Taste of Lebanon

Day 1 Beirut
Once you’ve arrived at Beirut International Airport, you’ll be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Byblos where you’ll settle in.
The rest of the day is yours free to explore and familiarize yourself with your new surroundings.
| OVERNIGHT: Beirut hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
| EXTRAS: Single Room Supplement (LBSGLE), Extra day in Beirut - pre-tour

Day 2 Visit the Gout Blanc Factory & travel to Byblos
We head to Annaya early today to enjoy a SAJ breakfast, which is Middle-Eastern flatbreads baked on a dome, which allows it to stay really thin and is topped with thyme, cheese, minced lamb and a variety of other delicious toppings.
After a hearty breakfast, we make our way to Gout Blanc - a goat’s cheese factory, where you’ll be given a tour of the farm and learn how this delicacy is made. You’ll also enjoy a cheese tasting session on the farm.
We’ll stop at a local shop where you can purchase some Lebanese culinary treats before we make our way to Chateau Musar - which is credited to be the first vineyard in Lebanon to obtain organic certification.
Chateau Musar is famed for its vines, which has been cultivated for over 6000 years, with the Phoenicians attributed to bring vines and wines from Byblos to all areas of the Meditteranean.
We’ll have lunch at the Fenikia Restaurant, where you can enjoy many Lebanese dishes before we reach Byblos - the world’s oldest continually inhabited city. It’s charming Phoencian Harbour and rich historical and archaeological heritage makes it one of the most famous places to visit in Lebanon.
| OVERNIGHT: Byblos hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Museum Gebran in Becharre, Bnachii Lake. Overnight in Byblos
We start the day by travelling north, stopping to taste delicious Kaaket Knefe (a Lebanese street bread) followed by a drive to visit Becharre, famously known as being the birthplace of Khalil Gibran - author of “The Prophet”.
This Khalil Gibran museum offers excellent views over the Qadisha valley and contains hundreds of his paintings and manuscripts.
Later, we make our way to Qadisha Valley where the early Maronite community established itself - the valley has also been dubbed a world heritage site by UNESCO. The valley is steep sided with springs, waterfalls and dotted with ancient monasteries, and churches.
After a much-deserved lunch break in the Rachiine – Zgharta area (Lebanese Mezza with Grilled Chicken, Kebbe Zghertewiye and fruits with Arak, beer and soft drinks), we will visit Bnachii Lake, located not far from Zgharta north Lebanon. This beautiful lake is revered for its beautiful surroundings and clear water.
| OVERNIGHT: Byblos hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 Tripoli - Batroun Overnight in Byblos
Today we head to Tripoli City where we’ll also have breakfast at Al Hallab; Kaser El Helo, which has been considered one of Tripoli’s most renowned landmarks, visited by thousands of people every year.
After breakfast, we start our tour in the city of Tripoli – having two main parts: the port area of Al Mina and the old city on the landside dates from the Mameluk epochs - a maze of narrow, alleyways, colorful souks, hammams, khans, mosques and madrasas all dominated by the crusader castle.
The afternoon, we’ll proceed to Batroun, but before we start touring, we’ll stop for lunch at ‘Merchak Al Baher’, where you’ll be served the most delicious seafood with a stunning view on one of the best beaches Lebanon has to offer.
Batroun is a small coastal town best known for its fresh lemonade - be sure to give it a try.
| OVERNIGHT: Byblos hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Jeita Grotto, Beirut tour, Overnight in Chtaura
Today we head to the Jounieh area to taste the amazing Foul and Balila - a Middle Eastern vegan breakfast dishes consisting of cooked beans, hmmus flavoured with lemon jus, and garlic served with olive oil, chopped parsley, and tomatoes.
After breakfast, we visit Jeita Grotto - its upper and lower galleries contain one of the world’s largest and beautiful collections of stalactites and stalagmites.
We’ll also discover Harissa by cable car and admire from the top of the Basilica – here youll have the chance to take in one of the most beautiful bays in the Middle East.
Later, we head back to Beirut and visit the capital of Lebanon - a city of contrasts – here you can expect to find beautiful architecture, small houses nestled in the shadow of tall modern buildings.
| OVERNIGHT: Chtaura hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Baalbek, Taanayel Farm, Kefraya Winery
After breakfast, we drive to Baalbek through the fertile Bekaa valley – known as “the City of the Sun” by the Greeks and Romans, who dedicate the main temple to Jupiter the god of the sun and two other temples to Venus and Mercury, Jupiter’s partners in the triad of God.
Just a few kilometers from Zahle you’ll find the pretty Village of Taanayel – rich with bountiful farms, breathtaking scenery, and vineyards,
Taanayel is a true haven – its alleys made of a multitude of trees, ducks roam the small lake’s calm water, vineyards that bring Italy’s Tuscany to one’s mind and white vacant benches.
| OVERNIGHT: Chtaura hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Deir El Qamar, Sidon Overnight in Beirut
Today we’ll take a drive to Deir El Qamar which translates to “monastery of the moon” – this village was chosen by Fakherddine as the capital of Lebanon in the 17th century.
We’ll visit the Beiteddine Palace, which was built in the 19th century over a period of 30 years by Emir Bechir II Chehabi. Today the palace is considered as the great surviving achievement of the Lebanese architecture.
After lunch, the tour continues to Sidon - one of the most important Phoenician city-states. Sidon is a rapidly growing town where you can have a stroll in the old souks and visit the Crusader Sea castle, Khan El Franj, the Great mosque, and many other fascinating places.
| OVERNIGHT: Beirut hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Airport transfer
Your transfer will take you to the airport for your return flight home.
| OVERNIGHT: N/A
| MEALS: Breakfast
| EXTRAS: Extra day in Beirut - post-tour

