From Petra to Palmyra

This fourteen-day tour takes you ancient cities and Crusader castles in the Bible lands of Jordan and Syria that few have visited. After you've done what everybody else is doing, come with us for a real adventure . Includes air fare from / to the USA . We have even included all the tips
Compare with the 12-Day Version . Add a Sailing Boat cruise on the Nile

Compare with the : Best of Jordan Syria & Egypt
the 9-day Syria and Jordan private tour Daily Arrival . Add Jerusalem

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE - Monday- Weekly - Year Round.
We take off aboard Lufthansa , Air France or British Airways from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport bound for the Biblical land of Jordan. Handling your own air fare ? Please click here.
Compare with the Ultra Deluxe version : Four Seasons Hotels

DAY 2 - AMMAN - Tuesday
Changing planes in London, or Paris,we continue to Jordan, landing at Amman where our Jordan-based staff welcomes you, helps with arrival formalities, and escorts you to your hotel. A fruit basket awaits you in your room, where you'll have a chance to unwind before stretching your legs and getting to know this Oriental crossroads. Shopping, a strong coffee at a sidewalk restaurant, and even a water pipe are possibilities--it's up to you.

DAY 3 - Jerash - Pella - Um Qais ( Cedara or Gadara) - Dead Sea - Wednesday (cBL)
After breakfast, drive down to the lowest spot on Earth and experience floating in the waters of the Dead Sea. Continue northwards to Pella ( "Tabaqat Fahl "in Arabic) in the Jordan Valley , about 78 km north of Amman, Pella is one of the most ancient sites in Jordan , the famous spring in Pella never runs dry. The are seems to have been continuously inhabited since Neolithic times ; and some recent finds even date to Paleolithic times, around 100,000 years ago , on to Visit Um Qais, Gedara of the Bible (Matthew 8:28-34) for a spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee, the Yarmouk River and the Golan Heights. We travel southeast to Jerash, among the best-preserved cities of the Romans, and walk among its colonnaded temples and theaters, enjoy lunch at a charming local restaurant , before heading back to your hotel in Amman.

DAY 4 - MADABA & MOUNT NEBO - Thursday (cBL)
We head southward from Amman today along the ancient King's Way. At Madaba we visit the church that holds the oldest known map of the Holy Land. At Mount Nebo, we behold the panoramic view of the Promised Land as Moses saw it just before he died. His grave could well be right on the mountain. Further on, at Kerak, we walk among the ruins of the Crusader castle of Renaud de Chatillon, one of a line of fortifications which stretched from Aqaba to Turkey. At the end of the day, we reach fabled Petra.

DAY 5 - PETRA Friday (cBL)
We spend the entire day exploring Petra, the stunning desert city hewn by the Nabateans from solid cliffs of pink and violet sandstone. Petra was known in the bible as Sela, and rediscovered only in 1812. You'll feel like Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark as you penetrate the city through a narrow sandstone gorge, the Siq. We'll see the Temple of the Winged Lion, the breathtaking colonnaded Khazneh tomb, the El Deir Tomb overlooking the Arava Valley, and the imposing Treasury. You can even explore on horseback if you like.

DAY 6 - WADI RUM & AMMAN Saturday (BL) Today it's real desert adventure as we board four-wheel-drive vehicles for an expedition to Wadi Rum, the "Valley of the Moon," where Lawrence of Arabia organized the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans during World War I. As you pass Bedouin encampments, you'll believe that nothing has changed in the intervening years.

DAY 7 - BOSRA & DAMASCUS Sunday (BL)
We travel overland today to cross the border into Syria to visit Bosra, a Roman City with a 15,000- seat amphitheater, before continuing to our next destination: Damascus.

DAY 8 - DAMASCUS Monday (BL)
Our tour of Damascus includes the National Museum, the Old Bazaar, Omayyad Mosque, Azem Palace, Via Recta, the House of Anania, the Eastern Gate (Bab ash-Sharqi) in the walls of the Roman City, and St. Paul's Window. If there's time left over, the merchants of the city will be pleased to welcome you with a cup of tea, and to negotiate a purchase, if you're interested.

Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
We are proud to be the only ones that are able to afford you such window on the true warm and hospitable Syrian people , come and meet the locals, you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Syria l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. As some have inquired after they returned , feel free to ask about the recipes for the local dishes you will enjoy tonight , please let us know in advance of you prefer vegetarian meals.

Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 9 - PALMYRA Tuesday (BL)
We leave Damascus today and visit Palmyra. The many sites of this ancient city include the museum, the temples of Bel, Baal Shamin and Nebo, the Roman baths, the Tetrapylon, Diocletian's Camp, and the Valley of the Tombs. It'll take us all day to see it all, so we spend the night here.

DAY 10 - KERAK, HAMA & ALEPPO Wednesday (BL)
Today we reach Kerak, the Krak des Chevaliers, the most spectacular of the castles erected by the Crusaders in Holy Land. After an appreciation of this military outpost, we'll continue to Hama, known for its giant water wheels. By nightfall, we arrive in Aleppo.

DAY 11 - ALEPPO Thursday (BL)
We see the sights of Aleppo today, including the museum, the Grand Mosque, the Citadel, and the old bazaar stretching fully eight kilometers in length. We'll also have a chance to see traditional caravansaries. In the afternoon, we visit St. Simeon's Cathedral, named for St. Simeon Stylites, a 5th-century Byzantine ascetic who lived atop a pillar for 40 years.

DAY 12 - SERGELLA, APAMEA & MAALOULA Friday (BL)
Today we follow in the footsteps of Biblical peoples, visiting Sergella, one of the 500 Dead Cities of the North, which flourished between the fourth and seventh centuries but then was mysteriously deserted. Then it's on to Apamea, the Hellenistic City of a thousand columns established by Seleucus Nicator. Finally, we visit the village of Maaloula, where the inhabitants still speak Aramaic, the very language spoken by Jesus. We'll visit the St. Sergius chapel, then continue to Damascus.

DAY 13 - Damascus - Saturday (B)
Today is a full day on your own to explore Damascus .

DAY 14 - RETURN HOME Sunday (B)
Our staff escorts you to Damascus International Airport for your return flight. Bon Voyage

RATES per person in USD $ From JFK

1. Air fare supplement (doesn't apply when you handle your own air fare):
   For departures May thru end of Sep and Dec 15 - Jan 5: please add the high-season airfare supplement of US$ 350.
   
   
2. For departures from most West Coast cities, as well as from Phoenix, Denver or Dallas-Fort Worth, please add US$ 350 to the rates.
   
   
3. If you arrange your own air travel to Amman (for example, with frequent flier tickets), please deduct US$ 700 from the rates.

Our hotels include the following, as available, similar hotels may be substituted:

Your tour includes:

• Airfare from New York to Amman , and return from Damascus. In Economy class, tax included
• All transfers on a private basis : private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur
• Hotel accommodations, including tax and service charges.
• All meals as indicated with preset menu (cB = continental breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
• Sightseeing by air-conditioned vehicle with private guide , and entrance fees as indicated
• Complimentary Horseback ride at Petra ( for interested guests) .
• Visa fee for Jordan and Syria . Visa issued upon arrival, American, EU ,Japanese, Canadian passport, your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond arrival date.
  To allow us to secure your visa for Syria, we must have a legible scan of your passport info page
• Tips to guides, porters and drivers

Not Included:

• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance
• Personal expenditures and beverages.
• Airport taxes.

Recommendations and conditions:

Every effort is made to adhere to the planned itinerary, however, for reasons beyond our control, it may be necessary to change routings, sequence of visits, and departure times.

Important

• Syria will not issue visas for any passport holder that may carry any stamp or visa for Israel.
  
• Border crossings may take some time, depending of several circumstances (traffic, police, documentation, visas, etc.) .
  
• To secure the Syrian Visa : We must have a legible scan of the info page in your passport e.mailed to us at least 45 days prior to your departure
  

More Choices :

• Syria and Jordan Tour: From Petra to palmyra . The Ultra Deluxe Version. Four Seasons Hotels ; 12 Days , or the 9 day edition.

• Compare with the Best of Jordan, Syria and Egypt Tour

• Compare with : Egypt and Dubai Tour

• Or Egypt, Dubai and Jordan in 16 days

• Compare with the 1001 Arabian Nights Tour of Egypt & Jordan a la Indiana Jones in 17 days

• Add Morocco, in a Grand North African Crossing .

• Best of Jordan and Syria in 10 Days

• Tour Syria , Jordan , Israel and Palestine All in 11 Days

Sample Charming Boutique Hotels in Syria :

Talisman Hotel: Damascus
Talisman is more than an hotel: it is more like a home. We will provide you all the services and luxury of a five stars residence. Two wide opened courtyards with outdoor swimming
pool. Private and exclusive Turkish Hammam.
The Talisman is a luxury «charm» hotel situated in the old town of Damascus, twenty minutes from the airport, a hundred yards from the old Roman straight way (Medhat Pacha) and the historical Bab Sharqi, famous now for its souks and street markets. This old Jewish palace, built in a quiet side street and easily accessible by car, has been restored in the most authentic tradition of an Arab house.

