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Egypt Tours & Travel featuring Syria, Iran and Jordon OFFICE
6030 N. Sheridan Road - Chicago
IL 60660 USA
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GOLD PYRAMID HOUSE
OFFICE
37921 N. Dilleys Road - Wadsworth
IL 60083
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A Magical Mystery Tour
18-Day Deluxe Package Covering
Turkey, Syria & Lebanon
ONLY $7869.00!! per
person
based on double occupancy
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Itinerary |
| Day 1 |
Depart USA on a scheduled flight to Damascus. All meals
and beverages served on board flight. |
| Day 2 |
Arrive Damascus International Airport where you will be
met by our representative and transferred to your hotel, the Cham Palace Hotel for an
overnight.(D) |
| Day 3 |
Breakfast, then start your tour of Damascus visiting the
National Museum which is divided into five sections: the Prehistoric section, the Oriental
section, the Greco-Roman section, the Byzantine section, the Arab-Islamic section and a
modern art gallery. From there visit the old and colorful Bazaar. Visit the famous Omayyad
Mosque filled with mosaics inlaid with gold, one of the largest mosques in the world and
where the head of St. John the Baptist is buried. From there visit Azem Palace which was
built in 1749 for Assad Al-Azem, Governor of Damascus then. In the afternoon visit Via
Recta mentioned in the historic stories when Saint Paul was blinded by God's revelation on
the road to Damascus. Visit also Anania's House where Saint Paul met Ananias, a Christian
of Damascus, who put his hands on him so he might receive his sight and be blessed with
the Holy Ghost. Continue our tour to visit Bab Sharqi (the Eastern Gate) and Saint Paul's
Window. It is an old Roman gate, preserved by the Byzantines and the Arabs, and
restored many times particulaly in the 12th century, Return to your hotel for dinner
and overnight. (B,D) 
Lebanon: Baalbek,
World's best preserved Roman Acropolis |
| Day 4 |
Breakfast, then drive for about an hour and a half
crossing the Syrian border into Lebanon. Visit Anjar, Lebanon's only remaining walled
city. The stones and carvings were brought to this spot by decree of the Omayyad
Khaliph-al-Walid in the early 8th century AD, who built the Omayyad Mosque. See the ruins
of restored palaces, markets (souks), baths, colonnaded streets and walls. Lunch at a
traditional Lebanese restaurant to experience the famous Lebanese cuisine. Continue our
tour to visit Baalbek, the largest and best preserved Acropolis of Roman architecture left
in the world. Its temples are dedicated to Jupiter, Venus and Bacchus, and were built in
the 2nd and 3rd century AD. The ruins present a majestic ensemble: two temples, two
courtyards preceded by propylaea (ceremonial entrances) as well as six immense columns
still soar upwards. In the evening transfer back to Damascus for dinner and overnight.
