Destination Damascus

Each sleeping car has its own conductor, who will make your beds. The Private Train has an on-board restaurant, in which freshly made regional dishes will be served. At night this restaurant becomes a bar where you can mingle with other travellers in a cosy atmosphere. In addition to non-alcoholic beverages, the restaurant also carries beer and wine as well as a selection of spirits.

Category Pascha
Each air-conditioned car has 10 compartments featuring 4 berths each. The compartments space is 200cm x 189 cm. The sleeping compartments feature two bunk beds above each facing another two bunk beds, each measuring 172 cm x 62 cm. There is a small table beneath the window. You have the opportunity to decide on one bedroom exclusively for your party of 3. Sound system and AC can be controlled individually. At the end of each car is the combined wash- and restroom featuring a Western and an Oriental-style toilet. There is one shower per car for your convenience.

Category Wesir
Each air-conditioned car has 10 spacious compartments measuring 200 cm x 189 cm. The sleeping compartments feature two bunk beds above each other, each measuring 168 cm x 75 cm. There is a small table in the room covering a private fridge. The compartment also has a sink with hot and cold water, a mirror and coat hanger as well as a 220 volt power plug for electric shavers. Sound system and AC can be controlled individually. At the end of each car is the combined wash- and restroom featuring a Western and an Oriental-style toilet. There is one shower per car for your convenience.

Category Sultan
Deciding on this category you can travel in the most convenient way. Spacious air-conditioned compartments feature two lower berths and private bathroom.

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Departure point: Istanbul, Turkey
End point: Damascus, Spain
Departure dates: 2011
6th April
5th October (Bookings currently suspended)

2012
9th April
14th October

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Language spoken: English/Anglais,  German/Allemand,  
Journey type: Escorted / Accompagné,  

Wednesday 6th April 2011 (or 5th October 2011)

Individual arrivals and transfers in Istanbul. Group welcome at the centrally-located 4**** hôtel with a  briefing on the exciting journey ahead. Free time in this bustling and unique city astride two continents and dinner at leisure.

Thursday 7th April 2011 (or 6th October 2011)

After breakfast today the whole day is dedicated to a guided tour of Istanbul's gems : the Sultanhamet and the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Tokapi Palace where lunch is taken. In the afternoon the excursion continues with a visit to the Basilica Cistern dating from the sixth century and the day ends with a dinner cruise on the Bosphor. Overnight at the hôtel in Istanbul.  

Friday 8th April 2011 (or 7th October 2011)

After a buffet breakfast our luggage is collected, leaving us free to enjoy our guided sightseeing tour. Around midday we take a boat to the Hydrapasa railway station in Asia, across the Bosphorous which divides Europe from Asia-Minor. During the trip we can contemplate palaces, parks, villas and towers on the two shores and enjoy lunch (included). On arrival we board our special charter train and collect our luggage.

Once settled in our comfortable compartments our train heads southwards along the coast of the Sea of Marmara, whilst on board a brief seminar informs us about the early Christian era of Asia Minor. During the seminar our chef prepares dinner (included) with delicacies from Turkey.

Saturday 9th April 2011 (or 8th October 2011)

After a relaxing night and breakfast on board, our train arrives in Cappadocia before midday; we take a 60-minute motor-coach tour through the stunning scenery to Goreme, the renowned Unesco World Heritage site. After lunch (included), we then visit a complex of approximately 30 churches and chapels hewn out of the rock from the 9th century onwards and beautifully decorated with murals and frescoes. After our visit we continue on to our 3*** hôtel nearby where we check in before dinner (included).

Sunday 10th April 2010 (or 9th October 2011)

After our visit we continue on to our 3*** hôtel nearby where we check in before dinner (included).
After breakast on this our fifth day, we have the opportunity to take an optional early morning hot-air balloon ride (bookable locally) before re-boarding our charter train. We also have the opportunity to visit the 8-stories deep subterranean city of Kaymakli, as well as the pottery centre of Avanos. After lunch (included) we continue southwards on the scenic ride to the Mediterranean coast through the Taurus mountains. This is the most panoramic part of the old and strategic Baghdad railway, built by German engineers.