Day 1 Beirut
Once you’ve arrived at Beirut International Airport, you’ll be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Byblos where you’ll settle in.
The rest of the day is yours free to explore and familiarize yourself with your new surroundings.
| OVERNIGHT: Beirut hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
| EXTRAS: Single Room Supplement (LBSGLE), Extra day in Beirut - pre-tour

Day 2 Visit the Gout Blanc Factory & travel to Byblos
We head to Annaya early today to enjoy a SAJ breakfast, which is Middle-Eastern flatbreads baked on a dome, which allows it to stay really thin and is topped with thyme, cheese, minced lamb and a variety of other delicious toppings.
After a hearty breakfast, we make our way to Gout Blanc - a goat’s cheese factory, where you’ll be given a tour of the farm and learn how this delicacy is made. You’ll also enjoy a cheese tasting session on the farm.
We’ll stop at a local shop where you can purchase some Lebanese culinary treats before we make our way to Chateau Musar - which is credited to be the first vineyard in Lebanon to obtain organic certification.
Chateau Musar is famed for its vines, which has been cultivated for over 6000 years, with the Phoenicians attributed to bring vines and wines from Byblos to all areas of the Meditteranean.
We’ll have lunch at the Fenikia Restaurant, where you can enjoy many Lebanese dishes before we reach Byblos - the world’s oldest continually inhabited city. It’s charming Phoencian Harbour and rich historical and archaeological heritage makes it one of the most famous places to visit in Lebanon.
| OVERNIGHT: Byblos hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 Museum Gebran in Becharre, Bnachii Lake. Overnight in Byblos
We start the day by travelling north, stopping to taste delicious Kaaket Knefe (a Lebanese street bread) followed by a drive to visit Becharre, famously known as being the birthplace of Khalil Gibran - author of “The Prophet”.
This Khalil Gibran museum offers excellent views over the Qadisha valley and contains hundreds of his paintings and manuscripts.
Later, we make our way to Qadisha Valley where the early Maronite community established itself - the valley has also been dubbed a world heritage site by UNESCO. The valley is steep sided with springs, waterfalls and dotted with ancient monasteries, and churches.
After a much-deserved lunch break in the Rachiine – Zgharta area (Lebanese Mezza with Grilled Chicken, Kebbe Zghertewiye and fruits with Arak, beer and soft drinks), we will visit Bnachii Lake, located not far from Zgharta north Lebanon. This beautiful lake is revered for its beautiful surroundings and clear water.
| OVERNIGHT: Byblos hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 Tripoli - Batroun Overnight in Byblos
Today we head to Tripoli City where we’ll also have breakfast at Al Hallab; Kaser El Helo, which has been considered one of Tripoli’s most renowned landmarks, visited by thousands of people every year.
After breakfast, we start our tour in the city of Tripoli – having two main parts: the port area of Al Mina and the old city on the landside dates from the Mameluk epochs - a maze of narrow, alleyways, colorful souks, hammams, khans, mosques and madrasas all dominated by the crusader castle.
The afternoon, we’ll proceed to Batroun, but before we start touring, we’ll stop for lunch at ‘Merchak Al Baher’, where you’ll be served the most delicious seafood with a stunning view on one of the best beaches Lebanon has to offer.
Batroun is a small coastal town best known for its fresh lemonade - be sure to give it a try.
| OVERNIGHT: Byblos hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 Jeita Grotto, Beirut tour, Overnight in Chtaura
Today we head to the Jounieh area to taste the amazing Foul and Balila - a Middle Eastern vegan breakfast dishes consisting of cooked beans, hmmus flavoured with lemon jus, and garlic served with olive oil, chopped parsley, and tomatoes.
After breakfast, we visit Jeita Grotto - its upper and lower galleries contain one of the world’s largest and beautiful collections of stalactites and stalagmites.
We’ll also discover Harissa by cable car and admire from the top of the Basilica – here youll have the chance to take in one of the most beautiful bays in the Middle East.
Later, we head back to Beirut and visit the capital of Lebanon - a city of contrasts – here you can expect to find beautiful architecture, small houses nestled in the shadow of tall modern buildings.
| OVERNIGHT: Chtaura hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Baalbek, Taanayel Farm, Kefraya Winery
After breakfast, we drive to Baalbek through the fertile Bekaa valley – known as “the City of the Sun” by the Greeks and Romans, who dedicate the main temple to Jupiter the god of the sun and two other temples to Venus and Mercury, Jupiter’s partners in the triad of God.
Just a few kilometers from Zahle you’ll find the pretty Village of Taanayel – rich with bountiful farms, breathtaking scenery, and vineyards,
Taanayel is a true haven – its alleys made of a multitude of trees, ducks roam the small lake’s calm water, vineyards that bring Italy’s Tuscany to one’s mind and white vacant benches.
| OVERNIGHT: Chtaura hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 Deir El Qamar, Sidon Overnight in Beirut
Today we’ll take a drive to Deir El Qamar which translates to “monastery of the moon” – this village was chosen by Fakherddine as the capital of Lebanon in the 17th century.
We’ll visit the Beiteddine Palace, which was built in the 19th century over a period of 30 years by Emir Bechir II Chehabi. Today the palace is considered as the great surviving achievement of the Lebanese architecture.
After lunch, the tour continues to Sidon - one of the most important Phoenician city-states. Sidon is a rapidly growing town where you can have a stroll in the old souks and visit the Crusader Sea castle, Khan El Franj, the Great mosque, and many other fascinating places.
| OVERNIGHT: Beirut hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8 Airport transfer
Your transfer will take you to the airport for your return flight home.
| OVERNIGHT: N/A
| MEALS: Breakfast
| EXTRAS: Extra day in Beirut - post-tour