ESSENTIAL SYRIA

After breakfast, we will spend the day discovering the historical and spiritual treasures of Damascus, considered the oldest continuously inhabited capital in the world. We will begin with the legendary Straight Street, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, where Saint Paul regained his sight after his encounter with Ananias. Walking along this street means following the same route that has connected cultures and religions for more than two millennia.

We will continue to Azem Palace, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture built in the 18th century. Its courtyards and halls now house the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions, offering an authentic insight into Damascene life and its refined craftsmanship.

The visit continues with the imposing Umayyad Mosque, one of the most important Islamic temples in the world, built in the 8th century on the site of an ancient Roman sanctuary dedicated to Jupiter. Inside is the mausoleum of Saladin, the famous leader of Muslim resistance against the Crusades.

Next, we will descend to the Chapel of Saint Ananias, one of the oldest Christian sites in the city, excavated underground in the 1st century, symbolizing the continuity of the Christian faith in Syria.

Afterwards, we will enjoy free time to explore the lively Al-Hamidiyah Souk, with its centuries-old shops, aromas of spices and local products that make this market a true sensory journey.

We will conclude the tour with a stop at the Church of Saint Paul, where a window commemorates the biblical episode in which the apostle was lowered in a basket to escape his pursuers, before embarking on his mission to spread Christianity.

Accommodation in Damascus

Breakfast. Our day will begin with a visit to Maaloula, one of the most picturesque villages in Syria and of particular interest as the only place in the world where Aramaic is still spoken. It is situated at an altitude of more than 1,500 meters, with its little houses attached to the face of an enormous rock, making it appear suspended in the air. We will visit two of the most important monasteries in the region: the Monastery of Saint Sergius and Saint Bacchus, one of the oldest in Syria, known for its chapel carved into the rock and its unique spiritual atmosphere; and the Monastery of Saint Thecla, dedicated to one of the first disciples of Saint Paul, located in an impressive gorge that offers spectacular views of the mountainous landscape. We will then continue towards Aleppo, a historic metropolis inhabited since the third millennium BC, which disputes with Damascus the title of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Its old city is home to the most beautiful souks in the Middle East, a true cultural and architectural treasure. Accommodation in Aleppo.

Breakfast. We will visit the famous Aleppo Citadel, located in the center of the city and dominating it from its fifty-meter height. It stands out for its perfectly designed towers, its entrances built to prevent enemy intrusions, and its iron doors. We will continue with a visit to the caravanserais, former accommodations for traveling merchants and their goods. They are known for their decorated façades, high arched entrances, and enormous wooden doors that were closed at nightfall. We will then visit the most famous and oldest soap museum in Aleppo. Then we will explore the ancient covered souks of Aleppo, recognizable by their vaults and enormous domes, most of them built in the 15th and 16th centuries. These markets are true living museums, showing what the commercial districts and the activity that existed in the Middle Ages were like. Each souk specializes in a type of product, and you can also find Bedouin handicrafts, carpets, fabrics, and a great variety of delicacies, such as the famous Aleppo pistachios, sweets made with honey, almonds, and dried fruits. We will finish the tour in the Old City. Return to Damascus and accommodation at the hotel.

Breakfast. At 10 am, pick-up to return to the hotel in Beirut or Beirut Airport.