We will spend the day exploring this impressive city, considered the oldest inhabited capital in the world. We will walk along the historic Via Recta, visit the Azem Palace, and the impressive Umayyad Mosque, one of the most important Islamic temples in the world.

We will also descend into the underground chapel of Saint Ananias and visit the Al-Hamidiyah souk, one of the most iconic markets in the Middle East. Today, we will learn more about the history and current affairs of this incredible country.

Departure for Bosra, the ancient Roman capital of the province of Arabia and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, we will visit its impressive Roman theater, one of the best-preserved in the world.

I return to Damascus in the afternoon to attend a traditional hakawati session, the ancient Arab tradition of storytelling in cafes. During the event, we can drink tea and smoke shisha while immersing ourselves in the country's culture.

We will travel north with a stop in Maaloula, one of the few places in the world where Aramaic, the language of Jesus, is still spoken.

We will continue on to Krak des Chevaliers, the best-preserved Crusader fortress in the world and undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring places we have ever visited. Declared a World Heritage Site, this enclave sums up the historical and architectural significance of the region like few others. We will then drive through the rural villages of the Homs Valley until we reach a vineyard where we will taste the famous blue wine. There we will enjoy a private wine and cheese tasting.

From our base in Al Mishtaya, we will take an excursion to the ancient city of Palmyra, a World Heritage Site known as the "Bride of the Desert" for the elegance with which its temples, columns, and palm trees emerge from the arid landscape. There, we will explore the ruins of this ancient caravan oasis, one of the most important enclaves on the trade routes of Antiquity. Throughout the visit, we will also delve into the recent history of the place and contemplate such emblematic vestiges as the Roman theater and the walls of the Temple of Bel.

After breakfast, we will depart for the Mediterranean coast of Syria, a region historically connected to the great maritime civilizations of the Mediterranean. Our first stop will be Amrit, one of the most important Phoenician sites in the country. Here we will see the remains of an ancient temple carved into the rock and vestiges of the port that for centuries connected this coast to the trade routes of the Mediterranean.

We will continue on to Ugarit (Ras Shamra), one of the most influential archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. It was in this ancient kingdom that one of the earliest alphabets in history was found. We will then head to Latakia, Syria's main coastal city, where we will spend the night.

After visiting the impressive Citadel of Saladin, one of the most spectacular medieval fortresses in the country, we will leave for Aleppo, one of the most important historical cities in the Middle East and for centuries a major trading hub on the Silk Road. We will stroll through its ancient bazaars and learn more about the social reality of the city.

We will visit the Citadel of Aleppo and the remains of the great Umayyad Mosque before heading back to Damascus.

Along the way, we’ll stop in Sednaya, an important Christian pilgrimage site. Once we arrive in Damascus, we’ll rest and then go out to enjoy our final dinner together, where we’ll reminisce about the best moments of the trip.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for Beirut airport. Those of you who decide to extend your trip to Lebanon with us will travel for four more days to explore the country. With hugs and smiles, we will say goodbye until the next adventure.