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Beirut: Capital
of Lebanon and the heart of the Orient. Beirut is rising up. A huge
reconstruction plan is currently executed to rebuild its wonderful city
center. Recent excavations have dug up Phoenician ruins. It would be a
loss if you were in Beirut and you do not visit the center, shopping
markets, the National Museum and Sursok Museum, where you can learn more
about old civilizations and historic ages. |
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Baalbeck:
Baalbeck, one of the world's most amazing archaeological sites, can be
found in the east of Lebanon, where the Beqaa plain lies enclosed between
two mountain ranges. A very ancient site. Baalbeck came into its glory
after the invasion of Alexander the Great, who elevated it to the rank of
Heliopolis, city of the Sun. With the Roman conquest and the construction
of major temples, the town developed into an important religious site. |
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Tripoli: 85 km
from Beirut. Tripoli is the second largest city in the Lebanese republic,
and it is the seat of the Governorate of the North Lebanon. The city is
extremely rich in monuments from the Cursaders like the castle of St.
Giles or Mameluks like Taynal and Al Attar Mosques or the Islamic
religious schools known as "Madrassahs". |
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Tyre: 80km from
Beirut. Tyre was built on a small rocky island near the coast in the 10th
century B.C. it developed the industries of glass and purple dye. Behind
its walls on the island, Tyre successfully defied Nabuchadonozor for 13
years however, Alexander the great overtook the city by constructing a
great causeway from the shore to the island. In biblical times it was in
Qana near Tyre that Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding feast.
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Sidon: 410km
from Beirut. Saida is said to mean fishing. It was the 3rd
great Phoenician city-stated rivaling Byblos and Tyre as a naval power. In
Darius time, it was the capital of the 5th Persian satrapy. It
was taken by the Crusaders after 47 days siege, but it was reconquered by
Salaheddine 70years later. |
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Cedars: 122 km
from Beirut. Today the most venerable representatives of the Cedars of
Lebanon, which once covered the entire country, are in the Becharreh
region of North Lebanon. Some 400 trees, many between 1.200 and 2.00 years
old and on slopes 2.00 and 3.00 meters high in the shadow of the 3.00
meters peak of Qornet Al Sawda. |
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Beiteddine:
Just a few kilometers from the fascinating village of Deir el Qamar is the
Palace of Beiteddine, a masterpiece of 19th century Lebanese
architecture. The palace, with its vast courtyard and beautiful fountains,
ochre stone and perfectly geometrical arcades, is a wonderful sight to
behold. |
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Anjar: Located
in the Beqaa valley, Aanjar is one of the rare Ommayad vestiges in
Lebanon. The first hereditary dynasty of Islam, the Ommayads held sway in
the region during the 7th and 8th centuries. In
contrast to other archaeological sites in the country, Aanjar knew only a
short period of prosperity. Built at the start of the 8th
century under the reign of Caliph Walid Ibn Abdel-Malik, it became a
center for rest and recreation. And, thanks to its geographical position
it was also an important commercial center. |
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Hotels and Restaurants:
Lebanon has many luxury hotels, well equipped to make your stay pleasant
and comfortable. Numerous quality restaurants offer international cuisines
( Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, etc.), while restaurants serving
delicious Lebanese food are too numerous to count. The Ministry of Tourism
publishes a Hotel Guide and a Guide to Restaurants, Night Clubs and Cafes,
both available at the Office of Tourism. The Ministry also has brochures
for each region of Lebanon and many archaeological sites.
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Shopping: Most
international brands are available in Lebanon, but the visitor will be
more interested in the local products, especially handicrafts. Embroidery,
cutlery, brass, caftans and pottery of all kinds are among the attractive
choices. Talented Lebanese jewelers are another source of original
souvenirs at a good price.
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Climate: Lebanon enjoys a
mild Mediterranean climate with an average of 300 sunny days a year. It
almost never rains between June and September, July and August are often
hot and humid, with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius. Winters are
generally cool with heavy rain on the coast and snow in the mountains.
Nevertheless, winter brings many pleasant days, making Lebanon ideal for
winter sports.
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Visas: Travelers wishing to
enter Lebanon must possess a valid passport with a visa obtained from a
Lebanese embassy or consulate abroad. Residents of 33 countries of the
Arabian Gulf and Malaysia can obtain visas at the airport in Beirut. A
valid passport is all that is required.
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Customs: Personal effects are
exempt from customs. Alcohol is limited to two bottles per person and
tobacco to 500 grams, 400 cigarettes or 20 cigars.
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Local Time: Lebanese time is
GMT + 2 hours in winter and 3 hours in the summer.
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Currency: Currency is the
Lebanese pound whose rate of exchange is approximately L.L. 1500 to the US
dollar.
You won’t have any difficulties exchanging
money in Lebanon, which enjoys numerous licensed exchange shops. The
banking system, one of the most developed in the Middle East, employs
modern systems of payment and most banks have automatic tellers which
accept international credit cards.
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Working Hours: the official
day off is Sunday, although some hops and supermarkets open on Sunday
morning. Working hours during the week are as follows:
Government: Monday to Thursday: 8 am. To 2
pm. Friday: 8am. To 11 am. And Saturday 8 to 1 pm.
Private sector: 8 am. To 6pm. Monday to
Friday.
Banks 8:30 am. to 4 pm. Monday to Friday.
Saturday until 1 pm.
Shops: 9:30 to 6 pm. Monday through
Saturday. In summer Saturday until 1 pm.
Supermarkets: 8:30am. To 8 pm. |
