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FALLING IN LOVE WITH LEBANON.
FALLING IN LOVE WITH LEBANON.
JUNE 8, 2021
When a friend suggested we meet in Beirut for a couple of days I said yes without hesitation (as I always do) then suddenly realized I didn’t know a lot about the destination itself. So, I did a little research on things to do and places to stay and really went there with no expectations or idea of what it would be like. What I discovered far surpassed any preconceived ideas of Beirut and Tripoli (Located in the North of Lebanon) I may have had.
It turned out to be the perfect blend of diverse cultures and religions, delicious food, beautiful weather, interesting architecture and a fascinating history. Top this off with there being very few tourists and many incredibly welcoming locals- I can safely say that Lebanon was one of the most underrated places I had ever been to.
By writing this I feel like I am about to share with you a secret, unspoiled spot left undiscovered by dreary tourists.
GO to BaTroun
Known as the capital of the North, Tripoli is Lebanon’s second largest city: from a regional trade capital for the past centuries, the city is nowadays the most impoverished of Lebanon and on the Mediterranean. The city has been scared by the violent clashes and conflict over the past 40 years and is confronted with significant development, economic, and security challenges. The spillover of the Syria crisis and the influx of refugees have contributed to increase social tensions. Tripoli has however successfully preserved its spirit and authentic character: founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century, and successively ruled by the Franks, the Mamelukes and later the Ottomans, the city is rich of its cultural heritage.
DO in Beirut & Batroun
Baalbek is an ancient Phoenician city 85 km from Beirut which dates back as early as 3rd century B.C. It is home to the largest noble Roman and temples ever built which are among the best preserved in the world with breath-taking detail and 20metre high columns still intact. The large temple site where a triad of deities were worshipped is truly tear-inducingly beautiful. The only thing that is possibly more impressive than the ruins themselves was the fact there were NO tourists here, I could literally count on one hand the number of other people we saw which meant we had this monumental, jaw-dropping piece of history all to ourselves.
This was a great little stop on our way to the Temples of Baalbek. The Ksara winery offers guided tours of its huge underground roman caves followed by a tasting. Ksara has been making wine consistently since 1857 and is the country’s oldest winery. A nice little break and a pick me up for the long drive to Baalbek.
I have done the blue grotto’s in Italy, and the Waitomo caves in NZ. Yet nothing could have prepared me for the gargantuan incredible caves of Jeita. At a height peak of 120m the caves located 25km from Beirut were in the finalist for the new 7th wonders of the world and came in at 14th place- yet it appears no one has ever heard of it! It contains the worlds largest stalactite at 8.2 metres high, and spans an overall length of over 9km. Again, there were sections of it where we were the only ones around and you couldn’t help but imagine what it would have been like for the first people who discovered this magnificent natural beauty. It truly feels as though you are entering a lost world. Unfortunately, I was not able to take photos in the caves and these images from the internet really do not do it any justice. You just have to see this for yourself.
BYBLOS
40 km north of Beirut lies Byblos, and another 30 Km away from Lamunia Hotel, an ancient world heritage UNESCO coastal town possibly the oldest continually inhabited one in the world being occupied since 5000bc. Not only is it packed with archaeological artefacts and beautiful ancient ruins but it has a great bar and restaurant scene where you can sip rose’s and eat fresh seafood in the sunshine either by the sea or in its inner medieval walls. I can recommend Chez Pepe for delicious seafood and authentic Lebanese dishes.
While you are there make sure you also check out the stunning Crusader castle and harrowing Armenian Memorial Museum
Byblos, Lebanon
Byblos, Lebanon
Byblos, Lebanon
Bchaaleh, Bcheale, Bchealeh, Bshaaleh is a village in the Batroun District of the North Governorate in Lebanon.[1][2]
The village of Bchaaleh stands on a promontory, with views of the sea and across Douma. It is home to traditional houses and to Saint Stephan church, one of the largest in the region of Batroun. To the north-east of the village, a citadel is built on the ruins of a medieval fortress, erected itself on Phoenicians ruins destroyed by the Romans. [3]
Twelve olive trees still live in the village of Bchaaleh, at more than 1200m above sea level. It is said that they are the oldest olive trees in the world. Different studies and research present data on the age of the Sisters Olive Trees of Noah in Bchaaleh. They are more than two thousand years old.
