Dhala Campbell
Named after a Yemeni fort and pass, Dhala was brought up in Scotland and spent her childhood mucking about on horses.
The travel bug started when... Read More
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.
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
Tour Leaders
Tom Skipwith
As a baby being taken around India on the back of a motorbike by his travel-crazed parents, the adventure bug was firmly embedded and a nomadic soul was... Read More
