Young Pioneer Tours have been spearheading travel and tourism to Syria since 2018 when the country first reopened. Syria truly is a land of wonders and we are pleased to share our Syria summer with you. May is a great month to be in Syria, it’ll be warm, but just before it gets too hot.
Beginning and ending in Lebanon’s vibrant capital, Beirut, our Syria Revolutionary Tour takes in all the major spots of the country, such as Palmyra and Aleppo, but also going at a slower place so we can talk to people, interact with the locals and learn what living in contemporary Syria is really like compared to what it s portrayed in Western media – highlighting both the good and the bad and speaking to people candidly.
From Beirut we’ll drive two hours to Damascus, the capital of Syria. Travelling in Syria is truly a surreal experience, on one hand you’ll get to experience the famous cosmopolitan nightlife that has returned to the capital where the streets are lined with bars, cafes, young locals smoking shishas and drinking cocktails, and then on the other hand we see the truly harrowing effects of full scale war – destroyed hospitals, schools and houses.
From Damascus we’ll then make our way to Aleppo, once the pearl in the Middle East, going via the Christian town of Maaloula, with it historic churches now largely restored after their destruction by Islamist militants. On the journey to Aleppo you will witness the destruction the occurred in Syria throughout the journey, with it being particularly paramount in the city itself.
During our stay in Aleppo you will explore many sites other travel groups cannot visit, as well more obvious ones such as the Presidential Park and the Aleppo Soap factory – the oldest company in the world.
Driving around Syria is an experience itself as we stop on the way at charming coffee stands where we’ll get a chance to mingle with locals while also passing destroyed villages. In Syria we often have to take the long route to avoid rebel controlled areas, but this just means seeing more of the amazing countryside.
Shrouded in a coat of destruction, we’ll then visit Palmyra, which now requires special permission to get into, but despite its tragic recent history, is still a breath-taking site.
We’ll then make a special visit to the rebel held town of Busra. While not at war with the government, Busra acts on its own, and you will not see banners or large posters of Bashar al-Assad. Here you’ll explore one of the best kept colosseums in the world, outside Rome of course, as well as the fabulous ruins of the old town. This is a place you will get a very different viewpoint on how things are run in Syria, before we head back to the capital.
Before your tour concludes we’ll visit the very the best restaurants and bars the capital has to offer for a farewell celebration with our local guides. You’ll also have the chance to speak to a Professor, who famously guided Jimmy Carter, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on their visit to Syria.
Aside from what we offer there are multiple chances to meet, eat, drink and converse with Syrians about their everyday lives. You will be very surprised by how direct and open locals are with their views.
We expect this tour to fill up VERY quickly, so get you booking in now. This tour can also be combined with both Lebanon, as well as our Whole Iraq Tour.
Thursday 2nd May – Beirut, Lebanon – Damascus, Syria
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Friday 3rd May – Damascus
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Saturday 4th May – Damascus – Aleppo
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Sunday 5th May – Aleppo
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Monday 6h May – Aleppo – Hama – Almishtaya
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Tuesday 7th May – Almishtaya – Homs – Palmyra – Damascus
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Wednesday 8th May – Damascus – Busra – Damascus
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Thursday 9th May – Damascus – Beirut, Lebanon
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