(B,L,D) 
Maaloula: Burial place
of Saint Takla
Syria: Krak Des
Chevaliers |
| Day 5 |
Breakfast, then drive from Damascus to Maaloula, about an
hour and half drive, to see the village where people still speak "Aramaic" the
language of Christ. Visit the convent of Saint Sergius (Sarkis) where there is a small
Byzantine chapel. This church is one of the oldest in the world dating back to the year
300 AD. Behind the monastery there is another convent dedicated to Saint Takla who
converted into Christianity after being deeply moved by Saint Paul's epistle. A few steps
and terraces will lead to a small church where Saint Takla is buried and water dripping
from the roof is said to possess miraculous powers. Continue our tour with an hour drive
to Krak Des Chevaliers and visit the famous Crusader castle from the 11th century. It is
the most spectacular example of Crusader Military architecture in the Middle Ages. Drive
for about an hour and a half to reach Hama. Dinner and overnight at the Cham Palace Hotel
in Hama. (B,D) 
Syria: Bas-relief on a
tomb |
| Day 6 |
Breakfast, then visit the town of Hama with its Norias
giant water wheels located on the Orontes river. You will be allowed time to take pictures
of these 400-year old water wheels. A break for some Middle Eastern coffee at a coffee
house. In the afternoon take an hour and a half drive to Apamea, the town built by
Seleucos Nicator, one of the commanders of Alexander the Great, see the antique
1000-column Hellenistic city dating back to the year 299 BC, as well as a theater with a
facade 450 foot long and is one of the largest known. Continue your tour to Bara. This is
one of the largest and most impressive sties of the dead cities, extending a mile and
half. Drive to the beautiful city Aleppo for check-in at the luxurious and historic hotel,
the Dar Zamaria Martini Hotel. In the evening you will be met and transferred to a
traditional Aleppo club where you will enjoy local music and a floor show performance
while being served delicious Syrian food. Later transfer back to your hotel for an
overnight. (B,D) |
| Day 7 |
Breakfast, then start your tour with a forty minute drive
in the countryside, visiting the beautiful cathedral of Saint Simeon dating to 420 AD,
where Saint Simeon lived over a column for 42 years preaching. The Byzantine cathedral was
the largest one in the Byzantine empire. A special lunch at a villager home, then continue
your tour of Aleppo visiting the Aleppo museum with strong emphasis on the Iron-Age as
well as the Byzantine era. Visit the Grand Mosque dating from 1090 AD and founded in the
early Islamic period. Continue your tour to visit the 6-mile-long colorful bazaar of
Aleppo. In the afternoon visit the Citadel which was constructed around 333-364 BC, and
see some caravanserais and the old Christian neighborhood. A short visit and a stop for
coffee at the historic and ancient Baron Hotel where Lawrence of Arabia stayed and see his
signature on a few items and also view other historic items the hotel displays. Tour the
hotel and later transfer back to your hotel. In the evening you will be met and
transferred to a Syrian home in Aleppo for a traditional dinner and get acquainted with
the local people and their culture. Later transfer back to your hotel for an overnight.
(B,D) 
Aleppo: Lobby of the
historic Dar Zamaria Hotel |
| Day 8 |
Breakfast, then a four hour drive from Aleppo to Palmyra.
Start your tour visiting the largest oasis in the desert which has the biggest Roman town
in the Middle East. The ruins of Palmyra are very impressive both by their extent and by
their remarkable state of preservation. Visit the great Temple of Bel and the sacrifice
altar, the main colonnaded street and its associated buildings, the Diocletian's Camp, the
Museum of Palmyra with religious and funerary art depicting the sculptural tradition of
wealthy Palmyrian people and how they commemorated their dead, the Temple of Baal-Shamin,
Temple of Nebo, Roman Baths, the Tetrapylon, the Theater, Statue of Queen Zenobia, the
Funerary Temple, the Temple of Allat, the Damascus Gate and the tower Tomb of Kithoth
built in 40 AD which stands 29 feet high. Lunch at Siahi restaurant facing the museum of
Palmyra. Continue our tour to visit the Tower Tomb of Elahbel and his three brothers which
was built to accommodate 300 burial spots. Transfer to your hotel, the Cham Palace hotel
in Palmyra for check-in and overnight. (B,L) |
| Day 9 |
Breakfast and morning at leisure. In the afternoon, a
three hour drive to Damascus. Arrive Damascus and transfer to the Cham Palace Hotel. Later
you will be met and transferred to a Syrian bath and Spa for a rejuvenating experience, a
Turkish steam bath, where they are still being operated the very same ancient way. It
enhances your health by managing stress. This ancient art will include a loofah scrub to
give your skin a new life by opening pores, stimulating circulation and removing dead skin
cells. Also included will be a short massage for relaxation. Transfer back to your hotel.