HIKING with Bchaaleh Trails
BCHAALEH TRAILS, nature & history
Nominated between 63 Villages “Ajmal Baldet Lebnen” by the NGO “Les plus beaux villages du Liban”, Bchaaleh the beautiful Village of Batroun district’ rises between 1200 and 1350 m above sea level and stands on a hill giving on North Lebanon.
On July 20th 2018, the Municipality of Bchaaleh, in collaboration with Bchaaleh Association for Development, have inaugurated BCHAALEH TRAILS Project funded by the USAID as part of LIVCD Program. Specific to Bchaaleh Village are Millennium Olive trees, situated on more than 1200 m of altitude and still producing fruit and high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil; which makes the site unique throughout the world. The Project targeted two parts of Bchaaleh Village: – 7 Trails were cleared cleaned and blazed. – Collaboration with Arizona university to take sample from the old olive trees and to test them by C14 technology.
Bchaaleh Trails project targets nature and adventure lovers. It is an integration between the wild, agriculture and rural scenery of a traditional Lebanese Village with archeological, historic and natural heritage. It targets nature and adventure lovers and push their hiking experience to a different level. Hikers will have the opportunities to choose between different levels and length. The trails can be tailored and customized to meet each and every singular need and by then can be suitable for all ages and capacities. They all have breathtaking views and are a picturesque frame for your photos and selfies.
Every trail you will take will retrieve you from the actual life and put you in close contact with the nature where the only voice you can hear is the sound of birds and the wild animals you may encounter. Some of Bchaaleh trails are of distance exceeding 7 km with drops of 300 m down offering some climbing experience for adventure seekers while others are of slight leveling and short distances but yet with same exciting experience suitable for families and old people. Bchaaleh trails are unique for that the hiking experience is mixed with rich history and the silence of the nature speaks loud the history of our ancestors and open a door to some lost civilization enriching the mind for some bed stories and taking away the daily stress. Bchaaleh trails take you to some of Bchaaleh main landmarks:
The Famous Millennium olive trees of Bchaaleh scientifically dated by the C14 method result was: 2045 years old.
Al Hossen Fortress built on a strategic hill where its remaining ruins promise a rich Hellenistic/early Christian site now put under the umbrella of the Directorate General of Antiquities.
Seven Old historical monasteries still standing under giant ancient oak trees assuring the perfect places to rest and breath some fresh air.
The pastoral Church of Ste. Stephan
The Old Church of Virgin Mary
The village old houses, paths and stairs stressing out the authenticity of a typical Lebanese village.
Specific to Bchaaleh are Millennium Olive trees, situated on more than 1200 m & still producing fruit & high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Bchaaleh Trails is an integration between the wild, agriculture and rural scenery of a traditional Lebanese Village with archeological, historic and natural heritage. It targets nature and adventure lovers and push their hiking experience to a different level.
If you are interested in Hiking with Bchaaleh Trails, click here www.bchaaleh.com and leave us a message with your contacts and email, and we will contact you shortly.
This small and quiet museum had a great collection of modern art and some interesting history about the building itself. My favourite part was a fascinating little section devoted to early European travellers exploring Lebanon and Syria which to me was truly captivating. It provided a little glimpse of travel before the days of blogs, Instagram, Google Maps or even telephone lines. They have guidebooks from the early 20th century talking about how to travel in Syria & The Middle East and which hotels to stay in – A peep into a very fascinating and different past. At the front of this museum, there is also a delightful little gift shop and outdoor café which is great to sit in the sun and drink delicious Lebanese rose.