Day 1: Saturday - Depart

En Route

Depart USA on your flight to Amman.

Day 2: Sunday - Arrive Damascus

Cham Palace Hotel

Arrive Damascus International Airport where you are met and transferred to the Cham Palace Hotel, conveniently located in city center near Peasant's Monument.

Day 3: Monday - Damascus

Cham Palace Hotel

Damascus is the world's oldest inhabited capital. Visit the National Museum and the Old Covered Bazaar - the vaulted roof gives way to two enormous Corinthian columns supporting a decorated lintel - these are the remains of the western gate of the old Roman Temple of Jupiter. Next is Omeyad Mosque, the supposed burial site of John the Baptist's head. Tour Azem Palace, built in 1749 AD, with flourishing gardens and intricate interior decoration. Walk the Via Recta (Straight Street), a tangle of narrow twisting roads with the old houses often almost touching overhead. In the old Christian Quarter, visit Anania's Chapel, where by tradition Paul's sight was restored. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Tuesday - Damascus

Cham Palace Hotel

Today is free for independent exploration of one of the most interesting cities in the Middle East - perhaps a return visit to the bazaar to sharpen your bargaining skills. (B,D)

Day 5: Wed - Krac des Chevaliers/Lattakia

Cham Palace Hotel

Morning visit of Maaloula where a dialect of Aramaic (Jesus' language) is still spoken. Continue to Krak des Chevaliers, the world's most well preserved Crusader castle. The inner castle was completed in 1170 AD and the outer ramparts in 1200 AD. It took 90 years to build and housed 4,000 Crusaders for only 71 years. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Thursday - Lattakia/Aleppo

Chahba Cham Palace

Tour the ruins of Ugarit, once the most important city in Syria, where clay tablets were found with the earliest known alphabet. On to Saladin's Castle, reputed to be almost impregnable because of deep surrounding ravines. The citadel was conquered by Salah el Din (Saladin) in 1188. At the Basilica of St. Simeon in 423 AD, St. Simeon spent his last 40 years on top of a column to be nearer to Heaven. When he died in 459 AD, a beautiful Corinthian church the size of Westminster Abbey was built. Special Event: Reception at historic Baron's Hotel where you can see T.E. Lawrence's (Lawrence of Arabia) original signed bill from his stay in the early 1900's. Other guests have included Agatha Christie, Charles Lindbergh and Theodore Roosevelt. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Friday - Aleppo

Chahba Cham Palace

Aleppo's massive citadel, surrounded by a moat 70 feet deep and 100 feet wide, dominates the city skyline. Inside are the Byzantine Hall, Royal Palace and the throne room with its intricately decorated ceilings. Visit the Archaeological Museum and the superb covered souk -- all four miles of it! Inside, you will find the famous caravanserais, or khans. Special Event: Lunch in an Armenian underground "hideaway", visit to Armenian orphanage and the Basilica in the old city. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Saturday - Aleppo/Palmyra

Grand Tourist Inn

Visit the ancient city of Ebla, a powerful city-state in the late 3rd millennium, and Apamea, the ruins of a once great city founded by Seleucus I in the 2nd century BC. Lunch is in Hama on the Orontes River. The groaning "Norias", giant wooden waterwheels, are over 400 years old and more than 70 feet in diameter. Special Event: Private visit to Bedouin family tent complex for tea. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Sunday - Palmyra

Cham Palace Palmyra

Palmyra is a desert oasis which became a crucial link on the old Silk Route. In 267 AD, Queen Zenobia turned Palmyra independent. Captured by Hadrian, Queen Zenobia was taken back to Rome and paraded around the streets -- bound in gold chains. Palmyra was destroyed by the Romans in 273 AD, totally devastated by earthquakes in 1089 AD and passed into legend. The magnificent ruins, stretching over 10 sq. miles, feature the Temple of Baal, the Great Colonnade, theater, forum and museum. Special Event: Tented dinner and entertainment. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Monday - Palmyra/Bosra

Cham Palace Bosra

A morning at leisure in Palmyra for independent exploration. Afternoon drive to Bosra. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Tuesday - Bosra/Amman

Grand Hyatt Amman

Bosra was the northern capital of the Nabatean kingdom in 100 BC. The citadel is constructed totally out of basalt around the most well preserved Roman theater in existence -- with 15,000 seats! Bosra was the first city to fall to Mohammed and the Muslims in 634 AD. Cross border into Jordan. (B,L)

Day 12: Wednesday - Jerash/Ajlun

Grand Hyatt Amman

City tour of Amman (ancient Philadelphia) featuring the Amphitheater, the ruins of citadel hill, the Royal Palace and Ashrafia Mosque. Depart for Jerash, called the "Pompeii of the Middle East". It is the best example of a provincial Roman city in the world featuring theaters, churches, temples, a Nymphaeum and colonnaded streets. Proceed to Ajlun, a 12th-century castle was built by Saladin and an superb example of Arab/Islamic military architecture. Special Event: Private local-style dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 13: Thursday - Amman/Petra

Taybet Zaman Village

Depart via the King's Highway for Petra. Visit the mosaic city of Madaba with the oldest known map of the Holy Land, and Mt. Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses. Continue Kerak, a 12th century Crusader fortress featuring galleries, towers, chapels and ramparts recalling the gallantry of the Crusaders. (B,L)

Day 14: Friday -- Petra

Taybet Zaman Village

Tour lost Rose City of Petra, the ruined capital of the ancient Nabateans. The Treasury, 140 feet wide and 90 feet high, is carved out of solid rock. Beyond are hundreds of structures, soaring temples, elaborate tombs and a carved Roman theater. Dean Burgon, the Victorian traveler, gave Petra a description still true today- "Match me such a marvel save in Eastern clime, a rose-red city half as old as time." (B,L)

Day 15: Saturday - Petra/Amman

Grand Hyatt Amman

Today return to Amman, but not before a one-hour 4X4 excursion to fabled Wadi Rum, the desert hideaway of Lawrence of Arabia. Wadi Rum is a moonscape of ancient valleys and towering weathered sandstone mountains rising out of the white and pink colored sands. Stunning in its natural beauty, Wadi Rum epitomizes the romance of the desert. Afternoon return transfer to Amman. (B,L)

Day 16: Sunday - Depart Amman

En Route

Morning transfer to Queen Alia International Airport for your return flight home. (B)

INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

• Accommodations as detailed in itinerary above.
• All sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary including entrance fees.
• Meals as indicated in itinerary.
• Private licensed guides and driver/guides throughout.
• All transfers and sightseeing by private A/C vehicles.
• Meet & Greet services.
• Luggage handling.

SORRY, NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PROGRAM

Cost of visas or departures taxes.
• Personal items such as laundry, telephone/fax, all drinks, incidental expenses, etc.
• Tips for guides and drivers.