BEIRUT
Capital of Lebanon, gateway to the Orient on the crossroad of Asia, Europe and Africa, this once luminous city has suffered from the past years of war and has been abandoned by a lot of its inhabitants. But, like the Phoenix eternally raising from its ashes, Beirut also has fought its way back and launched a 25 years reconstruction plan. Traders to the core as they are, the Beirutins do not waste time. Hamra street, the equivalent of the French Champs-Elysees, found back its former glory with luxury shops, hotels, and attractive coffee shops. In the 4th century AD, the Roman colony Colonia Julia Augusta Felix Berytus (so-called in honor of the Emperor Augustus' only daughter) hosted a law school, which was as renowned as the ones in Athens and Alexandria. During ongoing reconstruction works, excavations revealed remains of different epochs from the Cananean, Phoenician, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Omayyad till the Ottoman period, thus allowing to better reconstitute the history of this city. Even if the newly constructed quarters gain way, one can still stroll in the narrow streets of Achrafieh or, after a walkabout at the Place des Canons, dawdle in the souks situated at the westside of the Place des Martyrs.

THE CHOUF AREA
Deir El Qamar, or "Convent of the Moon" is the ancient residence of the Governors of Lebanon in the 16th and 17th centuries: the restored Baz and the Al Kharge palaces, a church, the Fahkr Eddine mosque, and a druze temple can be visited. Further on, halfway on the road to Beit Eddine, one should definitely bring a visit to the peculiar Castle of Moussa. At Beit-Eddine at last, built on a rocky mountain peak overlooking a deep gully, the Palace of Emir Bechir 2, governor of Mt Lebanon for almost half a century, is a real architectural marvel. Classified as historical monument since 1934 and turned into museum, it's probably one of the most visited places of interest in Lebanon!

BAALBECK
Baalbeck was situated at the parting of the greatest commercial roads linking the Mediterranean coast with the interior of the continent from one side and connecting northern Syria with northern Palestine from the other. Even today, Baalbeck keeps its important economical and financial role in the north of the Bekaa Valley. A breathtaking beauty spot: against the Lebanese mount stand out the most imposing and among the best
Conserved Roman temples, the marvels of antiquity. These Greek-Roman and Byzantine
Remnants were dedicated to the cult of the Sun. The Great Temple, or the Temple of Jupiter with its six twenty-two meter gigantic columns, and the great court and the Temples of Venus and Bacchus remain mainly intact, surviving wars and earthquakes, thanks to the meticulous restoration during a decade by archaeologists.

BECHARREH
Becharreh is the town where the famous writer Khalil Gibran, author of " The Prophet" was born. A museum has been dedicated to him and one can also visit his grave. In this area stand the last vestiges of Lebanon's magnificence from the biblical times: the Cedars. This wood has been so coveted and exploited since Antiquity - Egyptians, for instance, were using it for their sarcophagus and for their "solar boats" that not more than three or four hundreds are left. Nowadays called " The Cedars ", this place has become a trendy winter resort due to these legendary cedars that also represent the national emblem.
In the same area, the stalactites and stalagmites of the Qadicha caves in the Qadicha Mountains or the Holy Valley, where the Maronite community takes its roots, remain a pole of attraction.

AFQA
An absolutely beautiful natural setting granted with a cave and a basin. The mystic powers of this spot still incite people to come and take a "ritual" bath. Actually, it is here that the Adonis River (Nahr Ibrahim) and the myth of Adonis were born. The Adonis cave appears to be surprisingly vast inside, quite the opposite of what one may think while standing in front of the moderate entrance. Nothing of the past here remains but what is left of a Roman temple-destroyed by men-, where celebrations were held in honor of Adonis.

TRIPOLI (TRABLOUS)
This city was in the past the center of a Phoenician federation, including Saida, Tyr and the island of Arados (Arwad in Syria), from where originated its name Tripolis, meaning the three cities. According to its dimensions, the second largest city of Lebanon is mostly reputed for its Crusaders' Citadel St. Gilles, its mameluk Lion Tower, its mameluk mosques and its souks. They still give the oriental charm to the modern city, nowadays and important transit harbor.

BYBLOS (JBEIL)
An antique biblical town, among the oldest in the world, Byblos would have been founded, according to the Phoenician legend, by the god EL. Named Gubla and Gebal in the beginning, the Greeks gave it a new name: Byblos and made from it an Hellenic town. The name Byblos, which means, "book" in Greek, takes its origins in the town's importance from the trade of papyrus. At the present time, to admire the Phoenician walls, its Roman theatre and its Crusaders castle, sheltering the wax museum illustrating the local and national history, one has to go to the old quarters of the city. The Roman church of St. John the Baptist and the old harbor contribute in making of Byblos this charming city.

SAIDA (SIDON or SAGETTE)
It has been one of the greatest Phoenician city-states, which owed its fame to its glass industry and the purple dye, which was produced here. After the important earthquake of 551, the Beirut Law School found here refuge. Later, Crusaders overtook the city and renamed it Saida, chief town of the seigneury of Sagette. Surrounded by banana and lemon plantations, it remains one of the most pleasant places to visit. One can stroll along the coastline near the Crusaders Castle dating back to the 13th century, called the Sea Castle or visit the necropolis, the old harbor or the souks situated between the Sea Castle and the Castle of St. Louis.

TYR (SOUR)
A string of islands reunited in the past, Tyr flourishes under the aegis of King Hiram in the 10th century BC, thanks to its industries of glass and purple dye. Challenging Nabouchodnosor during 13 years and resisting the siege of Alexander the Great for 7 months turned this city into a celebrity. This Roman site with a Byzantine necropolis and one of the largest hippodromes in the world was only listed as an international historical monument in 1980.
JEITA One of the most beautiful caves in the world can be found only 20 km from Beirut- Impressing the visitors by its size and wealth. In those rocky galleries, known by men since the prehistorically times, the oozing of water created a natural piece of art on two levels. Stalactites and stalagmites in all sorts of forms and sizes stimulate the imagination of the visitors.

ESCHMOUN
Probably it is the most admirable Phoenician complex in Lebanon. The Great Temple constructed at the end of the 5th century BC by orders of king Eschmounazar 2 is surrounded by a religious complex. This place was named after a Phoenician God venerated by the Ancients. He personalized the cycle of seasons, death and resurrection. Used during the whole Antiquity, the sanctuary bears evidence of Hellenic, Roman and Byzantine epochs: mosaics, bas- reliefs, basins and columns.

ANJAR
Anjar, the only vestige in Lebanon dating from the Omayyad period, is situated about 60 km from Beirut. Not only its strategic position on the intersection of the trade-roads leading to Damascus, Homs, Baalbeck and the North, but also the presence of an abundant spring, made from Anjar a continental commercial center. The Omayyad Caliphs, who considered Anjar as their summer residence, organized the city after a Byzantine city- plan with straight angled streets, a sewer system, palaces, hammams and old quarters. Not less than 600 shops were found back, giving an idea of its economical prosperity before vanishing in the 8th century. Destroyed by men or by an earthquake? Without doubt,
By both of them…