Lebanon holidays, small group tour
Single supplement available.
Mimimum age 16.
Description of Lebanon holidays, small group tour
Join a small group trip exploring the highlights of Lebanon, in the company of a knowledgeable local tour leader, and enjoy an enthralling introduction to a country that is deservedly getting more attention as a holiday destination. Responsible tours here put an emphasis on showcasing authentic Lebanese culture, whether that be dining at community-run traditional restaurants, spending time in rural villages, or staying overnight in a peaceful monastery, then joining the morning prayers. Lebanon is a small country, but it has a big personality.
Cosmopolitan Beirut is the first stop – and frankly the capital is an unmissable element of any Lebanon tour. Though still bearing the scars of civil war, Beirut is a thrilling city to explore on foot. Your guide will show you the National Museum, the famous Green Line that divided the city during the war, and the scenic walk along the promenade to Pigeon Rocks.
From Beirut you head south along the coast to admire some of Lebanon’s historic wonders. The ancient sea defences of Sidon, and the archaeological sites of Tyre, demonstrate the breadth of civilisations that have left their mark here, from the Ottomans to the Romans. Lebanon sits at the crossroads between the Middle East and Europe, with a unique and fascinating architecture.
The fertile Bekaa Valley is Lebanon’s ‘bread basket’, but unsustainable farming techniques and the climate crisis are taking a toll. Some communities, however, are taking a lead on returning to traditional, environmentally friendly forms of farming, and in one such village you’ll pause for lunch at a restaurant to dine on food grown organically in the surrounding area. You’ll also visit a family-run winery here to learn about their techniques and the story of Lebanon’s wine industry.
The tour continues to Byblos – reputed to be the birthplace of the Western alphabets – where you can wander the marvellous Ottoman souks in search of a bargain, or simply enjoy a coffee while watching the fishing boats bob in the harbour. The seafood restaurants here are wonderful, and your meals help sustain a struggling traditional industry.
Finally, take in another aspect of Lebanese culture that very few travellers experience. Spend a night at St. Anthony’s Monastery, which dates to the 12th century and is the focal point of many pilgrimages. Here you’ll sleep in the monastery’s grounds, and join the monks for their morning prayers the next day.
All of this – and we haven’t even mentioned the amazing Lebanese food yet.
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Price information
Single supplement available.
Mimimum age 16.
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Holiday information
Responsible Travel
Planet
Lebanon is a small Middle Eastern country with a variety of different landscapes and terrains, and we are very keen to conserve this beautiful country.While we travel between cities by bus, we do the majority of our sightseeing on foot. Spending time exploring ruins from the Phoenician, Roman and Byzantine eras and then strolling through the narrow lanes of the souqs.
All of our leaders have been trained on how to promote responsible tourism, particularly focusing on reducing the use of single-use plastic. On this trip the leader will advise you where to refill water bottles with clean, safe drink water, therefore reducing the necessity to buy plastic water bottles throughout your trip.
As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.
People
Travelling in Lebanon means you are rarely far from a coffee seller or a stall selling fresh fruit. We regularly stop and make the most of the chance to chat to the sellers whilst we enjoy some strong, sweet, black coffee.During this itinerary we spend one night in a simple hotel in the grounds of St Anthony's Monastery. The money from our stay contributes to the maintenance of this beautiful building dating back to the 4th century, set in the fertile Qadisha Valley.
As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.
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