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My name is Syria, and I’m home to one of the greatest stories ever told, you might even say a tale of Biblical proportions. It begins with a humble legume, hummus, better known to some as the chickpea. You see nowadays, hummus is famous for the yummy dip that goes oh so well with freshly oven baked Arabic bread. But hummus, is in fact so much more than a simple dish – hummus is a way of life, woven into the very fabric of my existence.For this humble legume, and the many dishes it features in, has been passed down across generations. With friends, families, lovers and even enemies sitting down to break bread over a plate of hummus, or perhaps tisieyh (fattet hummus). For my beloved pulse has borne witness to millions of tales that have passed through not only the world’s oldest continuously inhabited capital city, Dimashq (Damascus); but the rest of me and what used to be Bilad Al-Sham (Greater Syria) as well. An area that now constitutes the Levantine region, made up of four nations, situated on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
They say I am special, for not only am I naturally beautiful, but I also hold one of the oldest civilizations in history, with human remains discovered dating back 700,000 years. Archaeologists have even uncovered skeletons and bones of Neanderthals, and in my city of Elba, thought to have existed around 3,000 BC, you will find one of the world’s oldest settlements ever to be excavated.
I am also known for my rich culture and heritage, maybe because I’ve been occupied and ruled by several empires throughout my history – Egyptians, Hittites, Sumerians, Mitanni, Assyrians, Babylonians, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Arameans, Amorites, Persians, Greeks and Romans – to name a few.
So old am I that my ancient name is mentioned in the Bible and the Quran, but in recent years I have lost much, for I have been ravaged by war, and millions of my people have fled or even died. It pains me that future and past generations may never come to know, or even appreciate, their deep roots, but here I am, and here I remain, standing strong, even if not necessarily tall for now. Because I am Syria, one of the oldest civilizations known to man, with a wisdom likened to the most revered of sages. And like the humble hummus I will endure, and live to tell future tales through my nature, my streets, my ruins and my people. Because no matter what, there’s always hummus!
Lets go!
Day 1: Arrival in Damascus
Arrival at Damascus International Airport and transport to our 5-star accommodation and check-in before dinner.
Day 2: Discovering Damascus
Today we set out to discover the oldest continuously inhabited capital city on Earth, the old walled district of which is circumvented by seven gates. Our first stop will be Azem Palace – the epitome of a traditional Damascene house, now transformed into a folklore museum. Our next stop will be the Umayyad Mosque, Straight Street, House of Saint Ananias, largest caravanserai, Buzuriyah Souq, Souk Al Hamidiyah. Tonight, we have dinner at our hotel.
Day 3: Ma’aloula – Krak Des Chevaliers
After breakfast we leave Damascus and head to the village of Ma’aloula, Here we will visit the famous Convent of Saint Thecla and the famous mountain path that holds her name. Next is monastery of Saints Sergius and Krak Des Chevaliers - a medieval castle After busy day we head back to Damascus for dinner and overnight in our hotel.
Day 4: Bosra
Today after breakfast, we make our way to the southern city of Bosra which was the first Nabatean city in 2,000 BC. Later Bosra became a prosperous provincial capital during the Roman era, flourishing into a metropolis and major centre for food production and coin minting. Bosra is said to have played an important role in the life of Mohammed, as described in entries of Christian monk Bahira – the Assyrian monk who is said to have foretold an adolescent Mohammed his future as a prophet. During the Islamic era, the city also became an important stopover on the ancient caravan route to Mecca and Medina. Today it is a regarded a major archaeological site and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.
Day 5: Departure
Today we bid farewell to Syria as we head back to Damascus International Airport to catch our flight home.
Grade: Easy – available for everyone.
Activities: Cultural immersion
Cost: 4900 AED all incl. flights, cash payment during briefings only.
Accommodation & Meals: 5 star hotel, double sharing, meals excluded.
Specifically Excluded: Visa expenses, PCR, meals.
Visa: Arrangements for visa on arrival are included in trip budget.
We are unable to support USA, Philippines, Morocco, Thailand passports.
See yah in Syria x
Piotr
[email protected] // 0504848238
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