LEBANON

Arrive in Beirut and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, there may be time to explore the city. Overnight Hotel Le Caramel Boutique Hotel or similar. No meals or guided activities are included today.

This morning after breakfast, start the day with a stroll on the breezy and bustling corniche, an activity enjoyed by many local Beirutis. During the walk, learn about how the area was shaped by the civil war and the regeneration efforts since. Stark reminders of the conflict are very much still visible including the bullet ridden Holiday Inn hotel building which has remained derelict and were the scenes of intense battles. Continue to Martyrs Square and the impressive Mohammad Al Amin Mosque complete with its towering sandstone minarets. We will also stop to see the archaeological site of the Roman baths in the centre of the city. Continue to the National Museum where we take an enriching visit and learn about the turbulent history of Lebanon which will give the experiences of the coming day’s added context. Any time after 11am you can visit the Souk el Tayeb food market (Saturday and Tuesdays only), an authentic local experience not to be missed. After the visit to the souk, enjoy some time at leisure before this evening heading to the bustling Bourj Hammoud with its large Armenian population. Here you will enjoy an authentic Lebanese/Armenian meal tonight. Overnight Hotel Le Caramel Boutique Hotel or similar (BD)

After breakfast, continue a short distance up the Mediterranean coast to Batroun. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets and observe the traditional Ottoman style houses. Also take a stroll through Batroun’s small but old souk and the magical ruins of the Phoenician port including the ancient sea wall. We recommend that you take an opportunity to try the authentic local lemonade here in Batroun, very refreshing and equally as delicious.  Later continue up the coast to the ancient town of Byblos, said to have been continuously inhabited since the 6^th Century BC. Spend the afternoon exploring this delightful place with its picturesque harbour, the well restored 12^th century crusader castle and the roman archaeological site with a beautifully situated small amphitheatre overlooking the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. This evening enjoy a fresh seafood dinner on the shores of the Med and after dinner wander in the atmospheric souk area and perhaps enjoy a drink at one of the bars.  Overnight Hotel Ahiram or similar (BD)

(Approximate overall driving time today is 2 hours and walking time around 3 hours depending on your pace)

After an early breakfast, travel inland for an approximate 2-hour drive to the Cedars of God forest. Known as Arz Ar-Rab (The Cedars of the Lord), this is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Here you have the option of taking a 9km hike from Wadi Qannoubine to the picturesque hill town of Bcharre located at an altitude of 1450 meters above sea level. The walk affords inspiring panoramic views throughout. En route, enjoy a picnic mezze lunch. On arrival in Bcharre have a walk around the central area of the town and visit the Gibran museum dedicated to the renowned Lebanese artist, author and poet. Later, continue to the nearby splendid Qadisha Valley and to your accommodation, a quite beautiful 12^th Century monastery in the most peaceful setting with just the sound of birds and the wind for accompaniment. Overnight Saint Antoine Monastery or similar (BLD)

Note: The hike today is recommended, but is optional and a later start can be arranged or a shorter hike can be taken in the Qadisha Valley close to the monastery as an alternative. The Cedars of God forest is closed during the winter months.

(Approximate overall driving time today is 4.5 hours)

This morning after breakfast enjoy a short walk as the sun lights up the valley and the bells of the church ring out. We then drive over the mountains dropping into the Bekaa Valley. Then visit what surely must be regarded as one of world’s most astonishing Roman archaeological sites at Baalbek. We spend ample time exploring the site in detail which is believed to date back some 5000 years. The site is so grand in its scale that is not hard to visualise what the city must have been like in its pomp. Continue to Chateau Ksara for a leisurely Lebanese mezze style lunch and wine tasting in the Bekaa Valley. Here enjoy a tour of the cellar and the production areas before enjoying degustation of the excellent wines. Finally, today visit the ancient Anjar Citadel. Dinner tonight will be at Palmyra Hotel which has an excellent reputation for good food and has a very rich and interesting history. Overnight Hotel Palmyra or similar (BLD)

Note: The drive over the mountains to Baalbek can only be made in normal snowfall years between late May and mid-November. Outside of these months the itinerary will take a different route from Days 3 – 5 but you will still visit all of the same places. 

(Approximate driving time today is 3 hours)

After breakfast take the short journey to the exquisite 18^th century Beiteddine Palace complex notable for its elegant mixture of Italian and Arab influenced architecture. The palace contains important archaeological collections including some stunning mosaics. The views from the grounds are also a delight to stroll at leisure. From here we continue to the Chouf Reserve to take a short walk amongst the majestic Cedar trees, a symbolic emblem of Lebanon. Finally, we overnight in Deir Al Qamar at a charming property where dinner will be included at its excellent restaurant. Overnight Auberge Des Emirs or similar (BD)

(Approximate driving time today is 3 hours)

After breakfast take a short walk around the charming town of Deir al Qamar admiring the interesting architecture. We then travel back to the Mediterranean coast to Sidon, once a prosperous and flourishing Phoenician city. Visit the 13^th Crusader Castle of the Sea and Khan el Franj 17^th century, before taking a leisurely stroll in the atmospheric narrow streets of the old souk where once can observe all manner of tradesmen and craftsmen and the kaleidoscope of colours of the fresh produce on offer is striking. Grab an authentic local lunch at a historic falafel shop where the freshest ingredients are used and speed the ingredients are married together is a sight to behold!  Thereafter, continue back to Beirut where any remaining time will be at leisure. Overnight Le Caramel Boutique Hotel or similar. (BL)

Note: For an even fuller day it is possible to travel south from Sidon to Tyre (UNESCO) and observe the beauty of the ancient Roman streets, arcades and the well-preserved hippodromes. This will mean an early start and arriving back to Beirut for sunset.

This morning enjoy some time at leisure, perhaps take a walk in the corniche and observe the fishermen. Your guide and driver will collect you from your hotel at your chosen time and drive you to Mounir Restaurant, a Lebanese restaurant renowned for hospitality and true authentic cuisine. After lunch, visit the traditional villages of Mtein and Mrouj before heading back to Beirut. Overnight Hotel Le Caramel Boutique or similar (BL)

Spend any remaining time at leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward flight. (B)