"Lebanon" Top 5 Page for this destination Lebanon by sachara

Lebanon Travel Guide: 2,436 reviews and 5,868 photos

Since I learned about the Phoenicians at school, I knew once I will visit the Middle East and Lebanon. In 1973 I was planning my first trip to Lebanon .... I don't know anymore why, but I ended up in Poland and Russia that year.
In 1990 we visited Cyprus. For my friend and his colleague in Nicosia, both journalists, it was very tempting to take the boat to Lebanon for a short visit to Beirut. I didn't like to join them, because of the risks of war, so they didn't go either.
In 1995 twenty two years after planning my first trip, we got the opportunity to make a try-out trip for a small travel-agency in Amsterdam, so we did, allthough we just returned from Sikkim in the Himalayas.

We visited all parts of Lebanon, starting in Beirut. Here we saw the terrible traces of the war, but we saw and felt also the great energy of the Lebanese people reconstructing their city.
Everywhere in Lebanon we discovered the remains of its rich history, Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Arabic, Mameluke, Ottoman ....

Deir al-Qamar

In the south we visited Tyre, Sidon, Echmoun and St Saveur.

In the east in the Beeka valley we visited Baalbeck, Zahle, Aanjar and the Lac de Qaraoun.

In the Chouf Mountains we visited Deir al-Qamar, Beitedinne, Moukhtara, Ain Zhalta and Ain Dara.

The Cedars

North of Beirut we visited Harissa, Jbail, Tripoli, Afqa, Al Akrine, Ehden, Bcharre, The Cedars and the Kadisha Valley with its villages and monasteries.

Pros and Cons

Pros:rich culture and nature

Last visit to Lebanon: Apr 1995
Intro Updated Oct 20, 2003
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Reviews (41)

Moussalayha Castle Off The Beaten Path (11)

On our way from Jbail to Tripoli, 3 KM beyond Batroun, we saw at the east side of the highway this castle. You can take... more travel advice

Bcharre Things to Do (24)

Bcharre (at 1400 M) is the maintown of the Kadisha Valley. In town are three large churches and a statue of the Lebanese... more travel advice

The Cedars, the snow is melting - Lebanon

The Cedars, ski resort Sports & Outdoors (2)

East of Bcharre in northern Lebanon lies the ski resort the Cedars , just a few KMs away from the famous grove of cedar... more travel advice

Coffee jar Shopping (2)

In the souqs and shops I saw all kind of local stuff. I liked it to look for a coffee can. Of different Middle east... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Mazraat Khaizarane, seaview

Transportation (1)
Road from Bcharre to Baalbeck

Comments (15)

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hunterV Jul 6, 2010 at 12:51 AM

Ali, thanks for your interesting page about Lebanon! ><><><
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travelinxs Sep 23, 2007 at 6:49 AM

Extreamly well written facts. I feel a little more enlightened on Lebanon! Thanks.
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alycat Mar 13, 2007 at 1:20 AM

Salams amazing pics and informatve tips...thnx!!
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Manyana Mar 9, 2007 at 11:30 AM

wow, you've been to places i've never heard of...guess arabs don't hang around their land quite often! impressed by your pages on our arabian land!! bless you, ali, a:^)
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yolland Oct 11, 2006 at 11:31 AM

Big compliments for your Lebanon pages, a country we sincerely love!! This year I (Lebanese) married a Dutch guy Andrew on Cyprus. See our pages, Andy & Yolland
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Escadora7 Sep 18, 2006 at 12:14 PM

Hi Ali! Very nice Lebanon tips! We hope we will be able to visit there soon! Best wishes, Ash & Eve
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TheWanderingCamel Jul 19, 2006 at 8:20 AM

May we both return one day to this beautiful country and find it at peace. leyle
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DaDrifter Oct 16, 2005 at 1:35 AM

What an interesting place! ... i am really amazed by the wealth of information on these pages, Ali. Lovely pictures of Baalbeck and Beitedinne ... Thanks for sharing.
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Pawtuxet Oct 13, 2004 at 2:54 PM

Intrigueing country. I wonder why the cedars are disappearing??
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kyoub Sep 17, 2004 at 4:14 PM

I am very happy that you finally made it to Lebanon and that you shared the trip on VT. Great page.