Lebanon Explorer
8 Days - 7 Nights ~ From £970 per personThis in-depth and compact itinerary takes you to every corner of this stunning little country. Based in Beirut for the stay you explore the country, as with all our itineraries, with local English speaking guides and private vehicle. As well as exploring the countries ancient Roman, Medieval, Phoenician and Islamic past you take in the cities of Sidon and Tyre as well as exploring the Cedar forests of Les Cedres and the imposing mountains of the Chouf.London • Beirut • Sidon • Tyre • Echmoun • Les Cedres • Becharre • Qozhaya • Tripoli • Rachana • Balamand • Byblos • Harissa • Jeita • Baalbek • Ksara • Anjar • Beirut • London
Day 1. Sunday - London To Beirut Fly from London Heathrow to Beirut with British Midland. When you arrive you will be met by a local representative and then transferred to your hotel in Beirut by private air conditioned vehicle for a 4 night stay. Day 2. Monday - Sidon, Tyre and Echmoun You will be collected from your hotel this morning and taken for an excursion to Sidon, the largest town in southern Lebanon. You have a guided tour of the city that includes caravanserai, the souks, the soap museum and the Sea Castle. After Lunch you head to the palace of Beiteddine and sample its wonderful ceilings, marbled mosaics, Turkish bathes and Harem suites. Day 3. Tuesday - Beirut, Beiteddine and Deir El Qamar The day starts with a tour of the city of Beirut followed by a visit to the national museum. Built in the 1930’s the museum boasts artefacts from almost 60 centuries of history. From Beirut you head out to the Chouf Mountains where you have a stop over in the pleasant white washed villages of Deir El Qamar, home to the governors of Lebanon from the 16th to the 18th centuries. After Lunch you head to the palace of Beiteddine and sample its wonderful ceilings, marbled mosaics, Turkish bathes and Harem suites. Day 4. Wednesday - Les Cedres, Becharre and Qayhaya Deep in the ancient Cedar forests of the Les Cedres valley you visit the rock-hewn monasteries made famous through legend. After lunch continue to Becharre, birthplace of one of Lebanon’s most famous son’s Gibran Khalil Gibran. After lunch you have a visit to the deep mountain valley of Qadisha, home of the Monastery of St. Anthony. Return to Beirut for the evening. Day 5. Thursday - Tripoli, Rachana and Balamand Today you head north from Beirut to the town of Tripoli. Here you visit the Crusader castle of St. Giles. Next stop is the Monastery of Balamand. After lunch you have a visit to the Museum Village of Rachana, known for its sculptures. Return to Beirut for the evening. Day 6. Friday - Byblos, Harissa and Jeita The day starts with a visit to the Jeita Grottoes, one of Lebanon’s best natural features comprising 2 separate cave systems. Travel further on to Harissa to see the remarkable lady of Lebanon in Harissa and the wonderful Jounieh’s bay. After lunch continue to Byblos, arguably one of the oldest cities in the world and birthplace of the alphabet. You have guided tour of the town including the remarkable Crusader Castle and Church, Phoenician Temple and Royal Necropolis. Day 7. Saturday - Byblos, Harissa and Jeita You will be collected from your hotel this morning and taken for an excursion to Bekaa valley and Baalbek temple where you have a chance to visit amongst others the temples of Bacchus and Jupiter. Continue to Ksara, location of the oldest vineyard in Lebanon for a short tour and tasting session. After lunch visit the Ummayad site of Anjar. Return to Beirut for the night. Day 8. Sunday - Beirut to London You will be collected from the hotel after you check out and transferred to the airport in Beirut for your return flight to London Heathrow with British Midland. If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you the cost of the holiday without international flights relevant to your travel dates.
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