Sands of Time
Pre-Tour Extension to Lebanon
April 22 - May 1, 2011

Caution:  Please be careful when making air reservations for this tour if you are planning to do the Lebanon pre-tour extension. Do not arrange to fly round-trip into and out of Israel. Note this important warning from Travel.State.Gov:  “Travelers holding passports that contain visas or entry/exit stamps for Israel will likely be refused entry into Lebanon.

SMALL SIZE, BIG DEAL

Lebanon is a little country measuring just 140 miles from north to south and 29 miles at its widest point from east to west. Nestled between two mountain ranges, it is a rugged place with approximately half of its landmass at an altitude of over 3,000 feet. Lebanon is packed with such a variety of scenery that few places in the world can rival it. The famous cedar trees grow high in the mountains, while the lower slopes bear a bountiful harvest of apricots, barley, figs, grapes, olives, peaches, and plums, often on mountainside terraces. On the coastal plain, citrus fruit, bananas and vegetables are cultivated.
     Just as Lebanon packs a lot into its small size, it also has 7,000 years of history. Lebanon, over the centuries, provided an inaccessible haven for tribes and religious groups escaping from repression in other parts of the Middle East, from Catholic Maronites and Greek Orthodox Christians to Shia Muslims, who arrived in Lebanon to escape persecution from the Sunni majority elsewhere in the Islamic world. The colonial powers that subsequently occupied Lebanon – the Ottoman Turks and the French – were content to leave these sects more or less to themselves, while adding their own cultural influences into the mix.
     Lebanon has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many of which reflect the country’s various ancient civilizations. Phoenician tombs, Roman temples, Crusader castles and Mamlouk mosques can be found in the cities and ruins of Baalbeck, Byblos and Tyre. The town of Aanjar in the Bekaa Valley contains an inland commercial center dating back to the 8th century. The mountainous interior of the Kadisha Valley protects ancient monasteries and churches, as well as the remaining stands of the famed Cedars of Lebanon. We visit all five of these UNESCO sites on this journey.
     After years of unrest, Lebanon is attempting to regain its former reputation as “The Switzerland of the Middle East.” It shares with Israel the distinction of being the only democracy in the area, and the fact that its population is almost equally Christian and Moslem contributes to its rich cultural heritage and combination of different civilizations. The capital city Beirut, once known as “Paris of the East,” commands a magnificent position on the edge of the Mediterranean. Mountains tower over the city, while the seafront boasts beaches, theatres, shops and restaurants. Described by all the major international papers as the destination to see, Beirut is a cosmopolitan city with amazing food and pubs, and a vibrant nightlife combining the most extravagant aspects of the Western world with an Oriental touch. Beirut serves as our base of operations, and we stay in just one glorious hotel for eight nights – no packing and unpacking necessary.
     One who visits Lebanon is fascinated by the intricacies of this 7,000-year-old country. The weather is always moderate, the prices are very reasonable and, most of all, the people are warm and friendly. Lebanon may just be the prettiest little country you’ve never seen – until now.

ITINERARY

Please note that schedules for museums and other visits listed are subject to change. Some last-minute changes to this itinerary might be required to accommodate those changes, but would be in the form of exchanging one day’s activities for another’s so that in the end all visits indicated here will be accomplished.

Friday, April 22, 2011
Departure from the U.S.

Today you will depart your home city on an international flight to Beirut, Lebanon (airport code BEY). Make sure to allow plenty of time to connect between U.S. domestic flights from smaller cities to the major airport with international flights to Lebanon. You will arrive in Beirut sometime tomorrow. Let us know if you would like to arrive today and we will invoice you for an additional night at our group hotel.

Saturday, April 23, 2011
Arrival in Beirut

Your international flight arrives in Beirut today. You will be met by a tour representative at the airport and transferred to our centrally located hotel, which will be our home for the duration of this tour. At some point today our guide will meet us at the hotel for a general orientation tour of Beirut. This evening we gather in the hotel lobby for a cocktail party to introduce ourselves to one another and discuss the week’s itinerary, followed by dinner at a local restaurant..     (Dinner included)

Sunday, April 24, 2011 – Easter Sunday
Beirut Sightseeing

We leave this morning free for those who might wish to take in an Easter service at the church of their choice. This afternoon our guide will take us on a sightseeing tour of Beirut. The tour will include the newly restored downtown which has become the pride of so many Lebanese, as it symbolizes the rebirth of the capital after years of turmoil. The visit will also include the National Museum, the sea front reaching the Pigeons grotto, the American University as well as the very chic area of Sursock to see a local palace. The evening is free.     (Breakfast)

