CLASSICAL LEBANON.

Program “Classical Lebanon - El Kebire” – 7 Days – 6 Nights / year 2007

Day 1: Beirut Arrival

Arrival to Beirut meet and assist, transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 :  Beirut – Deir el Kamar - Beiteddine

The day will start with a visit of the Capital: Beirut. The Pigeons Rock, the Coastal Avenue,

then the city center where you will find one of the largest reconstruction project in the World and the National Museum. En route for the Chouf Mountains. The visit will start by Deir El Qamar, the ancient residence of the Governors of Lebanon. Proceed to Beiteddine, a superb example of the Lebanese architecture from the 18^th and 19^th century which includes a museum and a superb exhibition of mosaics.

Day 3 : Dog River – Jeita – Harissa - Byblos

Via the Coastal highway, proceed to the Dog River. A visit of the Jeita grotto. The grotto is the slow work of the nature during the past thousand years. Visit of the upper cave on foot and the lower cave by small boat.  Proceed to Harissa, climbing by cable car to the Holy statue of Notre Dame for a breathtaking view of Jounieh and Beirut. Continue to Byblos, the oldest town in the world continuously inhabited for the last 5000 years. Visit the Citadel, the St John church and the harbor.

Day 4 : Tyre – Sidon - Echmoun

Drive south to reach Tyre. Visit of this magnificent sight including the sanctuary and the Hippodrome. At 20 minutes drive from Tyre, the village of Qana, known for the miracle of transforming the water into wine.  Continue in the afternoon to Saida. Town on the coast. Visit of the Sea castle and the souk. On the way back to Beirut short stop at Eschmoun, the Phoenician sight in Lebanon.  

Day 5 : Cedars – Bcharreh – Qadisha Valley - Tripoli

Drive north and climb to the Cedars where only some 400 trees remains but some are aging more than 2000 years. Continue to Bcharré, village over the Qadisha valley and home town of the Lebanese poet Gebran Khalil Gebran. Continue to reach the second town in Lebanon Tripoli. Visit of the St. Gilles castle then  the Taylan Mosque. Walk through the souk.

Day 6 : Baalbeck - Anjar

Drive across Mount Lebanon then descend towards the Beqaa Valley to reach the world greatest historical sites: Baalbeck. Visit the place with the Temple of Jupiter and Bacchus. Visit the Ksara winery for a taste of the Lebanese production then proceed to Anjar the only Omayyad site in Lebanon. Recognized to be one of the major market place on the Silk Road.

Day 7 : Beirut Departure

Transfer to the airport for flight onward.

 Price per person in sharing double room on Bed & Breakfast basis in US Dollars

Low Season Rates:

 High Season Rates:

 This price includes:

• Meet and assist at Beirut airport on arrival and departure
• Round trip transfers A/P-HTL-A/P
• Private transportation for 5 days excursions according to group size
• Bilingual guide for 5 days according to group nationality
• Entrance fees to the visited sites
• Hotel accommodation at the hotel of your choice for 6 nights in sharing double room on Bed & breakfast basis
• One free tour leader in sharing double room for 15 paying pax and over

• VAT 10 % at present time. Should the VAT increase, we shall inform you to add the difference on the package

Not included:

• Entry visa to Lebanon, $ 17 per person
• Dinners at the hotels : Please check the HB Supplement
• Lunches during excursions: Cost of each lunch per person : $ 20
• Personal expenses and extras at the hotels
• Tips to the guide and driver
• Beirut departure tax $ 4

Validity: This offer is valid for the year 2007, except Meridien rates are valid till end Oct 2007

 Low & High Season :

 Hotel rates for Meridien are only valid till 31 October 2006.