Highlights of Lebanon

(7 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Beirut, Sidon, Tyre, Chouf Mountains & Beiteddine Palace, Byblos, Jeita Grotto, Baalbek

This private Lebanon tour is an ideal combination of the cultural, archaeological and natural highlights that reveal the country’s complex and fascinating history. It includes luxury accommodation and in-depth private touring with your own guide and driver.

Begin in Beirut, a sophisticated city with excellent cultural sites, restaurants and nightlife. During flexible private touring with your expert guide and driver, visit the most interesting neighborhoods, museums and monuments. Tour the superb National Museum of Beirut, which has an impressive collection of archaeological artifacts, and the Sursock Museum, which exhibits modern and contemporary art in a beautiful historic villa. Explore the Beirut Central District, a revitalized area with Art Deco-style buildings, Roman ruins, and cafes and shops. See local landmarks such as the clock tower, the Lebanese Parliament, Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, and Maronite and Greek Orthodox cathedrals. Visit top boutiques in Saifi Village and other neighborhoods to browse for local handicrafts such as carpets, jewelry, kaftans, slippers and housewares. See additional city highlights such as iconic Pigeon Rocks and the leafy campus of the American University of Beirut according to your interests. Also, enjoy reservations at the top restaurants in Beirut.

One day, take a private excursion along the coast south of Beirut to visit two port cities made wealthy in antiquity through trade in glass and the rare purple dye prized by royalty. During private touring in the once-powerful Phoenician town of Sidon (also known as Saida), see the Crusader-built Sidon Sea Castle, the Khan el-Franj caravanserai, the Musee du Savon museum of soap and crafts shops in the well-preserved souks. Continue to Tyre (Sour), a historic port city and UNESCO World Heritage Site with a wealth of remains from the Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Arab civilizations that controlled the town over the centuries. Tour the archaeological zones to see the extensive ruins of a Roman city, including one of the largest Roman hippodromes in the world, as well as artifacts from Byzantine and other periods.

One day, enjoy a private excursion into the beautiful Chouf Mountains. Pass Druze villages and terraced farms en route to iconic Beiteddine Palace, an 18th-century complex built on a hillside overlooking a rural valley. Inside the palace—the summer residence of the Lebanese president—see spectacular decor such as stained-glass windows, Byzantine mosaics, and intricately carved wooden walls and ceilings. Perhaps have lunch at another historic hillside palace nearby. Also visit Deir al-Qamar, a centuries-old traditional hill town with mosques, palaces and a historical synagogue. Then, continue higher into the mountains to see the centuries-old trees in the Barouk Cedar Forest, part of the Al-Shouf Cedar Nature Reserve and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Enjoy a private excursion to the Bekaa Valley to see the impressive Roman ruins of Baalbek, the most important archaeological site in Lebanon and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the remains of the colossal Temple of Jupiter and the well-preserved Temple of Bacchus, and explore the various courtyards and other architectural elements. En route back to Beirut, stop at Chateau Ksara, Lebanon’s best-known winery, to taste some of the acclaimed red and white wines they produce in the Bekaa Valley.

Also take a private excursion to the most interesting destinations north of Beirut. In the beautiful caverns of Jeita Grotto, see caves filled with breathtaking stalagmites and stalactites, and cruise on an underground river. In the fashionable and ancient port city of Byblos—where the first alphabet was invented—visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed clifftop archaeological site, which has fascinating ruins from around 3000 B.C. through the Middle Ages, including temples, royal tombs and a Crusader castle. Also stroll the town’s bougainvillea-lined streets, browse shops in the souk, and perhaps enjoy a seafood meal at a restaurant on the picturesque harbor. Time permitting, also visit Our Lady of Lebanon, a monumental sculpture of the Virgin Mary on a mountain top with spectacular views of the city and sea far below.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world