Day 1
Arrive into Beirut airport where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and brought to your hotel in downtown Beirut. The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Beirut. Meal plan: n/a
Day 2
After breakfast you will take a cooking class at the famous Le Bristol Hotel in downtown Beirut. Under the guidance of executive chef Georges El Murr you will learn to prepare some traditional Lebanese dishes. You will then have lunch at the hotel and taste the delicious food you have been involved in creating.
After lunch you will see the huge reconstruction project-taking place to create a new commercial and residential district of the 21st century. This project resulted in the discovery that the capital is standing on the site of a very ancient settlement going back at least 5,000 years. Recent excavations have uncovered important archaeological sites from Canaanite, Phoenician, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad, Abbassid, Crusader, Mamluke and Ottoman eras. The 1.80 sq. kilometres reconstruction project includes new buildings constructed in the traditional style, as well as hundreds of old structures that have been restored and renovated to their original form, including Beirut’s souks and several historical mosques and churches. Visit the site of the famous Green Line which divided the city into various sectarian factions during its darkest years - from the mid 1970s up to 1990.
Proceed to the famous Corniche waterfront and stop for a short walk in the favourite promenade of many Beirutis. Further along, the road climbs steeply to a cliff edge, which is the headland of Beirut, with an array of cliff-top restaurants and cafes, a panoramic view of the bay and of the famous Pigeon’s Rock. A road then leads down, stretching out to a beautiful sandy beach and the prestigious residential area of Ramlet El-Baida.
Dinner with drinks and entertainment at a local restaurant.
Overnight at the hotel in Beirut. Meal plan: B, L
Day 3
After breakfast we visit Byblos, a town 37km north of Beirut whose history goes back 7,000 years and claims not only to have spawned the world's first alphabet but also to be the worlds oldest continuously inhabited town. Visit its ancient sites, and then explore the old part of the town on foot, starting with fishermen’s harbour (which was once the epicentre of the world's shipping), continuing uphill towards the Church of St. John the Baptist and Byblos' beautiful souks.
You will stop for a lunch of Lebanese mezze and fresh fish at a local restaurant.
After lunch you will continue north to visit Lebanon’s second largest city, Tripoli. The city has its own unique character and a historical wealth that goes back to 14th century BC. Of most interest however is its old town, which includes sites from the Mamluke era, including colorful souks, hammams, khans, mosques, narrow alleyways and theological schools (madrassas). All are within easy walking distance of each other. You will also visit the Crusaders’ Fortress of Raymond de Saint-Gilles. Finally you will attend a Lebanese sweets demonstration at the world renowned Abdel Rahman Al Hallab pastry shop. Return to the hotel in Beirut for overnight. Meal plan: B, L
A short history of Lebanese sweets
In 1881, the Lebanese city of Tripoli, renowned for its ancestral history, heritage and vestiges, witnessed the rising of a new dawn in the world of traditional oriental sweets… The variety and range expanded and was enriched with numerous sorts of ingredients giving an authentic taste, the unique qualities of which still keeps the experts guessing as to how. Is it the unique freshness of the ingredients? Or the extraordinary skillfulness in the preparation? Or the superior quality in every single piece? The secret probably lies in the mixing of the three, which gives the sweets of Abdul Rahman Hallab & Sons an unrivaled name in the world of oriental sweets.
Day 4
After breakfast drive south along the coast and then cut eastwards before stopping in the charming town of Deir el Qamar, a village consisting of stone houses with red-tiled roofs. Between the 16th and 18th centuries the village was the residence of Lebanese governors. Next you will continue to the imposing palace of Beiteddine. The palace is the best example of early 19th century Lebanese architecture, built over a 30-year period by Emir Bashir. Visit the palace complex and its museums housing costumes & weapons of that era as well as a fine collection of well-preserved Byzantine mosaics.
You will stop to prepare a lunch of traditional local food at a private home in nearby Baadarane. Watch and participate in the cooking process. Return to Beirut. In the evening you will visit a local restaurant for a fish dinner with arak.
Overnight in Beirut. Meal plan: B, L, D
Day 5
Breakfast and departure to visit Jeita Grotto, a beautiful natural wonder considered to be the best caverns in the Middle East. Transfer by cable car to the caverns, which consist of two parts, lower & upper galleries. The lower ones are visited by boat, the upper caverns on foot. Enjoy the refreshingly cool temperature, the sound of rushing water and columns and sculptures that have been formed by water and time, supported by an effective lighting system that allows you to glimpse the uppermost roofs.
Return to Beirut. Afternoon free. Overnight in Beirut. Meal plan: B
Day 6
After breakfast drive to Tyre, 83km south of Beirut, a town that was declared as a World Heritage Site for its historical importance. Visit the excavated ruins which consists 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; the third area on the landward side east that consists of the most impressive archaeological remains, such as the Roman necropolis and hippodrome.
Drive back along the coastal road to visit another important Phoenician town, Sidon, with its Sea Castle and old covered souks.
Fish lunch at a local restaurant in Tyre (including Lebanese mezze)
After lunch Lebanese sweets tasting at Al Baba pastry in Sidon. Return to Beirut for overnight. Meal plan: B, L
Al Baba Sweets is a family business that dates back to 1950. The business started with a 50 sq. metre kitchen in Tyre and has since flourished with more than five production lines in the Middle East. The showrooms have a unique aesthetic appearance, and are served through a 2000 sq. metre factory. Throughout the years, Al Baba has witnessed several generations who have shared the same vision and consistently implemented and developed the standards of the business as recommended by the company's core values: food safety, quality, and consistency.
Day 7
Breakfast and departure to visit Baalbek. Cross the Mount Lebanon range and drive through the Bekaa Valley towards Baalbek, 85km from Beirut. Here you will visit Lebanon’s greatest Roman treasure, counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The site includes the temples of Jupiter, Bacchus & Venus, with the remarkable Great Court and the Hexagonal Forecourt.
We will stop for a tasting of the local specialty – Lebanese meat sandwiches (Safiha). In contrast to the modern use of lamb or beef, traditional safiha are open-faced meat pies made with ground mutton. Next we continue to Ksara winery for a wine tasting and lunch. Return to Beirut. In the evening we will have a gala dinner with entertainment at a local restaurant - including an open regular bar. Overnight in Beirut. Meal plan: B, L, D
Originally started by Christians in 1857, Ksara winery has blossomed in recent years, producing some excellent vintages. Over the past decade, Ksara has seen the introduction of new grape varieties that have grown into vines nurtured by the Bekaa Valley. Ksara has also seen developments in technique such as vines cultivation on wires and the attentive application of advanced science by French oenologists, who watch over the vinification, fermentation and decanting processes. You will enjoy a self service lunch at the winery including salad, local cheeses, desserts and wine.
Day 8
After breakfast transfer to the airport for onward flight. Meal plan: B
