Churches & Christianity In Lebanon & Syria:

By the time the Emperor Constantine gave official recognition to Christianity, increasingly encouraging it as the state religion, Lebanon & Syria (and particularly Antioch) were already in an area of intense Christian activity going back as far as the missions of St. Paul in the mid first century. The following program shows what left out of that era, which is still, a part of public culture & life.

Day 1: (Arrival Beirut) Arrival Beirut Airport, meet & assist, transfer to hotel in Beirut.. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: (Beirut – Broummana - Khounchara) Visit of Beirut: (a) The Greek-Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George (1767). (b) The Greek-Catholic Cathedral of Saint Elias (19th century). (c) The Saint Louis Church of Capucins (1863). (d) The Evangelical Church (1867). (e) The Maronite Cathedral of Saint George (1888).
Drive east towards Metn to visit the Maronite Convent of Deir El-Qalaa in Beitmery, which was built in the 13th century then to Broummana where the Residence of the Emirs Abillamaa, a palace which became since 1885 a school for the sisters of Charity. 1.5km to the north stands the monastery of Mar Chaaya, founded in 1700 and considered the most ancient foundation of the “Antonins Fathers” in Lebanon. Proceed to visit Mar Elias Chouaia church and the iconostasis offered by the prince of Valachie in the beginning of the 18th century. Drive to the village of Khounchara to visit the Greek-Catholic convent of Saint Jean of Choueir which includes the 1st printer of the Arab world that printed the book “the Balance of Time” in 1734. The convent has three churches among them is the Church of Saint Jean-Baptist where you will see beautiful icons, one of them is the icon of Saint Nicolas (18th century). Dinner and Overnight in Beirut

Day 3: (Harissa – Bkerki – Akoura – Annaya - Byblos - Tripoli) Drive to Jounieh and get the cable car up to the outstretched arms of the Virgin of Lebanon in Harissa. Visit Bkerki, center of the Maronite Patriarchate of Lebanon. Back to the coast and drive till Nahr Ibrahim, then ascend east to Mghairi to visit the Temple of Yanouh which is a small edifice preserved in a wall, converted into a church in the Byzantine period, dedicated to “Saint-George the Blue”. Next lies the vestiges of an ancient church. Drive to Akoura, a village located at the bottom of an impressive cliff, visit the cave from the Roman era, which is now a Chapel dedicated to Saint-Peter, a pilgrimage site with Syriac writings on its walls. Proceed to the village of Annaya to visit the hermitage of Saint Charbel, who has been canonized in October 1977. The body of the Saint remains intact, and it still oozes blood.
Descend back to coast towards Byblos: The oldest continuously inhabited town in the world. Visit the Crusaders’ castle (12th century) and its small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Door located at the foot of the castle; the ancient Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist; the baptistery which stands against the cathedral; and the Orthodox chapel to the west dating back to the Byzantine period. Proceed to Tripoli for dinner overnight.

Day 4: (Tripoli – Balamand – Krak des Chevaliers - Homs) City tour of Tripoli to visit its Crusaders’ Church of St. John of Mount Pilgrim and the Crusaders’ Forstress of Saint Gilles (12-13th centuries), as well as other ancient sites, old souks, khans and bazaars. Proceed to visit the Balamand, a Greek Orthodox, very well restored monastery, founded in 1157, that includes a fine collection of icons. Cross the borders with Syria and drive to visit Krac des Chevaliers Castle and St. Sergius Monastery. Dinner and overnight in Homs.

Day 5: (Homs – Aleppo – St Simeon - Aleppo) Transfer to Aleppo and visiting on the way the Dead Cities: Serjielh and St. Simeon Church. Dinner and overnight in Aleppo.

Day 6: (Aleppo) Full day sightseeing of Aleppo including visits to the Christian quarter of Jdiede. Dinner and
Overnight in Aleppo.

Day 7: (Aleppo – Palmyra) Transfer to Palmyra for a visit including the Temple of Bel, the Colonnaded Street, and the Arch of Triumph, the Theater, the Necropolis and the Byzantine Church, . Dinner and overnight in Palmyra.