As we wind through the dramatic narrow canyons and glimpse the mountain peaks, a brief seminar on board tells us more about the construction of this railway line which was an integral part of Germany's history in the Middle East. As evening draws in, we arrive in the port city of Mersin where a stroll along the promenade is possible before rejoining our train for the overnight journey towards the Syrian border.
During the night we left the Mediterranean coast and wound our way eastwards through the mountains to the Turkish-Syrian border and the town of Fevzipaşa.

Monday 11th April 2011 (or 10th October 2011)

After breakfast on board, our train continues southward to Aleppo, passing remote villages dotted throughout the countryside with the view of the distant Amanus mountain range as a backdrop.

On arrival in Aleppo after lunch (included), we take a short journey to the town's suq, - the narrow streets of the Old Town - and we continue our exploration on foot of the largest bazaar in the world. Rounding off the afternoon is a visit to the citadel and old fort on the hill overlooking the town. Dinner (included) and overnight stay in Aleppo.

Tuesday 12th April 2011 (or 11th October 2011)

After breakfast the day is free to explore Aleppo at leisure or to take the optional excursion to the Saint Simeon Monastery high on a plateau, 45 minutes from Aleppo. After the visit and lunch, return to Aleppo and a visit to the traditional Hamman Yalbougha baths with massage included. In the evening dinner for all guests and overnight at the hôtel in Aleppo.

Wednesday 13th April 2011 (or 12th October 2011)

After breakfast at our hôtel we rejoin our charter train and continue southwards to Hama where, after lunch, (included) we stop for a visit of the Old Town and a walk along the river Orontes, a source of irrigation for the fruit and vegetable groves. In the early afternoon we continue by train through the desert to the oriental oasis town of Palmyra. Dinner (included) on board our train before our overnight stay in our hôtel in Palmyra.

Thursday 14th April 2011 (or 13th October 2011)

After breakfast we will experience a start to the day that has been in existence for thousands of years - a camel ride in the morning sun to the ancient site of Palmyra. Temples, colonnades and palaces await us, taking us back in time to the days of the ancient Roman Empire. After lunch (included) our visit continues, rounded off in the early evening by bedouin storytelling from the Arabian Nights. Before night time we rejoin our special train for dinner as we head towards the Mediterranean coast. Night on board our train.

Friday 15th April 2011 (or 14th October 2011)

After breakfast on board, our day starts with a visit to the archeological site of Quatna, followed by a short transfer to Homs, where our train takes us in the footsteps of the Crusaders as we continue towards the Krak des Chevaliers, the renowned castle, used by the order of St John and which inspired King Edward 1st of England to use it as an example for fortifications in his own country. We then visit Tartus and in the late afternoon we continue on southwards to Damascus, our final destination. Our chef will  prepare a typical Syrian lunch for our last dinner on board. Overnight on train.

Saturday 16th April 2011 (or 15th October 2011)

After breakfast on board we visit Damascus in the company of a guide : the Omayyad Mosque, Saladin's tomb, the Aazam Palace... At the end of the morning, free time for lunch and exploration of this fascinating city at your leisure. Alternatively we have the option of taking lunch at a roof-top restaurant followed by a guided visit of the National Museum. Farewell evening dinner (included) for all is served in a panoramic restaurant. Overnight at our hôtel in Damascus.

Sunday 17th April 2011 ( or 16th October)
After breakfast our extraordinary journey comes to an end with individual flights back to Europe or elsewhere.

The tariff of 2625 € inclusive of all taxes, includes, from Istanbul :

(On the basis of two persons sharing a double room and a 4- berth sleeping compartment )

- Two nights in a premium-class hotel in Istanbul including breakfast

- One night in a standard-class hotel in Goreme including breakfast

- Two nights in a premium-class hotel in Aleppo including breakfast

- One night in a premium-class hotel in Palmyra including breakfast

- One night in a premium class hotel in Damascus including breakfast

- Four nights accommodation in the chosen category on board the charter train including breakfast

- All meals indicated as "included" in the trip itineraries

- Experienced travel guides with you at all times

- Luggage service

- All excursions and transfers in air-conditioned motor coaches

- On-board seminars

- Guided coach tour of Istanbul

- Boat trip on the Bosphorus with exclusive onboard lunch

- Guided walking tour of Goreme’s unique carved-limestone church

- Guided tour of Aleppo’s Old Town

- Guided visit to the Krak des Chevaliers

- Guided walking tour of Palmyra

- Palmyra camel ride

- An evening of Bedouin storytelling

 

Prices do not include flights, visa and travel insurance.

