Lebanon
November 2018
Beirut and beyond
On a whim we decided to take in a weekend trip to Lebanon, it's long been on our radar and given the proximity to Abu Dhabi, I don't know why we hadn't been earlier.
Vital Statistics
Getting there - Emirates, Dubai to Beirut (approx 4 hours)
Transport - hired a car (only Mark was brave enough to drive)
Slept - Radisson Blu (with hotel points)
Sites
Downtown Beirut
Byblos
Jeita Grotto
Harissa
Beiteddine Palace
Regrets
Travel times around Lebanon
We thoroughly enjoyed our lightening fast trip to Lebanon, people were extremely friendly, food was easy and familiar, and prices very reasonable.
There were remnants of the civil war (1975 - 1990) all around, such as bullet holes in buildings and armed soldiers were prominent in Downtown Beirut, but I've never met such a pleasant soldier holding a rifle, he was almost apologetic, as the who asked us to move along at the airport!
It was early winter when we visited, but the coolish and stormy weather was a welcome change from the continuous sunshine in Abu Dhabi (such a hardship I know!!)
The only thing I would say that was a disppointment is the length of time it took to drive anywhere, driving was very chaotic and slow. On our second day we had planned to visit Balbeek (only 90 kms from Beirut) which we thought would be an easy journey there in back in the 5 hours we had before our flight, but our hotel concierge and Google Maps advised us not attempt it, so we used the time to drive us, so instead we went to Beiteddine Palace, which was a worthwhile trip and we experienced some amazing hairpin bends over the mountains to get there.
Enjoy some photos below and feel free to post any questions or comments you may have.
xMHx
Beirut and beyond
On a whim we decided to take in a weekend trip to Lebanon, it's long been on our radar and given the proximity to Abu Dhabi, I don't know why we hadn't been earlier.
Vital Statistics
Getting there - Emirates, Dubai to Beirut (approx 4 hours)
Transport - hired a car (only Mark was brave enough to drive)
Slept - Radisson Blu (with hotel points)
Sites
Downtown Beirut
Byblos
Jeita Grotto
Harissa
Beiteddine Palace
Regrets
Travel times around Lebanon
We thoroughly enjoyed our lightening fast trip to Lebanon, people were extremely friendly, food was easy and familiar, and prices very reasonable.
There were remnants of the civil war (1975 - 1990) all around, such as bullet holes in buildings and armed soldiers were prominent in Downtown Beirut, but I've never met such a pleasant soldier holding a rifle, he was almost apologetic, as the who asked us to move along at the airport!
It was early winter when we visited, but the coolish and stormy weather was a welcome change from the continuous sunshine in Abu Dhabi (such a hardship I know!!)
The only thing I would say that was a disppointment is the length of time it took to drive anywhere, driving was very chaotic and slow. On our second day we had planned to visit Balbeek (only 90 kms from Beirut) which we thought would be an easy journey there in back in the 5 hours we had before our flight, but our hotel concierge and Google Maps advised us not attempt it, so we used the time to drive us, so instead we went to Beiteddine Palace, which was a worthwhile trip and we experienced some amazing hairpin bends over the mountains to get there.
Enjoy some photos below and feel free to post any questions or comments you may have.
xMHx
Cameras are not allowed into the grotto so this photo is from the offical website with credit to http://jeitagrotto.com/
Taking in the scenery (and Mark's favourite pose) en route to Byblos
Quaint little harbour and Christmas all thrown into the mix
A spectacular downpour came minutes after this photo in Byblos
Terrifying to think what might have happened in this church to leave bullet holes in the paintings
Grand old Beiteddine Palace
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