Damascus and beyond,from Beirut

Pick-up in Beirut. Your journey begins with a pick-up from your city-center accommodation.

A café stop. Refreshments at a street café before the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing.

Sednaya. After the entry visa formalities, continue to this picturesque mountain town north of Damascus, a Christian pilgrimage site that draws visitors from near and far. Explore its church, shrine and monastery, their intricate architecture and sacred artwork, then climb to the rooftop for panoramic views of the mountains, the town and the valley below.

Deir Mar Touma, the Monastery of Saint Thomas, a short distance uphill. The contemporary monastery stands beside an ancient chapel that first served as a Roman temple, with ancient caves, Roman capitals and carvings nearby.

Back to Damascus. Drive back to the capital, renowned for its diverse religious, ethnic and cultural heritage.

Bab Touma. Arrive at the north-eastern gate associated with the old city’s Christian neighbourhood, and stroll the ancient roadway to a boutique hotel in the heart of old Damascus for the night.

The old city. Explore the captivating capital and its rich blend of religious, ethnic and cultural heritage.

The Chapel of St. Ananias, an ancient church that embodies the essence of early Christianity.

Straight Street, a captivating thoroughfare of shops, cafés and bustling markets.

Azem Palace, a gem of Damascene craftsmanship, now home to the Museum of Popular Traditions.

Khan Assad Pasha, an impressive caravanserai and testament to the region’s rich trading heritage.

The Umayyad Mosque, a great cultural and spiritual center, housing the Shrine of John the Baptist.

Souq al-Hamidiyeh, the ancient covered bazaar where local culture thrives.

Al Noufarah coffeehouse. Coffee and tea as Damascene life unfolds around you.

Al-Seida Raqiyeh Mosque, an important Shia pilgrimage site and a window onto Syria’s religious diversity.

Return to Beirut. A stroll back along the ancient roadway to your hotel for some rest, before travelling back to your accommodation in Beirut.

Pick-up in Beirut. Your journey begins with a pick-up from your city-center accommodation.

A café stop. Refreshments at a street café before the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing.

Maalula. After the entry visa formalities, continue to this historic Christian town about 56 kilometres north of Damascus, renowned for its painted houses, picturesque setting and intriguing caves. Its people still speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ. Visit its historic monasteries and witness the traditions of the local community.

Back to Damascus. Drive back to the capital, renowned for its diverse religious, ethnic and cultural heritage.

Bab Touma. Arrive at the north-eastern gate associated with the old city’s Christian neighbourhood, and stroll the ancient roadway to a boutique hotel in the heart of old Damascus for the night.

The old city. Explore the captivating capital and its rich blend of religious, ethnic and cultural heritage.

The Chapel of St. Ananias, an ancient church that embodies the essence of early Christianity.

Straight Street, a captivating thoroughfare of shops, cafés and bustling markets.

Azem Palace, a gem of Damascene craftsmanship, now home to the Museum of Popular Traditions.

Khan Assad Pasha, an impressive caravanserai and testament to the region’s rich trading heritage.

The Umayyad Mosque, a great cultural and spiritual center, housing the Shrine of John the Baptist.

Souq al-Hamidiyeh, the ancient covered bazaar where local culture thrives.

Al Noufarah coffeehouse. Coffee and tea as Damascene life unfolds around you.

Al-Seida Raqiyeh Mosque, an important Shia pilgrimage site and a window onto Syria’s religious diversity.

Return to Beirut. A stroll back along the ancient roadway to your hotel for some rest, before travelling back to your accommodation in Beirut.

Pick-up in Beirut. Your journey begins with a pick-up from your city-center accommodation.

A café stop. Refreshments at a street café before the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing.

Bosra. After the entry visa formalities, continue to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where Roman and Byzantine ruins meet early Islamic architecture and every era of Syria’s history leaves a trace.

The Roman theatre, a remarkably preserved 2nd-century masterpiece of grand colonnades and seating tiers, and a glimpse of ancient Roman entertainment.

Early Christian Bosra, the ruins of ancient churches that bear witness to the city’s early Christian community.

The Al-Omari Mosque, one of the oldest surviving mosques in Islamic history, among several mosques within the city walls.

Back to Damascus. Drive back to the capital, renowned for its diverse religious, ethnic and cultural heritage.

Bab Touma. Arrive at the north-eastern gate associated with the old city’s Christian neighbourhood, and stroll the ancient roadway to a boutique hotel in the heart of old Damascus for the night.

The old city. Explore the captivating capital and its rich blend of religious, ethnic and cultural heritage.

The Chapel of St. Ananias, an ancient church that embodies the essence of early Christianity.

Straight Street, a captivating thoroughfare of shops, cafés and bustling markets.

Azem Palace, a gem of Damascene craftsmanship, now home to the Museum of Popular Traditions.

Khan Assad Pasha, an impressive caravanserai and testament to the region’s rich trading heritage.

The Umayyad Mosque, a great cultural and spiritual center, housing the Shrine of John the Baptist.

Souq al-Hamidiyeh, the ancient covered bazaar where local culture thrives.

Al Noufarah coffeehouse. Coffee and tea as Damascene life unfolds around you.

Al-Seida Raqiyeh Mosque, an important Shia pilgrimage site and a window onto Syria’s religious diversity.

Return to Beirut. A stroll back along the ancient roadway to your hotel for some rest, before travelling back to your accommodation in Beirut.

Pick-up in Beirut. Your journey begins with a pick-up from your city-center accommodation.

A café stop. Refreshments at a street café before the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing.

Sweida. After the entry visa formalities, continue to Sweida, famous for a museum with one of the finest collections of Roman mosaics in the world: scenes of mythology, daily life and historical events in intricate detail and vibrant colour.

Back to Damascus. Drive back to the capital, renowned for its diverse religious, ethnic and cultural heritage.

Bab Touma. Arrive at the north-eastern gate associated with the old city’s Christian neighbourhood, and stroll the ancient roadway to a boutique hotel in the heart of old Damascus for the night.

The old city. Explore the captivating capital and its rich blend of religious, ethnic and cultural heritage.

The Chapel of St. Ananias, an ancient church that embodies the essence of early Christianity.

Straight Street, a captivating thoroughfare of shops, cafés and bustling markets.

Azem Palace, a gem of Damascene craftsmanship, now home to the Museum of Popular Traditions.

Khan Assad Pasha, an impressive caravanserai and testament to the region’s rich trading heritage.

The Umayyad Mosque, a great cultural and spiritual center, housing the Shrine of John the Baptist.

Souq al-Hamidiyeh, the ancient covered bazaar where local culture thrives.

Al Noufarah coffeehouse. Coffee and tea as Damascene life unfolds around you.

Al-Seida Raqiyeh Mosque, an important Shia pilgrimage site and a window onto Syria’s religious diversity.

Return to Beirut. A stroll back along the ancient roadway to your hotel for some rest, before travelling back to your accommodation in Beirut.