Lebanon

Beirut: once known as the “Paris of the East” 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, theatres and dazzling variety of shops and restaurants. Beirut, has suffered greatly from Lebanon’s 15 year civil war, but following an impressive and ongoing process of reconstruction, the city is once again one of the most popular tourist and business destinations in the Middle East. The two competitive centres, Hamra in West Beirut where the American University of Beirut is located along with the majority of hotels. The other is Achrafieh in East Beirut with an increasing number of smart shops and expensive restaurants. Beirut’s central district, known as Solidere, the company in charge of the reconstruction programme, is seeing a spectacular number of modern buildings. Raouche, is an increasingly popular district with a lively seaside promenade. Its famous landmark the Pigeon Rocks are huge formations standing like sentinels off the coast. Jeita caverns are also a popular tourist attraction. On two levels, the lower gallery includes an underground waterway, which can be visited by boat. Do not miss Byblos, reputed as the oldest town in the world, with excavations unearthing artifacts dating back to Neolithic times. Beiteddine in the Chouf Mountains, is the site of Palace built by the Amir Basheer in the 19th century. Baalbeck, is one of the best-preserved temple areas of the Roman world still in existence. Faraya area is of great popularity over winter for the lovers of snow skiing and winter sports.