Lebanon
It may have a name for itself as a war-torn country, but Lebanon has emerged from the ashes of conflict and undergone a complete rebirth into a richly diverse mixture of ancient relics and modern Mediterranean life. Bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, the impact of the Arabic, Roman and French cultures is clearly visible.
An ever increasingly popular tourist hotspot before the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), Lebanon was known in its heyday as the "Switzerland of the East", and the capital Beirut was referred to as "Paris of the Middle East". Since the month-long 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon's authorities have worked hard to rebuild damaged areas and regain its popularity with tourists, and visitor numbers are steadily on the up.
Today, Lebanon stands as a hub of activity, from the thriving arts, fashion and cultural scene in and around Beirut's coffee shops and boulevards, to the crusader castle and harbour of Byblos, the terraced hills of the Shuf region, and the crumbling 7th Century Umayyad city of Aanjar. From the mountainous east to the sandy beaches of the western coastline, Lebanon is an easily accessible, vibrant, modern and optimistic country ideal for an extraordinary adventure.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Lebanon
What to do in Lebanon
Taste wine in the Bekaa Valley
Beirut
North east of Beirut is the Bekaa valley, which is famous for producing Lebanon's renowned wine and where you can visit the wineries and taste fine wines. Wine in Lebanon has a history that reaches back thousands of years. Over 4000 years ago, the Phoenicians sold Lebanese wine throughout the Mediterranean region, and were credited with having introduced the flavourful nectar into the Spanish and Italian markets. Barrels of wine were shipped out from the thriving ports of Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos to many destinations, including Egypt during the reign of the Pharaohs. The superior quality of Lebanese wines - then and now - is due to the fertile soil of the Bekaa Valley. The valley's exceptional climate and the richness of its earth provide an ideal breeding ground for various types of grapes. The oldest winery in Lebanon that's still in operation today is Chateau Ksara.
View exquisite Roman temples
Beirut
With your local guide enjoy excursion to Baalbec. Located 86 km from Beirut, Baalbec is probably the most impressive historical site in Lebanon and has some of the best Roman ruins in the Middle East. The temple precinct contains the monumental Temple of Jupiter, completed in 68 AD and built on a podium 13 metres high and some 200 metres long. Little remains of the columns today, only 6 remain standing but the sheer size of the structure is awe-inspiring.
Discover Phoenician Ports
Beirut
Head outside Beirut to the southern Phoenician port cities of Sidon and Tyre. In Sidon, the highlights are the Temple of Echmoun, a Phoenician temple built in the late 7th century BC, the Castle of the Sea, built by the Crusaders on a small promontory. The city of Tyre was badly affected during the war but the archaeological remains are impressive, most of them dating from Greek and Roman times. The best of these is the enormous Roman hippodrome with its picturesque location by the sea.
Explore the Qadisha Valley
Beirut
Drive with yoru guide up into the Qadsha Valley with its monasteries and Maronite villages. Visit the Gibran Khalil Gibran Museum housed in the small monastery of Mar Sarkis. There is a display of Gibran's paintings, drawings and manuscripts as well as a brilliant view over the mountains. Also, a real highlight is walking through the ancient Cedars of Lebanon. This small grove has been designated a World Heritage Site and some of the trees are over 1000 yrs old. The trees are of national importance and were once used in the construction of great palaces and religious buildings.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Lebanon
Where to stay in Lebanon
Golden Tulip Serenada
Beirut
The four star Golden Tulip Serenada is conveniently situated in the heart of Hamra city, 15 minutes from the airport,...
Gefinor Rotana Hotel
Beirut
Conveniently located in the heart of Beirut, the five star Gefinor Rotana Hotel is within easy reach of the restaurants...
Movenpick Hotel & Resort Beirut
Beirut
The five star Movenpick is the only beach hotel within walking distance of Beirut city centre. All 292 rooms and suites...
Byblos Sur Mer Hotel
Byblos
This coastal boutique hotel, although offering all the charm and comforts of a modern hotel, is steeped in history;...
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Lebanon
Suggested Itineraries
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Lebanon
Lebanon Travel Guide
Beirut
Before the civil war, Beirut was known as the Paris of the Middle East, a cosmopolitan city famous for its nightlife, beaches and restaurants. Beirut suffered grave damage during the civil war of 1975-1992 but Herculean efforts are under way to reconstruct the city and the work has brought to light many new archaeological finds. The mountains rise steeply above Beirut from where you can get spectacular views of the city. There is a good selection of hotels and restaurants.
Zahle
Zahle is an attractive red-roofed town set among the eastern foothills of Mount Sannine, 45 km east of the capital Beirut. Snow capped mountains tower above it in winter, while in summer its 945-metre elevation keeps the air light and dry. It is the only predominant Christian city in the Middle East and is well known for its old churches, outdoor restaurants and unique food. The city centre spreads along both banks of the Bardouni River, with the older section of town on the upper elevations of the west bank and the shopping district on the east bank. Zahle was founded about 300 years ago in an area whose past reaches back some five millennia. In the early 18th century the new town was divided into three separate quarters, each of which had its own governor. The city enjoyed a brief period as the region's first independent state in the 19th century when it had its own flag and anthem.
Tripoli
Located 85km north of Beirut, Tripoli is Lebanon's second city and contains some excellent examples of Crusader and later Mameluke and Ottoman architecture. Not to be missed are the Crusader Castle of Raymond de St.Gilles (Qalaat Sanjil in Arabic) built in 1104, and the medieval town. In the old city's maze of narrow alleyways can be found the souks, the Taylan Mosque built in 1336 and incorporating the remains of an earlier church, the Great Mosque of 1294 and the Ottoman Hammam al-Jadid of 1740.
Aanjar
Aanjar is a particularly interesting sight as it is comparatively recent compared with other ancient cities in Lebanon (7th century AD). Also, unlike other sites, it has not been continuously inhabited and so its remains are specifically from an important period that are rarely found elsewhere.It was founded by the Umayyads and benefited from its strategic position on intersecting trade routes leading to Damascus, Homs, Baalbeck and the south. This almost perfect quadrilateral of ruins lies in the midst of the richest agricultural land in Lebanon.
Byblos
Byblos is a picturesque port city with a wonderful archaeological site. It is known as the world's oldest continually inhabited town and the remains here date from the Stone Age through to the Crusaders. It was here that the scribes of Byblos developed the world's first alphabetic script, precursor of our modern alphabet. Near the old town is the archaeological site, with Phoenician ramparts dating from the 2nd and 3rd millennium BC, the temple of Baalat Gebal, the Obelisk Temple and the Royal Necropolis. There is a Roman theatre near the cliff edge, a Roman colonnade and a Crusader castle built in the 12 th century.
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Lebanon
Lebanon Travel Information
Visa Information
UK Passport holders require a visa to enter the Lebanon. This can be obtained on arrival in Beirut.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
N.B. If you have an Israeli stamp in your passport you will NOT be allowed entry.
If you would prefer to obtain your visa before arrival - this can be arranged through:
Travcour (UK)
Tempo House
15 Falcon Road Battersea
London
SW11 2PJ
Tel: 020 7223 5295
Fax: 020 7738 2617
Email: info@travcour.com
Website: www.travcour.com
If you are travelling on a non-UK passport, please contact your nearest consulate/embassy for up to date visa information.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Lebanon though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
How to book a trip
Group Tours
We currently have no group tours scheduled to Lebanon
