It is found on the site of the Cathedral of St. Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 326.  
Madrasa Sultaniye
 Lying across the road from the Aleppo citadel is this 13th century Madrasa, which was built by Sultan al Aziz. The greatest aspect of this Madrasa is the mihrab. 
Madrasa Faradis Near the cemetery situated close to Bab al Maqam, is Madrasa Faradis, 'School of Paradise'. This was built by Sultan al Zaher Ghazi's widow, Daifa Khatun in 1234. It is of great beauty and elegance, with pillars surrounding a small pool, and an Arabesque mihrab. It is often considered the most beautiful of the Aleppo Madrasas.  
We will finish the day listening to the mystical sound of an ud. dinner will be at one of the most popular local restaurants of the city. Overnight at the same house.

SYRIA Day 4 April 15 , 2011 Friday  Humus ( Homs)  Hama Water Mills  Ebla Tablets from Assyrian Era  Apamia Roman city  
Dinner and overmight at the hotel in Humus Homs

Hama is considered as one of the oldest inhabited areas in the Arab World. Located in the central region of Syria 120 km from the Mediterranean Sea, the area combines a spectacular mixture of steppe, mountains and river plains. The area is dominated by the Al-Aassi river, known internationally as the Orontes river.The climate  is Mediterranean, : warm autumns, mild winters, warm springs and hot summers, eased by strong breezes.
Hama is well known for its geographical variety, ranging from rich agricultural plains with fertile soil to semi-deserts, or from pastures ideal for grazing to forested mountains a thousand meters above sea level. Hama is renowned as a center for farming in Syria, with high yields of crops and excellent meat and dairy products.
The city is also known for also the abundance of water and the water mills.

Apamea is located on the right bank of the Orontes, about 55 km to the northwest of Hama. It overlooks the Ghaab plain. It was built by Saluqos Nikator, the first king of the Seleucids in Syria in 300 B.C. He named it after his wife, Afamia. The city flourished to an extent that its population numbered half a million. As an Eastern crossroads, it received many distinguished visitors: Cleopatra, Septimus Severus and the Emperor Caracalla. In the Christian era, Apamea became a center of philosophy and thought, especially of Monophostism. Most of the uncovered ruins in it date back to the Roman and Byzantine ages. It is distinguished for its high walls and the main thoroughfare surrounded by columns with twisted fluting. The street is about 2km long and 87m wide. The ruins of the Roman theatre, which have been frequently disturbed, are now a great mass of stone. Its colonnade is 145 m long. Erected in the 2nd century, it was destroyed in the 12th century by two violent earthquakes; some columns are still standing nevertheless. To the west of the city, stands the Mudiq citadel which once formed a defense line along the Orontes. Fierce battles with the Crusaders attempting to conquer it took place in the 12th century, and Nur al-Din finally surrendered it in 1149. The citadel has huge towers, overlooking the Ghaab plain. It also has a khan built by the Turks in the 16th century, and transformed into an archacological museum which houses Apamea's mosaics.To the south of Mudiq castle lies the citadel of Shaizar overlooking the Orontes. In the Middle Ages it could only be reached by a draw-bridge. The main tower of the citadel is square in shape and overlooks the defensive fortresses. Arabic inscriptions from the Mamluk periods appear over its entrance. The citadel was rebuilt by the Mamluks after it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1157. The Crusaders tried to occupy it several times, but in vain.
Overnight will be at Humus (Homs). This city is the third most important city in Syria. It lies 160 km to the north of Damascus. Like Petra and Palmyra, Homs was an Arab emirate in the 2nd century B.C. It was also the third station on the "Silk road" after Doura Europos and Palmyra. It still retains this position of importance today, as the oil pipelines pass through the city. The historical city produced many impressive personalities. Bassianos (an emir of Homs), through his daughter's marriage to the Roman emperor, Septimium Severus, who ruled Rome from 193 to 211, sired three rulers, Caracalla. Heliogabalus and Alexander Severus. The city was the birthplace of the famous Syrian philosopher, Longenius, counselor to Queen Zenobia, and of the famous physician, Marlian. Among the most significant historic constructions remaining in Homs is the mosque of Khaled ibn al-Walid, the great commander of the Muslim Arab armies. Two very tall white-stone minarets lend lightness to the imposing structure. The slender colonnade in black and white stone in horizontal rows is representative of traditional Syrian architecture.Many churches still stand in Homs from the days of early Christianity in Syria. One of these churches is said to possess the girdle of the Blessed Virgin. The church of St. Elian is unique for its collection of fine frescoes discovered in 1970. These bear inscriptions in Greek and Arabic, and date back to the end of the 12th century. The Nuri mosque also dates back to the 12th century, distinguished for its beautiful entrance.

