Lebanon with Luxury & Style (5 Days): A Sample Itinerary
ID #: DT-L-5-4-15-11-RAIJ
DavidTravel Itinerary Highlights include:
Though a small country, Lebanon
is large in terms of natural beauty, archeological sites and
history. Set on the Mediterranean coast, Lebanon has held a
strategic position in history. The Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans,
Ottomans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders and others have all
travelled through, leaving a legacy of architecture and culture.
Discover its ancient treasures as you tour the monuments,
temples and museums. Appreciate the beauty of the sea, as you
explore Lebanon’s Sea Castle, Jounieh’s Bay and the ancient port
of Byblos. Take a boat tour through the amazing Jeita Grottoes –
two levels filled with a labyrinth of monstrous rock galleries.
And, sample of the flavors of Lebanon’s ancient and modern blend
of civilizations as you savor the tasty Lebanese cuisine and
wine.
• The collection of archeological treasures in the
National Museum
• Discovering 7,000 years of Lebanese history in
Byblos
Overview:
Lebanon's diverse patchwork of Mediterranean-lapped coast,
rugged alpine peaks and green, fertile valleys is packed into a
parcel of land some 225km (140 miles) long and 46km (29 miles)
wide.
Once known as the 'Paris of the East', Beirut commands a
magnificent position, thrust into the Mediterranean. Behind the
city are towering mountains, visible when the traffic haze
settles down. The Corniche seafront boasts beaches, restaurants,
theatres and a dazzling variety of shops and restaurants.
Beirut suffered greatly from Lebanon's 16-year civil war, but
following an impressive and ongoing process of reconstruction,
the city was poised to become one of the most popular tourist
and business destinations in the Middle East before the Israeli
attacks of 2006.
Outside of the capital, several UNESCO World Heritage Sites
await, many of which reflect the country's various ancient
civilizations. Phoenician tombs, Roman temples, Crusader castles
and Mamlouk mosques can be found in the cities and ruins of
Baalbeck, Byblos and Tyre. The town of Aanjar in the Bekaa
Valley contains an Umayyad site from the 8th century - a unique
historical example of a commercial centre that was inland.
Within the mountainous interior of the Kadisha Valley, ancient
monasteries and churches can be seen, including a chapel built
into the rock face.