Lebanon holidays

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• Overview
• Country info
• Holiday ideas

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Destinations » Middle East holidays » Lebanon holidays

Lebanon is the site of the Biblical 'land of milk and honey'

Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.

Lebanon holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Lebanon holiday, personal to you.

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Lebanon tailor-made holiday highlights

Beirut
Potentially one of the most popular tourist and business centres in the Middle East. Jutting out into the Mediterranean and shadowed over by some towering mountains, this vibrant city appears to be recovering from the damage inflicted during Lebanon's 16-year civil war. Many areas have been reconstructed or rebuilt, giving the city a young and modern feel, yet it also retains some charming old souks and the Turkish bath at Al-Nouzha gives a glimpse of the old Beirut.

Raouche
Enjoy a stroll along the promenade at this lively seaside resort on the outer reaches of Beirut. The imposing Pigeon Rocks are the city's most famous natural attraction - and particularly enchanting at sunset.

Tripoli
The feel of Arabia hangs about this captivating second city, overlooking an imposing Crusader castle. The city boasts some splendid Mameluk architecture, fine mosques and medieval markets Nearby the Island of Palm Trees is a nature reserve to green turtles and wild birds.

Baalbek
Long before the Romans conquered this site and built the enormous temple of Jupiter and before the Phoenicians constructed a temple to the god Baal, this was the site of the what's thought to be the largest stone block construction found in the world.

Tyre
Historic city, with superb archaeological sites, including one of the largest Roman hippodromes ever found. Close by, nice beaches offer good scuba diving and snorkelling.

Beiteddine Palace
Meaning 'House of Faith', this fine palace complex is one of the finest remaining examples of 19th-century Lebanese arhcitecture. It has three main courtyards, plus ;water fountains, marble portals and marquetry, and lavishly decorated hammams. It also has a one of the best collections of mosaics in the Mediterranean.

People & place

Lebanon facts

Capital: Beirut
Language: Arabic.
People: Of Arab descent (95%), Armenian minority.
Religion: Islam (59%), Christianity (39%)
Size (sq km): 10,400.
Population: 3,925,502.
Population density/sq km: 377.4.

Etiquette

Family is an important part of Lebanese life. In the cities, in particular, Western influences can also be seen. However, dress should remain modest, especially when visiting mosques and other religious places. Muslim and Christian beliefs should be respected. Lebanese people are known for their hospitality. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. It is acceptable to give a small gift, particularly if invited to a person's home for a meal.

Shopping

Decorative and precious handmade items, traditional pottery, glassware, cutlery, brass and copper goods, silk and wool kaftans, table linen.

Food & drink

Lebanese cuisine has a good reputation, relying on fresh local produce and herbs. The traditional mezza may consist of up to 40 small dishes served as a starter, including kebbeh (lamb or fish paste with cracked wheat, served raw, baked or fried). Tabouli is a salad made of cracked wheat, lemon, mint and tomatoes. Sweet dishes include baklava, pastries of pistachio nuts and rose-water syrup.

International Airports

Beirut - Rafic Hariri (BEY) 8 km from the city.

Internal travel

Service taxis, some of which run on set routes are a popular from of transport. There are also private taxis and an extensive bus network. Ports are served by coastal passenger ferries. Car hire is available although road conditions are poor and other drivers bad.

Red tape

Visas

Required.

Vaccinations

Hep. A, Hep. B, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever2.

Driving requirements

International Driving Permit and Green Card.

Reps in UK/US

UK: 21 Palace Garden Mews, London W8 4RA, tel (020) 7229 7265, fax (020) 7243 1699. US: 2560 28th Street, NW Washington, DC 20008, tel (202) 939 6300, fax (202) 939 6324, email info@lebanonembassyus.org.

UK/US reps in Lebanon

UK: PO Box 11-471, Embassies Complex, Army Street, Zkak Al-Blat, Serail Hill, Beirut Central District, tel (1) 990 400, fax (1) 990 420. US: Awkar facing the Municipality, Antelias, PO Box 70-840, Beirut, tel (4) 542 600, fax (4) 544 136, email BeirutACS@state.gov.

Currency

Lebanese pound (L£) = 100 piastres.

Finance

Major credit cards widely accepted, limited acceptance of traveller's cheques, they also require two weeks to clear.

Business hours

0800-1800 Monday-Saturday.

Safety & life expectancy

Safety information

Polictically unstable, sectarian violence and civil unrest occurs regularly. Terrorism is also a threat. Check advice before travelling.

Life expectancy

Life expectancy: M 70.67, F 75.77

Useful websites for travel

www.lebanonembassyus.org, www.lebconsny.org, http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/, www.lebanon-tourism.gov.lb.

Local media

The Daily Star and Monday Morning are published in English.

Tourist boards

Lebanon tailor-made holiday ideas

Beirut
Potentially one of the most popular tourist and business centres in the Middle East. Jutting out into the Mediterranean and shadowed over by some towering mountains, this vibrant city appears to be recovering from the damage inflicted during Lebanon's 16-year civil war. Many areas have been reconstructed or rebuilt, giving the city a young and modern feel, yet it also retains some charming old souks and the Turkish bath at Al-Nouzha gives a glimpse of the old Beirut.

Raouche
Enjoy a stroll along the promenade at this lively seaside resort on the outer reaches of Beirut. The imposing Pigeon Rocks are the city's most famous natural attraction - and particularly enchanting at sunset.

Tripoli
The feel of Arabia hangs about this captivating second city, overlooking an imposing Crusader castle. The city boasts some splendid Mameluk architecture, fine mosques and medieval markets Nearby the Island of Palm Trees is a nature reserve to green turtles and wild birds.

Baalbek
Long before the Romans conquered this site and built the enormous temple of Jupiter and before the Phoenicians constructed a temple to the god Baal, this was the site of the what's thought to be the largest stone block construction found in the world.

Tyre
Historic city, with superb archaeological sites, including one of the largest Roman hippodromes ever found. Close by, nice beaches offer good scuba diving and snorkelling.

Beiteddine Palace
Meaning 'House of Faith', this fine palace complex is one of the finest remaining examples of 19th-century Lebanese arhcitecture. It has three main courtyards, plus ;water fountains, marble portals and marquetry, and lavishly decorated hammams. It also has a one of the best collections of mosaics in the Mediterranean.