JORDAN & SYRIA: Crusaders, traders, souqs & khans

21 October - 2 November 2009 with Chris Bradley

The splendours of Jordan and Syria are remarkable, with world class archaeological sites from the earliest times of recorded history. Ancient trade is at the heart of our tour, with Jordan's rock-cut masterpiece of Petra at the northern end of the Incense Route. Meanwhile at the western end of the Silk Road are the bustling, vibrant cities of Damascus and Aleppo. Other highlights of this tour are the desert city of Palmyra, the crusader castles of Krac des Chevaliers and Kerak and the natural beauty of Wadi Rum.

The modern capital of Jordan, Amman has greatly expanded from the original site of the old city of Philadelphia. The most impressive remain from the Roman period is the theatre.
Madaba is home to the famous 6th century mosaic showing a map of the Holy Land, especially interesting is the depiction of the walled city of Jerusalem. Nearby is Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the Promised Land across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth's surface.

The town of <DIV>Kerak is perched dramatically on the edge of the Jordan Valley escarpment and is built around the impressive crusader castle. Constructed in the 12th century, the fortress was part of the line of defence and communication, which protected Jerusalem.

The 'rose red' city of Petra is world famous for its dramatic location and stunning scenery. The series of rock-cut buildings were carved more than 2,000 years ago out of the sandstone by Nabataean traders, who controlled the importation of incense from South Arabia. Of particular interest are the treasury, the monastery, high place of sacrifice and the series of tombs along the cliff face. A full day will be spent at Petra, one of the main archaeological sites in the Middle East.

Wadi Rum is the spectacular dry valley in southern Jordan, which has been a main highway for travellers over the centuries. It was the route by which Lawrence of Arabia attacked Aqaba, and was the stunning location for the film made by David Lean in 1962.
North of Amman is the famous Greco-Roman city of Jarash, often referred to as the 'Pompeii of the East'. A tour of the site will include the major Roman buildings, theatre, colonnaded streets and Byzantine churches.
Crossing the border into Syria, brings us to the unusual Roman city of Bosra, built from black volcanic rock. The impressive theatre is the main focus, but there are many other interesting buildings spread around the old city.

Damascus can trace its history back over 8,000 years and is the major centre of the region. The old city is as lively as ever and contains the famous Omayyad mosque, Azem Palace, Hamidieh Bazaar, Street called
Straight, St Anania church, and St Paul window. Sightseeing will also include a visit to the National Museum, home to many of the finest pieces of Syria's past. In the highlands just north of Damascus are the important Christian enclaves of Sednaya and Maalula, where some people still converse in Aramaic, the language of Christ.

Palmyra is a real desert oasis, situated in the middle of the Syrian Desert. This unlikely location is due to its position between the Euphrates River and the Mediterranean, at the end of the Silk Road from China. The formidable Queen Zenobia built an empire here that rivalled Rome and acted as the buffer state between the Romans and Parthians.
The main site of the ancient city is extensive and nearby is the impressive Temple of Bel, and mysterious Valley of tombs. 
One of the most formidable structures anywhere in the Middle East is Krak des Chevaliers, the most famous of the crusader castles. Situated high up in the coastal mountains, it was of great strategic value to the Hospitallers who occupied it during the 12th and 13th centuries.
The ruins of the old Roman city of Apamia seem timeless, as the colonnaded road stretches for almost 2kms into the rolling fields of wheat around the site. The alternate spiral flutings of the columns, make this an unforgettable, yet little-known site.

The two ancient Bronze Age sites of coastal Ugarit and inland Ebla, are vital components in understanding Syria's early complex history. The world's first alphabet dating from the 14th century BC was discovered at Ugarit, which we will have seen on a small clay tablet at the National Museum in Damascus. The church of St Simeon is located at a tranquil site where Simeon Stylites is said to have lived atop a 20m high column for over 40 years.

Aleppo is still the vibrant heart of northern Syria, building upon thousands of years of trade across the region. The bazaar within the old city contains many lively khans or caravanserais, selling every item imaginable. Important sites to be visited include the impressive<DIV> citadel, museum and Grand mosque.