The best of the ancient Middle East
JORDAN, SYRIA & LEBANON
Accompanied by Prof Fanie Vermaak, UNISA
23 March - 8 April 2004
Day 1
23 March
With great expectations and excitement we depart from the Johannesburg International
Airport and -
Day 2
24 March
arrive in Dubai (Emirates), for our early morning connecting flight to Amman-Jordan. In
the afternoon we will follow the King’s Highway to Petra and visit Madaba, the ancient
Moabite settlement mentioned several times in the Bible and the well-known Mount
Nebo (which has many connotations with Moses) as well as Kerak. Overnight in Petra.
Day 3
25 March
Petra, the ancient Nabataean site will be our first highlight of the tour. This pink palace
with its great facades and temples hewn out of cliffs is a prominent attraction in the
Middle East. The region around Petra also forms the hub of the ancient Edomite
civilisation. Overnight in Petra.
Day 4 26 March
Morning visit to the Nabataean temple of Allat and Lawrence’s well in the spectacular
Wadi Rum, associated with Lawrence of Arabia with a two hours camel drive and tea in
Bedouine tent. After this enjoyable experience we return late afternoon to Amman for
overnight.
Day 5
27 March
We leave Amman early morning and proceed to Damascus, the capital of Syria and well
known during Biblical times. On the way we visit two major sites. Jerash on the Jordan
side and Bosra on the Syrian side were both important historical sites for centuries.
During the afternoon we visit several Biblical sites in the old town of Damascus often
mentioned in the Bible. This includes the well-known house and Chapel of Ananias in
Straight Street (Paul’s visit) and also the St Pauls’s chapel where Paul was lowered in a
basket to flee the city. The undercover bazaar (suq) is one of the best in the Middle
East and is well worth a visit. Overnight in Damascus.
Day 6
28 March
The National Archaeological Museum (Damascus) houses various masterpieces from
Ancient Syria, including the Jewish synagogue from Dura Eurapos. The Omayyad
mosque was a Roman temple as well as a Christian church, occupied for more than three
millennia. Visit other sites not visited on Day 5. Overnight in Damascus.
Day 7 29 March
We depart early this morning to Homs on the Orontes river: various sites will be visited
on the way. These include the two Christian settlements, northeast of Damascus, namely
Seidnaya and Maalula. Maalula is the only town left where the locals still speak
Aramaic, the language that Jesus spoke. Then a later morning visit to the ancient site of
Kadesh (modern tell Nebi Mend). Battle of Kadesh was the culmination of the trial of
strength between the Hittites and the Egyptians under Ramesses II. We then visit the
newly discovered Middle Bronze Age palace at ancient Qatna (Tell Mishrife). Overnight
in Homs.
Day 8 30 March
Our day begins with a drive towards Latakia. Our visit will be the magnificent Crusader
castle called Crac de Chevalier. Short visits will be made to the Phoenician religious
centre at Amrit and the once important Phoenician Arwad in Biblical times. Lastly we
visit the mountain-top Crusader stronghold before continuing to the hotel in Latakia for
the night.
Day 9
31 March
Today we start with an early morning visit to Ugarit (Ras Shamra), one of the most
important harbour cities in the ancient world where the first alphabetic script in
cuneiform was also found. It dates back to the time when the Israelites entered Canaan
and gives us insight into some Biblical passages. Qallat Saladin was previously a
Phoenician site, but is now better known from the Crusader period and a Byzantine
church and chapel. On our way to Aleppo we visit Apamea which was originally a
desert trading post on the way to central Asia and was dramatically rebuilt by the Romans
as a colonnaded street. During the afternoon we visit the impressive site of Ebla which
was the most imported city during the Early Bronze Age where 20 000 cuneiform tablets
were found (the first ancient library and dictionaries included). Overnight in Aleppo.
Day 10
1April
Site seeing around Aleppo. Ain Dara is a tenth century BC Hittite temple complex. The
basilica of St Simeon is one of the most visited sites in Syria. If not done on the
previous day, the Ebla site will also be visited today. The Middle Eastern bazaar (suq)
at Aleppo is also one of the most famous, major shopping can be done here. Overnight in
Aleppo.
