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| EVENTS |
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ASIAN Geographic PASSPORT Silk Road Expedition 2009
Part IV: Bridge to Europe
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Our fourth tour in this series covers the area now part of modern Syria and Turkey. |
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| HIGHLIGHTS |
We start in Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and once the easternmost province of the Roman Empire. We visit Palmyra, an oasis town made rich by the Silk Road trade, at various times an independent city, Roman vassal, and in her final years, rival to the Empire itself. Silk Road trade also made its way to the great souks of Aleppo, a rival to Damascus in the oldest city stakes, then Antioch, one of the 4 great cities of the Empire, before crossing Asia Minor through the fantastic landscape of Cappadocia to the European continent. Here in the later years of the Roman Empire, the city of Constantinople rose to take over the position of Capital of the Empire from Rome itself. Today it is Istanbul, the vibrant capital of modern Turkey. |
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| DATE |
11 Days Syria & Turkey
2030 March 2010
HURRY! SIGN UP NOW! ONLY LIMITED SLOTS AVAILABLE! |
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March 2010
Depart Singapore - Damascus
Meet at Changi International Airport for departure on Emirates flight EK349, departing at 0010 and arriving in Dubai at 0545, then connect to EK911 and arriving in Damascus at 0850. Be met on arrival and transfer to your hotel. We then proceed to visit the village of Sydnaya, which has a moastery founded in 547 by the Roman Emperor Justinian and once the most important center of Christian pilgrimage after Jerusalem. We then continue to the village of Maaloula, built on the sheer face of an enormous cliff. One of the most scenic villages in Syria, it is the only place in the world where Aramaic is still spoken.
Return to your hotel to check-in and have an early rest after a busy first day. |
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March 2010
Damascus
We spend the whole of today in Damascus. This was a city of immense economic influence as early as the 3rd millennium BC, and subsequently was prominent under the Greeks, Romans and Byzantines, all of whom left their mark in architecture and art. Under the Ummayads, it was the capital of the first Muslim Arab state, which eventually became an empire stretching from Spain to India. Eventually coming under the control of Saladin, it was at the forefront of the battles against the Crusaders. Our tour will start at Straight Street in the Christian Quarter, visiting the Church of St Ananias, and proceeding through the old city to Saladin’s tomb, the massive Ummayad Mosque – one of Islamic history’s most important site, and the Al Hamedieh Souk, the city’s central market. |
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March 2010
Damascus – Palmyra
Morning check-out and drive to Palmyra, one of the most important archeological sites in the Middle East. Palmyra is located in the heart of the Syrian Desert, springing from an oasis which made it an ideal stop for caravans on the Silk Route. By the 2nd Century BC, it was established as a kingdom, eventually becoming first a free city in the Roman Empire, then a colony, one of the greatest cities of the Empire. It stood on the frontline of the Roman conflict with Persia until Queen Zenobia took power after the assassination of her husband. Exceptionally able, she carved out an empire from Egypt to Asia Minor, controlling the Silk Road trade before formally declaring independence from Rome. The Romans finally re-conquered Palmyra in 274, destroying the city and leaving the magnificent remains which we will visit in the afternoon. Overnight in Palmyra. |
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March 2010
Palmyra – Aleppo
Check-out in the morning and drive to Crac de Chevaliers, the greatest of the Crusader castles. Headquarters of the Hospitaller order, at its peak it housed to 5,000 soldiers with provisions for five years; it finally fell to the Muslims in 1271. After our visit, we will continue north to the city of Aleppo, arriving in time for dinner and overnight. |
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March 2010
Aleppo
Syria’s second city is Damascus’ rival for the oldest inhabited city in the world. Since the 3rd millennium BC, Aleppo has been a flourishing trading city at the crossroads of several important caravan routes. By the time of the Roman Era, it had become one of the Silk Road’s western hubs, consolidating as well as distributing trade goods to the Mediterranean ports as well as overland to the heart of the Empire. We visit its ancient citadel and Great Mosque, before descending to the extraordinary souk, whose sprawling stone-arch covered maze of narrow streets total about 30 km. |
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March 2010
Aleppo – Antakya (Antioch)
Check-out this morning and drive to the Turkish border. After immigration formalities, we meet our Turkish guide and transfer coaches, before driving to Antakya. Founded by the Selucid Greeks, the city of Antioch was one of several named for the Selucid Emperor Antiochus; by the 1st century, this was the most important city in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. On arrival we visit some of the remaining Roman and Byzantine sites before check-in to our hotel for dinner and overnight. |
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March 2010
Antakya – Cappadocia
Settle in for the long drive to Cappadocia. Our first sight of the region is the Dervent Valley, with its twisted stone ‘fairy chimneys’ formed by erosion. Check-in to your hotel and rest; after dinner we visit the Sarihan Caravanserai, one of many built as rest-stops and inns for the trading caravans which used to ply this route. We will witness a sema – a type of musical ceremony used by the mystic Sufi Islamic orders also known as the Whirling Dervishes. Overnight Cappadocia. |
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March 2010
Cappadocia
Over the centuries, people have carved houses, churches even complete underground cities into the fantastic natural rock formations of Cappadocia. Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, which has a monastery, nunnery and churches hewn out of the rock and decorated with frescoes, and then proceed to Kaymakli, a city carved underground to shelter persecuted Christians. Finally visit picturesque Uchisar, built around a rock citadel with panoramic views of the moonscape valleys around. Overnight Cappadocia. |
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March 2010
Cappadocia – Istanbul
Morning transfer to Kayseri for flight to Istanbul. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon visit the marvelous Hagia Sophia, once the greatest church building in the world, then converted to a mosque, and today a museum. Continue to the Hippodrome, the center of the Old City, and visit the Blue Mosque. Overnight Istanbul. |
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March 2010
Departure Istanbul
Morning visit the Tokapi Palace, seat of the Ottoman Empire for four centuries. After lunch visit the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market, before transfer to the airport for check-in to departure flight EK 122 at 1940 to Dubai. |
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March 2010
Arrive Dubai – Singapore
Arrive Dubai at 0122. The connecting flight EK432 departs Dubai at 0245, arriving Singapore at 1345. |
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| TOUR COSTS |
Tour price ex-Damascus: US$2,220 (twin-sharing)
Single room supplement: US$300
EXCLUSIVE FOR XPLORER MEMBERS
• SILVER Xplorer members will receive a 5% discount
• GOLD Xplorer members will receive a 10% discount
• DIAMOND Xplorer members will receive a 15% discount
• PLATINUM Xplorer members will receive a 20% discount
Not an XPlorer member?
Subscribe to ASIAN Geographic NOW and enjoy our Xplorer membership benefits! – Subscribe online at www.asiangeo.com
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| PRICE INCLUDES |
• Domestic flight
• Twin-share accommodation at hotels
• All meals
• All transfers and tours in private coach
• English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees |
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| EXCLUDES |
• Any international flights
• Personal expenses including drinks, telephone, laundry and tips
• Personal travel insurance
• Visa application and fees |
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| GIVEAWAYS |
• Free KEEN T-shirt |
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| SIGN UP |
To join, please download application form, and fax it to Sharon at
(+65) 6291 2068, or email it to trips@asiangeo.com.
*Slots are limited and are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
For reservations and more information on the expedition,
please contact Sharon at: Tel (+65) 6298 3241;
Email: trips@asiangeo.com |
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Organised by
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Co-Organised by
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Sponsored by
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