Damascus ​and Aleppo Tour

Day 1 - ​​Beirut (or Damascus Airport) » Damascus

• The tour begins at 8:00 AM in Hamra, Beirut, Lebanon. From there, we embark on a scenic drive toward the Syrian border and continue on to Damascus. The full journey, including the border crossing, takes approximately 3 hours.
  (Pick-up from Damascus Airport is also available.) 
• Upon arrival, you will check into a charming Old Damascene hotel and enjoy a short rest. Afterward, we begin a guided walking tour through the historic Old City.

• To begin with, we’ll start our exploration of the old town with a visit to the Ananias Church, Damascus’ oldest underground structure. Moreover, it is believed to be the remains of the home of Ananias of Damascus, where he famously baptized Saul, who later became Paul the Apostle.
• Then, we will head to the Handicraft Market, which is home to some of the finest handmade goods in the Middle East.
• Following that, we will explore Souk Al-Hamidiye: The most beautiful souk of Damascus. Here, its shops display all sorts of goods, especially clothes, fabrics, pastries, and handicrafts.
• The Umayyad Mosque, a historic site of worship dating back to the first millennium B.C, it was once a church and is now one of the most important mosques in the world.
• Azem Palace, a beautifully preserved example of a traditional Damascene house turned Ottoman-era Museum.
• We will visit the house of teacher Farhi, which is the most beautiful house in Damascus. It was closed during the war, This house is distinguished by its unique architectural design, rich in details, and was originally owned by one of the richest merchants in Damascus.
• Explore Straight Street (or in Latin, Via Recta), is the Roman street that runs from east to west in the old city of Damascus. What's more, it was visited by St. Paul as recorded in the Book of Acts and contains several interesting sights from the Roman, Christian, and Islamic periods.
• We then stop at Al-Nofara Café, the oldest café in Damascus, to enjoy a traditional storytelling performance.
• We will visit the devastated Ghouta area, which was tragically attacked with chemical weapons by the Assad regime, a poignant reminder of the region's history and the resilience of its people.

• Dinner will be at Naranj, one of the finest restaurants in the Old City, known for its exceptional cuisine.
• Additionally, there is an option to visit a traditional Hamam for an evening scrub! Moreover, there’s no better way to wrap up your first day in Damascus than by unwinding in one of its historic bathhouses.
• Furthermore, we'll also discover some hidden gems in Damascus, such as Al Qashleh Cafe, known for its vibrant atmosphere and ​popularity with Syria's younger crowd. ​Additionally, we’ll visit The Barber Shop, the only speakeasy place in Syria—offering a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
• Overnight stay in a boutique hotel in the heart of Old Damascus.

Day 2 - ​Maaloula » Mar Musa » Homs » Aleppo  

• Our first stop today will be the October War Panorama, which vividly recounts the story of the October 1973 War, providing valuable insight into Syria’s modern history.
• Following this, We will visit the notorious Saydnaya Prison, once used by the Assad regime as a site for the torture of political prisoners, offering a solemn look at this dark chapter in Syria’s history.
• After that, we'll then drive to Maaloula, a small Christian town that suffered immense destruction by ISIS in 2014. Despite this, it remains one of the most scenic villages in Syria and is the only place in the world where Aramaic, the language spoken by Christ, is still actively used as a living language; in fact, it is possible to hear the Lord’s prayer being spoken using it.
• Then, we visit Mar Musa, a breathtaking 6th-century monastery perched among rugged mountains. Shaped like a towering fortress, this ancient site was founded by Mar Musa al-Habashi (Saint Moses of Abyssinia), who, according to legend, was the son of an Ethiopian king.
• Following this, we’ll head to Homs, the most affected city by the war, during our visit, we'll explore the Khaled Ibn Al-Walid Shrine and the St. Mary Church of the Holy Belt, two significant landmarks of the city, afterward, we will have Lunch in Homs City.
• Then, we will head to Aleppo, a flourishing metropolis since the 3rd millennium BC, Aleppo has been fighting with Damascus for the title of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. 
• Once we have explored more of the city, we'll enjoy dinner at Qurtuba, a renowned Syrian restaurant run by an Armenian family, known for its authentic flavors and warm atmosphere.
• Overnight in a 4-star hotel in the center of Aleppo City.

Tour Map