A typical itinerary for our photography holiday to Syria

Day 1

Arrive and a glass of Champagne

Arriving at Damascus airport, we transfer to our hotel. On arrival, we have a welcoming glass of Champagne and an introduction to the holiday.

Day 2

Damascus Old Town, the souk and Ummayad Mosque

Following a hearty Syrian breakfast we take a walking tour of Damascus’ characterful Old Town. Finding our way through the bustling alleyways, markets and cafes we soon arrive at ‘Straight Street’ (Al-Shāri` al-Mustaqīm), a fascinating and richly photogenic road, which was mentioned in the Bible and the days of St Paul.

From here we continue on to Damascus’ grand Ottoman souk. Here you will find shops and stall everything from the famous Syrian ice cream to Middle-Eastern bridal dresses. After taking in the magnificence of the souk, we visit Damascus’ splendid Ummayad Mosque, home to the tomb of St John the Baptist.

Lunch and Palmyra

At around mid afternoon, following a delicious lunch in a quaint café just behind the mosque, we leave Damascus for the spectacular ruined desert city of Palmyra, which dates back to more than 100BC. Arriving at the ruins for sunset we journey up to the magnificent citadel, which is perched on a hill overlooking the ruins. Here we have the opportunity to take some breathtaking shots of this unique location.

Dinner among the ruins and night photography

After checking into our charming desert hotel overlooking the ruins, we have a chance to freshen up. Tonight, after the sun has gone down, we dine by candlelight among the actual ruins something arranged exclusively for Frui (weather permitting, as it can get quite cool in the desert). Following dinner we will have Palmyra to ourselves and be able to explore the ancient columns, roads and amphitheatres, while experimenting with some night photography.

Day 3

Tour of Palmyra with Dr Mohamad Ali Torki

This morning we are very lucky to be able to wander around the entire site of Palmyra accompanied by the archaeologist, and leading world expert on Palmyra, Dr Mohamad Ali Torki. What Dr Torki doesn’t know about this place ain’t worth knowing!

Tea in the desert with Bedouin shepherds

At around midmorning we bid farewell to Dr Torki and continue on to the awe-inspiring Krak des Chevaliers. On route, we stop in the desert to meet some Bedouin people (this is something that cannot be formally organised, but usually we pass a nomadic family who will happily host us for tea).

Lunch and the Krak Des Chevaliers

Shortly after lunch we arrive at the magnificent 9th century crusader castle; The Krak des Chevaliers. Perfectly preserved and the world’s largest, this castle is built on the top of a hill, which boast commanding views of Syria’s most fertile region. We visit the castle as the sun is going down, when the light is best.

Afterwards we go down into the valley to our hotel, which has spectacular views of the castle. Here we sit down to a mouth-watering dinner, made from locally grown produce, as we’re now in the heart of the Syrian farmlands. After dinner there will be the chance to have individual tutorials with a tutor and discuss your photographs taken so far. For those who want to, there will also be the chance to explore the village and have a few drinks in the local bar.

Day 4

Syria’s most charming city; Aleppo

We depart the Krak des Chevaliers at around mid morning and then journey to Syria’s most impressive and charming city; Aleppo. As soon as we arrive at our enchanting boutique hotel, a converted 500 year-old town house in the heart of the Christian Quarter, lunch will be served. Careful as you walk in, as you don’t want to step on one of the four tortoises that live in the house!

Aleppo’s magnificent citadel

After lunch there is the chance to settle into our rooms and either have a rest or explore the local area. As the sun goes down we visit Aleppo’s spectacular citadel, an Arabian fortress, and the former home to one of the Muslim world’s most celebrated heroes; Saladin. The citadel is build atop a massive artificial mound in the centre of Aleppo and boasts commanding 360 degree views across the entire city.

Dinner in the Christian Quarter

Tonight we dine at Sissi, one of Aleppo’s (and some say Syria’s) most acclaimed restaurants. Set in a picturesque courtyard with plenty to see you could spend hours sitting outside with a drink and watching the world go by. Before dinner we all take part (including the tutors!) in a fun photography exercise designed to help you work more instinctively and think more conceptually.

Day 5

Photography project in Aleppo’s souk

This morning we have the chance to explore (and shop) in Aleppo’s ancient souk. With over 7 kilometres of covered alleyways it is a truly unique and enriching experience. Here you can take photographs around a specific photographic theme, which one of the tutors will help you shoot and edit. Unlike many of Muslim countries, Syrians don’t hassle foreign travellers, which means the souk is a lovely place to explore. The locals also love to have their photographs taken. Just ask!

Tea with a local in their home and a meeting with an Imam

After lunch we will have the chance to experience Syrian hospitality first hand, as we are invited into a local family’s home for tea, biscuits and a chat. Afterwards we have a meeting with a local Imam who will answer all your questions about the different religious groups in Syria and enlighten us about how they are able to live together in such harmony. (The Syrian people’s tolerance and acceptance of other cultures and beliefs should be held as an example to the rest of the world).

Drinks at The Baron Hotel and dinner at Kahn Zankan

Afterwards we go back to the hotel to freshen up. We then visit one of Aleppo’s most quirky hotel bars, The Baron. Unchanged since the 1940s, this hotel has hosted guests such as Agatha Christie, President Roosevelt and T.H. Lawrence. Here we have a truly old school colonial drinking experience, surrounded by nostalgia, 40s furniture and memories of a bygone era. Afterwards we saunter to a beautiful restaurant in the Christian Quarter, where we have dinner on the roof terrace.

Day 6

The church of St Simeon

This morning we visit one of Syria’s ‘Dead Cities’ and the atmospheric ruins of St Simeon’s Church. (You may have heard of St Simeon, as he spent 32 years on a column, as a sign of religious piety). No one is entirely sure about the demise of these 2000 year-old settlements, but their eerie feel is certainly very photogenic and the history, fascinating.

Lunch with local farmers, an afternoon at your leisure and tutorials

Lunch today gives us another unique insight into Syrian life as we travel to a nearby farm and eat freshly grown produce with the farmer and his family. After lunch you have the chance to explore Aleppo either on your own or with our guide. There will also be the opportunity to sit down with a tutor and go through your photographs from the second half of the holiday and edit them down in to a final series.

Dinner and the cave

Tonight we go to the Christian Quarter and to a 600 year-old town house (now a hotel) to have dinner. Underneath this hotel is a network of caves and a tunnel that is so long, no one is entirely sure where it leads!

Day 7

The water wheels at Hama

This morning we leave Aleppo and visit the incredible Roman water wheels near the city of Hama. These ingenious and colossal structures were used to irrigate the fields rather than for power. After exploring the site, we have lunch overlooking the wheels and then continue to Damascus for our truly memorable farewell dinner.

Check in to our boutique hotel and farewell dinner overlooking Damascus

Tonight we will be staying in one of Damascus’ charming boutique hotels in the old town. As the sun goes down, it’s a short journey into the mountains that surround Damascus for a chance to photograph the city at night. We then take a beautiful moonlit stroll to our restaurant with boasts panoramic views across the entire city.

Day 8

Say our goodbyes and depart for the airport

This morning we pack our bags and have one final drive through the busy streets of Damascus and then on to the airport.