Lebanon Classic Journey — 7 Days Private Tour of Phoenicia & Rome
| Duration | 7 Days / 6 Nights |
|---|---|
| Country | Lebanon |
| Price From | $2,029 USD per person (~$290/day) |
| Tour Style | Classic Cultural, UNESCO, Private Guide & Driver |
| Operator | Agate Travel (Travellers’ Choice, 4-star hotels) |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Beirut — Arrival & Evening Exploration
Airport pickup and transfer to the 4-star Gems Hotel Beirut. Evening orientation walk through the Hamra district, past the American University of Beirut campus, and along the Corniche to watch the sunset over Pigeon Rocks. Welcome dinner at Em Sherif, one of Beirut’s finest Lebanese restaurants, with an endless parade of hot and cold mezze.
Day 2: Deir al Qamar + Beiteddine — Chouf Mountains Majesty
Drive into the Chouf Mountains to Deir al Qamar. Its perfectly restored 16th-century square, stone houses with red-tiled roofs, and the serene atmosphere make it instantly captivating. Visit the Palace of Fakhreddine II and the 15th-century mosque. Continue to Beiteddine Palace, Emir Bashir II’s architectural masterpiece completed in 1818. Every room reveals extraordinary craftsmanship: intricate mosaic floors, carved cedar ceilings, marble fountains, and the monumental Dar el-Harim courtyard. Visit the Shouf Cedars Reserve for a short nature walk. Return to Beirut.
Day 3: Sidon + Tyre — Ancient Phoenician Seaports
Coastal journey south. Sidon: the Crusader Sea Castle rising from the Mediterranean (connected by a stone causeway), the colorful Old Souk where soap-making and pastry traditions continue unchanged for centuries, and the Khan el-Franj. Continue to Tyre, the great Phoenician city-state. Explore the Al-Mina archaeological site with its colonnaded Roman road, the 480m-long hippodrome, and the extensive necropolis with intricately carved marble sarcophagi. Afternoon at Tyre’s beach. Return to Beirut.
Day 4: Baalbek + Ksara + Anjar — The Bekaa Valley
Head to the Bekaa Valley. First stop: Baalbek, arguably the most impressive Roman site outside Rome. The six remaining columns of the Temple of Jupiter (the largest Roman temple ever constructed) tower 22m high. The Temple of Bacchus, nearly perfectly preserved, is considered the finest example of Roman temple architecture anywhere. The Temple of Venus is a rare circular Roman temple. After lunch in Zahle, wine tasting at Chateau Ksara’s ancient cave cellars. Afternoon visit to Anjar, the Umayyad ruins. Return to Beirut.
Day 5: Harissa + Batroun + Byblos — Coastal Gems
Morning cable car to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa with sweeping coastal views. Continue north to Batroun, a charming coastal town known for its Phoenician sea wall (carved from a single stretch of rock), old souk, and lemonade stands. Afternoon at the Crusader citadel of Byblos, one of mankind’s oldest cities. Explore the 12th-century castle, the obelisk temple, and the ancient port where Phoenician traders once set sail. Watch the sunset from a Byblos port cafe. Return to Beirut.
Day 6: Beirut — Complete City Discovery
Full day exploring Beirut. Start at the National Museum, home to a world-class collection including the famous 5th-century BC Phoenician anthropoid sarcophagi and the Phoenician gilded bronze figurines. Visit the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque (the “Blue Mosque” of Beirut) and the adjacent St. George Maronite Cathedral. Walk through Downtown Beirut: Nejmeh Square with its Rolex clock tower, the Ottoman-era Grand Serail, and the reconstructed souks. Afternoon in the Mar Mikhael neighborhood for street art, galleries, and local designer shops. Visit the Nicolas Sursock Museum for modern and contemporary Arab art. Farewell dinner in Achrafieh.
Day 7: Jeita Grotto & Departure
Morning visit to Jeita Grotto, a finalist for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The upper grotto features the world’s longest stalactite, while the lower grotto is explored by electric boat on an underground lake. Transfer to airport. You leave having walked in the footsteps of Phoenicians, Romans, Crusaders, and Ottomans in one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating countries.
What’s Included
• 6 nights at 4-star Gems Hotel Beirut
• Daily breakfast
• Private English-speaking guide throughout
• Private air-conditioned vehicle
• All entrance fees
• Cable car at Harissa
• Wine tasting at Chateau Ksara
• Airport transfers
What’s Excluded
• International flights
• Lunches and dinners
• Travel insurance
• Tips
• Personal expenses
