Lebanon: Land of the Phoenicians

Superior Group Tour in brief

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Beirut with Middle East Airlines. Transfer to Gefinor Rotana Hotel for 4 nights. (N)

Travel to the north of the country and take a full-day tour to the Qadisha valley, offering rugged scenery and one the most important early Christian monastic settlements in the world. Highlights of the day include visits to the Monastery of St Elieus and the Monastery of St Anthony Qozhaya, which was founded in the 17th century and has been built into the side of the rock face. (B)

This morning travel south to Sidon and see its old buildings that date back to the Middle Ages and Qala’at al Bahr, a 13th-century crusader castle. Later, continue to the coastal town of Tyre, once a great Phoenician city that is home to impressive Roman remains including aqueducts, roads, arches and a hippodrome with a capacity for 20,000 people. (B)

Begin the day with a visit to the limestone caves of Jeita Grotto and see the impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Continue to Harissa for scenic views over Jounieh Bay and to see the gigantic shrine and pilgrimage site of Our Lady of Lebanon. Travel north to the coastal town of Byblos, which lays claim to being the one of oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The town is home to a fortified harbour, a crusader castle, Egyptian temples and a Roman amphitheatre. (B)

Visit the ruins at the ancient city of Anjar; dating back to the Umayyad period, the city was made up of a mix of Roman, Byzantine and Islamic style architecture. Enjoy sampling some wines at the Château Ksara winery and in the afternoon visit the Roman temple complex of Baalbek. This archaeological site is one of the best preserved in the Middle East and is home to the Temple of Jupiter, the largest of the Roman world, with columns measuring over 22 metres high. Finish the day in Zahle and stay overnight at Grand Hotel Kadri. (B, D)

Drive through the Chouf mountains towards Beirut, with stops en route. See the beautiful 19th-century Palace of Beiteddine and the small mountain town of Deir el Qamar. Stay 2 nights at Gefinor Rotana Hotel. (B)

Take a morning tour of this cosmopolitan city including a visit to the National Museum. This afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Transfer to the airport and fly from Beirut to London with Middle East Airlines. (B)

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

This tour is based on 5-star accommodation.

Available on request.

This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.

Superior Group Tour in brief

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Beirut with Middle East Airlines. Transfer to Gefinor Rotana Hotel for 4 nights. (N)

Travel to the north of the country and take a full-day tour to the Qadisha valley, offering rugged scenery and one the most important early Christian monastic settlements in the world. Highlights of the day include visits to the Monastery of St Elieus and the Monastery of St Anthony Qozhaya, which was founded in the 17th century and has been built into the side of the rock face. (B)

This morning travel south to Sidon and see its old buildings that date back to the Middle Ages and Qala’at al Bahr, a 13th-century crusader castle. Later, continue to the coastal town of Tyre, once a great Phoenician city that is home to impressive Roman remains including aqueducts, roads, arches and a hippodrome with a capacity for 20,000 people. (B)

Begin the day with a visit to the limestone caves of Jeita Grotto and see the impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Continue to Harissa for scenic views over Jounieh Bay and to see the gigantic shrine and pilgrimage site of Our Lady of Lebanon. Travel north to the coastal town of Byblos, which lays claim to being the one of oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The town is home to a fortified harbour, a crusader castle, Egyptian temples and a Roman amphitheatre. (B)

Visit the ruins at the ancient city of Anjar; dating back to the Umayyad period, the city was made up of a mix of Roman, Byzantine and Islamic style architecture. Enjoy sampling some wines at the Château Ksara winery and in the afternoon visit the Roman temple complex of Baalbek. This archaeological site is one of the best preserved in the Middle East and is home to the Temple of Jupiter, the largest of the Roman world, with columns measuring over 22 metres high. Finish the day in Zahle and stay overnight at Grand Hotel Kadri. (B, D)

Drive through the Chouf mountains towards Beirut, with stops en route. See the beautiful 19th-century Palace of Beiteddine and the small mountain town of Deir el Qamar. Stay 2 nights at Gefinor Rotana Hotel. (B)

Take a morning tour of this cosmopolitan city including a visit to the National Museum. This afternoon is at leisure. (B)

Transfer to the airport and fly from Beirut to London with Middle East Airlines. (B)

Meal basis:

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information:

Superior tour:

This tour is based on 5-star accommodation.

Single supplement:

Available on request.

Private & tailor-made travel:

This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. Please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.