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THE BIG SHORT BREAK BOOK PERK
Half-day guided visit to Bosra for two people What's this?

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Wandering the streets of old Damascus > the ruins of Palmyra > the souqs of Aleppo

Even by the standards of the Middle East, Syria is a fascinating country with an extraordinary history that makes our own look paltry in comparison. It has at least as many impressive sights – especially classical ruins - as its neighbours Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon, but is relatively unknown as a tourist destination.

Most trips to Syria start in Damascus. Often claimed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city on Earth, it has survived the centuries intact and witnessed the rise and fall of numerous empires and civilizations. Its Old City, centred on the Great Umayyad Mosque - the fourth holiest site in Islam – is a wonderfully atmospheric place, and the souqs here and in Aleppo, Syria’s second city, put even those of Marrakech and Istanbul in the shade.

From Damascus, travel south to Bosra – a Nabataean and later Roman city, built of black basalt. The ruins here include a spectacular 17,000-seat theatre that lay buried for centuries inside an Arab fort before finally being excavated. It is considered the best preserved example of a Roman theatre anywhere in the world.

North of Damascus lie the mountains of the Jebel Ansariye, dotted with impressive Crusader-era castles, chief amongst them Krak des Chevaliers – described by T.E. Lawrence as “perhaps the most wholly admirable castle in the world”.

Heading east into the desert brings you to the spectacular remains of Palmyra, once a great oasis-city on the trade route between the Mediterranean and the Euphrates. Watching the sun rise or set over the ruins from the Arab fortress that looms over the site is a truly memorable experience.

Last but not least, the ‘Dead Cities’ that litter the hillsides of northern Syria, the ruined Basilica of St Simeon Stylites, and the old city of Aleppo with its massive citadel will give your camera-finger a thorough workout.

These are just some of the highlights of Syria, and there’s much more besides. Ripe for exploration, Syria makes a great new destination for a Big Short Break, and can also be easily combined with trips to Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon (political situation permitting) or with a beach holiday in Cyprus.

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PRICES
The price shown above is based on the sample itinerary, with flights in economy class, accommodation on a B&B basis (or more where stated), transfers and activities specific to this trip. Where prices fluctuate throughout the year, the price is based on low season rates and where more than one accommodation option is listed, on the cheapest available. We would be delighted to put together a current and 100% accurate quotation based on your specific travel requirements, so please contact the relevant member of our expert team.

TAILORED TO YOUR EXACT SPECIFICATIONS
Almost every one of our Big Short Breaks and Beyond the Big Short Breaks can be entirely tailormade from scratch, so you can enjoy the holiday exactly how you want it, exactly when you want it, and for exactly as long as you want it. Our expert team, who have been to every one of our destinations, are here to talk you through all the options available in order to create the trip best suited to you.