Belair :: Excursions in Lebanon

Tour # 1 – Half Day ( HD) Beirut + National Museum = 4 hours

Drive to the downtown district to see the huge reconstruction project that took place to create a new commercial and residential district of the 21^st century. This project has actually discovered that the capital is standing on the site of a very ancient settlement going back at least 5,000 years. Recent excavations have uncovered important archaeological sites from Canaanite, Phoenician, and Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Omayyad, Abbassid, Crusader, Mamluke and Ottoman eras. The 1.80 sq. meters reconstruction project includes new buildings but constructed in the traditional style, besides hundreds of old structures that have been restored and renovated to its original shapes, including Beirut’s souks and historical mosques and churches.

Proceed to Corniche road and stop for a short walk in the favorite promenade of many Beirutis. Further along, the road climbs steeply to a cliff edge, which is the headland of Beirut, with an array of cliff-top restaurants and cafes-, a panoramic view of the bay and famous Pigeon’s Rock. The road then leads down, stretching out a beautiful sandy beach and a prestigious residential area of Ramlet El-Baida. Tour ends with a visit to the National Museum.

Tour # 2 - HD Jeita Grottoes + Harissa = 5 hours

Drive 20km along the highway north of Beirut to visit the Dog River, for its commemorative inscriptions that have been left behind by conquering armies between 2^nd millenium BC. and 1949 AD.

Proceed to the nearby principal source of the River, Jeita, a beautiful natural wonder, and best caverns in the Middle East. Transfer by cable car to the caverns, which consist of two parts, lower & upper galleries. The lower ones are visited by boat ride, while the upper caverns on foot. Enjoy the refreshingly cool temperature, the sound of rushing water, columns and sculptures that have been formed by water and time, supported by an effective lighting system, allowing a glimpse of the uppermost roofs.

Proceed along the coastal road to Jounieh; take the Telepherique up to the outstretched arms of the Virgin of Lebanon in Harissa- a breathtaking view of the bay.

Tour # 3 - HD Beiteddine + Deir El Kamar = 5 hours

Drive to Damour, a small town, 17km south of Beirut, and climb another 26km east, passing through the charming town of Deir el-Qamar (the residence of Lebanese governors during 16^th century), till you reach the Palace of Beiteddine. The palace is the best example of early 19^th century Lebanese architecture, built over a 30-year period by Emir Bashir. Visit the palace complex and its museums (costume & weapons of that era) as well as a fine collection of well-preserved Byzantine mosaics.

Tour # 4 - HD Byblos = 4 hours

Discover a town that goes back 7,000 years; and the world’s oldest continuously inhabited. Located 37km north of Beirut, Byblos is a quite charming small town of great history. Visit its ancient sites, and then explore the old part of the town on foot, starting from fishermen’s harbor, leading uphill towards the Church of St. John the Baptist and souks.

Tour # 5 – Full Day ( FD) Baalbek & Anjar = 9 hours

Cross Mount Lebanon range and drive through Beqaa plain towards Baalbeck, 85km from Beirut, to visit Lebanon’s greatest Roman treasure, counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The site includes the temples of Jupiter, Bacchus & Venus, with the remarkable Great Court and the Hexagonal Forecourt. Drive to Ksara Caves for wine tasting (not applicable on Sundays), with a stop in Aanjar, to visit this historical Omayyad site, located in the southern part of the plain.

Tour # 6 - FD Sidon & Tyre = 9 hours

Tyre, 83km south of Beirut, was declared as a World Heritage Site, for its historical importance. Visit the excavated ruins which consists of three parts: the south side of the old Phoenician island-city that includes a large site of colonnades, public baths, mosaic streets and a rectangular arena; the northern site ruins observed from the road; and the third area on the landward side east that consists of the most impressive archaeological remains, such as the Roman necropolis and hippodrome.

Drive back along the coastal road to visit another important Phoenician town, Sidon, with its Sea Castle and old covered souks. On the city’s northern gate, the Phoenician Temple complex of Echmoun will be visited, before returning back.

Tour # 7 - FD Byblos – Jeita – Harissa = 8 hours

Continue to visit the Jeita Grottoes then take the cable car to visit Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa overlooking the bay of Jounieh

Tour # 8 – FD Cedars – Bcharreh – Qadisha = 9 hours

Drive along the coastal highway towards Chekka, then ascend east through some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in Lebanon, continually gaining altitude and offering spectacular views of peaks and gorges, where the Qadisha Valley is, and the red-roofed Bcharri, the main town of the valley. But before visiting the town, drive another 4km to visit the Cedars of Lebanon, where some trees are over 1000 years old. Back to Bcharri to visit the museum of Gibran Khalil Gibran, the internationally famous writer and poet, then visit the Qadisha Valley which is filled with caves and rock shelters inhabited from the 3^rd millennium BC. to the Roman period; scattered with cave chapels, heritages and monasteries cut from rock. Some are only accessible on foot (easy walk).

Tour # 9 - FD Byblos – Jeita = 7 hours

Tour # 10 - FD Beirut – Harissa = 6 hours

Drive to the downtown district to see the huge reconstruction project-taking place to create a new commercial and residential district of the 21^st century. This project has actually discovered that the capital is standing on the site of a very ancient settlement going back at least 5,000 years. Recent excavations have uncovered important archaeological sites from Canaanite, Phoenician, and Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Omayyad, Abbassid, Crusader, Mamluke and Ottoman eras. The 1.80 sq. meters reconstruction project includes new buildings but constructed in the traditional style, besides hundreds of old structures that have been restored and renovated to its original shapes, including Beirut’s souks and historical mosques and churches.

Continue to Jounieh then take the cable car to visit Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa overlooking the bay of Jounieh

Tour # 11 - FD Beiteddine + Deir El Kamar + Sidon = 8 hours

Drive to Damour, a small town, 17km south of Beirut, and climb another 26km east, passing through the charming town of Deir el-Qamar (the residence of Lebanese governors during 16^th century), till you reach the imposing palace of Beiteddine. The palace is the best example of early 19^th century Lebanese architecture, built over a 30-year period by Emir Bashir. Visit the palace complex and its museums (costume & weapons of that era) as well as a fine collection of well-preserved Byzantine mosaics

Tour # 12 - FD Beirut + HARISSA + BYBLOS = 9 hours

Drive 20km along the highway north of Beirut to visit the Dog River, for its commemorative inscriptions that have been left behind by conquering armies between 2^nd millenium BC. and 1949 AD.

Proceed along the coastal road to Jounieh; take the Telepherique up to the outstretched arms of the Virgin of Lebanon in Harissa- a breathtaking view of the bay.

Tour # 13 - FD Byblos – Tripoli = 9 hours

Continue to Tripoli to visit Lebanon’s second largest city,: the old part of the city which includes sites from the Mamluke era, such as narrow alleyways, colorful souks, hammams, khans, mosques and theological schools (madrassah); and the Crusaders’ Fortress of Raymond de Saint-Gilles

Tour # 14- FD Beirut + JEITA + HARISSA = 9 hours

Drive 20km along the highway north of Beirut to visit the Dog River, for its commemorative inscriptions that have been left behind by conquering armies between 2^nd millenium BC. and 1949 AD.

Proceed along the coastal road to Jounyeh; take the Cable Car up to the outstretched arms of the Virgin of Lebanon in Harissa- a breathtaking view of the bay.

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