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The Temple of Jupiter, Baalbeck
| Beirut | Le Méridien | 2 nights |
| Zahlé | Grand Hotel Kadri | 2 nights |
| Homs | Safir Hotel | 1 night |
| Palmyra | Dedeman | 2 nights |
| Aleppo | Beit Wakil | 2 nights |
| Damascus | Beit al-Mamlouka | 2 nights |
12 days from £1815
excluding international flights
DAY 1 - Arrive Beirut.
On arrival in Beirut you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. Recommended flight from London: bmi from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.
DAY 2 – Beirut, Byblos.
After breakfast your World Discovery guide will collect you from your hotel and take you on a short tour of Lebanon's capital city, including a visit to the excellent National Museum of Beirut [more] . Then drive north along the Mediterranean coast to the charming port of Byblos [more],where you will explore the ancient ruins and have lunch before returning to Beirut in the afternoon. If you have sufficient time, for an additional cost you may visit the amazing Jeita Grotto [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.
DAY 3 - Sidon, Beiteddine.
In the morning head south to the Phoenician port of Sidon [more] before driving into the Chouf Mountains to visit the hill town of Deir al-Qamar and the Palace of Beiteddine [more]. Continue to Zahlé, a pleasant town located at 900m/2555ft and renowned for its clean mountain air, where you will stay for the next two nights.
Meals included: Full breakfast.
DAY 4 - Anjaar.
After breakfast drive to the fascinating archaeological site of Aanjar, close to the border with Syria [more]. Return to Zahlé for an afternoon at leisure. You may wish to pay an optional visit to Lebanon's most famous winery at nearby Ksara [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast.
DAY 5 - Baalbeck. Drive to Homs (Syria).
A journey today to Lebanon's most famous attraction - the breathtaking ruins of Baalbeck [more], including lunch at the historic Palmyra Hotel beside the ruins. After your visit continue across the border into Syria for an overnight stay in Homs.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.
DAY 6 - Krak des Chevaliers. Drive to Palmyra.
This morning visit one of Syria’s top highlights - the imposing crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers [more]. After lunch in the castle itself, drive into the Syrian Desert to reach the oasis city of Palmyra in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Fullbreakfast, lunch.
DAY 7 - Palmyra.
A full day to explore the impressive ruins of Palmyra [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast.
DAY 8 - To Aleppo via Apamea.
Afterbreakfast leave Palmyra and drive back through the desert to join the main highway to Aleppo. En route you will visit the archaeological site of Apamea [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast.
DAY 9 - Aleppo, St Simeon.
Morning sightseeing in Aleppo [more]. In the afternoon drive out to the 5th century basilica of St Simeon, built around the pillar on top of which the saint spent the last 37 years of his life.
Meals included:Full breakfast.
THE CITIES OF THE DEAD
Why not stay an extra day in Aleppo
to fit in an excursion to the little known but amazing 'Cities of the
Dead', early Christian settlements dating back to the 2nd century AD? [more]
DAY 10 - Sednaya, Maalula, Damascus.
In the morning leave Aleppo and drive south. Visit the mountain villages of Sednaya and Maalula [more] before continuing to Damascus, Syria's capital, believed to be the oldest continually inhabited in the world. In the afternoon you will visit the old city including the Omayyad Mosque, originally built in the 8th century as a Byzantine Cathedral, and also the Tomb of Saladin dating from 1193.
Meals included: Full breakfast.
Pictured left: The Greek Orthodox convent of Sednaya.
DAY 11 – Damascus (continued).
Further visits this morning will include the Street Called Straight, mentioned in the Bible, the National Museum and the Azem Palace, a magnificently decorated former home of the Governor of Damascus (18th century). The afternoon is at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast.
DAY 12 - Homeward Flight.
Private transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.
International Flights.
We recommend the services of bmi from London Heathrow. Flights are daily throughout the year. Timings vary slightly from day to day; the following (subject to change) are based on a Friday departure:
Heathrow/Beirut. Depart at 13.20; arrive Beirut at 21.10
Damascus/Heathrow. Depart at 08.15; arrive Heathrow at 13.05
Lebanon and Syria (Tour Reference: WDLB002)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:
|
Daily departures | Price |
| Apr to May; 1 Nov to 17 Dec | £1815 |
| Jun to Oct | £1838 |
| 18 to 30 Dec | £1890 |
Single Room Supplements on request.
The price includes:
- Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
- 11 full breakfasts and 3 lunches as shown in the itinerary
- Private transportation throughout
- All sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees
- The services of your own private drivers throughout
- The services of private English-speaking guides for the included sightseeing
Not included in the price:
- International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
- Optional sightseeing
- International airport taxes
- Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter
- A Lebanese Visa. This can be obtained before departure from Lebanese Embassy in London, or alternatively you can purchase the visa on arrival at Beirut Airport (recommended). The current price for obtaining your visa on arrival is US$17, to be paid in cash by the passenger (no forms or photos required). Your passport should not contain any Israeli stamp or visa. Syrian visa. Although this can be obtained on arrival in Damascus, delays of up toan hour are not unusual, so we strongly advise you to obtain your visain the UK prior to departure. Werecommend that you obtain it through CIBT in London - www.uk.cibt.com.
A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.