LEBANON: FROM PRE-BIBLICAL TO MODERN
A cultural tour of Lebanon

Lebanon is one of the oldest countries in the world, and home to a civilization going back to around 3500 BC when cities like Beirut, Byblos, Tyre, Sidon and Baalbek were founded. Lebanon boasts a rich pre-Biblical history, having been mentioned 75 times in Old Testament, and is home to five World Heritage Sites. Our 8-day program has been carefully tailored to cover all of these sites, in depth and in appreciation of what was, in addition to celebrating the culture and hospitality of the ancient land and modern country that is.

Day 01: Arrive Beirut
Merhaba! Welcome to Lebanon. The local hospitality is immediately evident on our arrival, as we are welcomed, transferred to Beirut and checked into our hotel, our home for the next week.
Overnight: Lancaster Hotel, Beirut (7 nights)

Day 02: Tyre, Sidon & Eshmoun
Our journey through Lebanon begins with a visit to Tyre, named after the founder of Carthage, and formerly the greatest of the Phoenician city-states. Located 83km / 52 miles south of Beirut, Tyre is a designated World Heritage Site. Our tour starts with a visit to the excavated ruins that consist of three parts: the south side of the old Phoenician island-city that includes a large site of colonnades, public baths, mosaic streets and a rectangular arena, the northern site ruins observed from the road, and the third area on the landward side east that consists of the most impressive archaeological remains, such as the Roman necropolis and hippodrome. Next we enjoy a scenic drive back along the coastal road to visit another important Phoenician town, Sidon, with its Sea Castle and old covered souqs. Prior to our return journey we visit the incredible Phoenician Temple complex of Eshmoun on the city's northern gate. (B, D)

Day 03: Beirut, Dog River, Harissa & Byblos
Our tour of Beirut also takes us on the Corniche, where we have an impressive aerial view of the bay and the famous Pigeon's Rock. The road then continues along a beautiful sandy beach and the prestigious residential area of RamletEl-Baida. Our morning tour ends with a visit to the National Museum. Later we travel via the Coastal highway, proceed to the Dog River for a visit to its commemorative inscriptions that have been left behind by conquering armies between 2nd millennium BC and 1949 AD and to Harissa, climbing by cable car to the
Holy statue of Notre Dame for a view of Jounieh and Beirut. Continue onto a town that goes back 7,000 years, claiming to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. Located 37 km / 23 miles north of Beirut, Byblos is a small charming town with an impressive history. Visiting its ancient sites, we explore the old part of the town on foot, starting from fishermen's harbour, leading uphill towards the Church of St. John the Baptist and the souqs. (B, D)

Day 04: Bcharre, Qadisha Valley, Tripoli & Cedars of Lebanon
Today we embark on a picturesque drive along the coastal highway towards Chekka.We ascend east through some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in Lebanon, and as we continually gain altitude we are presented with spectacular views of peaks and gorges, near the Qadisha Valley, and the red-roofed Bcharre. Before visiting the town, we drive another 4 km / 2.5 miles to visit the Cedars of Lebanon, home to these famous 1,000-year-old trees. Back in Bcharre we visit the museum of Khalil Gibran, the internationally famous writer and poet, followed by a visitor the Qadisha Valley that is filled with caves and rock shelters inhabited from the 3rd millennium BC to the Roman period. Scattered throughout are cave chapels, hermitages and monasteries cut from rock just waiting to be explored. Continue to Tripoli to visit St. Gilles castle and Taylan Mosque. (B, D)

Day 05: Jeita Grotto & Faqra
We proceed to the principal source of the Jeita River, a beautiful natural wonder, and home to the most striking caverns in the Middle East. We transfer by cable car to the caves that consist of two parts, lower and upper galleries. The lower ones are visited by boat ride, while the upper caverns are explored on foot. Here we enjoy the refreshingly cool temperature, the sound of rushing water awe view the incredible stalactites and stalagmites formed by water and time. Drive up the mountain to reach Faqra to visit a Roman temple, which stands at about 1500 meters above sea level. (B, D)

Day 06: Deir El Kamar / Beiteddine
The day starts with the visit of the Chouf Mountain. First village is the charming town of Deir el-Qamar (the residence of Lebanese governors during 16th century).Continue onto the imposing palace of Beiteddine. The palace is the best example of early 19th century Lebanese architecture, built over a 30-year period by EmirBashir. Visit the palace complex and its museums (costume & weapons of that era)as well as a fine collection of well-preserved Byzantine mosaics. Proceed to the Moussa Castle, an interesting place by the fact that it has been built by one person only in devotion to a promised wife. (B, D)

Day 07: Baalbek, Ksara / Anjar
We traverse the Mount Lebanon range on a relaxing and scenic drive through the Beqaa plain. A short drive of 85 km / 53 miles from Beirut brings us face to face with Lebanon's greatest treasure of the ancient world, Baalbek. This Phoenician city was the seat of worship to a triad of deities, it was known as Heliopolis during the Greek period and retained its religious function even in Roman times when the sanctuary of Heliopolitan Jupiter drew thousands of pilgrims. Baalbek, with its colossal structures, is one of the most impressive examples of Roman architecture at its apogee. The site includes the temples of Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus, with the remarkable Great Court and the Hexagonal Forecourt. We enjoy an in-depth study of this heritage site, before we drive to a local winery to sample their delicious products. The ruins of Aanjar, a city founded by CaliphWalid I at the beginning of the 8th century, has a very methodical layout, reminiscent of the palace-cities of ancient times and is a unique testimony to Omayyad city-planning. (B, D)

Day 08: Depart Beirut
After an interesting insight into the country that rightfully claims to be the cradle of civilization, we bid farewell with our transfer to Beirut airport for our departure flight. (B)

Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Jan 10 & 24, Feb 07 & 21, Mar 07 & 21, Apr 11 & 25, May 09 & 23, Jun 06 & 20, Jul 11 & 25, Aug 08 & 22, Sep 12 & 26, Oct 10 & 24 2010/2011 English Speaking Departures Nov 14 & 28, Dec 05 & 19, Jan 09 & 23, Feb 06 & 20, Mar 06 & 20, Apr 10 & 24, May 08 & 22, Jun 05 & 19, Jul 10 & 24, Aug 07 & 21, Sep 11 & 25, Oct 09 & 23
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel Accommodation as mentioned or similar International Airfare & Departure Taxes Meal Plan as mentioned (B-Breakfast, D-Dinner) Visa Fees / Insurance All ground transfers & sightseeing mentioned in seat in coach basis Tips / Gratuities Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites   Local English speaking guide
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Until Oct 2010 US $ 1880 US $ 455 Nov 2010 - Oct 2011 US $ 1995 US $ 580
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 1600 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 1400
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 10 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.