A typical itinerary for our photography holiday to Syria

Day 1

Arrive and a glass of welcoming glass of bubbly

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

Day 2

Damascus Old Town and the souk

Following a hearty Syrian breakfast and a photography class on some fundamentals, 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. It’s then 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.

The Ummayad Mosque

Following lunch in a lively local café, where we’ll enjoy some falafels while surrounded by the hustle and bustle of old Damascas, we then visit Damascus’ splendid Ummayad Mosque, home to the tomb of St John the Baptist.

It’s then back to the hotel for a rest, before we walk to dinner at one of the old town’s most special local restaurants.

Day 3

Journey to Palmyra

After another photography class we check out of our hotel and leave Damascus for the spectacular ruined desert city of Palmyra, which dates back to more than 100BC. We’ll arrive at the ruins just in time for a spot of lunch.

Tour of Palmyra with Dr Mohamad Ali Torki

After lunch we are very lucky to be able to wander around the entire site of Palmyra and the Temple of Bell 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! (He’s a busy man and not always at Palmyra. If not we will be taken around by one of his assistants.)

Check in to hotel and the citadel at sunset

We then check into our hotel on the very edge of the ruins. There is then time for a rest or a sit down with a tutor, whatever you fancy. As the sun begins to set 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

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 4

Palmyra at sunrise and a morning shooting the ruins

For those who want to there is the option to head out with your tutor and photograph Palmyra at sunrise. It’s then back to the hotel for a spot of breakfast and then you are free to wander around the ruins with your tutor, who is always on hand to offer advice and answer your questions.

Depart for Aleppo and tea in the desert with Bedouin shepherds

After lunch we bid farewell to Palmyra and continue on to the stunning northern town of Aleppo. On route, we can 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).

Check into hotel and head to the Christian Quarter for dinner

After checking into our enchanting boutique hotel, a converted 500 year-old town house in the heart of the Christian Quarter, we have a chance to freshen up, before walking to a nearby square where we can watch the world go by, while enjoying drinks and dinner.

Day 5

Aleppo’s magnificent citadel

This morning 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.

The church of St Simeon

Following lunch we drive to 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.

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 6

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!

Aleppo’s Grand Mosque

After lunch overlooking the citadel, we wander down to the Grand Mosque, where we are able to whiteness blind storytellers entertaining children. Here we can also meet a local Imam, who will talk to us about Syria’s secular society.

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 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.