Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival. Pick up from airport and drop to hotel. Overnight in Beirut (Hamra area). Meal plan: N/A

Day 2

Drive to the South of Lebanon to one of the oldest Phoenician cities, Sidon (Saida) and explore the colourful souk, the sea castle and the fish market (the name ‘Sidon’ means fishery). From Sidon an optional drive to another Phoenician town, Tyre (Sur), and visit its spectacular ruins. Learn the complex history of invasions by Persians, Egyptians, Ottomans and Babylonians. Return to Beirut for overnight, Meal plan: B

Sidon (a.k.a. Saida) is located at the meeting point of three continents and, as such, has been the crossroads of many civilizations whose traces may still be seen today. It is known as the capital of the South. Sidon’s inhabitation goes back as far as 6000BC. Its trade links with Egypt aided its rise during the Phoenician period in the 12th to 10th centuries BC. Despite invasions in 1200 BC by Philistines and in 675BC by Assyrian king Esarhaddon, Sidon reached its pinnacle under the Persian Empire (550 - 330 B.C.). At the end of the Persian era in 351 B.C., unable to resist the superior forces of Artaxerxes III, the Sidonians locked their gates and set fire to their city rather than to submit to the invader - more than 40,000 died in the blaze. After the disaster the city was too weak to oppose the triumphal march of Alexander the Great in 333 B.C. This city’s turbulent history of invasion and destruction is evident in its buildings and sites and makes for a fascinating visit. The city’s sea castle, lively port and excellent seafood also make it a popular spot for locals.

Legend has it that Tyre, (or Sur in Turkish), was the birthplace of Europa (a Phoenician woman of high lineage from Greek mythology after whom Europe was named) and Dido (Queen of Carthage). Tyre has a long and illustrious history. In ancient times it was the most important city of the Phoenicians, amassing great wealth and power from the export of purple dye. In the first century AD, Tyre was the home of a Christian community visited by St. Paul, and it became a major stronghold of the Crusaders in the 12th century. Today, Tyre is the fourth largest city in Lebanon and is famous for its ancient ruins, the Roman Hippodrome, which became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984.

Day 3

Half day tour of Beirut including the modern downtown, the historic Green Line, the bustling Hamra and the charming waterfront, known as The Cornice. In the afternoon drive to Jeita’s grotto. Spend some time exploring these incredible caves with one of the world`s most impressive collection of stalagmites and stalactites. Drive to Byblos for overnight in hotel. Meal plan: B

Beirut stands on the site of a very ancient settlement going back at least five thousand years. In the first century B.C., it became a Roman Colony with the name of Berytus, whose power was destroyed by an earthquake, tidal wave and fire in 551 A.D. In the following century Arab Muslim forces took the city and in 1110 it fell to the Crusaders. In 1291 it was conquered by the Mamlukes. Ottoman rule began in 1516 and lasted for 400 years until the defeat of the Turks in World War I.

The French Mandate Period followed and in 1943 Lebanon gained its independence. Set between the Mediterranean and dramatic mountains rising up in the background, Beirut is one of the Middle East’s most lively cities. The rejuvenation of the Beirut Central District is one of the largest, most ambitious urban redevelopment projects ever undertaken. While Beirut has become one of the Middle East’s most modern cities, it still maintains its fascinating history and beautiful sites, as well as a thriving arts scene. Until the civil war ended in 1990, most of the archaeological sites discovered were found by accident. However, since then there have been excavations to uncover and investigate these phenomenal sites. The Green Line was a line of separation between the Muslims in West Beirut and the Christian front in East Beirut. It was green because it was uninhabited and therefore covered in vegetation. The local people are renowned for being extremely friendly and charming.

Jeita Grotto is a group of Caverns that have been sculpted over thousands of years by water. These caves were discovered in 1836 by Reverend William Thomson, an American missionary. The caves provide a tunnel or escape route for the underground river, which is the principal source of the Nar el-Kalb (Dog River). The lower galleries, discovered in 1836 and opened to the public in 1958, are visited by boat. The upper galleries, opened in January 1969, can be explored on foot.

