Destination: Syria

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: Looping Lebanon

TWO WEEKS / LEBANON

Looping Lebanon takes you to all of Lebanon’s best sights – ruins, souqs, mountains, valleys, beaches – starting and finishing in the cosmopolitan capital of Beirut. The route can be covered in 10 days, but doing it over two weeks is a more relaxing trip. Note that during winter you cannot cross from Bcharré to Baalbek.



Begin by spending a few days in buzzy Beirut, before cruising up the coast to pretty Byblos for its picturesque old port, timing your explorations so that you are strolling around the ruins at sunset – a sublime experience. Head to Tripoli next, taking a couple of days to explore its ancient khans (inns), mosques, hammams, souqs and the crusader castle in nearby Enfe. Enjoy the dramatic vistas and charming villages of the Qadisha Valley on your way to Bcharré and The Cedars. Outside of winter you can take the mountain road to the Bekaa Valley and Baalbek to enjoy the magnificence of the best-preserved Roman temples in the world. Drop in to Zahlé for lunch and to one of the Bekaa’s vineyards for some wine-tasting.

Next, visit the exquisite Umayyad ruins of Aanjar before heading to the Chouf Mountains and the charming village of Deir al-Qamar. Nearby is the lavish Beiteddine Palace and its delightful gardens with Byzantine mosaics. From there make your way to Sidon to see its stylish Musée Du Savon, labyrinthine souq and Sea Castle. Head further south to Tyre to take in its pretty bay and archaeological ruins, which include the world’s largest Roman hippodrome. Tyre is also a good base for exploring the formerly occupied south. Head back along the coast to Beirut for one last taste of the city’s vibrant nightlife.