My Reels From 2025 Christmas
Christmas is what made me fall in love with Damascus...
I remember seeing my first Christmas parade through Bab Touma in 2025. The drums echoed throughout the city. Muslims, Christians, and others danced in the streets. Pure jubilation was in the air. Damascus remained like that the entire week of Christmas. It was one of the most beautiful examples of coexistence I have seen in this world, especially in a country that has been through so much.
This trip is about being human, witnessing history, reckoning with loss, and making space for personal reflection along the way. Few places on earth offer can that kind of depth, and even fewer allow you to experience it this intimately. This 8-day experience is curated to engage the mind, body, and soul.
In partnership with the professionals at SyrianGuides who have been hosting travelers for years, we will walk through ancient cities that have been inhabited for thousands of years, yet endured their harshest wars over the last 15. We’ll see a lot, have some fun, but also slow down when needed, creating space for reflection and quiet meditation in places that carry deep historical and emotional weight.
I hope you'll strongly consider joining me on this Christmas trip because I'm so ready to show just a sliver of why I love Syria.
Main Details
Duration
8 Days
Timeline
22nd to 29th, December
Group Size
16
Price
$2,450
Christmas in Syria Is Unlike Anywhere Else
Because it all began here. And for centuries, Syria has shown the world what coexistance in this world means. You will see that on full display in Damascus from December 22-29th, 2026. I hope you'll consider joining me.
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Trip Itinerary
A thoughtfully paced journey through Syria’s most iconic cities and cultural landmarks during Christmas, balancing guided exploration with time to experience daily life, history, and local connection.
ARRIVAL & FIRST STEPS IN DAMASCUS
We arrive in Damascus and settle into a beautifully restored traditional hotel in the Old City "LIKE THIS"
a place that immediately grounds us in the rhythm of Syria.
After settling in, we head out on foot:
• Walk through the Christian and Jewish quarters
• Visit Ananias Chapel
• Wander narrow alleys and historic homes
• Stop at Nofara Café, one of the oldest cafés in the city
• Sunset from a rooftop overlooking the Old City
This first night is about orientation, easing into the country, the culture, and each other.
DAMASCUS: ALL THE CHRISTMAS VIBES
Today, we dive deeper into Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
• Visit the Umayyad Mosque and Al-Hamidiyah Souq
• Explore old houses, caravanserais, and hidden corners of the city
• Share a local lunch
• Take part in various Christmas celebrations
We end the day slowly, with space for reflection and conversation.
MAALOULA → HOMS → ALEPPO
We head north, watching the landscape shift as the story of Syria unfolds.
• Visit Maaloula, where Aramaic, the language of Jesus, is spoken
• Walk among homes carved into the mountainside
• Continue to Homs, visiting key religious and historical sites
• Wander the old market
• Evening arrival in Aleppo, where we’ll spend the next two nights
Deir Mar Musa al-Habashi
One of my favorite places in the country. And we will sleep there overnight. A cliffside monastery 80km north of Damascus, founded in the 6th century and rebuilt in the 11th. Getting there means a 400-step climb — about 30 minutes, no easy route. Inside are 11th- and 12th-century frescoes, among the finest medieval wall paintings in the Middle East. Restored in the 1990s as a centre for Christian–Muslim dialogue, it's open to all faiths and still houses a working monastic community.
ALEPPO: RESILIENCE & REBUILDING
Aleppo is one of the most emotionally powerful stops on the journey.
• Explore the Citadel of Aleppo
• Walk through the old city and historic souks
• Visit an 800-year-old soap factory
• See neighborhoods that tell stories of destruction and rebuilding
• Meet locals and hear firsthand perspectives
• Sunset overlooking the city and citadel
DEAD CITIES → HAMA → KRAK DES CHEVALIERS
A day of contrast, forgotten cities, living traditions, and medieval grandeur.
• Visit the Dead Cities of Serjilla and Bara
• Stop in Hama to see the iconic waterwheels
• Explore Krak des Chevaliers, one of the best-preserved castles in the world
• Evening in the village of Mishtaya
• Overnight near the Christian village of Marmarita
PALMYRA
We travel into the desert to one of the ancient world’s most legendary cities.
• Explore Palmyra and its monumental ruins
• Learn about its rise, significance, and near-destruction in 2015
• Lunch and rest at a Bedouin tent
• Scenic drive back to Damascus
This day invites reflection on loss, memory, and what endures.
