Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Mystical Lebanon...experience it now  

Asia sticks to you. & the word is out: as far as off-the-beaten-path destinations go and if you fancy travelling somewhere neither East nor West, and exotic & fascinating yet perfectly comfortable then, Lebanon might just be a rewarding destination. And it is an incredibly varied & exciting vacation destination, pulsating with a spectacular mix of people, traditions & landscapes.

Your journey through this mind-stirring country will blaze in your memory long after you have left its shores. Come……experience Lebanon with us………

The Middle East is quite simply extraordinary, one of the world's most fascinating and rewarding travel destinations. It was here that some of the most significant civilisations of antiquity rose & fell and where the three great monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity & Islam - were born. Left behind is an astonishing open-air museum of ancient cities & historic buildings, the stones of which still resonate with the sounds of the faithful.

The Middle East is home to some of the world's most significant cities - Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus, Teheran, Baghdad & Istanbul & Beirut. The ruins of the once similarly epic cities of history - Petra, Persepolis, Ephesus, Palmyra, Baalbek, Leptis Magna & the bounty of ancient Egypt, also mark the passage of centuries in a region where the ancient world lives & breathes.

The landscapes of the region are equally spellbinding, from the unrivalled seas of sand dunes & palm-fringed lakes in Libya’s Sahara desert to the stunning mountains of the north & the underwater world of the Red Sea..

Above all else, however, your most enduring memory of the Middle East is likely to be its people. Their gracious welcome, many kindnesses & boundless hospitality speak of an altogether more civilised age.

From the gravitas of the Sahara to the blue tiles of Esfahan, this is a region for discerning travellers, for those looking for the story behind the headline, and where the bridges between ancient & modern civilisations are evident everywhere. If you believe what the media tells you and decide not to visit, you would be missing out on the journey of a lifetime.

Let us talk about Lebanon now & leave your preconceptions at home.

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Ancient Civilisation | Beauty of Islam | Redefining Hospitality

Little understood & seldom visited by Western tourists, Lebanon can seem opaque & enigmatic. Many preconceptions are based on its confusion with the Arab world, a fact lost on many in the West. For a country its small size, Lebanon has a staggering number of diversions to keep visitors entertained.  Ancient history enthusiasts will be exhausted by the end of their trip: you can barely turn around without stumbling over a world-class archaeological site.

This diminutive Mediterranean nation has 7,000 years of history. Home of one of the most ancient civilizations in the world, Phoenicia, Lebanon hides beneath its ground an ancient world that still needs to get discovered. Recently, National Geographic declared that Lebanon is one of the world's oldest countries, famous for its exquisite beauty, diversity, glamor, European flavor & hospitable people. Its rich culture & history have placed it on the “must see” list of every world traveler.

An ancient land, Lebanon features in the writings of Homer & in the Old Testament. Its cities were major outposts & seaports in Phoenician and Roman times, just two of the great civilizations that touched this important Middle Eastern crossroads.

Coolly combining the ancient with the ultramodern, Lebanon is one of the most captivating countries in the Middle East. Lebanon is blessed with magnificent mountain vistas, majestic ancient ruins & an indomitable, hospitable people. Lebanon rewards the traveller with food for thought and a feast for the senses & the stomach.

It is a fascinating nexus point of the Middle East & the West; of Christianity & Islam; of tradition & modernity. Lebanon is an ancient land that has been at the heart of the growth of two of the world’s major religions, For centuries, diverse religious traditions have shared this land, creating a rich mosaic of religious beliefs & a unique multicultural society. Many times throughout its history, Lebanon has served as a place of refuge & spiritual retreat, and the modern religious pilgrim will discover this same sense of sanctuary in the beauty of the country’s holy places & natural terrain.

With all of the Mid-east’s best bits - warm & welcoming people, mind-blowing history & considerable culture, Lebanon is also the antithesis of many people's imaginings of the Middle East: mostly mountainous with skiing to boot, it is also laid-back, liberal & fun. It is a place where culture, family & religion are all-important.

