Author: David Lteif
The diverse and distinctive architecture of Lebanon
The diverse and distinctive architecture of Lebanon embodies the historical, cultural and religious influences that have shaped Lebanon’s built environment. It has been influenced by the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Umayyads, Crusaders, Mameluke, Ottomans and French. Additionally, Lebanon is home to many examples of modern and contemporary architecture. Architecturally notable structures in Lebanon include ancient thermal and temples, castles, churches, mosques, hotels, museums, government buildings, souks, residences (including palaces) and towers.
Roman architecture:
Baalbek is counted as one of the Roman treasures in Lebanon, and is home to many ancient Roman temples built at the end of the third millennium B.C.
The city was referred to as the city of the sun (Heliopolis) by the Greeks. The temples have faced theft, earthquakes and civil wars and wear. French, German and Lebanese archaeologists rebuilt the temples. In 1984, Baalbek was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.[2] They are described as being “the finest example of imperial Roman architecture “The Jupiter temple is six Corinthian columns of the great temple, and it is a 22 meters high column built on a podium. In this Temple, only six columns remain out of the 54 massive columns that originally surrounded the sanctuary. The little temple is found near the Jupiter Temple is known as the Temple of Bacchus and it was built in the second century A.D. Finally, it is considered to be the best-preserved Roman temple of its size.
#lovinglebanon
Lebanon is NOT What You Think! Here’s Why
Hey, Drew Binsky we’re sharing your amazing video!
Lebanon is NOT What You Think! Here’s Why – YouTube
#lovinglebanon
“Beirut” Kitten stuck in rain pipe for three days found alive.
A kitten in Beirut – Lebanon has been rescued after being trapped in a rain pipe for three days. Volunteers from the charity Animals Lebanon used small cameras to identify the exact location of the feline, before pulling it out. People cheered and applauded after the kitten was rescued, as people stood around, with one saying, “I think we should call her Beirut!”.
Cheers To Lebanese Wines
Did you know that Lebanon has a rich wine history dating back thousands of years? Discover the hidden gem of the Middle East and explore the unique flavors and aromas of Lebanese wines. 🇱🇧 Raise your glass to tradition, excellence, and exquisite taste!
Click on the following link to book a tour: 2024 Superior Quality: The Bekaa Valey Wineries (full day) (tripadvisor.com)
Few of our local wineries located around the country:
Bekaa Valley Governorate
Château Ksara – Château Kefraya – Domaine Wardy – Château Massaya – Cave Kouroum – Domaine des Tourelles – Château Saint Thomas – Château Heritage – Coteaux du Liban – Château Khoury
Mount Lebanon Governorate
Château Musar – Iris Domain – Château Oumsiyat – Adyar wines
Ardoum winery & distillery – Vignoble Joura
Riachi winery & distillery – St. Michael winery
Northern Lebanon Governorate
Ixsir – Clos du Phoenix – Aurora winery & vineyards – Batroun mountains
Les caves d’Eden – Coteaux de Botrys
Southern Lebanon Governorate
Karam wines – Les vignes du Marje
#lovinglebanon #LebanonWineIndustry #CheersToLebaneseWines
Lebanese Culinary Temptation
Do not eat Lebanese food; once you start, you’ll never stop!
Picture this: 2:00 PM in Beirut, stunning sea and mountain views, a fresh breeze, and a homemade aperitif (Arak). Our food journey kicks off with a delightful 15-minute “Amuse Bouche” featuring crackers, roasted nuts, raw almonds on ice, and colorful veggies with a lemon zest. Then, a feast of over 35 vibrant Mezza platters arrives, introduced by the proud Chef with a brief oral presentation.
As the Mezza platters are placed before you, the visual spectacle and the ambiance of family and friends gathering, along with music entertainment, enhance the Lebanese hospitality experience. Engage all your senses with local house wine, savoring every bite and breaking thin pita bread into creamy hummus. The Chef reappears, introducing crispy BBQ lamb chops, beef brochettes, and chicken Taouk marinated in local spices, topped with crispy pita, parsley, grilled vegetables, and a delicious creamy white garlic paste.
Dessert time brings an assortment of baklava, local sweets, maamoul, atayef, sfouf, and a basket of fresh local fruits. But wait, there’s more! A gentleman in black Sherval and a red Tarbouche, sporting a large mustache, offers Lebanese coffee with or without cardamom and a choice of minted tea.
As the sun sets, it’s the perfect moment to enjoy a shisha and marvel at the blue hour.
In summary, do not eat Lebanese food; once you start, stopping is impossible!
#lovinglebanon
Lebanon Paragliding Tour
We are Lebanon’s first paragliding club, established since 1990. Our pilots
hold full licenses, insurance, and certifications in ‘Safety in Adventures,’
accredited by the Lebanese Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Recognition and Awards:
Over the years, we have been recognized as the BEST PARAGLIDING CLUB in Lebanon by esteemed local and international media channels that have featured our adventures, including BBC, National Geographic, Ushuaïa TV, CNN, M6, F2, MBC, MTV, LBC, and others.
