Lebanon

| Best of Lebanon          BEST OF LEBANON   Day 1: Arrival to Beirut International Airport; meet & assist by our representative. Transfer to the hotel. Proceed to discover the city of the most ancient port in the world in Byblos. Traditional Lebanese lunch then visit of the city: claimed to be the oldest city in the world continuously inhabited for more than 7000 years. You will see remains of Neolithic, Middle Bronze Age, Amorite, Egyptian, Hyksos, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Crusader origin. Byblos, cradle of civilization gave its name to the Bible. Byblos provides more than archaeological interest as the town itself retains much of its ancient charm. Dining and enjoy the night in the most famous entertainment place in Middle East ---- Casino du Liban. Overnight at the hotel. Day 2: After breakfast at hotel, our day starts by visiting the Chouf mountain ---- the heart of Lebanon. Starting by Beiteddine Palace the Presidential Palace in the summer which is considered as a masterpiece of oriental architecture. And then proceed to Deir El-Kamar the Emirs capital, continue to Barouk Cedars Forest the national reserve. And then visit downtown, enjoy the special night in modern Beirut. Overnight at the hotel. Lunch in Lebanese farmhouse with plenty fresh wild vegetables and traditional Lebanese cuisines. Dinner in Little China. Day 3: After breakfast, our day starts by visiting Baalbeck ---- Lebanon's greatest Roman treasure, can be counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The largest and most noble Roman temples ever built, they are also among the best preserved. Towering high above the Beqaa plain, their monumental proportions proclaimed the power and wealth of Imperial Rome. The gods worshipped here, Local influences are also seen in the planning and layout of the temples, which vary from the classic Roman design. Continue to discover the only remainder of the Omeyyade period in Anjar. And then proceed to Ksara to witness the wine industry. Overnight at the hotel. Traditional Lebanese lunch in Zahleh. Cuban dinner in La Bodeguita del Medio. Day 4: After breakfast, visit of Sidon: the "Castle of the Sea", a 13th century Crusader fortress, and visit the souk, the caravan serail, the soap museum, mosques… Continue to Tyre and visit the city. Tyre offers two impressive sites dating back to the Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and crusader periods. The “bass” site contains one of the largest hippodromes existing from the Roman period and a very big necropolis amongst other vestiges. The other site ‘the imperial city’, by the sea-side, has a very beautiful mosaic and marble Roman alley, an arena for two thousand people, baths, and remains of the Phoenician wall of the city.Return to Beirut, overnight at the hotel. Lunch typical Lebanese fast food Shawarma and dining Italian cuisine with pizza in ABC Shopping Center. Shopping in the rest of the evening. Day 5: After breakfast, visit St. Charbel Monastery ---- the representative of holly land of Lebanon. Pass by Batroun visit Phoenicia Wall and have Lebanese traditional seafood lunch. Proceed to Tripoli, to discover the Arabic aspect of the city & buy traditional Lebanese Sweets. From the earliest times Tripoli in North Lebanon was an unusual city due to its configuration for it was not one city but "three cities in one", hence its name Tripoli or the "Tri-city". Forty-five buildings in the city and twelve mosques, many dating from the 14th century, have been registered as historical sites. Overlooking the city is the imposing Citadel of Tripoli known as Qal’at Sinjil (Saint Gilles) which has been renovated and changed many times during its history. Begun in 1294 and completed in 1315, the Great Mosque was built on the ruined 12th century Crusader Cathedral of St. Mary of the Tower. And then back to Beirut, rest overnight in hotel. Day 6: After breakfast, Visit the jewel of the Middle East called Beirut, starting by Pigeon Rock, and then National Museum, Lunch in Little China. And then proceed to the famous Jeita Grotto which has already cut the breath of thousands of visitors. Two grottos superimposed linked by a cable car, sink at thousand meters inside the mountains. The lower grotto could be visited with a bark. The upper grotto could be explored on foot. Stalactites & Stalagmites evoking the fauna and the flora, water falls, lakes and natural columns. Transfer to Beirut International airport.