Cultural Tours of Syria from Cyprus

Visiting Syria from Cyprus

It is hard to think of another country that has such a vast and diverse cultural heritage and yet remains out of the circuit of mainstream tourism.  With over 10,000 years of humans writing history, Syria is home to myriads of archaeological sites.  No tour of Syria can ever hope to be complete with such a huge array of cultural treasures waiting to be visited.  One visiting Syria as a tourist can only hope that he can get as good a look as possible from a trip to this historic land. 

Ties between Cyprus and Syria are so old that the beginning predates recorded history.  Modern means have helped making tours of Syria from Cyprus an easy affair.   Cruise ships from Limassol visit Latakia in the Summer months and scheduled flights connect Larnaca and Damascus almost daily.  Varianos Travel is pleased to offer to our customers cultural tours of Syria from Cyprus.  We offer two well designed short tours of Syria to cover the "must sees".  The "Highlights of Syria" is geared to the time pressed travelers who wish to take advantage of the proximity of Syria to Cyprus and see the wonderful ruins of ancient Palmyra and the monuments of Central Damascus.  The "Historic Syria" tour offers, in addition to the above and among others, tours of Krac des Chevalliers and the churches of Maaloula. 

We realize of course that these pre-organized tours might not be the tours that some of our customers have in mind.  Having visited Syria a few times and through our contacts network we are happy to tailor make almost any tour you might have in mind, be it a castles tour, a Christian pilgrimage tour or a desert safari.  Call us at +357 22680500 or email us for more information.  Please note that passengers taking trips to Syria must have a valid passport with no Israel stamps.

Historic Syria

This four day cultural tour is ideal to get a good idea of what Syria is all about.  The first day includes a comprehensive tour to the majestic ruins of Palmyra ending with a sunset view of the ancient site from a nearby hilltop (weather permitting).  The second day's highlight is a visit to Crac Des Chevaliers, the extremely well preserved Crusader castle that T. E. Lawrence described as "the finest castle in the world".  A tour of Syria's capital, Damascus, takes most of the afternoon during the penultimate day of your trip.  Taking advantage of a late afternoon departure we give you a good part of the last day to do your own thing and shop if you so choose.  Click here to view and here to download a more detailed program of this tour.

The price for this tour depends on the number of persons in your group.  Prices start from CYP 375 (Euro 640.72) for a couple of persons sharing one room and can go as low as CYP 285 (Euro 486.95) for groups of 15 passengers. Taxes are extra (currently CYP 37.46 or Euro 64.00 per person) and the single supplement is CYP 60 (Euro102.52) .  Tour price includes visa cost for EU citizens, most meals, entrance fees and English speaking guides to sites.  Accommodation is in five star hotels and all transfers are with air conditioned vehicles. Call us at +357 22680500 or email us for more information.  Please note that there is significant walking involved especially during the first day of the tour.

Highlights of Syria in 62 hours

If you can spare the time and money this tour of Syria is ready for you.  Departures from Larnaca are every Saturday at 07:30 and the return flight from Syria leaves Damascus every Monday at 21:30.  You will get to see the ancient city of Palmyra during the first day and enjoy the best of Damascus during the rest.  Our tour includes two full days of touring with entrance fees as our detailed program describes with a personal guide in an air-conditioned car, three meals, hotel accommodation with breakfast, visa, meet and assist at the airport and hotel transfers.

Costs below are per person sharing a double room plus taxes (currently CYP 37.46 or Euro 64.00 per person). 

Accommodation options:

    Five star Cham Palace in Damascus CYP 285 (Euro 486.95) plus taxes,

    Five star Semiramis Hotel in Damascus CYP 269 (Euro 157.44) plus taxes,

    Four star Fardoss Tower Hotel in Damascus CYP 252 (Euro 147.49) plus taxes.

Discounts can apply for groups consisting of four or more persons.

Call us at +357 22680500 or email us for more information.

Shopping in Damascus, Syria

An unknown secret to most Westerners, a well known fact to Cypriots.  There are bargains to be had in Damascus.  Taking a trip to the capital of Syria for purchases that would cost an arm and a leg in most of Europe is a fun way to combine culture and shopping.  From curtains to sweets and furniture to nuts, there are low prices to be found in Damascus.  These trips are also ideal if you just want to do your own thing and explore the many great sights of Damascus without a guide or others to keep you from spending time at the places that interest you.  For these tours we only use well located four and five star hotels.  Packages with different hotels are available on request.

Departures between April and October 2008 are either every Friday night at 22:10 from Larnaca, Cyprus and return on Sundays at 23:25 with Cyprus Airways or between Saturday mornings, with departure from Larnaca at  07:30 and return from Damascus, Syria on Mondays at 21:30 with Syrian Air.  The packages include Larnaca-Damascus-Larnaca air tickets, two nights accommodation on bed and breakfast basis, airport-hotel transfers and visa costs if booked three days in advance for EU passport holders.  Taxes (currently CYP 37.46 - Euro 64.00 per person) are not included in the following prices.

Costs below are per person:

Four star Damascus International in Damascus Euro 211.00 for double occupancy or Euro 261.00 for single occupancy plus taxes.

Four star Royal Suites in Damascus Euro 225.00 for double occupancy or Euro 275.00 for single occupancy plus taxes.

Four star Blue Towers in Damascus Euro 260.00 for double occupancy or Euro 360.00 for single occupancy plus taxes.

Five star Le Meridien Damascus Euro 325.00) for double occupancy or Euro 480.00) for single occupancy plus taxes.

Five star Four Season Damascus Euro 350.00) for double occupancy or Euro 625.00) for single occupancy plus taxes.

Call us at +357 22680500 or email us for more information.

Syria Road Distances:

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