September 6 - 16, 2011
Syria: The Cradle of Civilization
$3135 pp/do,land only
Join us for this in-depth look at Syria, the Cradle of Civilization. This tour will begin in Damascus, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. See ancient Roman cities near Damascus then head out across the desert to the trade route center of Palmyra. The tour then takes us to the banks of the Euphrates River to see the ancient civilation of Mari, which flourished in the third millenium BC, and other ancient trade route outposts. Continue along the river and then across the northern plains to Aleppo, another city with ancient roots and evidence of human habitation that goes back over 10,000 years. The city is named for a story of Abraham who stopped here to rest his flock of sheep. We will explore the city and the surrounding countryside with its beautiful Byzantine Churches then head south to Damascus to get a glimpse of the crusader history of this country. A day trip to the magnificent Roman ruins at Baalbeck in Lebanon is also included.
