Lebanon & Syria Itinerary

Tour Beirut and be impressed by the wealth of stylish art galleries, bars, cafes, restaurants and museums. Spend time enjoying this cosmopolitan city of the Middle East and be sure to stop and feast on some of the finest delicacies in Lebanon. Beirut is a city full of traditional epicurean delights with mezze and sweet pastries being the standouts to savour.

Breathe in the fresh Mediterranean air and soak up the sunshine at the port of Sidon before stopping at Beiteddine, home to an impressive Ottoman Palace. Spend the night relaxing in the town of Zahle and choose to dine in one of the many atmospheric open-air restaurants dotted along the river.

Explore the stunning ruined temples of Baalbek, a captivating mix of ancient buildings with a beautiful mountain backdrop. Fallen marble columns and temples dedicated to Bacchus, Venus and Jupiter make this a significant archaeological site and a fascinating place to visit.

Travel to Lebanon's pristine nature reserve - a forest of cedar trees which have stood for more than a thousand years. Then, for a dose of history, explore the churches and monasteries of the beautiful Qadisha Valley.

Visit ancient ruins, shop in the souqs or watch fishing boats bob in the harbour of Byblos. Explore Lebanon's best beaches, outdoor cafes and open-air bars in this ancient port. Byblos is a city rich in history and its temperate climate makes it a top spot to relax in.

Return to the lively streets of Beirut where this memorable tour of Lebanon ends.

Discover Syria's captivating city of Damascus. Walk through the narrow, winding streets of the Old City, where people have lived and worked for centuries. Admire the ornate architecture of the beautiful Umayyad Mosque and stroll through souqs full of trinkets and treasures. Perhaps haggle for a handcrafted souvenir or authentic gift to take back home.

Admire the views over the valley from this perfect model of medieval fortification - Krak des Chevaliers is regarded as one of the greatest castles in the world.

Walk Aleppo's ancient streets filled with some of the most intriguing mosques, churches and houses in Syria. Travel to one of the city's open-air bars or cafes in the evening and perhaps indulge in some flavoursome Middle Eastern meze, topped off with some delicious sweet baklava and a strong coffee.

Travel into Syria's desert to the crumbling ruins of Palmyra. Spend time exploring this archaeological site which features impressive monuments, temples, theatres and well-preserved funerary art.

Drive back to the ancient city of Damascus and use free time to explore Syria's hypnotic capital a little further. Tuck into traditional gastronomic delights by sipping a local brew in a coffee house, dining on Middle Eastern cuisine in a restaurant or sampling some local delicacies from a street cart. Visit Damascus' shops, indulge in a hamam or take in panoramic views from Mt Qasioun before bidding Syria a fond farewell.