Monday, April 25, 2011
Jeita Grotto / Byblos

After breakfast, we leave Beirut, driving along the coastal highway to the mouth of the Dog River. It is a veritable open-air museum of ancient and modern inscriptions engraved on the rocks of this strategic pass by conquerors of all times. The natural site of Jeita Grotto is, without doubt, one of the most remarkable grottoes in the world, and was in the running to be named one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature. We walk through the upper grotto’s wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites, and take a boat ride on the lower grotto’s underground lake. Coming back to the surface, we climb the hill of our Lady of Harissa for a beautiful view of Jounieh Bay and Beirut in the distance.
     Stopping for a light lunch along the way, we continue to Byblos, an ancient Phoenician City, where we visit the remains of temples, citadels, tombs, and a grand amphitheater. Byblos was the legendary birthplace of the Alphabet, as well as the seat of worship of Adonis and Egyptian mythology dating back some 6000 years. The evening in Beirut is free.     (Breakfast / Light Lunch)

Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Bekaa Valley

After breakfast, we drive northeast of Beirut (about 52 miles) to the Beqaa Valley. The town of Baalbeck is renowned for its Roman heritage, with majestic temples dedicated to Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus. We continue on to the Ksara vineyard and its Roman caves for a wine tasting . From there, proceed to Massaya, another famous vineyard, and stop for lunch in an enchanting setting under the grape leaves. After lunch our final stop will be Anjar, an ancient site which dates back to the 8th century and was used as a summer resort of the Calif El Walid. Returning to Beirut, the evening is free at leisure.     (Breakfast / Light Lunch)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Shuf Mountains

After breakfast, we meet our guide and proceed for a full-day tour of the Shuf Mountains. Driving to the South of Beirut, we visit the charming town of Deir El Kamar, residence of the Lebanese Governors for over 200 years. All around the main square, the Emirs (princes of Lebanon) built their palaces which were added to those inherited from their predecessors. From here we continue on to Beiteddine, where the Emir Bechir Chehab built a palace which is a jewel of the Lebanese architecture of the 19th century, with elegant porches and monumental engraved doors. We enjoy a light lunch en route and return to Beirut in the late afternoon.     (Breakfast / Light Lunch)

Thursday, April 28, 2011
South Lebanon

After breakfast, we meet our guide for a full-day tour of the South of Lebanon. The coastal town of Sidon, 30 miles south of Beirut, is one of the famous names in ancient history. Evidence shows that Sidon was inhabited as long ago as 4000BC, and surpassed all other Phoenician city states in terms of wealth, commercial initiative and religious significance. Stroll along the seafront promenade and visit the Crusader Sea Castle. See the vaulted souk of Sidon, the Khan el Franj caravanserai (market house and hotel for caravan traders and pilgrims), and the Great Mosque.
     After a short break for lunch (on your own), we continue onward to Tyre, known as the “queen of the seas” - an island city of unprecedented splendor with five millennia of history. The three areas of Tyre include the Phoenician island, with its vast district of civic buildings, colonnades, public baths and mosaic streets; the ruins of the Crusader Cathedral; and the extensive necropolis with one of the largest Roman hippodromes ever found. We return to Beirut in the late afternoon, and the remainder of the day is free.     (Breakfast)

Friday, April 29, 2011
North Lebanon

After breakfast, we embar upon a full day tour of one of the most panoramic areas of Lebanon. Drive along the coast towards the North. On our way to the Cedars, about 75 miles north of Beirut, we visit the Monastery of Kozhaya in the Kadisha Valley, also known as the Holy Valley. Proceed onwards to the typical villages of Bcharre and Ehden, and visit the small museum of the worldwide famous Lebanese author Khalil Gibran. We stop for lunch en route, then continue to Cedars, known as “ Arz El Rab” (Cedars of the Lord) which adorn Lebanon’s emblem. Unfortunately, only a few stands of these trees remain because they were harvested over the centuries, but the area is still one of the most dramatically beautiful spots in Lebanon. We return to Beirut, and the remainder of the evening is free.     (Breakfast / Light Lunch)

Saturday, April 30, 2011
Free Day / Farewell Dinner

Today is an entirely free day at leisure to spend as you like in Beirut. Sleep in, take a later breakfast, shop, go sightseeing, lounge on the beach – it’s up to you. This evening, we gather together in the hotel lobby and proceed to our Farewell Dinner.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Sunday, May 1, 2011
Departure – On to Jordan

After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport in time for our group flight to Amman. Services for this tour extension conclude at airport. Those ending their travels here can make their return flights home from Beirut (airport code BEY). However, we assume that most participants will be continuing on to enjoy our full tour of Jordan and Israel. We will arrange the flight to Amman for those continuing their travels with us, and invoice you accordingly. The airport code for Amman is AMM, if you prefer to make your own flight arrangements.     (Breakfast)