|
Beirut Down Town
In 1990, DownTown was in shambles, a ghost town. Just over a decade later, Downtown has emerged as Beirut most fashionable and desirable neighborhood, with glory-ously restored French Mandate-era buildings. European and Lebanese cafes world class restaurants, luxurious boutiques, and stylish pubs. Maarad St. with in arabesque arches and sidewalk cafes, is unquestionably the beating heart of DT. Its main artery leads to Nijmeh Square, with the 1930s Art Deco clock tower at its center .
The Political Center The Lebanese Parliament , also completed in the 30s, is another stunning example of Lebanese Art Deco architecture. West of Nijmeh Square stands the Grand Serail (Sarai), the seat of the Prime Minister, with its neo Ottoman clock tower, which was designed by famed architect Youssef Aftimos in 1897.
Religion Sites Other notable sights in down town area include the St. Louis of the Capuchins Church, the neo Ottoman Beirut Municipality; the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. George,the Emir Munzer Tannoukhi Mosque, and the Maronite Cathedral of St. George.
Recently Mohammad Al Amin Mosque was opened in the down town center. This mosque rebuild after years of constructions and architecture. The history of this mosque take you far away to the past time
MOSQUES Al Omari Mosque( 1291A.D.)/Amir Assaf Mosque (1572-1580)/Zawiyat Ibn al Arraq (1517A.D)/Amir Munzer Mosque (1620A.D) /Mohammad Al Amin Mosque (2008)
CHURCHES The Maronitte Cathedral of Saint George, Built in 1888, /The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George , built in 1767./The Greek Catholic of Saint Elias , built in the mid 19th century./The Saint Luis Church of the Capuchins Inaugurated in 1863,./The Evangelical Church, built in 1867.
Commercial Center
Shopping Center
Entertainment Center
Ashrafieh
Achrafieh, (Arabic: الأشرفية; spelled in English as Ashrafieh), is one of the oldest districts of East Beirut, Lebanon. It is located on a hill in the eastern part of Beirut alongside the shore. Achrafieh is both a residential and commercial district characterized by narrow winding streets and prestigious large apartments and office buildings. It is a prime location for investment and tourism.The area is divided into numerous smaller neighborhoods. Its most prominent ones include St Nicolas (where important buildings include the Sursock House, Sursock Museum and the Sofil building) and Tabaris (among its important buildings: 812 Tabaris, Achrafieh Tower, Yared buildings, Metropolis, and Hermitage building).
It was announced on August 13, 2009 that Achrafieh neighborhood of Sodeco would be home to Lebanon tallest tower, Sama Beirut. When the project is completed in 2014 it will be Lebanon tallest project, standing at 200 meters.
Places to visit: Monot Street;Abdul Wahab AL Englizi Street,Jemmaizeh ,Abc Mall
Baalbek
Baalbek (Arabic: بعلبك) is a town in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, altitude 1,170 metres (3,800 ft), situated east of the Litani River. It is famous for its exquisitely detailed yet monumentally scaled temple ruins of the Roman period, when Baalbek, known as Heliopolis was one of the largest sanctuaries in the Empire. It is Lebanon greatest Roman treasure, and it can be counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The largest and most noble Roman temples ever built, they are also among the best preserved. Towering high above the Beqaa plain, their monumental proportions proclaimed the power and wealth of Imperial Rome. The gods worshipped here, the Triad of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury, were grafted onto the indigenous deities of Hadad, Atargatis and a young male god of fertility. Local influences are also seen in the planning and layout of the temples, which vary from the classic Roman design
Baalbek is home to the annual Baalbeck International Festival. The town is located about 85 km (53 mi) north east of Beirut, and about 75 km (47 mi) north of Damascus
Byblos – Jeita & Harissa
Our visit starts with the beautiful Phoenician city considered the longest continually inhabited city in the world with its castle, souks, cathedral (dating back to the Crusaders era), port, restaurants, sandy beaches, cafés. Etc…
Then the famous Jeita grottos with their fabulous sceneries and ends in Harissa (one way cable-car) with a panoramic view of Jounieh bay
Zahle
A red-roofed town set among the eastern foothills of Mount Sannine, Zahle enjoys a prime location in the Beqaa valley. Snowcapped mountains tower above it in winter, while in summer its 945 meter elevation keeps the air light and dry. The city center spreads along both banks of the Berdawni River, with the older section of the upper elevations of the west bank. At the northern end of town is the Bardouni river valley known as Wadi el Aarayesh (Grape Vine Valley) the site of Zahle famous outdoor restaurants.
Zahle styles itself The city of Wine and poetry, and with good reason. In this century alone some 50 poets and writers were born here and almost as many excellent wines and araks have been produced in the area.
The romance of wine and poetry is balanced by Zahle more business like position as the administrative and commercial capital of the Beqaa valley as well as its rank as the country third largest city. Zahle is also an agricultural town which produces vegetables, fruit, grains and most importantly, grapes.
Cedars And Bsherrah
Cedars of Lebanon (2000 m. altitude), mentioned several times in the Bible. Some of them are more than 2000 years old. In Becharreh, we visit the Gebran Museum, the international poet of Lebanese origin. This visit is followed by an excellent Lebanese lunch.
In the afternoon we visit the convent of St Anthony of Kozhaya, one of the numerous convents of the Holy Valley but the only one renovated and with easy access
Sidon Tyre and Eshmon
Our tour starts by visiting the Sea Castle, Khan El Franj and Soap museum in Sidon then the Necropolis and Sea site of Tyre. Lunch is served in a good restaurant in Tyre. On the way back, we visit the temple of Eshmoun
Beirut ,Beit Ediine & Deir el Kamar
Capital of Lebanon and Heart of the Middle East, Beirut rises again from the aches. We visit the National Museum, the city center with its huge construction sites, renovation works in addition to newest archeological finds. A visit that will confirm the Lebanese will of making their capital again the economic, touristic, cultural & commercial center of the Middle East.Deir El-Kamar, typical Lebanese village where we visit the Kayssarieh, Notre Dame Churh, Fakhreddine Mosque and Marie Baz museum.
At a small distance, we visit Beiteddin, Palace of Emir Bechir (1788 - 1840) and summer palace of the Lebanese Presidents from 1943 till 1983. Lunch is served in a very good Lebanese restaurant
|