Lebanon Tours & Holidays
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays
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Overview
We are not currently operating any trips to Lebanon although we hope to be able to return there soon. If you would like to be alerted if and when this happens, please send an email to info@wildfrontiers.co.uk with the subject line Lebanon.
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Emerging from the ashes of its war-torn past, Lebanon has undergone a rebirth in recent years to present visitors with a country that enjoys the rich benefits of an ancient past and a bustling Mediterranean future. ...
We are not currently operating any trips to Lebanon although we hope to be able to return there soon. If you would like to be alerted if and when this happens, please send an email to info@wildfrontiers.co.uk with the subject line Lebanon.
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Emerging from the ashes of its war-torn past, Lebanon has undergone a rebirth in recent years to present visitors with a country that enjoys the rich benefits of an ancient past and a bustling Mediterranean future. Bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, the impact of Arabic, Roman and French influences are clearly visible everywhere you look. There is no better way to explore this country than on one of our Lebanon tours or tailor-made holidays.
A popular tourist hotspot before the Lebanese Civil War, it was known in its heyday as the "Switzerland of the East", whilst its capital, Beirut, enjoyed the title of "Paris of the Middle East". Since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, the country has worked hard to rebuild its reputation again and visitor numbers are steadily on the increase.
Today, Lebanon is a hub of cultural activity, with a thriving arts and fashion scene in and around Beirut's bustling coffee shops and boulevards. Away from the chic buzz of its thriving cities, the country’s historic past can be seen in its crusader castles and the crumbling ruins of the 7th century Umayyad city of Aanjar. Across the mountains of the east, through the terraced hills of the Shuf region and down to the beaches of the western coastline, Lebanon is an easily accessible, vibrant and modern country perfect for an extraordinary adventure. Explore it all on one of our Lebanon holidays or group tours.
Start your journey
HIGHLIGHTS OF LEBANON
BEST EXPERIENCES
Explore Beirut's arts and culture
Discover some of the hidden delights of Beirut’s cultural heritage, with visits to a calligraphy artist, a traditional oud workshop, tea and backgammon with the locals and an artist-led tour at the Beirut Arts Centre, before dinner with a live oud performance.
Help with the annual grape harvest
The perfect excursion for wine lovers to find a new appreciation of wine production. Most wineries in Lebanon harvest by hand, ensuring only the best bunches are selected. Discover the steps of the grape picking process, then enjoy a wine tasting and lunch.
Take a Lebanese cooking class
Lebanese cuisine is world-renowned and often described as the “pearl of the Arabian kitchen”. Meet with residents of Byblos in their home to discover how to make a range of authentic Lebanese dishes and then enjoying the fruits of your labours with your hosts.
Explore the Phoenician ports
Explore the southern Phoenician port cities of Sidon and Tyre, set along the Mediterranean Sea. In Sidon, the highlights are the Temple of Echmoun and the Castle of the Sea and Tyre is the birthplace of the legendary Queen Dido and, allegedly, purple dye.
Plant a cedar tree
The Cedars Forever program was created to restore Lebanon’s mountains by planting cedar trees, which are threatened by extinction. The aim is to reforest an area of 14 million square metres in 10 years. If you wish, you can adopt a cedar tree yourself.
Walk the corniche to Pigeon Rocks
Beirut has a stunning location on the Mediterranean Sea. Take in the scenery as you walk along the seaside promenade, known as ‘Corniche’. Wander until you reach the famous Pigeon Rocks, standing 60 metres tall. This special spot most atmospheric at sunset.
Visit the Roman ruins of Baalbek
Baalbek is probably the most impressive historical site in Lebanon and has some of the best Roman ruins in the Middle East. The temple complex contains the monumental Temple of Jupiter, smaller but better preserved Temple of Bacchus and the Temple of Venus.
Discover glass blowing in Sarafand
Sarafand has a long history of glass blowing after the Phoenician’s perfected the technique to create transparent glass ornaments using traditional methods. Check out a family workshop, which recycles seven million bottles a year into beautiful new glasses.
Ride through the ancient cedars
Meet your guide at a professional horse-riding club near the Ain Zhalta Bmohray entrance of the reserve and ride through the the natural scenery and native cedars. This activity is aimed towards riders of all levels.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Baalbek
Baalbek is probably the most impressive historical site in Lebanon and has some of the best Roman ruins in the Middle East. Originally the site of a temple devoted to the Semitic god Baal, the Greeks ...
