Krak des Chevaliers & Aleppo
In Damascus, Syria's vibrant capital, we explore the main sites on foot which include the Ommayad Mosque and the National Museum. We visit one of the most famous landmarks of the region - the formidable Crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers. We then travel north via Apamea, which boasts a Roman Colonnade as part of the Greco-Roman city, and Ugarit, the site where the world's first alphabet was found, and Saladin's Castle, which is dramatically located on a rocky outcrop surrounded by pine trees. Our journey curves away from the coast towards Aleppo, Syria's second city which still evokes ancient stories of civilisations gone by with its bustling souks and medieval Citadel.

Trading Posts along the Euphrates
Continuing east, we drive along the course of the life-giving Euphrates to the wind-swept ruins of Rasafa. This old trading post is now half buried by the encroaching desert and it is from here that we travel on to Lake Assad and the impressive Euphrates Dam. Also along the river's banks is the Roman fortress of Halabiya which we visit before driving to Palmyra to watch the sunset from the Arab Castle.

Palmyra & Southern Desert Towns
The ancient trading post of Palmyra which used to be the main 'Spice Route' to India is our next stop. Best seen at dawn, the rough stone blocks of Queen Zenobia's city take on surreal shapes and we get the opportunity to also visit some of the recently excavated tombs that are less visited by groups and tourists alike. Traveling on, we visit a number of Southern desert towns including; Shahba which was founded in AD 244 for the Emperor Philip of Rome, Qanawat; where we visit the Cathedral and Roman temple and finally on to Bosra; which was previously the capital of the Nabatean kingdom and where we visit the Arab fortress, citadel and old town. We also include time to meet the local Druze community who show us how they live in traditional surroundings before returning to Damascus.