Day 1
Half day city tour in Beirut.
Capital of Lebanon and the heart of the Middle East. Beirut rises again from the aches. Visit the National Museum, the city center with its huge construction sites, renovation works in addition to newest archeological finds.
The tour includes visit of the city, Pigeon Grotto, Martyr’s Place and residential quarters.
Day 2
Proceed for a full day tour of the Beqaa area including lunch: Baalbeck, Anjar & Ksara wine caves.
85 Kms. North East of Beirut in the Bekaa Valley, Baalbeck is exceptionally reputed for its colossal Roman heritage, the Temple of Jupiter with its remaining columns, the Temple of Bacchus and the Temple of Venus is unforgettable for their majesty. Baalbeck has the largest freestone in the world 21, 5 long and 4, 8 widths.
Drive then to the Ksara wineyard and its roman cave for a wine tasting. Lunch will be served in a traditional restaurant, then, proceed to Anjar, an ancient site which dates back to the Omeyad and was used as a summer resort of the Calif El Walid in 714.
Day 3
Departure for a full day tour of the South area including lunch : Sidon, Tyre & Maghdouche
Sidon on the coast 48 kilometers South of Beirut is one of the famous names in ancient history. Here the visitor will enjoy wandering along the sea front and visit the Crusader Sea Castle. Not far from it is the picturesque vaulted souk of Sidon where workmen still play their trades. The Khan el Franj is a typical caravanserail with a large rectangular courtyard and a central fountain surrounded by covered galleries. The Great Mosque, formerly the Church of St John is also an enjoyable stop.
Then drive to Tyre the queen of the seas, an island city of unprecedented splendor with five millennia of History.
Day 4
Proceed to the North for the visit of Jeita, Byblos & Harissa, full day tour including lunch
The natural site of Jeita Grotto is, without doubt, one of the most remarkable grottoes in the World. You can have a boat ride on internal lake of the lower grotto 800 meters, and visit the upper grotto on feet. After this visit we climb the hill of our Lady of Harissa from where you have a beautiful view on the bay of Jounieh and Beirut.
Then continue to Byblos around 13.00hrs, ancient Phoenician City. Visit the remains of Temples, citadel, tombs, theater revealing the glorious past and the religious splendor of Byblos, legendary birthplace of Alphabet, seat of worship of Adonis and Egyptian Mythology, dating back some 6000 years.
Day 5
Departure to the North: Cedars, Becharreh & Kozhaya, Full day tour including lunch
Spend a full day tour in one of the most panoramic areas of Lebanon. Drive along the coast towards the North. On our way to the Cedars situated at 120 Km North of Beirut we visit the Monastery of Kozhaya in the wholly Valley (filled with caves inhabited by the maronites Catholic during the invasions of Mamlouks and Turcs). Proceed then to the typical villages of Bcharre and Ehden and visit the small museum of the worldwide famous Lebanese author Gibran Khalil Gibran. Then we continue to Cedars, Known as “Arz El Rab” Cedars of Lord constitute Lebanon’s emblem, unfortunately very few of these trees remain because they were decimated over the centuries, some of them of 10 century old.
Day 6
Proceed for a full day tour to the Chouf Area (Beiteddine & Deir El-Quamar & Baakline), half day tour including lunch
Drive to the South of Beirut to visit the most enchating area of Lebanon.Situated in the mountains at 45 kms south of Beirut, the Charming town of Deir El Kamar was the residence of the Lebanese Governors for over 200 years. All around the main square the Emirs (princes of Lebanon) built their palaces which were added to those inherited from their Predecessors, then continue to BEITEDDINE where the Emir Bechir Chehab built a palace which is a jewel of the Lebanese architecture of the 19th century with elegant porches and monumental doors with various engraving.
Day 7
Full day in Tripoli & Batroun
Thanks to its historical wealth, relaxed lifestyle and thriving business climate, Tripoli is a city where modern and medieval blend easily into a lively hospitable metropolis.
Forty-five buildings in the city, many dating from the 14th century have been registered as historical sites. Twelve mosques from Mamluk and Ottoman times have survived along with an equal number of madrassas or theological schools.
Visit the Citadel overlooking the city, the church of St. John, the Great Mosque and the Hammam el Abed.
You will not miss of course the Tailor’s Khan, one of the oldest in Tripoli dating to the first half of the 14th century. It consists of a long passageway with tall arches on each side and ten transverse arches.
On the way back to Beirut, stop in the small and lovely village of Batroun for a short visit.