Syria and Baalbek in Lebanon Study Tour
- Date:
25 May - 3 June 2012
This study tour has been postponed until further notice- Lecturer:
- Nigel McGilchrist
- Organiser:
- James McDonaugh
- Fees:
- £2575.00 per person sharing a twin room
£2975.00 per single (twin room for single occupancy)
This will be an odyssey in one of the most ravishing countries of the Middle East. Highlights will include the magnificent crusader castle Krak des Chevaliers, the hauntingly beautiful Cities of the Dead and several of the best preserved Roman cities in the world, including Palmyra. You will travel through desert and mountains and will visit several sites off the tourist trail. You will eat in wonderful restaurants and stay in hotels in historic settings. There will be time for shopping in the souks in Damascus and Aleppo. You will also visit Lebanon to see the majestic Baalbek Roman temple, one of the wonders of the ancient world.
Your Lecturer
Nigel McGilchrist attended Oxford University, where he won a scholarship, prizes and medals in English and Art History. He has lived and worked in Italy, Greece and Turkey for 30 years. He worked for the Italian Government’s Ministero dei Beni Culturali as a consultant in fresco conservation, when the Vatican embarked on its controversial cleaning of the Sistine Chapel. He worked with Federico Zeri, J. Paul Getty’s closest art advisor and Italy’s most knowledgeable living art historian in the 1980s. He was Director of the Anglo-Italian Institute in Rome for 6 years, taught at the University of Rome, the University of Massachusetts, and was for 7 years the Dean of European Studies for Rhodes College & the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee. He still lectures widely in art and archaeology. He is on the Board of Editors of the Blue Guides and has contributed to new editions on Italy. Over the last 7 years he has walked all 60 inhabited Aegean Greek Islands to prepare a new survey-guide of the art, archaeology, history and ecology of the area. It is available as a series of 20 small volumes McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, while an abridged, single-volume appears as the Blue Guide to Greece: the Aegean Islands. He is a Syrian expert and has travelled widely in the region.
Further Information
This visit is arranged through Art Tours who are responsible for all the travel arrangements. With regard to the price, please refer to paragraph 3 of Art Tours Booking Conditions. With regard to financial protection, all passengers are fully insured and should refer to paragraph 5 of Art Tours Booking Conditions. In relation to any flights, please refer to paragraph 5 of Art Tours Booking Conditions and note that Art Tours work with Lupus Travel Ltd (ATOL no. 2551 and ABTA nos E35558 and V4886) to ensure that all participants receive proper financial protection for flights booked as part of a tour. This tour is subject to change should local conditions or unexpected restrictions occur. Hotels are also subject to change.
Your Hotels
Talisman 1, Al Ameen Street 4* view website »
Located on a quiet street in the Jewish Quarter, the 17 rooms are individually decorated in traditional Damascene style with all mod-cons (TV, air conditioning etc), built around lovely courtyards. The main one has a 1.8m pool which can be used for swimming. Opened 2006.
Talisman 2, Bab Al Salam view website »
The 2nd Talisman was opened last year after extensive restoration to a 300 year old house. It is decorated in traditional style with its 12 rooms overlooking one of its 3 courtyards. Also situated in the Old Quarter near the Bab Al Salam (Peace Gate).
Zenobia Cham Palace Hotel, Palmyra 3* view website »
The hotel location could not be better as it is within walking distance of the archeological site. Rooms are small with en suite shower only. Very good buffet restaurant. Air conditioning, safes.
Beit Salahieh Hotel, 4* Aleppo view website »
A lovely boutique hotel that opened last year. Beautifully decorated in typical old Syrian style. Each room is decorated differently. Built around various courtyards with pools. Lovely terrace restaurant with views of the Citadel. Breakfast with Syrian food specialities. Air conditioning, safes and internet access in each room.
Apamee Cham Palace Hotel, Hama 5* view website »
The only good hotel in Hama. Modern and functional, we will endeavour to obtain rooms with views of the famous Water Wheels.
The price includes
- Lecturing by Nigel McGilchrist
- Services of tour manager
- Services of local English speaking guides
- Scheduled return flights London Heathrow/Damascus
- All airport taxes and security charges in UK and Syria
- All hotels (with breakfast)
- 8 lunches and 8 dinners
- Private use of deluxe coach throughout
- All museum and site entrance costs
- Porterage at hotels on arrival and departure
- Gratuities to coach drivers and local guide
The price does not include
- Taxis or other transport not specified
- Personal travel insurance (please see Art Tours booking form)
- Personal Expenses
- Drinks
Book your place
Places will be limited so please book early. For further information, booking conditions and to reserve a place:
- Contact:
- Mary Bromley
- Telephone:
- 020 7266 7815
- E Mail:
- info@thecoursestudies.co.uk
NB: No Israeli stamps in passports or sign of any visit there