Day 4

Take a tour of Byblos’ famous archaeological sites including its Crusader castle and Roman ruins. Wander through the beautiful souk and down to the harbour, once the nerve centre of the world’s shipping, for lunch. Nowadays there’s little more than a quaint little port. After lunch, drive to the stunning and historic Qadisha Valley, stop in Bsharreh to visit the Gebran museum, dedicated to the Lebanese artist, writer and philosopher, Khalil Gibran. Take a walk through a Cedars grove. Drive to Baalbek for dinner & overnight In hotel. Meal plan: B, D

The coastal town of Byblos is located on a cliff of sandstone 40 km North of Beirut. Byblos bears outstanding witness to the beginnings of the Phoenician civilization and scholars say the site of Byblos goes back at least seven thousand years. Touted as the birthpace of the modern alphabet, Byblos was also once the epicentre of the world’s shipping. The remarkable Crusader Castle was built in the 12th century. The castle, along with the town was captured and its walls destroyed in 1188. The Crusaders recaptured and rebuilt it in 1197.

Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998, the stunning Qadisha Valley offers spectacular scenery and a unique atmosphere. With the Qadisha River running through the bottom of the gorge, the valley is considered one of Lebanons most beautiful places to visit. Qadisha comes from a Semitic root meaning ‘holy’. Scattered with caves and rock shelters from the third millennium B.C. to the Roman period, the valley is filled with cave chapels, hermitages and monasteries cut from rock.

Khalil Gibran, a Lebanese-American artist, writer and poet was born in Bsharreh in 1883 and lived until 1931. His best known work is his ‘The Prophet’ and, after Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu, he is the 3rd best selling poet in the world.

Day 5

Visit Baalbek (the "Sun City"), arguably the most important Roman site in the whole Middle East. After marvelling at the temple complex in Baalbek, drive to the famous Ksara winery to take a tour of the winery and to sample some of Lebanon's finest wines. From Ksara drive to the predominantly Armenian town of Aanjar. Visit the beautful Umayyad ruins here before stopping for lunch in Aanjar town. After lunch return to Beirut. Rest of the day free. Meal plan: B,L

For centuries the temples of Baalbek (a.k.a the “Sun City”) lay under metres of rubble, obscured by medieval fortifications. Excavation and restoration work began in 1898 however and it has since been recognized as hugely important in Roman history as it acts as a model of Imperial Roman architecture. It is probably the most important Roman site in the whole of the Middle East. Baalbek's temples were built on an ancient tell that goes back at least to the end of the third millennium B.C. The temple was begun in the last quarter of the 1st century B.C., and was finished by the 3rd century AD. The temples were closed in 313 AD when Christianity became the Roman Empire’s official religion. Baalbek’s collection of stunning temples, mosques, courtyards and statues are a must for any visit to Lebanon.

Lebanese wine tradition dates back 5,000 years, when the ancient inhabitants of Lebanon, the Phoenicians, first began tending vineyards. The Phoenicians exported wine to ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece and Carthage, introducing the world to viticulture and oenology. Lebanon is also said to be the place where Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine. Château Ksara was founded in 1857 by Jesuit Priests who produced the country's first dry red wine and has preserved Lebanon's rich wine making heritage for over 150 years, laying down the foundation for Lebanon's modern wine making industry.

Whereas, most sites in Lebanon are a mixture and culmination of different rulers and eras in history, the archaeological site in Aanjar is exclusively from one period – Umayyad. These Umayyad ruins date back to the 8th century and are unique in being the only inland historical commercial centres. Since 1943, archaeologists have been intrigued by what these ruins tell of the Umayyad dynasty that ruled Damascus. Aanjar has a special beauty and is a rectangular town, protected by walls, each with an impressive gate protected by towers. Nowadays, It is the only walled city remaining in Lebanon.

Day 6

Breakfast. Transfer to Beirut airport. Meal plan: B

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