Because of its financial power & diversity in its heyday, Lebanon was referred to as the "Switzerland of the East" during the 1960s, and its capital, Beirut, attracted so many tourists that it was known as "the Paris of the Middle East", thanks to its French influences & vibrant cultural & intellectual life.

Lebanon's diverse patchwork of Mediterranean-lapped coast, rugged alpine peaks & green, fertile valleys, is packed into a parcel of land some 225 km (140 miles) long & 46 km (29 miles) wide.

The nature of Lebanon makes it the only country in the Arab world that embraces four seasons yearly. No matter what the season, there is always something special to enjoy. In the winter season, ski resorts offer tourists slopes that are comparable to even the best resorts in Europe.

Lebanese cities are among the most famous names in ancient history & majestic ruins still stand today as a testimony to the greatness of people who lived in this land

Tripoli is considered to have the best souk in the country and is famous for its Mamluk architecture. It is well equipped with a taste of modernity as well; Jounieh, formerly a sleepy fishing village, is a town alive with nightclubs & glitz on summer weekends.

Once known as the 'Paris of the East', Beirut commands a magnificent position, thrust into the Mediterranean. Behind the city are towering mountains, visible when the traffic haze settles down. The Corniche seafront boasts beaches, restaurants, theatres and a dazzling variety of shops & restaurants. It is fast becoming the region's party place. 

The cosmopolitan flair of modern-day Beirut, the gastronomic renown of the country's food & wine, and an educated & outward-looking population complement a country that is both traditional & progressive in outlook. Middle East's most glamorous, hedonistic city is home to a glorious national cuisine & a string of sexy beach resorts.

Lovers of nightlife will find a gregarious capital with bacchanalian parties going to all hours. Those seeking serene nature can wander through ancient cedar forests & dramatic mountain-scapes.

Outside of the capital, several UNESCO World Heritage Sites await, many of which reflect the country's various ancient civilizations. Phoenician tombs, Roman temples, Crusader castles & Mamlouk mosques can be found in the cities & ruins of Baalbeck, Byblos & Tyre. The town of Aanjar in the Bekaa Valley contains an Umayyad site from the 8^th century - a unique historical example of a commercial centre that was inland. Within the mountainous interior of the Kadisha Valley, ancient monasteries & churches can be seen, including a chapel built into the rock face.

As Lebanon is a relatively new country, there aren’t many traditions that the Lebanese can truly call their own. However, the locals have taken all the influences of other countries & developed a set of mannerisms only they will understand. Nothing beats trying to navigate the strange social customs that the people of Lebanon have. For all the flavors of its storied past & rugged natural beauty, Lebanon is a well-kept tourist secret that begs exploration.

Crafts in Lebanon are numerous & varied and can mostly be attributed to the patient work of craftsmen of the Lebanese mountains. Namely, blown glass, Phoenician Tyrian Purple fabrics, fine ceramics and the Arab’s magnificent jewelry, delicately embroidered textiles & garments woven with gold & silver threads. One can also mention the manufacture of the crusader’s bronze bells, 19^th century cutlery & 20^th century leather crafts.

Finally, Lebanon is the gourmet’s paradise, it’s cuisine is considered the richest of the region. Thanks to its marvelous Mediterranean climate, fresh fruits & vegetables abound here all year long. With varied & exotic food, the Lebanese cuisine, though often compared to that of other neighboring countries, has its own particular taste. From hummus to hommard (lobster), you will dine like a king.

History, great food & idyllic scenery are just the beginning……. Take the plunge now & yep….Lebanon is waiting. With legendary sights, hospitality, food & nightlife, what more could a traveller want? A warm welcome, historical secrets & an artistic paradise awaits you & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discover.

 Come……be inspired & discover the World with us

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Lebanon. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences………