Best of Beirut

(5 Days – Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Beirut & Byblos, Chouf Mountains & Beiteddine Palace, Baalbek

Experience Beirut—one of the most exciting and sophisticated cities in the Middle East—like an insider on this in-depth private tour of the cultural and scenic highlights of the Lebanese capital and the surrounding regions.

During flexible private touring with your expert guide and driver, visit Beirut’s 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 revitalized Beirut Central District, to see local landmarks such as the clock tower, Art Deco-style buildings, the Lebanese Parliament, Maronite and Greek Orthodox cathedrals, and the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque. 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, 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.

One night, enjoy private dinner transfers to and from the fashionable and ancient port city of Byblos. Stroll the town’s bougainvillea-lined streets, perhaps browse shops in the souk, and enjoy reservations at a top restaurant on the picturesque harbor.

Another day, 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.

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