Discover Lebanon

1235 €, 8 Days

Lebanon is an incredible tourist destination with its fascinating historical landmarks, pristine beaches, delicious cuisine, stellar night life and picturesque mountains. The country truly offers something for everyone's taste.It is located at the meeting point of three continents; of Christianity and Islam; of tradition and modernity. Over the centuries it has been the crossroad of many civilizations whose traces may still be seen today. It’s a place where culture, family and religion are all-important, but where sectarian violence can too often erupt – claiming lives and scarring both the landscape and the national psyche. After years of unrest, Lebanon is regaining its former reputation as «The Switzerland of the Middle East». Home to a glorious national cuisine, a string of beach resorts and the Middle East's most glamorous, hedonistic city (Beirut), Lebanon rewards the traveller with food for thought and a feast for the senses and the stomach. Moreover the weather is always moderate, the prices are very reasonable and, most of all - the people are very friendly.

Tour Highlights:
♦ Beirut – “Paris of the Middle East”
♦ Jeita Grotto - the longest explored cave in Lebanon
♦ Byblos - "the oldest continuously inhabited city"
♦ Tyre and Sidon – the ancient Phoenician cities
♦ Beqaa valley - the Roman Temples of Baalbeck

Itinerary:
Day 1. Sunday: Arrival to Beirut.
Our representative will meet and assist you upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2. Monday: Beirut – Tyre – Sidon – Beirut
Breakfast and departure to visit the Phoenician city of Tyre: the Hippodrome, the Colonnades and the Arch of Triumph, then proceed to visit the city of Sidon with its Sea Castle. Return to Beirut hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3. Tuesday: Beirut – Harrisa – Byblos
Breakfast and departure to visit the city center of Beirut: The Pigeons Rock, the Coastal Avenue and the National Museum. Via the Coastal highway, proceed to the Dog River and to Harissa, climbing by cable car to the Holy statue of Notre Dame for a view of Jounieh and Beirut. Proceed to visit the city of Byblos with its Citadel, St John Church and the old port. Dinner and overnight in Byblos.

Day 4. Wednesday: Byblos – Bcharreh – Qadisha – Byblos
Drive north and climb to the Cedars, where only some 400 trees remains but some are more than 2000 years old. Walk through the forest, which is today an eco-museum. Continue to Bcharré village over the Qadisha valley and home town of the Lebanese poet Gebran Khalil Gebran. Discover his work at the museum. Return to hotel in Byblos for dinner and overnight.

Day 5. Thursday: Byblos – Jeita Grottoes – Faqra – Beirut
Visit to the Jeita grotto - the upper cave is accessed by a cable car, visit is on foot, then continue to the lower cave which is visited by small boat on the internal lake. Drive up the mountain to reach Faqra. At about 1500 meters above the sea level stands a Roman temple in a very good condition. Drive through Lebanese mountain villages as Kfarbedian, Bickfaya, Broumana. Proceed to Beit Mery and visit Deir Qalaa. On the way back to Beirut, you may observe from above the valley, the Roman aqueduct of Zbeide near Mkalles. Dinner and overnight in Beirut.

Day 6. Friday: Beirut
Free day in Beirut or optional: Visit to Baalbeck and Anjar: Baalbeck is 85 km from Beirut, you will visit the temples of Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus, the Hexagonal Forecourt and the Great Court. Then drive to Ksara Caves for wine tasting with a stop in Anjar to visit the historic Omayyad site. Dinner and overnight in Beirut

Day 7. Saturday: Beirut – Beiteddine & Deir El Kamar – Beirut
Breakfast and departure to visit the Chouf mountains. First village is Deir El Kamar, the ancient residence of the Governors of Lebanon. Continue to Beiteddine, where a superb Palace stands over the valley - typical example of the Lebanese architecture during the 18th and 19th century. Proceed to the Moussa Castle, built by one person only in devotion to a promised wife. Return to Beirut hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 8. Sunday: Departure
Breakfast and transfer to Beirut airport for departure.

Visa: At present most European citizens can obtain visa to Lebanon upon arrival, which is free of charge right now. Make sure you do not have any Israeli Visa or Stamp on the passport, otherwise you will be denied entry to Lebanon

Price Includes:
5 nights at 4**** hotel in Beirut and 2 nights at 3*** hotel in Byblos in a double room
halfboard: breakfast + dinner (from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8)
meet and assist at Beirut airport on arrival and departure
transfers airport-hotel-airport
transport and entrance fees as per program
English speaking local guide for 5 days
local VAT

Not Included:
Flight tickets
visa to Lebanon (free at present time)
drinks and meals not mentioned
insurance
tips
optional visit on day 6
personal expenses

Additional Services:
Single room supplement: 7/1-31/5 + 16/9-21/12: 250 EUR; 1/6-15/9 + 22-31/12: 325 EUR
tour to Baalbeck and Anjar: 165 EUR per person (min. 2 persons; the price includes transport with entrance fees and English speaking guide)

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