Lebanon with Luxury & Style (5 Days): Sample Itinerary Outline
ID #: DT-L-5-4-15-11-RAIJ
DAY
1: Arrive Beirut, LEBANON
Welcome to Beirut. You are met on arrival, and taken on a tour of the
downtown area. Explore the recently renovated streets, newly found
archeological sites, churches and mosques from the Crusader and Moslem
periods. Visit the historic Grand Serail, an Ottoman monument that
crowns Serail Hill. Explore the National Museum, with its vast
collection of pre-historic Egyptian artifacts and statues, glassware and
jewelry treasures from the Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine empires. This
afternoon check into your deluxe hotel located on the Mediterranean Sea;
it is your home for the next 4 nights.
►Some suggested Beirut hotels (in alphabetical order): Hotel Albergo Relais & Chateaux Movenpick Hotel & Resort, Beirut ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 2: Baalbek & Anjar, LEBANON
This morning, it is a short hour’s drive to visit Baalbek, Lebanon’s
greatest Roman treasure and a wonder of the ancient world. Explore the
ruins dedicated to Jupiter, Bacchus & Venus - the largest and the
world’s best-preserved Roman temples and towering monuments. Then take a
break and enjoy a typical and tasty Lebanese lunch in a local
restaurant. In the afternoon, proceed to the Ksara Winery for a tour and
tastes of Lebanese wines. Next, continue on to Anjar, a walled city
built in the early 8th century, with the remains of over 600 shops, city
walls, temples and baths. Return to Beirut by late afternoon. ►For Beirut hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 3: South Lebanon – Sidon & Tyre, LEBANON
Today, drive to South Lebanon for a full day of touring. First, visit
Sidon, the largest city in South Lebanon, whose start can be traced back
to the 14th century BC. Explore the ancient caravanserail (traders’ way
station) and the colorful old souks and then visit the 17th century Audi
Sidon Soap Museum. Tour the Sea Castle, a fortress built by the
Crusaders in the early 13th century, located on a small island just off
the mainland. After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to Tyre, Queen
of the Seas. Visit its large archeological site - featuring an aqueduct,
a triumphal arch, and the largest hippodrome in antiquity, along with
its amazing necropolis. En route back to Beirut, stop to explore the
ruins of the Phoenician Temple of Echmoun, honoring the God of Death and
Birth. ►For Beirut hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 4: Jeita Grottoes, Harissa & Byblos, LEBANON
This morning visit the amazing Jeita Grottoes, Lebanon’s natural
miracle. This is a striking, two level, 51/2-mile long labyrinth of rock
galleries. Explore the lower river level on a unique flat-bottom boat
tour – floating on a subterranean lake past “weeping willows” and
gigantic stone flowers. On the upper grotto, see striking images of
monstrous mineral animals crouching in the shady corners. Next drive to
Harissa to visit the magnificent Lady of Lebanon statue of the Virgin
Mary and to gaze at the spectacular panoramic views of Jounieh’s Bay.
After lunch in a local restaurant, proceed to Byblos (Jbail), the most
ancient port in the world, and birthplace of the Roman alphabet. The
city offers over 7,000 years of history & culture, and presents a
comprehensive look at the many layers of civilization that have existed
in Lebanon. You are back in Beirut by late this afternoon. ►For Beirut hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 5: Depart Beirut, LEBANON
Today you are taken to the airport for your departing flight home or on
to your next destination.