SYRIA Day 5 April 16 , 2011 Saturday  Palmira 
Palmira Roman Site  Camel ride  Desert Music with the Bedewins  Dinner and overnight in Palmira 

Palmyra,  is like a pearl in the heart of the desert, Palmyra, rising from the sands, is one of the most graceful and splendid ancient sites in the East, for the glory and the greatness are still evident and fully years after its construction by the Arab Queen Zenobia. It remains as one of most famous capitals of the ancient world.  We will have a camel ride at sun set and wills end the evening  in the oasis of Palmyra

SYRIA Day 6 April 17 , 2011 Sunday Sam (Damascus)  
Crusades Fortress  Malula Mountain village where Aramaic is spoken  Hike the canyon  visit  Tekla Monastery 
We will be following the path of the Crusades and natuarally see the grand fortresses that they had built on their way to the holy Land. The bedoins of Syria are colorful and easy to communicate with. We will visit Malula mountain villages where Aramaic - the language of |Jesus  is spoken.St. Tekla was one of the most loyal disciples of St Paul. In order to follow St Paul on his Missionary journey, he had dressed as man and followed him where ever Paul had traveled on his long journey.After we visit her church, we will proceed to a winery where since the time of the Assyrians wine was being made and offered to the Gods. We will get a chance to to taste the wine that once made Gods happy/Damascus is the largest city in Syria and may be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. We will check in to our hotel before we go out for another great dinner experience.

SYRIA Day 7 April 18 , 2011 Monday  Sam (Damascus)  Emevi Mosque Home dinner  Whirling Dervich Demonstration  Overnight in Damascus  Arts and Crafts: Mother of pearl inlay, wood work, weaving

We will start the day with city site seeing. After lunch we will spend the afternoon at the souks of Damascus. We will see wood carvers, motherof pearl being engraved in wood, weavers ...
Early references to Damascus such as those in Ebla tablets, confirm that it was as a city of immense economic influence during 3rd millennium BC.  Ancient Pharaonic scripts refers to it as Dameska. It enjoyed great prominence during 2nd millennium BC as center of an Aramaic kingdom under the name of Dar-Misiq (the irrigated house). The Aramites were the original inhabitants of Damascus, and their language was Syriac. Many villages around Damascus are still known by their Aramaic names . TheUmayyad Mosque, Damascus. At the heart of the Old City,  visit the astonishing example of a Damascene house, where the simple, almost primitive, exterior contrasts rather sharply with the beauty and sophistication of the interior. Here one finds a sense of space, a wealth of polychrome stone, splendid marble, cascading fountains, and fragrant flowers. The palace was built in the mid-eighteenth century for the Governor of Damascus. The palace now houses the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions.

Saladin's Tomb and its neighboring Schools
The tomb is next door to the north gate of the Omayyad Mosque. It was originally part of al-Azizieh School built by Uthman, Saladin's son, in the twelfth century. The whole interior is decorated with polychrome marble mosaics. 
Next to the tomb stands a typical Mamluk edifice, the Jumaqjieh School, built in the twelfth century. The interior is decorated with inscriptions and beautiful lettering. It is one of the most splendid old schools in Damascus; and has recently been turned into a Museum of Arabic Calligraphy.
Two other schools stand nearby: al-Zhahiriya, which is an Ayoubite edifice and house the famous library of that name; and al-Adliya, which is also Ayoubite in style, and is now headquarters of the Arab language Academy.

