Jane Digby's Syria
April 2010 tour now full
Following the success of our group trip to Syria, led by Mary S. Lovell in April 2009, we are delighted to confirm dates for a similar trip in Spring 2010.
Below are a few of the comments made by clients who enjoyed the trip earlier this year:
"Hussein is a guide par excellance, and Mary worked over and above normal expectations. Her terrific interest and love of the country shines through, and she appears to be known everywhere from the shopkeepers in the souks where she extracted the best bargains for us, to the desert Bedouins who welcome her with open arms, amazing! Coupled with Hussein's historic scholarship of his country, they make a winning combination.
I have never ridden a camel before, quite an experience, and it was really lovely to communicate with the people of the country who are so welcoming and friendly. Axis of Evil, what Axis of Evil? I shall long remember this holiday, thankyou Steppes" Anne Biffin
"The whole thing seems like a dream...a wonderful dream....Mary and Hussein were beyond good - so prepared, so informative! The group became cohesive almost immediately and meshed very well....each person had an area of expertise that could be explored and that simply enhanced the experience for us all.....we will all be in touch with each other as friends going forward" Ellen Whiting
"Hussein was the best guide one would have wished for, he kept us amused and informed. Thanks to his kindness we visited his sister and were overwhelmed by their hospitality & generosity. Also Damascus would have been a closed city but for Mary opening the doors" Yannick Banks
Jane Digby was an adventurous Victorian aristocrat who ended an eventful romantic career in Syria, married to a Bedouin sheikh. Many aspects of Syrian life remain unchanged since her death there in 1881 and our intention is for you to see this extraordinary country as Jane might have done.
The trip will be led by Mary S. Lovell who has researched Jane's story since the early 1990s and was given exclusive access to Jane's personal diaries. The result of this was the best-selling biography A Scandalous Life. Drawing on this background, Marys regular visits to Syria ever since, her knowledge of the country and numerous contacts there, Mary S. Lovell will aim to show the group not only the prime sites of interest in this fascinating country, but also a side of Syria that few tourists get to experience.
Though a land of stunning geographical variety, much of Syria's fascination still lies in its history. Known as 'the cradle of civilisation' it was given to Cleopatra by Marc Antony as a wedding present and its archaeological treasures range from Bronze Age and Roman sites, from Crusader castles to gems of Islamic architecture.
Your journey will include visits to Aleppo, dominated by the Arab citadel and the largest souq in the Middle East. The Crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers, the 2nd-3rd millennia BC remains of Ebla and of course the hauntingly beautiful Palmyra. It was here, in and around the ruins of the ancient desert city that Jane Digby spent much of her time as matriarch of the Mesrab tribe of Bedouins. In addition to this years itinerary we have also included a journey to the coast where you will visit the once lost city of Ugarit and the less visited castle of Qala'at Salahdin.
During the hot summer months Jane would return to her villa in Damascus. There, the tour ends with an insider's look at this unique city with its ancient buildings, labyrinthine souqs and shady courtyard restaurants.
Below is an outline itinerary for the 2010 trip. If you would like a more detailed itinerary or to register your interest, please call KateB on 01285 651010 or email kateb@steppestravel.co.uk
Group Tour Outline
Day 1:
Fly to Damascus from London Heathrow with British Midlands
Day 2:
Drive north to Homs visiting the village of Maaloula enroute. Overnight at the Hotel Safir
Day 3:
Visit Krak des Chevaliers. Continue onto Tartus and Latakia. Overnight at Hotel Afamia Rotana
Day 4:
Visit Ugarit & Qala'at Salahdin. Continue to Aleppo. Overnight at the Sheraton Aleppo
Day 5:
Full day sightseeing of Aleppo city. Overnight at the Sheraton Aleppo
Day 6:
Full day sightseeing to St Simeon & one of the dead cities in the north. Overnight at the Sheraton Aleppo
Day 7:
Drive south visiting Apamea, Ebla & Hamah. Continue onto Palmyra. Overnight at the Deideman Hotel
Days 8 to 9:
Full days sightseeing of Palmyra. Overnight at the Deideman Hotel
Days 10 to 12:
Travel to Damascus followed by two full days sightseeing of 'Jane Digby's Damascus'. Overnight at the Talisman
Day 13:
Full day at leisure OR optional visit to Bosra. Overnight at the Talisman
Day 14:
Transfer to the airport and fly to London Heathrow
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