JARJOUR WINERY
Yes, Syria has wineries, and they are amazing.
The Jarjour Winery is nestled in the mountains of Tartus. We will visit, have delicious Syrian wine, dance, sing, and even sleep at the winery where they have several bedrooms to accommodate travelers and visitors.
BOSRA → DEPARTURE
We close the journey in southern Syria.
• Drive through the fertile Horan plains
• Visit Bosra and its extraordinary Roman amphitheater
• Walk among black basalt temples and ruins
• Depart for Beirut or Amman
What's Included?
Every aspect of the trip that is included in what you pay for.
Two-Way Transfer
From & to Beirut, if you choose to fly there
Accommodation
4-5 Star traditional hotels.
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2 to a room
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Extra $500 for single supplement
Transportation
Air-conditioned and heated bus
All Brekky/Lunch, Some Dinners
Frequent meals during the trip
Knowledge-Based Guidance
Led by Nick and professional Syrian guides
Sightseeing & Tours
key historical sites entrance fees.
Visa Assisstance
guidance through the visa process
Local Travel Insurance provided to you
Points/Miles Consultation
Guidance for getting free flights for the trip
What's Excluded?
Every aspect of the trip you need to take care of.
Visa Fees
Government visa fees are not included. $20-$200
Personal Expenses
Souvenirs, snacks, and other personal purchases.
Flight Tickets
International flights are not included.
Tips
Gratuities for guides and drivers.
Bad Vibes
These will not be given or received :-)
What Are They Saying
About The Trips
Rana Kaji
Lebnano
As a Lebanese woman, I grew up surrounded by narratives about Syria… What I found in Syria was not what I had been told to expect. I found warmth, kindness, generosity, and a hospitality that felt deeply familiar… Somewhere between Damascus, Maaloula, Bosra, Aleppo, and the countless conversations along the way, I stopped seeing Syria through the lens of history, politics, or other people's opinions. I simply saw Syrians… In a world where so much travel has become about ticking boxes and collecting photos, Nick creates something different. He creates understanding.
Reema Albahri
Syria / USA
Visiting Syria as a fellow Syrian (living in America) was deeply personal… from the bustling streets of Damascus to the ancient ruins of Palmyra & Bosra to the beautiful beaches of Latakia & Jableh to adventures in the stunning mountains of Tartus… I returned with a renewed sense of pride and a deeper bond to my roots. I'm so glad I faced my fear to go back despite the uncertainty… Thanks to Nick, I was able to surpass that fear with ease and comfort.
Dillon Ventura
USA
Syria is one of the most misunderstood countries in the world… From ancient cities and Roman streets to Phoenician ruins, Ottoman architecture, and villages where Aramaic — the language of Jesus — is still spoken, Syria feels like walking through thousands of years of history all at once… What impacted me most were the people. Syrians are some of the most welcoming, generous, and kind people I've ever met while traveling… The perfect mix of history, culture, adventure, nature, and unforgettable people.
FAQ
Travel is conducted through carefully planned routes and trusted local partners. The itinerary focuses on stable areas, with security considerations built into every part of the trip
Visa assistance is provided as part of the trip. You’ll receive guidance on required documents and the application process ahead of time.
Visa processing times vary by nationality, but typically take a few weeks. We recommend starting the process well in advance.
Visa fees depend on nationality and are paid separately. Exact costs will be confirmed during the application process.
The Syrian Pound is used locally. Currency exchange is handled on the ground, and guidance will be provided before arrival.
Modest dress is required in religious sites. Women should bring a scarf and wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees.
Local markets, traditional souks, and artisan workshops are the best places to find handcrafted goods, textiles, and local products.
No specific vaccinations are required for most travelers, but it’s recommended to be up to date on routine vaccinations. Consult your healthcare provider before travel.
Credit cards are generally not accepted. Cash is used for most transactions, and guidance on handling money will be provided.
Yes. Syrian cuisine includes many vegetarian-friendly dishes, and dietary preferences can usually be accommodated.
Entry restrictions depend on nationality, travel history, and visa eligibility. If there are any concerns, they will be reviewed during the visa assistance process.
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Interested? Fill out the form and I will be in touch ASAP. Submit the $750 deposit if you're ready to lock in.
Price increases to $2,550 on August 15.* Lock in $2,350 by submitting your form before then.