SYRIA Day 08 April 19 , 2011 Tuesday Damascus
St. Paul's Church  / Bab Keissan 
Is situated behind Bab Keissan, one of the gates in the old wall encircling Damscus. It commemorates the memory of St. Paul, whose name was Saul of Tarsus, charged by the Romans to persecute the Christians. As he approached the village of Daraya, a burst of blinding light took his sight away, and he heard Jesus Christ ask him "Saul, why do you persecute me? This was a vision of faith. He was taken unconscious to Damascus, attended by Hananiya, Christ's disciple, and became one of the staunchest advocates of Christianity. His Jewish peers decided to kill him, but he hid in a house by the city wall. The church is located at the site of his escape. He traveled to Antioch, Athens, and Rome, after a brief stay in Jerusalem, and continued to teach the gospel until he died

Souk The magnificent old city of Damascus inhabits a wide range of souks that cater to different needs. One takes a trip to the old city in order to attain a sense of Syrian national heritage and a culture that seems to be unique to the masses. Our first stop will be Hamadiyeh souk. We followed a straight line of 500 meters from the west of the old city to the Ommayyad Mosque. The souk dates back to the Ottoman Rule under Sultan Abdul-Hamid, after whom the souk "hamidiyeh" was named. The souk is covered with high iron vaulting and the hot sun's rays are filtered through its shields, with holes that emerged from gun fire attacks in the mid 20th century under the French mandate. A major commercial center up until this day, the shops in Hamadiyeh sell almost everything with a wide array of products displayed at the main street. Exquisite handmade brocades, mosaic, and copper inlaid with silver were superbly displayed, perplexing to the shopper's initiative due to their abundance. Ice cream, sweets, and the delicious `tamary ka'ak' will be continuously  tempting us as we walk through the souk . Branching out to the right of the souk, close to its mid-point, we lead our way through to Souk Al-Saghah. Confined in its covered ceilings and walls as well, Souk Al-Saghah is limited to jewelry only, The window displays present a numerous range of precious metal accessories, genuine yellow and white gold, with diamond or pearl details. From necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, engagement rings, wedding rings, all of which are copious to the senses.  Barganing is the name of the game in this souk. In the evening we will have a dervish performance. Dinner will be served in a private home. Overnight in Damascus.

A M M A N

AMMAN Day 09  April 20 , 2011 Wednesday Amman , Jordan 
On the way to Jorden visit Bushra  
Dinner and overnight in Amman in Jordan  
Leave Damascus after breakfast and drive south to Daraa  is the center of the town, it is /100/ km from Damascus. The origin of the word is Kanaani it is mentioned by Thutmose ((1490-1436)) B.C. It is written in Hieroglyphic tablets as ((Atharaa)). It was mentioned also in the Old Testament as ((Idraai)) while the Arab geographers called it ((Athraat)). Many vestiges can be found in town such as the cave and ancient dwellings. The roman amphitheater, the remnants of some roman baths, an old rail ways "Hijaz railway". The old Omari mosque that has a special importance in mosques architecture during the Omayad and Ayoubi periods.

We will cross the border to Amman and our first stop in this country will be one of the most intact roman site, Jarash. We will relive the history as we watch a gladiator show. then we will continue to the Amman,  Capital of Jordan .The seven hills of Amman are an enchanting mixture of ancient and modern. Honking horns give way to the beautiful call to prayer which echoes from the stately minarets which grace the city. Gleaming white houses, kabab stalls and cafés are interspersed with bustling markets. tonight the feast will be a kebab that you will never forget. ( For the vegetarians we have eggplant kebab)

AMMAN Day 10  April 21 , 2011 Thursday  Petra, Jordan 
Drive to Petra  Sound and Light show in Petra and overnight in Petra

Petra is the treasure of ancient world, hidden behind an almost impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, boasting incomparable scenes that make it the most majestic and imposing ancient site still-standing nowadays.. It has been said "perhaps there is nothing in the world that resembles it", actually, for sure, there is nothing in the world that resembles it. The rock-carved rose-red city of Petra is full of mysterious charm, it was "designed to strike wonder into all who entered.

AMMAN Day 11  April 22, 2011 Friday Petra, Jordan

Petra is considered the most famous and gorgeous site in Jordan located about 262 km south of Amman and 133 km north of Aqaba. It is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a UNESCO world heritage site and one of The New 7 Wonders of the World that enchants visitors from all corners of the globe. Dinner and overnight will be in this magical city.

The night view form Aqaba of Red SeaAMMAN Day 12  April 23, 2011 Saturday Dead Sea  , Amman 
Drive to the Dead  Sea  Return to Amman 
We will have a feast along the sea shore. those who might be interested can go swimming. Make sure you bring your swimming suits today.
We will return to Amman for dinner and overnight.