Day 8: (Palmyra – Maaloula - Seidnaya - Damascus)
Drive to Damascus, visiting en route the monasteries of St. Tekla and St. Segius of Maloula, one of the most beautiful and picturesque villages in the region (60km from Damascus) and 1300 meters above sea level. It is said to be the first monastery in Christianity, and the unique thing is that the inhabitants still speak Aramaic (the language in which Christ preached and addressed his pupils).
Proceed to visit Sednaya, (our Lady, Notre Dame), built on top of a rocky hill 1400 meters above sea level. It is most famous for its convent of Our Lady of Saidaya, one of the most in the Middle East. It has very impressive castle-like walls. It is a place of pilgrimage for many Christian sects. It was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD in memory of a miraculous vision he had during a hunt in the area. The monastery contains important icons attributed to being painted by St. Luke. Continue to visit the Christian quarter of Damascus including Bab Sharqi and Bab Touma where you are going to visit St. Paul's Window and St. Ananias Chapel. Dinner overnight in Damascus.

Day 9: (Damascus – Baalbeck - Beirut) Drive to Lebanon and proceed through Beqaa Valley to visit Baalbeck, where the greatest Roman temples in the world. When Christianity was declared an official religion of the Roman Empire in 313 AD., Byzantine Emperor Constantine officially closed the Baalbeck temples. At the end of the 4th century, the Emperor Theodosius tore down the altars of Jupiter’s Great Court and built a basilica using the temple’s stones and architecture elements. Cross Mount Lebanon and descend towards the capital for dinner overnight.

Day 10: (Beirut Departure) Transfer departure Beirut Airport. top

Jordan and Syria 14 Days:

Day 1: Meet and be assisted at Queen Alia International Airport. Transfer to your chosen hotel.

Day 2: Start the day with a tour of Amman, visiting the Citadel, the Roman theater, and the old Souq. Afternoon free at leisure, followed by a typical Jordanian dinner evening, and a tour of the handicraft center at the walled village of Kan Zaman.

Day 3: Travel down 400 meters below sea level and experience an unforgettable swim at the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Proceed northwards to Pella in the Jordan valley, and then to Um Qais. Gedara commands a magnificent view over the Sea of Galilee, the Yarmouk river, and the Golan heights. Overnight in Amman.

Day 4: Late departure to the best-preserved example of Roman civilization, Jerash. The city features theaters, churches, temples, Nymphaeum and colonnaded streets. Then proceed to the Mamluk Castle at Ajlun, that was built in the 12th century by Salah Edinn in his campaign against the Crusaders. Return to Amman in the early evening for overnight.

Day 5: Departure via Kings highway to Petra, visiting on route the mosaic city of Madaba, where the oldest map of Holyland exists on the floor of Saint George's Cathedral. Mt. Nebo the traditional burial site of Moses overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Continue southwards via the breathtaking scenery of Wadi Mujib to visit the Crusader Castle at Karak then to Petra.

Day 6: A full day dedicated visit of the lost Nabteans city of Petra. Start with a morning ride on a Bedouins guided horse, you'll pass through fabled SIQ, an immense sandstone, which opens out to reveal the treasury. Continue on to see hundreds of ancient Temples, Royal Tombs, Roman theatres and houses. Return to your hotel in Petra for overnight.

Day 7: Depart in the morning to the magical desert of Wadi Rum, home of "Lawrence of Arabia". Enjoy a mint tea or cardamom coffee before touring this moon-like landscaped desert in a Bedouin driven jeep. After the tour, return to Amman via the Desert Highway for overnight.

Day 8: Transfer to the Jordanian Syrian border where you willl meet your Syrian guide, drive to Bosra for a visit. Continue to Damascus for overnight.

Day 9: Full day sightseeing of Damascus including the National Museum, Omayyad Mosque, a street called Straight, St. Ananias Church and St. Paul window. Overnight Damascus.

Day 10: Drive to Palmyra for sightseeing of Bel Temple, Tombs, Colonnade, Theatre and Agora. Overnight Palmyra.

Day 11: Drive to Aleppo, visiting en route Krak Des chevaliers and Ebla. Overnight Aleppo.

Day 12: Full day sightseeing of Aleppo, visit St. Simeon. Overnight Hama.

Day 13: Drive to Damascus visiting en route Homs, Maaloula and Sydnaya. Overnight Damascus.

Day 14: Transfer to Damascus International Airport for departure. top

Syria and Lebanon 8 Days 7 Nights:

Day 1: Meet and Assist at Damascus International Airport, Transfer To Hotel For Dinner & O/N.

