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Travel
to The Middle East
THE HIDDEN
SPLENDORS OF SYRIA
At
the crossroads of the Middle East, Syria’s colorful history dates
back to primeval times. Yet, Syria remains a land to be discovered.
This fascinating country, stretching from the shores of the Mediterranean
Sea to beyond the Euphrates River, is extraordinarily rich in historical
sites. And these ancient sites are refreshingly free of commercial
ventures with an atmosphere of uncluttered authenticity no longer
present at more well-trodden historical locations. Stately Roman
ruins, ornately-painted Byzantine basilicas, awe-inspiring fortress-castles
built by the Crusaders, and elegant Ottoman turbas (tombs) - all
and more abound in this ancient land.
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The
Royal Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a charming land that has preserved
a remarkable character unlike any other in the Near East. Ruled
by the recently enthroned King Abdullah (H.E.), (His brother, Prince
Feisal, graduated from Brown in 1985) the people have an unparalleled
reputation for hospitality, from the office worker in the city to
the Bedouin in his desert camp. Parts of the country are so rich
in archaeology that it is literally impossible not to step tens
of thousands of years back into time. The unique majesty of Petra,
the Roman splendor of Jerash, and the elegant Omayyad fortress-palaces
scattered in the eastern desert are only a few of the major attractions.
And in addition to a splendid wealth of ancient cities, castles,
Christian churches, and mosaic masterpieces, the landscape offers
some of the most breathtaking vistas to be had anywhere on earth.
This
14 day trip has been designed to provide you with the resources
and the time to gain an understanding and appreciation of the country
and its compelling history. The itinerary includes several highlights,
including a private tour of ACOR, the American Center of Oriental
Research. Here we will enjoy a private tour of collections, including
the intriguing Petra Scrolls.
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To
many Westerners the word “Persia” evokes a distant land remote in
time, the home of ancient monuments and beautiful works of art-carpets,
tiles, fine ceramics, miniatures and metal work. Indeed, Iran, or
ancient Persia, is a world both ancient and contemporary, linking
the heartland of Asia and the cradle of Western civilization, a
bridge between East and West.
The
prehistoric past of Iran is far older than the earliest Iranian
dynasty, the Achaemenid. There is evidence of human habitation in
Iran as long ago as the ninth millennium B.C. During the third and
second millennia B.C., western Iran was ruled by the Elamite dynasties
from the great capital cities of Susa and Anshan.
It was the kings of the Achaemenid dynasty, founded by Cyrus
the Great, that brought all of Iran under a single ruler for the
first time. Following
the Achaemenids, the Parthians and Sasanians ruled over the Iranian
plateau until the conquest by Arabs bringing Islam in the seventh
century.
Waves
of invaders throughout the country's long history-the Greeks accompanying
Alexander, Arab armies, the Turkish tribes that forced their way
westward from Central Asia, and finally the Mongols, all left their
mark upon the people of Persia. Iran's history remains visible in
the country's many exciting archaeological sites, its ancient and
historical monuments, and its glorious cities, which possess some
of the world's most magnificent examples of Islamic art and architecture.
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