Country(ies): Lebanon
Tour type: Private
Group size: Min: 1 | Max: 0
Accommodation: No Accommodation
Meals: Breakfasts - 6, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 4
Transport: AC car/minibus
Highlights: Lively and cosmopolitan Beirut city, ruins at Baalbek and Byblos, beautiful scenery of the Beka'a Valley, crusader Castle of Qalaat Al-Bahr, ancient Souks, port city of Sidon
Set forth on a captivating expedition through the soul of Lebanon, a land where history, culture, and scenic beauty converge effortlessly. Your adventure begins in Beirut, the lively Mediterranean hub, where echoes of an ancient past intertwine with modern-day vibrance. From Beirut, the journey unfurls into the lush expanses of the Beka’a Valley, framed by towering mountains and adorned with vast vineyards that have sustained Lebanon’s wine heritage for thousands of years. Discover the timeless splendour of Baalbek, once celebrated as Heliopolis, a remarkable site of Roman grandeur nestled within the valley. Here, the remains of monumental temples stand as enduring witnesses to a distant era, with the awe-inspiring Temple of Bacchus rising prominently among the ruins.
Continuing this remarkable journey, you’ll reach the mesmerising Beiteddine Palace, a beacon of Lebanon’s architectural heritage. Built by Emir Bashir Shihab II in the late 18th century, this luxurious palace exemplifies the elaborate blend of Ottoman and Arabesque design, symbolising generations of power and influence. Close by, the ancient Umayyad ruins of Anjar quietly reveal stories of a long-gone era, with timeworn stones bearing testimony to centuries of human resilience and ambition.
Heading north, the coastal charm of Byblos awaits, where the clock seems to slow amid the town’s timeless cobblestone streets and ancient walls. Here, history breathes as you wander among traces of past civilisations, from Phoenician artefacts to Crusader forts, each relic unfolding a piece of Lebanon’s rich narrative. Absorb the pulse of local life, savouring traditional dishes and experiencing the heartfelt hospitality that fills every corner of this historic town.
As your voyage reaches its conclusion, return to Beirut, where your travel memories linger amid the city’s vibrant streets and lively souks. Reflecting on the experiences shared and landscapes traversed, you bid Lebanon farewell—a place of contrasts where ancient history coexists harmoniously with modern life. Departing with the spirit of this enchanting land within you, know that the memories of your Lebanese journey will remain, etched forever in the heart of your wanderlust.
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Our representative will greet you upon arrival at Beirut airport and escort you to your selected accommodation. The rest of the day is yours to start discovering this stunning coastal city.
OVERNIGHT:
Beirut hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 0, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
After leaving Beirut, you’ll journey through the scenic Beka'a Valley to reach the ancient town of Baalbek. This historical site is believed to have Phoenician origins, with the settlement’s history dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. In the 1st millennium BC, a temple dedicated to the god Baal was established here, giving the city its name. In 334 BC, Alexander the Great conquered the area, renaming the city Heliopolis—a name adopted by later Roman rulers. Derived from Greek, *Helios* means sun and *Polis* means city, hence, the "City of the Sun". Today, Baalbek is celebrated for its intricately detailed Roman ruins, drawing many visitors to the area each year.
OVERNIGHT:
Baalbek hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 1
EXTRAS:
None
This morning, you will travel to Beiteddine, with stops at Ksara and Anjar along the way. Your first destination is Ksara, located in the Beka’a Valley and renowned for its wine production. Here, you’ll have the chance to sample some of the region’s local wines. Later, you’ll continue to the historical site of Anjar. Founded by Caliph Walid I in the early 8th century, Anjar’s ruins showcase a distinctive, structured layout typical of ancient palace-cities, with excavations revealing numerous shops, baths, and souks. Finally, you’ll reach Beiteddine for a tour of the Palace, a small museum, and a Mosaic exhibition.
OVERNIGHT:
Zahle hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 1
EXTRAS:
None
Today, you travel north to the historic town of Byblos, passing through the coastal city of Saida (or Sidon) and the magnificent Crusader castle of Qalaat Al-Bahr, also known as the Sea Castle. Built by the Crusaders in 1228 AD, the castle is now made up of two primary towers connected by a wall. Sadly, much of the decorative features that once adorned the walls have been lost, as the Mamluks sought to dismantle all Sea Castles to prevent the Crusaders from regaining control of the coast. You will reach Byblos later in the afternoon, where you will have some leisure time to start discovering the souks.
OVERNIGHT:
Byblos hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 1
EXTRAS:
None
This morning, you will explore the ancient city of Byblos, which asserts itself as the longest-inhabited town in history. You will tour the Old Souks, the Citadel, the ancient ramparts, the Church of St John, and the Roman Amphitheatre.
OVERNIGHT:
Byblos hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 1
EXTRAS:
None
Today, you return to Beirut and embark on a city tour, beginning with a drive along the seafront promenade. During this drive, you will pass the striking Pigeon Rocks, a massive natural arch rising from the sea. If time allows later, this is a well-known spot for enjoying the sunset. Next, you will proceed through the Hamra commercial district, then visit the National Museum and Martyrs' Square. The National Museum in Beirut houses an impressive collection of more than 100,000 artefacts, although only around 1,300 are currently on display. The museum is arranged in chronological order, starting from the Bronze Age and progressing through to the modern era. The tour concludes with a visit to Martyrs’ Square, where you can observe the bullet-marked bronze statues, which stand as a poignant reminder of the destruction wrought during the Lebanese Civil War.
OVERNIGHT:
Beirut hotel
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
You have the freedom to continue exploring Beirut today until we take you to the airport for your departure.
OVERNIGHT:
N/A
MEALS:
Breakfasts - 1, Lunches - 0, Dinners - 0
EXTRAS:
None
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This itinerary is crafted as an example of a bespoke tour plan. Therefore, we do not provide fixed group departure dates for you to join. Instead, the tour is available for you to enjoy privately, with flexibility to start on any date throughout the year. Indicative seasonal prices are listed below, based on two people travelling. If you wish to modify the itinerary or if the number of travellers differs, please get in touch with us, and we will tailor a price specifically for you.
The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often use on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination you're visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.
The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.
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