Day 2: Breakfast, Full day visit Damascus: the national museum, Azem Palace, Omayyad mosque & the tomb of Saladin. After noon we continue the sightseeing, heading to the street called straight, St. Paul's window & St. Ananias chapel. The end of the day is highlighted by a panoramic view of Damascus from Kassion mountain. Back to your hotel for dinner & O/N.

Day 3: Breakfast, departure to visit Maalula, Crack Des Chevaliers, then to Ebla, Proceed to Aleppo for Hotel Dinner & O/N.

Day 4: Breakfast, Full day visit Aleppo: museum, the citadel, Grand mosque, caravasiers, St. Siemon back to hotel for Dinner & O/N.

Day 5: Breakfast, departure to Palmyra, en-route visit Apamea, and Noria in Hama, continue to Palmyra, enjoy the sunset view, visit the tombs, theatre, temple of Bel, then to hotel for Dinner & O/N.

Day 6: Breakfast, visit the museum and departure to Lebanon via Daboussieh border, proceed to Tripoli and visit the City with the St Gilles Castle, Hammam & Mosque. Continue to Byblos to visit the old port, St John church and the Citadel, then transfer to the hotel in Beirut and overnight.

Day 7: After breakfast, visit the city center of Beirut and the corniche area. Proceed to Baalback via Zahle. After the visit of Baalback continue to the Lebanese & Syrian border, assist with the formalities and continue to Damascus, for hotel dinner and O/N.

Day 8: Breakfast, Transfer to Airport for Departure. top

Syria, Lebanon, & Jordan 14 days 13 nights:

Day 1: Meet and Assist at Beirut International Airport, Transfer to Hotel in Beirut for Dinner and Overnight.

Day 2: Breakfast, Excursion to Byblos and the Cedars – return to Beirut: city tour – dinner and Overnight

Day 3: Breakfast, Departure to Damascus, en-route visit Beit Eddine – Baalbeck – Anjar – then to Damascus, dinner and overnight in Damascus.

Day 4: Breakfast, Full Day Damascus city tour: visit the National Musuem, Handicraft market, Azem Palace, Ommayad Mosque, the Straight Street, the church of St. Ananias, the window of St. Paul And a stroll in souk Hamidieh, end the tour of a Panoramic view from mountain Kassion. Back to hotel for Dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Breakfast, Departure to Maaloula for a visit of the convent of Mar Sarkis and the monastery Of Mar Takla – continue to Crac Des Chevaliers, dinner and overnight in Lattakia

Day 6: Breakfast, Visit of Ugarit and the castle of Saladin – visit of Aphamea – transfer to Hama, Dinner and overnight in Hama.

Day 7: Breakfast, Visit of the Norias in Hama – continue to Ebla visit – transfer To Aleppo, visit of the souks – dinner and overnight in Aleppo.

Day 8: Breakfast, Full Day visit of Aleppo: museum, Aleppo citadel, the great mosque, then a visit to St. Simeon – dinner and overnight in Aleppo.

Day 9: Breakfast, Departure to Palmyra – start visiting: the temple of Bel, the great Colonnade and the tombs enjoy watching the sunset– dinner and overnight in Palmyra.

Day 10: Breakfast, visit the Museum and the amphtheatre of Palmyra – departure to Damascus, Free time for shopping– dinner and overnight in Damascus.

Day 11: Breakfast, Departure to Amman, en-route visit Bosra – visit of Jerash in Jordan (ancient Greco - roman city. the guide will take you for a tour through the colonnaded street, amphitheatres, churches, temples and the vast roman forum , continue to Amman – Dinner and overnight in Amman.

Day 12: After Breakfast departure for a journey to the south of Amman to visit Madaba and Mount Nebo the highest Moabit range which has been a center for pilgrimages since earliest Christians times. Then drive into and up out the all inspiring Wadi Mujib along the Moabit ridge to Kerak castle which was built In the 12th century visit then to Petra for Dinner and overnight.

Day 13: After breakfast a tour in the Red Rose City Petra, upon arrival we will begin an unforgettable day we will go by foot till we reach the Treasury the guide will give a brief history of the city, followed by a walk through the heart of the Nabateans Capital (Petra). Then Back To Hotel In Amman For Dinner & overnight.

Day 14: Breakfast at the hotel transfer to Amman airport for departure. (End of services). top