1. Beirut
The repercussions of Civil War have subsided considerably and it seems the Lebanese zest for life and hospitality can have no deterrent. Beirut is a city rich in heritage, architecture and intellect. Recently with its outstanding new hotels, high-octane nightlife and arts quarter, Lebanon's resurrected capital has a lot in store for you. Beirut is the wild child of the Middle East, exuding an air of organised chaos - designer boutiques with magnificent mosques, bullet scarred buildings with a vibrant nightlife. The 'city that never dies' resonates energy and resilience, even after years of being plummeted by invasive forces. Formerly a Phoenician port, the city juts out on into the Eastern side of the Meditarranean sea, making it a spectacular location. No matter where you are, whether in the glamorous environment of restored Downtown, the bustling streets of Hamra or the chic pubs of Mar MIkhael, its a place that caters to all yearnings. Tracing the path in and around the former Green Line, dividing East and West Beirut, you will find crumbling Ottoman mansions, bullet-scarred French Mandate-era apartments and contemporary structures standing side by side. Despite the infiltration of designer boutiques, music festivals, eateries, an eeri charm hovers above rebuilt Downtown. Head to the livelier neighbourhoods of Hamra and Achrafieh in the Servees taxis, an anecdote worthy ride as recounted by most travelers! As evening falls, you ought to join the fishermen and lovelorn Beirutis for a stroll along the Corniche as you sip on to some local Ahweh. History, hedonism and a whole lot of hummus, Beirut will only leave you craving for more!
>>> Flights to Beirut
>>> Hotels in Beirut
2. Jeita Grotto
One of the Middle East's greatest natural wonders, the stunning Jeita Grotto cave system extends around 6km into the mountains 18km northeast of Beirut. The simply extraordinary upper cavern, accessed via a cable car from the ticket office, has strategically positioned coloured lights that showcase the stalactites and stalagmites in all their crystalline glory. The flooded lower caves, reached via a tacky toy train, are explored by rowing boat and are closed when the flood levels rise too high. Discovered in 1836 and opened as a tourist attraction in 1969, the caves were used as an ammunition store during the civil war despite the flooding from the Nahr El Kalb (or Dog River) for which they form the source.
>>> Flights to Beirut
>>> Hotels in Beirut
3. Bcharri
With its name derived from the Phoenician “House of Ishtar,” it is easy to see why Bcharri is one of Lebanon’s most amazing towns. The fact that it’s an early Phoenician settlement is only one of the reasons to visit; the town is also home to the Gibran Khalil Gibran Museum, a national treasure trove filled with manuscripts, items, and furniture brought back from the author’s New York home. Moreover, the town overlooks the Kadisha Valley and provides access to its grotto. Finally, Bcharri is at the center of Lebanese tourism because of the Cedars of God, a cedar tree reserve and ski spot.
>>> Flights to Beirut
>>> Hotels in Bcharri
4. Kobayat
Lebanon is known for its awesome beaches and summer vibe; however, there remains an unexplored option for summer, and that is Akkar. Most of the northern part of Lebanon is called Akkar, and what makes this place special is the mild weather that it boasts in the middle of the summer. The town of Kobayat has some of the largest green expanses in Lebanon, plus it’s an ancient town and a good place for religious tourism—it has several churches and monasteries. In terms of activities, the town is the starting point for Lebanon’s Mountain Trail, the longest hiking route in the country, which connects several places along the North and towards the south. Finally, Kobayat is home to the Kobayat Summer Festival, a much-anticipated music festival, and also makes for a good base from which to explore the different villages in the area.
>>> Flights to Beirut
>>> Hotels in Kobayat
5. Chouwen
A little slice of heaven in Jbeil, Lebanon, Chouwen is a sight for sore eyes. The only and best thing to do in this town is marvel at the nature that it possesses. Regular hiking trips and swimming activities take place in this magnificent open space. Walk through the valleys and natural wonders, and camp by the river for serenity you won’t find anywhere else.
>>> Flights to Beirut
>>> Hotels in Jbeil
6. Harissa
A major site for religious celebration in Lebanon, Harissa is the home of the Lady of Lebanon, a statue of the Virgin Mary watching over Mount Lebanon. The beautiful shrine was erected in honor of the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate” conception dogma declared by Pope Pius IX. The sanctuary is a Christian marvel and should definitely be on your list of must-visit sites in Lebanon.
>>> Flights to Beirut
>>> Hotels in Harissa
7. Zahle
Being the largest city in the Beqaa Valley, Zahle is a major tourist destination and a great place to stay for a few days. Home to Our Lady of Beqaa, an old Ottoman Serail, and historical sites such as Souq el Blatt (a 20th-century market), there is no shortage of places to visit. Moreover, its natural riches and general beauty make it a perfect weekend getaway.
>>> Flights to Beirut
>>> Hotels in Zahle
8. Laqlouq
Mainly a resort town, Laqlouq is beautiful in both the winter and summer, as the ski resort turns into a weekend getaway with the change in seasons. A change in activities also comes as Laqlouq offers a strategic starting point for several trips. From this locale, you can visit the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, the Afqa Cave, and the village of Annaya. The first two are amazing local natural treasures, and Annaya is a major Christian site.
>>> Flights to Beirut
>>> Hotels in Jbeil
9. Baalbek
Known as the Heliopolis or ‘Sun City’ of the ancient world, Baalbek’s ruins comprise the most impressive ancient site in Lebanon and are arguably the best preserved in the Middle East. The temples here, which were built on an extravagant scale, have enjoyed a stellar reputation throughout the centuries, yet still manage to maintain the appealing air of an undiscovered wonder because of their semi-ural setting. The town itself, which is 86km northeast of Beirut, is the administrative headquarters for both the Bekaa Valley and the Hezbollah party.
>>> Flights to Beirut
>>> Hotels in Baalbek
10. Tyre
The storied city of Tyre, once famous across the known world for its purple dye made from murex sea snails (Tyrian purple), has a wonderful seaside location and extensive Roman ruins. It's a popular holiday destination for Beirutis, with excellent accommodation choices and what are Lebanon's best, cleanest beaches; you might even swim with turtles.
>>> Flights to Beirut
>>> Hotels in Tyre
11. Cedars of God
Written more than 4,000 years ago, parts of the oldest surviving story in the world, the Epic of Gilgamesh, take place in the world-renowned Cedars of God. Some of the trees alive today were alive at the time the poem was composed. The Cedars of God is one of the last vestiges of the extensive forests of the Cedars of Lebanon that once thrived across Mount Lebanon in ancient times. Their timber has been subsequently exploited across millennia, from the Phoenicians, the Assyrians, and Babylonians, to the Persians and Ottomans. The wood was prized by Egyptians for shipbuilding, and the Ottoman Empire used the cedars in railway construction. UNESCO declared the forest a World Heritage Site in 1998, and today it is rigidly protected. While old growth has been largely decimated across Mount Lebanon, young cedars remain a dominant species in the region. The reserve makes for an idyllic getaway from the summer heat, but is perhaps even more spectacular in winter when the forest floor is blanketed in snow.
Comments
Post a Comment