Single room supplement – 7 hotel nights: 760 €

Single occupancy supplement on train: 1000 € (Category Weris)

Supplement for two-bed sleeping berth : 460 € per person (Category Weris)

Supplement for two bedroom suite on train: 2490 € per person (Category Sultan)

Excursion packages : St. Simeon monastery, including lunch; visit to a hamam in Aleppo and tea ceremony; tour of the National Museum in Damascus, including lunch. 72 € per person.

 

Minimum trip participants for this internationally marketed tour : 60

 

Entry requirements for European Union citizens
For entry into Turkey a valid passport is mandatory and must be valid at least until the end of your stay.  In addition a tourist visa is required for citizens of the United Kigndom. Other nationals should enquire with their local Turkish Consulate.
For entry into Syria a valid passport is mandatory and must be valid for at least six months after the end of your stay. The government of Syria refuses entry and transit to any passenger holding a passport containing a visa (valid or expired) for Israel and those holding a stamp indicating an Israel-Jordan border crossing, as well to holders of passports bearing evidence of entry at Sharm El Sheikh. In addition an entry visa is required for citizens of the European Union. Other nationals should enquire with their local Syrian Consulate.
Climate
In April temperatures are considerably lower than in the summer and nights can be cool, especially in the higher regions we will be travelling through. It is therefore advisable to bring some light clothing for the day and additional warmer clothing for the evenings or in case of the occasional cooler day.
Luggage
Altough there is assistance with luggage, for your own convenience we strongly recommend that you travel as lightly as possible, with a small piece of luggage.
Money
The national currency of Turkey is the Turkish pound or lira and it is convertible. The currency of Syria is the Syrian pound or lira and it is convertible, although with some difficulty. While the import of foreign currency by non-residents into Syria is not restricted, the exportation of Syrian currency abroad is, in most circumstances, prohibited. On leaving Syria, non-residents are only permitted to take out of Syria the amount of foreign currency which they declared as carrying upon entering Syria.
You can also use credit and debit cards in major cities for cash withdrawals and for services, however cash is the normal method of payment in shops and restuarants so it is best to withdraw from ATM's as need arises.
Miscellaneous
English is not widely spoken in Turkey and Syria except to a certain extent in the tourist centres and you will find French spoken and understood in some areas of Syria, particularly Damascus.
As in every country where the culture is different, it is necessary to adapt to local customs and attitudes. The success of your holiday will largely depend on your willingness to do this, as will your contacts with the local population and the positive image you want to give of yourself.
For example, please don't take photos of people without first asking their permission. Most of the time permission is readily granted, but is better to ask first  out of courtesy. Around Mosques correct dress should be worn both for women and for men, again common sense and courtesy are the bywords.
Outward journey to Istanbul and inward journey from Damascus
Many airline companies, both regular and low cost, fly to Istanbul. From Damascus the choice is narrower. We can also arrange your trip by train to Istanbul or from Damascus. Please enquire.

The train comprises air-conditioned carriages and in each sleeping car there are 10 compartiments and two WCs as well as a shower. Each sleeping berth comprises :

Category Pasha :
Four bunk beds, two each side.
Category Wesir :
Two bunk beds, washbasin and rasor power-point.
Category Sultan :
Double bed, table, rasor power point, private shower and WC; clients travelling in this category have the exclusive usage of a lounge car. Each sleeping car has its own conductor, who will make your beds. The chartered train has an on-board restaurant, in which freshly made regional dishes will be served. At night this restaurant becomes a bar where you can mingle with other travellers in a cosy atmosphere. In addition to non-alcoholic beverages, the restaurant also carries beer and wine as well as a selection of spirits.