Each of the 16 rooms and suites at Talisman is unique with its personalized lay-out and decoration. All the rooms are equipped with the latest commodities:king size bed, mini bar, central heating, individual air-conditioning, plasma television set with decoder so that you may choose any channel you please, DVD reader, wi-fi internet connection, telephone. Executive suites are larger and have a desk corner. The bathrooms are spacious and planned for your rest and well-being: finely worked wooden basins with their matching mirrors, old cement tiled or beige marble floors, bath tub or shower cabin, or both, hair-drier and comfortable bathrobes.

Zenobia hotel: Palmyra
built in 1920 … Agatha Christy was one of the welcomed guests , the Zenobia Hotel is ideally located in the middle of Palmyra archeological site; rooms offers a wonderful view of the traces of past civilizations, which you can explore at your ease.

The 26-room hotel offers a wonderful view of the traces of past civilizations, which you can explore at your ease. The hotel is a masterpiece of elegance and warm hospitality that is part of our commitment to tradition particularly amidst this historical surrounding. You are welcome to the world of Zenobia hotel where you relive the past and feel the glorious days of Palmyra.
The hotel rooms; all are air-conditioned, with central heating and a telephone. The Countess suite is a duplex room, with two double beds and a private bathroom on each deck. ( Supplement applies, and you must really book in advance to get this suite)

The Oasis restaurant offers a wide variety of delicious cuisine whether it is indoors or in the open air with a direct view on the ruins.

Palmyra was known as the bride of the desert, where once stood as one of the greatest Roman oasis cities of all times. The extensive roman ruins, only a three-minute walk from the hotel; stand gracefully to remind us of the glory of Palmyra's past

Beit Wakil Hotel: Aleppo
A true example of the distinguished 16th century Aleppine architecture,is a charming palace situated just outside the old city walls.This perfectly preserved structure which has stubbornly defied the destructive elements of time,ranks among the most elegant and
beautiful palaces in the region.

The Hotel is in " Jadidah" which is a particularly picturesque quarter. Next to the main Maronite church is Sissi Street, which is full of old Arab residences. Most have now been converted into small boutique hotels and restaurants serving the delicious local Arab-Syrian cuisine for which Aleppo is famous. Beit Wakil is one of the loveliest examples. Simple on the outside, but you enter a beautiful courtyard with a fountain, a majestic arch, coloured marble flooring and arabesque glass windows. You can descend past an underground bar into stone-built cellars with a labyrinth of tunnels, said to lead all the way to the Aleppo Citadel.

Beit Wakil,a true example of the distinguished 16th. century Aleppine architecture,is a charming palace situated just outside the old city walls.This perfectly preserved structure which has stubbornly defied the destructive elements of time,ranks among the most elegant and beautiful palaces in the region. Faithful to the old Aleppine tradition the exterior is castle like,simple and void of any decoration,but as soon one enters inside a magical oriental story like world comes into existence

The beautiful courtyards with breathtaking relief and tracery work of their walls, the marble fountains among the jasmine and lemon trees, the unique iwan with its majestic arch and colors marble flooring,the elegant arabesque woodwork of the wall cupboards,the hand drawn wooden ceilings with corniche, the famous central Qa'a (large room: Lobby ) with its suspended dome and coloured arabesque glass windows,the stone built cellars and the lime stone caves below with a labyrinth of tunnels , one of which , links the palace to the Citadel of Aleppo , are just few of the many elements which distinguishes the Aleppine masonry art and Arabian architectural genius

Today, Beit Wakil welcomes its guests as a four star hotel with all the modern comfort facilities. Beit Wakil rooms and suits are centrally air conditioned, with traditional comfortable Aleppine furniture, minibar, music, T. V and satellite services, phone and private bathrooms. Both our summer and winter restaurants offer a wide verity of delicious Aleppine mezes and specialties together with an oriental entertainment program of classical Arabic music and dancing.

Tour Syria , Jordan , Palestine , Israel . All in 11 Days

We'll show you the wonders of fabled Syria, the biblical sites
of Jerusalem and Jordan and the Lost City of Petra, in 11 days

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