Balance of day at leisure. Overnight. (B,L) |
| Day 10 |
Breakfast, then you will be met by your tour guide and
transferred to Damascus Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Arrive Istanbul where you
will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel, the luxurious
Intercontinental Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D) |
| Day 11 |
Breakfast, then start a full day city tour to explore the
famous treasures of Istanbul, the bridge between the past and the present: Saint Sophia,
the Blue Mosque, famous for its colorful tiles; The Hippodrome, a center for political
events of the old city; Topkapi Palace, Imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting
imperial treasury, weapons, calligraphy and more. Also visit Soliman Mosque built in the
16th century as well as the Grand Bazaar claimed to be the largest in the world with
nearly 4000 shops. Transfer back to your hotel. Later in the evening you will be met and
transferred to the Sea Port Fish restaurant in an old Turkish house for dinner on the
Bosphorus. Transfer back to your hotel for an overnight. (B,D) |
| Day 12 |
Breakfast, then you will be met by our representative and
transferred to Istanbul airport for your flight to Ankara. Arrive Ankara and start your
tour visiting the Museum of Anatolian Civilization which is located in a restored bazaar.
The museum has the most unique and priceless collection dating back to the Prehistoric
Era. Continue our tour to visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk. It is a magnificent structure
serving as a tribute to the founder of modern Turkey. Drive to Cappadocia. Upon arrival,
transfer to your hotel, the Dedeman Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D) |
| Day 13 |
Breakfast, then start your tour visiting the Citadel of
Uchisar which will enable you to get a panoramic view of the region, then continue to the
Goreme Valley which is the highlight of the day. This valley houses the Goreme open air
museum with its churches hewn out of rock with colorful frescoes which decorates them. Our
next stop is Zelve and the caves of this ancient village, the underground city of Kaymakli
(Derinkuyu) which was carved by refugees from persecutors during the early Christian Era.
Dinner will be served in a typical Turkish restaurant with a Turkish folkloric show.
Overnight in Cappadocia. (B,D) |
| Day 14 |
Breakfast, then drive to Ankara for your domestic flight
to Izmir. Arrive Izmir where you will be met and transferred to the Hilton Hotel for
dinner and overnight. (B,D) |
| Day 15 |
Breakfast, then start your tour of Ephesus: This is the
best preserved and most often visited of all sites in Turkey. It is dedicated to Artemis
who is the virgin goddess of Chase. Continue our tour to visit the house of the Virgin
Mary which is world famous. Drive to Izmir for dinner at a famous restaurant in Kordon,
the most popular area of Izmir. Later transfer back to your hotel for an overnight. (B,D) |
| Day 16 |
Breakfast, then start your tour of Izmir visiting the
castle of Agora the antique and modern city. Transfer with your tour guide to Izmir
airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Arrive Istanbul where you will be met and
transferred to your hotel, the luxurious Swissotel in Istanbul. Balance of day at leisure.
In the evening you will be met and transferred to Pescatore, a famous seafood restaurant
on the Bosphorus shore for dinner. Later transfer back to your hotel for an overnight.
(B,D) |
| Day 17 |
Breakfast, then start your tour visiting the Spice Bazaar
and Dolmabahce Palace: the last residence for Ottoman sultans, with 365 rooms and 22
reception areas. In the afternoon visit Akmerkez, the beautiful and most popular shopping
center in Europe. Transfer back to your hotel. In the evening you will be met and
transferred to Kervansaray Night Club for dinner and a Turkish folkloric music dance show
including a floor show and Turkish belly dancing. Later transfer back to your hotel for an
overnight. (B,D) |
| Day 18 |
Breakfast, then you will be met and transferred to
Istanbul airport for your flight back home. (B) |
Also Included: All transfers
within Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. Personalized sightseeing as mentioned in itinerary, in a
private car, with a tour guide and a driver including entrance fees to sights mentioned.
Included as well is the service charge imposed by hotels, porterage, meeting and
assistance at airports and hotels.
Not included: Items of a personal nature
such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, telephone calls, visa charge and tips.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: If single supplement
is needed, please add $1165.
If airfare from the U.S.A. is not
required, please deduct $920 from posted rate.
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Round trip air from
the U.S.