Day 1 - Direct from Damascus International Airport your hosts, James and Suzanne will take you to an old comfortable private Arabic Bed & Breakfast where you will enjoy a taste of real Arabic life, culture and cuisine.
|
Day 2 - The day begins with a delicious authentic Arabic breakfast fit for a sultan.
For the men it is off to the famous damascene bath house for a steam bath, massage and sauna. Women are welcome to go on days and times designated for women later in the week. Ladies get an exclusive shooping tour of the fine embroidery and brocade shops in the old city market.
Later that same day we rendezvous at the Grand Umayyad Mosque at the tomb of John the Baptist.
That evening we attend an authentic sufi hadra (spiritual meditation ceremony) for an extraordinary cultural experience. |
Day 3 - Today be prepared for a spirtually charged journey to the Maqams (Tombs) of Saints and Prophets. The essence of every culture lies in it's spiritual traditions. A side of Damascus often missed by most travlers. Be prepared for interesting architecture, stories, and spiritual insights.
The Maqam tour over a three day period includes stops at the place Paul reportedly received revelation, Ibn Al-Arabia, the famous Sufi Saint, Khalid Bagdadi, and the Saint of all Saints Abdullah Dagastani to mention a few. |
| Day 4 - More Maqam surprises and spiritual insights. |
Day 5 - Our last Maqam tour day will be spent, weather permiting, climbing mount Qayssun to visit the location and cave where Cane killed Able.
Our journey will include a visit to the Maqam of the Forty Saints. A delcious packed lunch will be served on the mountain overlooking the entire Damascus valley below. |
Day 6 - The last known Christian village where the language that Jesus spoke is our next stop with an overnight visit. This small village called Malula will make you think you have stepped a thousnad years back in time.
We have special friends here that will make your visit something to remeber. Events we will try to encounter are not planned or staged, it is what happens naturally. We will attempt to show you an authentic side of life in Malula. |
Day 7 - After a morning spent with friends in Malula. likely a breakfast hosted by a local family in their home, it is off to the mountains village of Rancous, to see a side of Muslim life few encounter.
Our day will include a visit to the mountain Maqam of Uwais Al-Qarani in the Loving Village (Mahaba). |
Day 8 - Our next stop is at the monastary in Saydinah for a short tour of the Christian Holy site.
Dinner will be served at a favorite truck stop that serves delicious kabab's. |
Day 9 - A fresh early start and we are off to Aleppo, perhaps the most beautiful city in Syria. We will spend our first day at the Citadel in the center of the city and then stop off for a refreshing frozen fruit drink at the sidewalk caf'e overlooking the famous old market and magnificent Citadel.
That afternoon will be spent wandering the marketplaces and negotiating the best prices on some incredible clothing, tablecloths, brass goods and much more. |
| Day 10 - Aleppo, like most parts of Syria are rich in history and spiritual adventure. Today we discover some of it's hidden treasures led by one of the more respected Sufi scholars in the area. |
| Day 11 - We cross into Turkish territory today for an amazing journey to Konya, home of Jalahudin Rumi, the famous poet and Whirling Dervish. The night is spent in a local Sufi darga, a very special treat. |
| Day 12 - Our air conditioned private bus takes us to the ferry that will transport us to Cyprus for the last few days of our Heart Excursion. These days promise not to disapoint. In Cyprus we will go directly to Lefke on the northern side of Cyprus where we will stay in a Bed & Breakfast. Our purpose for visiting this small village is to meet a man known as the Pole of Creation and the Proof of Generosity. An extraordinary encounter you will never forget. |
| Day 13 - Our morning starts with hopefully a breakfast with this friendly an spiritually emlightend old Sufi Master. If possible, because nothing is planned or contrived with this man, we will eat at his home and visit his Sufi Darga where followers of his travel from all parts of the globe to come pay their respects and recieve guidance from this wonderfully wise man. |
| Day 14 - The Christian village of Lefkara is our next target where a good nights sleep folowed by a day of discovery in this remarkably quaint village. Later that afternoon we will go visit the Tomb of Barnabus, the most trusted companion of Jesus, and the adjacent church. Later that day we will go to the newly |
| Day 15 - Back to Damascus from the Larnaca Airport on the Greek side of Cyprus. Here you have a choice to continue wour exploration of Damascus on your own or fly back home. We will offer you assistance in whatever direction you choose to go. |
