Jordan and Syria

Departing 04-Feb-2010 to 24-Feb-2010

Western civilisation began in this part of the world, so for three weeks we are travelling through two countries with 4000 years of recorded history and buildings that reflect the different cultures of those who have over those centuries taken possession of the land. There are archaeological sites like Mari and Ugarit in Syria, where written records dating back to the second millenium B.C have been found. There are Roman towns like Jerash in Jordan and Dura Europas in Syria and there are native towns that became Roman, the two spectacular sites of Petra in Jordan, hidden behind and among its sandstone cliffs, and Palmyra in Syria, the desert oasis that grew rich in trade. There are crusader castles, especially in Kerak in Jordan and Crac des Chevaliers in Syria, which recall the ultimately unsuccessful attempts to establish a Christian state (Outremer, or Beyond the Sea) in Biblical land that had become Islamic. And of course there is today's world of big cities like Amman, Damascus and Aleppo, where the past is also still present.

There there is the scenery, which is among the most dramatic and spectacular in the world. The drive to Petra and the enrance to the ciy are part of the fascination of this Nabataean capital, and on our return journey we travel into the moonscape of the Wadi Rum. There's more desert in Syria, as we drive to and from Palmyra. There's the Dead Sea, and the historically famous rivers of the Jordan, Euphrates and Orontes.

In short, whether your interests are history, geography or just experiencing an ancient civilisation that is exciting and different (or perhaps all three), these two countries will more then meet your tastes.

 

	Click here to download our PDF brochure for this tour.
	Click here to download our booking form.
	If you would like to request a brochure, please click here.