Beirut
Before the civil war, Beirut was known as the Paris of the Middle East, a cosmopolitan city famous for its nightlife, beaches and restaurants. Beirut suffered grave damage during the civil war of 1975-1992 ...
Byblos
Byblos is a picturesque port city with a wonderful archaeological site. It is known as the world's oldest continually inhabited town and the remains here date from the Stone Age through to the Crusaders....
Shouf Biosphere Reserve
Most of Lebanon used to be populated with cedar trees, which provided the timber for the boats that made the Phoenicians such renowned sailors as well as wealthy merchants of the Mediterranean. Today ...
Tyre
In the south of Lebanon lies the Phoenician port city of Tyre. Tyre was badly affected during WW2 but the archaeological remains are impressive, most of them dating from Greek and Roman times. The best ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Albergo, Beirut
Hidden in the lively Ashrafieh district, one of the oldest and most exciting areas of Beirut, the Albergo Hotel has an air of understated elegance. Each of the 33 suites has a unique theme drawn from…
Beit Faris wa Lucia, Byblos
Hidden within the old souks of Byblos, Beit Faris wa Lucia has all the old-world charm of the city it resides in. Built on the foundations of a Crusader tower, the beautiful stone building was the home…
Dar Alma, Tyre
This beachfront property is located near the iconic castle of Tyre, allowing for sightseeing and water sporting opportunities. Originally built in 1967 and given a new lease of life in 2010, it still…
Le Gray - CLOSED, Beirut
The five star Le Gray hotel offers its guests a contemporary and stylish location in the beautiful city of Beirut, and is only a 15-minute drive from the airport. The property centres on a circular…
Palmyra Hotel, Baalbek
Palmyra Hotel is sure to be a highlight during your stay in Baalbek. Having been open for over 140 years, the hotel has hosted many famous guests such as Ella Fitzgerald, Picasso, Einstein and Charles…
Zanzoun, Beirut
A gorgeous bed and breakfast, Zanzoun is set within a traditional Lebanese home, tucked away in Mar Mikhael. The exclusive heritage property has only three queen-size rooms, all boasting antiques and…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Despite its Middle Eastern location, Lebanon has a mild climate with four seasons. Spring (March - May) and autumn (October - November) are considered the best times to visit due to milder temperatures and less rain. However, weather can be unpredictable at any time of year, especially if going to the more mountainous regions, so please allow for both hot and cold weather during your visit.
Meet the expert, Dan
Dan is our Middle East expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Daniel by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Travel Tips
• Enjoy freshly cooked fish by the harbour side in Byblos
• Sample the delights of Chateau Ksara wines in the Bekaa Valley
• See the Cedars in the less visited Chouf National Park
• Enjoy the nightlife in Lebanon's undiscovered gem, Batroun.
• Go walking in the Hermel mountains
Practical Information
Time: Lebanon is 2hrs ahead of GMT. A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com
Food and Alcohol: When the Lebanese eat out, they will usually order group meals - a selection of mezze, or starters, followed by main meals to share. Arabic unleavened bread, or khoobz Arabi, is eaten with almost everything. The other staples are falafel, deep-fried chickpea balls; shwarma, spit-cooked sliced lamb and foul; a paste of fava beans, garlic and lemon. Mensaf is a Bedouin speciality - a whole lamb, head included, on a bed of rice and pine nuts. Lebanese food is often described as the “pearl of the Arabian kitchen” so eating well is nothing to worry about with their kebabs, tabbouleh, couscous and fresh salads. Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs can also be catered for; much of mezze is vegetarian.
Alcohol is available in Lebanon but with much of the population being Muslim it is not as plentiful as other nations.
Money: In Lebanon the official unit of currency is the Lebanese pound. To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com
Language & Religion: Article 11 of Lebanon's Constitution states that "Arabic is the official national language. A law determines the cases in which the French language may be used". The majority of Lebanese people speak Arabic and either French or English fluently. Moreover, Lebanese people of Armenian or Greek descent also speak Armenian or Greek fluently. Also in use is Kurdish spoken by some of the Kurdish minorities in Lebanon, and Syriac by the Syriac minorities.
Religion is split with around 60% being of various Muslim varieties with the Shi’a Muslims being the largest group, and the remaining 40% being different variations of Christianity.
Travelling Solo In Lebanon
All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.