Experience a Syrian wedding

Itinerary

Sunday 26 May – Beirut (Lebanon) – Damascus

• Morning pick up of the group by the driver in Beirut.
• Meet your guides at the border of Syria.
• Via Straight Street we walk to the House Chapel of Ananias. He was one of the first Christians in Syria.
• Highlight: The Great Mosque, also known as the Omajaden Mosque.
• See the famous Al Hamidieh Grand Bazaar (also known as the Al-Hamidiyah Souk). The perfect place to get acquainted with daily life in Damascus.
• Overnight in Damascus.

Monday 27 May – Maaloula – Krak des Chevaliers – Mishtaya

• We drive to Maaloula. A beautiful village against the mountains. Here the language of Christ is still spoken (Aramaic).
• We take a look at the famous monasteries Mar Sarkis and Mar Taqla.
• Highlight: Visit to Krak des Chevaliers. This famous castle is the symbol of the Crusades and was the base for the Hospitallers.
• We will drive into the mountains of Syria, close to Homs.
• We will stay in the village of Mishtaya. Here you can wander around and see what rural life is in Syria.
• Wine and rakia tasting on a farm.
• Overnight stay in Mishtaya

Tuesday 28 May – Tartous – Latakia   

• We say goodbye to Mishtaya and continue towards the coast.
• Arrival in the city of Tartous, with a small city tour.
• Highlight: Boat ride to Arwad Island. A unique visit, as it has seen barely any tourists since the re-opening of Syria.
• Upon return in Tartous we will drive to Latakia.
• Overnight stay in Latakia.

Wednesday 29 May – Tartous – Latakia   

• Highlight: Walk around Latakia and enjoy the view of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Visit to Salah Al-Dein castle, a medieval castle located high up in the mountains.
• See the Tomb of Hafez Al-Assad, up in the mountains around Latakia.
• Overnight stay in Latakia.

Thursday 30 May – Latakia – Homs   

• Drive to Apamea, an old Greek Roman city, there are still many buildings visible.
• Highlight: We visit the old Roman city of Apamea. If you’ve been to Baalbek in Lebanon you will notice the resemblance between both places.
• Drive to Hama.
• Visit to the famous waterwheels in the Orontos River.
• Check out the Azem Palace in Hama.
• Drive to Homs.
• Walking tour through Homs. We will see the neighbourhood that was completely damaged by the war. But we’ll also visit the new souk of Homs.
• Visit to the historical Bei Al Agha / Julia house, this house was a head quarter of Al Nusra during the civil war.
• Overnight stay in Homs.

Friday 31 May – Homs – Palmyra – Damascus

• Drive to Palmyra. Although IS has destroyed much here, there is still a lot to see.
• Highlight: We see the remains of the Temple of Bel, the Triumphal Arch, the colonnades, the theatre, the agora and the tombs.
• After Palmyra we return to Damascus.
• Assad Basha Khan, the biggest caravanserai in downtown Damascus. (if time permits)
• Check out Azem Palace, a typical old house from Damascus. (if time permits)
• Overnight stay in Damascus.

Saturday 1 June – Damascus – Wedding Day 1

• Welcome to a real Syrian wedding! In the next two days you’ll experience one of Syria’s biggest cultural events: the wedding.
• On  the first day we’ll  visit the Arous Hammam for the women (bride’s shower) or Aris Hammam for the gentlemen (groom’s shower). It will be at one of the finest hammams in the Old City of Damascus. During the hammam we’ll party and relax at the same time.
• Overnight stay in Damascus.

Sunday 2 June – Damascus – Wedding Day 2

• Today is the big day! After a good breakfast we’ll head to the Cross Church to attend the Iklil (the religious ceremony).
• After the church it’s time to party. We’ll go to the wedding party place, one of the best spots in the old town. Here we’ll eat, dance and drink the night away with a long guestlist, and you are part of it!
• Overnight stay in Damascus.

Monday 3 June – Damascus

• Drive to the border with Lebanon
• Border crossing Syria / Lebanon.
• Drive to Beirut.
• End of tour.