From Beirut to Byblos

Our guide will meet you at Beirut airport and transfer you to your chosen accommodation. The remainder of today is free for you to begin exploring this beautiful coastal city.

Overnight:

Coral Suites Hotel

After departing Beirut you drive through the beautiful Beka’a Valley to the ancient town of Baalbek. The historical site of Baalbek is thought to have originally been Phoenician, with the settlement dating back as far as the 3rd millennium BC. In the 1st millennium BC the site was chosen as the site for a temple dedicated to the God Baal, from which the city takes its name. Later, in the year 334 BC Alexander the Great conquered this region and the city was renamed Heliopolis, a name which continued to be used by subsequent Roman rulers – Helios, Greek for sun and Polis, Greek for City – ‘City of the Sun’. Today, the town is famous for its exquisitely detailed Roman ruins which attract many tourists to the region every year.

Overnight:

Palmyra Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast, Dinner

This morning you travel to Beitiddine via Ksara and Anjar. Your first stop for today is at Ksara, which is located within the Beka’a Valley. Ksara is famous for its production of wine and you will be given the opportunity to try some of the local wines whilst here. Later, you continue to the site of Anjar. The city of Anjar was founded by Caliph Walid I at the beginning of the 8th Century. The ruins of the city have revealed a very regular layout, indicative of the palace-cities of ancient times. Excavations have already revealed hundreds of shops, baths and souks. Today’s final journey takes you to Beitiddine for sightseeing of the Palace, the little museum and the Mosaic exhibition.

Overnight:

Grand Kadri

Meals included:

Breakfast, Dinner

Today you head north to the ancient town of Byblos via the coastal city of Saida or Sidon and the impressive crusader castle of Qalaat Al-Bahr, also known as the Sea Castle, built by the Crusaders in the year 1228 AD. Today the castle consists of two main towers which are connected by a wall. Unfortunately many of embellishments which once decorated the walls are now gone, due to the Mamluks attempting to destroy all of the Sea Castles to prevent the Crusaders from regaining footholds on the coast. You arrive into Byblos later in the afternoon where you will have some free time to begin exploring the souks.

Overnight:

Victory Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast, Dinner

This morning you visit the historical site of Byblos, which claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited town in the world. You’ll visit the Old Souks, Citadel, old ramparts, Church of St John and The Roman Amphitheatre.

Overnight:

Victory Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast, Dinner

Today you return to Beirut and begin a city tour with a drive along the promenade where you pass by the picturesque Pigeons Rock, which is a huge natural arch which juts up from the sea. If you have time later, this is a famous and popular place to watch the sunset. You then continue through the Hamra commercial area to the National Museum and Martyrs Square. The National Museum in Beirut is home to an excellent collection of over 100,000 items, however only 1300 or so are currently being displayed. The Museum is organised in chronological order starting from the Bronze Age and working towards the present day. Your tour concludes with a visit to Martyrs’ Square where you can view the bullet ridden bronze statues which stand as a symbol for all that was destroyed during the Lebanese Civil War.

Overnight:

Coral Suites Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Your time is free today to explore Beirut further until we transfer you to the airport for departure.

Extras and options:

Extra nights in Beirut
Syria extension

Meals included:

Breakfast