Lebanon Signature

Departure to the South. Phoenician Tyre was queen of the seas, an island city of unprecedented splendor. She grew wealthy from her far-reaching colonies and her industries of purple-dyed textiles. Visit of the triumphal arch, the public baths and the hippodrom. Includes a visit to Echmoun. Continue to Visit Sidon, the largest city in south-Lebanon. Visit of the caravanserai, the old souks and the Sea castle, a fortress built by the Crusaders in the early 13th century on a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway. Lunch. On the way back, visit of Maghdouche church

Visit Beirut and discover the lively Cornish, the Pigeon’s Grotto and the renovated downtown. Continue to the National Museum. Built in 1930, the Museum houses a collection of ancient antiquities covering about 60 Centuries of history. Departure to the Chouf mountains, Located south-east of Beirut, the region comprises a narrow coastal strip notable for the Christian town of Damour, and the valleys and mountains of the western slopes of Jabal Barouk, the name of the local Mount Lebanon massif. Chouf is the heartland of the Lebanese Druze community. The Emirs of Lebanon used to have their residence in Chouf, most notably Bachir Chehab II, who built the magnificent palace of Beiteddine during the first half of the 19th century. Another historical town, located just below Beiteddine, is Deir al Qamar (the monastery of the Moon).visit of Deir el Qamar. Then we will continue to the Beiteddine Palace, the eighteen-century Arabian night’s-type retreat. We will admire graceful arcades, ornate ceilings; rich marble mosaics, tinkling fountains and beautifully paneled rooms.

Depart by private vehicle to the North. Visit to Becharreh, the birthplace of Gibran Khalil Gibran, the Lebanese famous world known poet, artist and novelist. Proceed to Qadicha, "Holy Valley" of History. A number of monasteries were built in this area, the most important are Deir Qannoubin, an ancient seat of the Maronite Patriarchal and Deir Qouzhayya. We will continue to the Cedars. At more then 1,800 meters, the Cedars fascinate with their majesty and great age.

Visit Tripoli and explore the Crusader Castle of St. Gilles, the old city with its narrow alleys, souks and mosques dating back to the ameluk and Ottoman times. Continue to Balamand monastery which has been under the authority of the Orthodox Church since the early 17th century. Have your lunch in local restaurant. Proceed to Rachana, south of Tripoli, which its name means the “Museum Village” as it was known for its sculptures made of wood, stone, granite, or metal.

Departure to Chtaura , the agriculture center city of the Bekaa valley in Lebanon. We will continue our route to Baalbeck, the famous site for its exquisitely detailed yet monumentally scaled temple ruins of the Roman period, when Baalbek, then known as Heliopolis, was one of the largest sanctuaries in the Empire. It is Lebanon's greatest Roman treasure, and it can be counted among the wonders of the ancient world, containing some of the largest and best preserved Roman ruins. We will visit the temple complex made up of Jupiter’s Temple, Bacchus Temple adjacent to it and a short distance away the Temple of Venus. Afterwards we will drive to Ksara, one of the most famous wineries in the region. We will taste a selection of the best white, rose and red wines ever produced in the Middle East. lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to Anjar. Visit of this Umayyad-period town that was excavated only 40 years ago.

Departure to Jeita. Visit of the grottoes, Lebanon’s natural miracle, a striking nine kilometers labyrinth of galleries on two levels. The lower, river level offers a unique tour by flat-bottom boat past “weeping willows” and gigantic stone flowers. Equally striking is the upper grotto where monstrous mineral animals crouch in shady corners. Continue to visit Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa where you will enjoy the beautiful view of Jounieh. We will then proceed to Byblos, the oldest harbor in the world. Visit of the archeological site where around the acropolis you will admire traces of all periods since the Neolithic times. It is a city full of history where the Christian religion is dominating by the crusaders passage and their building of a cathedral in the 12th century.

Private airport transfer with an English speaking driver.