What You’ll Experience:
For an even more thrilling experience, we have created a landing site in the heart of Jounieh City, nestled in the stunning bay of Lebanon. Passengers are treated to a captivating flight over lush green mountains, charming villages, modern landmarks, and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.
To enhance your convenience, transportation from any address in Lebanon is available upon request for an additional cost.
Price per Guest: USD80.
Lebanon Birdwatching One Day Tour
Lebanon has a wide variety of habitats including the Mediterranean coastline and coastal plains leading up to the Mount Lebanon mountain range which runs north-south through the country. Further east lies the Beqaa Valley with areas of wetland in the center around Aammiq and Anjar. There is semi-desert in the north around Ras-Baalbek, and to the west of the Beqaa Valley are the anti-Lebanon mountains.
The eastern Mediterranean Flyway passes straight through Lebanon, which for its small size, has a very diverse avifauna. European and Middle Eastern species are well represented, and the country’s location may explain why so many vagrant species have been recorded.
What to expect:
We pickup from any hotel in Beirut
Birds watching in Lebanon, it is the ideal territory for a large number of regional specialties including Chukar Partridge, local birds being intermediate between the subspecies Cypriotes and Synaia. Syrian Serins can be found at various locations across the country and this globally vulnerable species commonly breeds in Lebanon. Lebanon is one of the few Middle Eastern countries that has a breeding population of Eurasian Blue Tits.
Other key breeding species include Short-toed Snake Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard, pairs of which can be found in nearly every village. Stone Curlews, Cream-colored Coursers and Penduline Tits breed in the northern Beqaa Valley, the latter also breeding at Anjar. The semi-desert areas in the north Beqaa Valley also produce interesting species that are more typical of a drier climate, with Desert Lark and Tem Minck’s Lark being observed in recent years. Horned Larks are very common in the mountains (the bicornes subspecies, now included in penicillate, was at one time considered a separate species).
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What’s included.
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Binoculars
- Guidebook
- All Fees and Taxes
What’s not included.
- Outdoor and camera equipment
Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible
Additional information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems.
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers.
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions.
- Most travellers can participate.
- Age between 14 to 99 years old.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.
ROXANNE BARNBEY – UK
TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
I cannot even begin to explain the love I now have for Lebanon! I have been to over 40 countries and yet I struggle to think of another country that has as much variety and diversity as Lebanon does! Firstly, the people are genuinely wonderful. Not one day passed where I wasn’t greeted with a smile, a kind word and offers of help from literally everyone I encountered during my trip. Secondly, the wide range of opportunities for a fun day out in Lebanon is truly amazing. In one day, I explored the ancient sites in Byblos, walked down beautiful, cobbled lanes as I shopped in the souks, strolled along the stunning port, visited a pre-historic cave at Jeita and witnessed awe-inspiring views at Harissa. I selected to travel with Dave Lebanon Tours due to the many outstanding reviews I read and I wasn’t disappointed! This has to be the most professional tour company around. My guide was exceptionally knowledgeable and will explain the history of Lebanon in general as well as go in to great detail at each site visited. He was also extremely flexible and very much just wanted me to be happy and enjoy my trip. The cost was extremely reasonable and it was helpful that the entry to all of the sites was included in the price (not all agencies offer this!) – it meant I could just relax and enjoy the day. I loved this tour so much that I booked another trip the next day and have already given Dave Lebanon Tours’ details to several friends who also plan on visiting Lebanon in the near future. So enjoyable was my time in Lebanon that I am already planning another trip in May! Thank you for a truly wonderful time and for welcoming me to your beautiful, safe and interesting country.
So, in one day, I visited the coast, historical monuments and then leapt in 5 foot snow in the mountains! In ONE day!!! Nothing was too much trouble for my guide, he simply wanted me to enjoy my time in Lebanon and discover the beauties of the country that he is so proud of. And proud he should be! Not only is Lebanon unbelievably safe (I am a young, blonde, solo traveler who walked alone at all times of the day and night and didn’t not experience or witness a single bit of hassle or trouble – do not allow recent news to put you off – I was there during the ‘protests’…I put this word in quotes because it was a polite demonstration contained to just one square in Beirut!!) and so welcoming – every day I was greeted with smiles, welcomes and offers of help from literally everyone I encountered! Dave Lebanon DMC is a professional, bespoke service – anywhere I wanted to go, my guide drove me, even driving up snowy mountains when I mentioned I enjoy snow, just to let me take some photos! He took me to Tripoli (again – SAFE! and so interesting!!) where we ate delicious pastries and toured lots of interesting and historical sites. I was shown around downtown Beirut; again, taken up to the mountains (an absolute highlight) and spent the whole day having the most interesting discussions with my guide, who I now feel is a friend, so much so, that I hope to come back in May, bringing some friends along with me! I will of course, without question, go with Dave Lebanon tours again – professional, real integrity, bespoke service and a genuine desire to do everything they can to ensure their customers receive the trip of the lifetime…thank you so very much for making my time in Lebanon so enjoyable; I was sad to leave! Looking forward to seeing you again in May!
Best day out in Lebanon!