Day 1, Damascus: Arrive Damascus, the oldest continually inhabited city in the world! Transfer to the Cham Palace, a luxury hotel with excellent rooms and restaurants, very centrally located. Take the rest of the day at leisure. Day 2, Damascus: Morning, visit the National Museum of Syria to see a fine collection of Roman and Greek sculptures, archeological artifacts, a fragment of the oldest known alphabet in the world, and an 1800 year-old synagogue transported from Dura Europos on the Euphrates River. Also visit a craft market to view a colorful display of boxes, jewelry, oriental carpets, and more. Afternoon, see a section of the original Roman fortress wall, and visit a souq - a bustling covered bazaar that fills the senses with colors and life. Then, visit Salahadin’s mausoleum, and Ummayyad Mosque, the largest in the world, with gold-embossed motifs, and contains the tomb of John the Baptist. B Day 3, Damascus: This morning, visit Al Azim Palace, once a luxurious home of the Ottoman governor, now a museum of Turkish lifestyles. Then, walk through Straight Street, the Christian quarter with its charming alleyways and handicraft shops, St. Annanias Chapel, and Chapel of St. Paul, built at the place where Paul was lowered in a basket to escape Roman soldiers. The afternoon is free for independent activities. B Day 4, Damascus: Full day excursion to visit the historic towns of Bosra, Qanawat and Shabha. At Bosra, visit the large and impressive Roman theater, exceptionally intact and famed for its acoustics. Lunch at Cham hotel. Then, visit the citadel, walk through the ruins of a Roman town, see the ruins of Ommayad Grand Mosque, shrine of monk Bahira, a cathedral, Nabatean gateway, and Al Sweid museum. At Qanawat, see the Seaglio temple and temple of Zeus. At Shabha, see an amphitheater and museum with Roman mosaics. On return to Damascus, see the gold-domed Lady Zainab Mosque. B, L Day 5, Damascus: Morning transfer to airport/next destination. B
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