Syria — Egypt & Middle East — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

Mediterranean Sea LEBANON ISRAEL EGYPT & MIDDLE EAST SYRIA Queen Zenobias Palmyra/Fabio Perselli SYRIA " JORDAN Crusader Castles & Desert Cities 16 DAYS HOTELS/BEDOUIN CAMP THE EUPHRATES VALLEY TO THE RED SEA Ref SYJ JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Well explore Aleppo and Damascus, seek out the great Krak des Chevaliers castle and explore the preserved remains of the fabled desert trading post of Palmyra. But perhaps the highlight is a visit to the startling rock-cut city of Petra a true archaeological wonder. Damascus & Aleppo We begin to uncover the rich complexity of this region with a walking tour of Damascus, Syrias vibrant capital, and an exploration of the most famous Crusader castle in the world, Krak des Chevaliers. We then discover the waterwheels of Hama and Roman Apamea en route to Latakia. From here we visit Saladins Castle and Ugarit, where the worlds first alphabet was found before arriving in Aleppo a medieval city pervaded by a magnetic and exotic atmosphere. Ghost Towns of Syria Following the Euphrates Valley, we explore the ghost town of Rasafa and Dura Europos once a powerful city, now crumbling into the desert. Then linger at Palmyra, a vital link along the ancient Spice Route to India; in the early morning sun, the rough stone blocks of Queen Zenobias city glitter like burnished gold. Rose Red Petra Having explored the well preserved remains of ancient Jerash we travel via the Kings Highway to Petra. Here a narrow Siq (gorge) leads to the concealed remains of one of the most fabled sites in all the Middle East, the Rose Red City, half as old as time. We enjoy two full days exploring the rock-cut city on foot. Then, using 4-wheel-drive vehicles, we head for the dramatic canyons of Wadi Rum, where we camp beneath the stars. We also stay at Aqaba on the Red Sea and seize the chance to float in the briny waters of the Dead Sea before ending our journey at Amman. Wadi Rum bedouin camp On the Road to Damascus 9 DAYS HOTELS TRAVELS THROUGH THE MILLENNIA Ref SY JFMAMJJASOND JFMA So many layers of history to uncover from the great trading post of Palmyra to Old Damascus, the citadel at Aleppo and the impressive Crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers! Well also look out over the Euphrates from the Seleucid city of Dura Europos, plus visit the ghostly ruins of Rasafa the ancient caravan city, still resplendent in the parched desert. Krak des Chevaliers & Aleppo In Damascus, Syrias vibrant capital, we explore the main sites on foot and include a visit to the Ommayad Mosque. We then head for one of the most famous landmarks of the Middle East the formidable Crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers. We travel on to see the famous Roman waterwheels at Hama and north via Apamea, a classic Greco-Roman city, to Latakia. Our itinerary then curves away from the coast towards Aleppo, Syrias second city, calling at Ugarit (the site where the worlds first alphabet was found) and Saladins Castle, dramatically located on a rocky outcrop surrounded by pine trees. Romantic Aleppo still evokes the stories of the One Thousand and One Nights with its busy souks and medieval Citadel. From here we make a side trip to the remarkable monastery of Qalat Seman, where St Simeon Stylites spent 40 years preaching from the top of a column. On the Road to Damascus Ref SY TURKEY St Simeons Monastery Saladins Castle Ugarit ALEPPO SYRIA Eu p r a t e s h Halabiye Rasafa Ghost town LATAKIA Apamea Hama Krak des Chevaliers DEIR EZ-ZOR Dura Europos T UR KE Y PALMYRA Caravan city Mari Crusader Castles & Desert Cities Ref SYJ St Simeons Monastery SYRIA Saladins Eu castle ph ra t e s ALEPPO Halabiye Ugarit DEIR Apamea EZ-ZOR Rasafa LATAKIA Hama Ghost town Krak des Dura Chevaliers Europos Mari S Y R I A N D E S E RT DAMASCUS Ommayad mosque km FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Damascus. 2 In Damascus, walking tour. 3 Drive via Krak des Chevaliers Castle, Hama and Apamea to Latakia. 4 Drive via Ugarit, Saladins Castle to Aleppo. 5 In Aleppo; visit St Simeons Monastery. 6 Drive via Rasafa and Halabiye to Deir-ez-Zor. 7 Explore Dura Europos and Mari; drive Palmyra. 8 Visit Palmyra site and museum; drive to Damascus. 9 Drive to Jerash. 10 Drive via Mt Nebo and Madaba to Petra. 11 Horse ride to the Siq and guided tour of Petra. 12 Free in Petra. 13 4WD to Wadi Rum bedouin camp, optional camel trek. 14 Drive to Aqaba; optional snorkelling. 15 Drive via Dead Sea and Baptism site to Amman. 16 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 14nts hotel, 1nt bedouin-style camp in Wadi Rum; 15 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 1 dinner included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/4WD vehicles/On foot. Comment: A fascinating journey of discovery, visiting a selection of ancient sites and diverse landscapes. The order of sightseeing between Krak and Aleppo may change slightly during the shorter days of the winter months, however all sites described will be visited. This tour is a combination of tours ref. SY and JD. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), national guide and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 16 to 22. 0 250 PALMYRA Caravan city Trading Posts along the Euphrates Continuing east, we drive along the course of the life-giving Euphrates to the wind-swept ruins of Rasafa, a trading post now half buried by the encroaching desert. Also along the rivers banks are the Roman fortress of Halabiye and on a plateau overlooking the valley the caravan halt of Dura Europos, built over 2000 years ago. Queen Zenobias Palmyra Palmyra was the major link in the ancient Spice Route to India, and pack-camels once arrived here laden with spices and perfumes. Best seen at dawn, the rough stone blocks of Queen Zenobias city take on surreal shapes. After exploring we return to Damascus. DAMASCUS JERASH Baptism site Mt Nebo SYRIAN DESERT AMMAN Madaba Kerak Dead Sea JORDAN PETRA Rock-carved city WADI RUM AQABA 0 Desert camp km 250 SAUDI ARABIA Traditional & still-used transport Perhaps the most spectacular of Crusaders Castles - Krak des Chevaliers/Ashley Toft FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Damascus. 2 In Damascus; walking tour. 3 Drive via Krak des Chevaliers Castle to Latakia via Hama and Apamea. 4 Drive via Ugarit, Saladins Castle to Aleppo. 5 In Aleppo; visit St Simeons Monastery. 6 Drive via Rasafa and Halabiye to Deir-ez-Zor. 7 Explore Dura Europos and Mari; drive to Palmyra. 8 Visit Palmyra site and museum; drive Damascus. 9 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 8nts hotel; 8 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/On foot. Comment: A journey exploring Syrias amazing diversity of landscapes and historic sites, including the lesser known sites in the east. The order of sightseeing between Krak and Aleppo may change slightly during the shorter days of the winter months, however all sites described will be visited. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), national guide and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 16 to 22. 94 Request a tour dossier for comprehensive tour information

Egypt & Middle East contd… Syria