Day 11
2 April
The Archaeological Museum in Aleppo is well known for the masterpieces of Ebla,
Mari and Ugarit as well as all stages of the country’s history. The ancient castle at
Aleppo is one of the greatest of its kind. We leave during the afternoon to Palmyra.
Before sunset, we visit an Arab castle with a specta-cular view over the desert before
sunset. Overnight in Palmyra.
Day 12
3 April
Today we have a full day in and around Palmyra (and overnight). Our sight seeing of all
the major sites from different periods, will include the temple of Bel, the tower tombs
and the local museum in the early afternoon. The special atmosphere of the open site
may even be enjoyed after hours. Here in the heart of the desert you may also meet
interesting people, which could lead to life long friendships. There are not enough
adjectives to describe this place and its people! Overnight in Palmyra
Day 13
4 April
Early morning departure to Lebanon. After crossing the border, we visit the spectacular
Baalbek, called the “sun city” of the ancient world and a highly rated attraction. The site
was originally Phoenician, dedicated to the god Baal (Hadad), but the Greeks and the
Romans called it Heliopolis. The site reflects various religious influences. Overnight in
the northern Bekaa’ valley in Zahlé.
Day 14
5 April
Today we drive towards the coastal region, visiting Byblos which also claims the first
alphabet in the world. The site contains the remains from all major archaeological
periods from 2300 BC onwards. The newly opened National Museum in Beirut gives a
good impression of the area through the ages. Various other interesting sites in and
around Beirut will be visited including the Jeitta Grotto. Overnight in Beirut.
Day 15
6 April
We depart early morning to Bcharré: visits on the way include the peaceful surrounding
in the Kadisha valley. Experience some of the most spectacular views on the Cedar
mountains, even visit the birth place and museum of Kahlil Gibran, the famous
Lebanese writer as well as the Hasmonite monastery. The entire region has a flavour of
its own and we will join in this glory. Overnight in Bcharré.
Day 16
7 April
We still have the entire day available for visits to Sidon and Tyre, well known during
the time of king Solomon. Late afternoon lunch/dinner. We also visit the nearby
Phoenician temple of Echmoun. Late night departure from Beirut for home.
Day 17
8 April
- and arrive at Johannesburg early morning, with many unforgettable memories from the
Middle East.
For background information, please contact Prof Fanie Vermaak
Tel: (012) 429-6882 (w); (012) 460-5418 (h); Cell: 082 786 3377
E-mail: mwverfan@mweb.co.za (h); vermaps@unisa.ac.za (w)
For booking and registration, please contact Delia Beeslaar at Aquila Tours
Tel: (012) 361-7884; Fax: (012) 361-1098;
E-mail: delia.aquila@galileosa.co.za
Following is a select bibliography that you might want to consult, should you be interested in joining the
tour:
SYRIA
The Archaeology of Syria:From Complex Hunter-Gatherers to Early Urban Societies (c.16,000-300 B.C)
Akkermans, PMMG et al (Cambridge University Press : 2004)
Monuments of Syria: A Historical Guide
Burns, R (Zed Books : 2000)
Syria
Ball, W (Interlink Pub Group : 1997)
Syria
Humphreys, A et al (Lonely Planet : 1999)
The Rough Guide to Syria
Beattie, A (Rough Guides : 2001)
Ebla to Damascus- Art and Archaeology od Ancient Syria
Weiss, H (Washington : 1985)
LEBANON
Lebanon in Pictures
Lerner Editors et al (Lerner Publications Company : 1992)
Ancient Byblos Reconsidered
Nibbi, A (DE Publications : 1985)
Lebanon
Jenkins, S et al (Lonely Planet : 2001)
JORDAN
Treasures from an Ancient Land: The art of Jordan
Bienkowski, P (Sutton Publishing : 1991)
Jordan Past & Present: Petra, Jerash, Amman
Borgia, E (Oxford Press : 2003)
Jordan
Ham, A (Lonely Planet : 2003)
The Rough Guide to Jordan
Teller, M (Rough Guides : 2002)
GENERAL
Jordan and Syria- A Travel Survival Kit
Hugh, F (Melbourne : 1987)
Footprint: Jordan/Syria/Lebanon- The Travel Guide
Mannheim, I (NTC Publishing Group : 1998)