AMMAN Day 13 April 24, 2011 Sunday Departure Fly out of Amman

The price:

# of Tour members Price per person in a double room Size of the vechicle

6 pax

US$ 3.862.- 18-seater Van

7 pax

US$ 3,656.- 18-seater Van

8 pax

US$ 3,608.- 18-seater Van

9 pax

US$ 3,439.- 18-seater Van

10 pax

US$ 3,676.- 28-seater Van

11 pax

US$ 3,551.- 28-seater Van

12 pax

US$ 3,313.- 28-seater Van

13 pax

US$ 3,192.- 28-seater Van

14 pax

US$ 3,109.- 28-seater Van

Single room supplement US$ 750.-

The tour price includes

  • Hotels
  • 33 meals as per meal list below
  • Ud Recital & Whirling Dervich show
  • All the entrance fees to the sites and museums  mentioned above
  • Guiding by the local guides through out the tour
  • Transportation
  • Flight from Istanbul to Antakya
  • The tips at the hotels and the restaurants
  • One bottle of water per day per person
  • Sound and Light show in Petra

The price does not include

  • The tip to the guides in Syria and Jordan
  • The international flights
  • Drinks with meals ( since every one will be given a bottle of water every day on the bus - the water served with meals will also be not included)

Meal list 

DAY DATE

12 Breakfast

10 Lunch

11 Dinner

Day 1 April 12 ,2011 Tuesday Istanbul NOT INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED
Day 2 April 13, 2011 Wednesday Halep (Aleppo),

INCLUDED

INCLUDED INCLUDED  NOT AT THE HOTEL
Day 3 April 14 , 2011 Thursday  Halep (Aleppo)

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED AT THE HOTEL
FLOOR SHOW

Day 4 April 15 , 2011 Friday  Humus  (Homs)

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED  AT THE HOTEL

Day 5 April 16 , 2011 Saturday  Palmira

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED  AT THE HOTEL

Day 6 April 17 , 2011 Sunday Sam (Damascus) 

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED NOT AT THE HOTEL

Day 7 April 18,2011 Monday  Sam (Damascus) 

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED NOT AT THE HOTEL

Day 8 April 19 , 2011 Tuesday Damascus

INCLUDED

NOT INCLUDED

INCLUDED NOT AT THE HOTEL

Day 9  April 20 , 2011 Wednesday Amman,

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED AT THE HOTEL

Day 10  April 21 , 2011 Thursday  Petra, Jordan

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED NOT AT THE HOTEL

Day 11  April 22, 2011 Friday Petra,

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED AT THE HOTEL

Day 12  April 23, 2011 Saturday  Amman

INCLUDED

INCLUDED

INCLUDED NOT AT THE HOTEL

Day 13 April 24, 2011 Sunday INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED NOT INCLUDED

ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL

  • PAYING FOR ENTRANCE VISA
    After you leave the plane, walk towards the police check. Before the police check line, there is a booth for entrance visa. Paying your entrance visa at the airport is very easy. You can use cash or credit card. For the citizens of USA the visa charge is US$ 20.
  • COLLECTING YOUR LUGGAGE
    Go through the police line then walk down the ramp into baggage claim area. At the end of the ramp there is a monitor. On the monitor, check your flight number and find the carrousel number where your luggage is to be collected. If you need a cart for your bags you need to have US$ 2.- cash ( Coins are not accepted) to get a cart.
  • GOING THROUGH CUSTOMS
    You do not need to declare any thing to Turkish customs so just walk through the customs and come out of the gate.
  • MEETING THE PERSON WHO WILL TRANSFER YOU TO YOUR HOTEL
    You will be met at the MEETING POINT #1 When you walk out of the customs gate, you will see many people lined up with signs and name cards in their hands.

PLEASE IGNORE THEM ALL! THE PERSON WHO IS WAITING FOR YOU WILL NOT BE AMONG THAT CROWD.

1.After you leave the customs gate, turn LEFT
2.Walk about 30 ft , on your left there will be several ATM machines,
3.Pass the ATM machines, pass the Information Desk
4.There, you will see THE MEETING POINT #1 sign hanging from the ceiling.
5. The person who is waiting for you will be there under the MEETING POINT#1 sign
6. He will be holding a MELITOUR - SIGN 

Incase of emergency please call Meli +90 532 345 9987