Beirut, 🇱🇧
In August I took a trip to somewhere I have wanted to visit for many years, Beirut, Lebanon.
I was a bit apprehensive as the country lies on the edge of a war zone, but there was no reason to be. This is a country that could do with some tourism to help boost the leisure economy. There are lots of good standard reasonably priced hotels all over the city from hostels to five star. I picked the Crowne Plaza, it is in the heart of Hamra, which is described as the place to be.... lots of bars and restaurants, from corner take aways to expensive, there is something to suit everyone and very budget. Currency is no problem, they use the US$ which is exchanged at 1500 Lebanese, no need to change money, pay in $$ and get your change sometimes in Lebanese.
The people are friendly and when in bars people will talk to you, if like me you might find it initially difficult to get your head around the mix of cultures in the bars especially Muslims and Christians all drinking and eating happily beside each other ... it can be done !!!!
While there we booked a driver and guide for a day sightseeing, we started with a drive to Byblos further along the coast, what a charming little fishing village, again lots of restaurants and a few good hotels. This is where I will spend time when I come back to Lebanon. The history is amazing, from Roman to Phoenician all mixed together.
On the return to Beirut we visited the mosque, what an impressive building, relatively new, and surrounded by ruins of recent wars, as well as some beautiful buildings, including Orthodox, Catholic churches, as well as a Synagogue.
The City Hall and Parliament buildings are all very impressive.
All around the city are reminders of the past, good and bad. Beirut is a city in recovery, given time it will be great again. I wish it well and a speedy recovery.
Travelling to Lebanon, we flew with British Airways, a daily service, from Heathrow with a flying time of around 4hrs 30mins. Visas are issued on arrival, (but you should always check before travelling), we had pre booked a taxi transfer, I found this to be the cheapest and most convenient way, the driver was waiting in arrivals and it took approx 30 minutes to get to the hotel. Cost $25. As mentioned we stayed at the Crowne Plaza, a decent 4 star hotel, breakfast was good, but it was based on local food options, which we liked. Depending on the room type prices range from $90.
Restaurant and bar prices can be a bit expensive, look for the Happy Hours.... good prices. The thing that I really didn’t like, was .... smoking in the bars, most bars are small, so there is no getting away from it. One of my favourite cocktail bars .. Vesper, on Makdisi Street, great drinks reasonable prices and friendly bar staff.
I was a bit apprehensive as the country lies on the edge of a war zone, but there was no reason to be. This is a country that could do with some tourism to help boost the leisure economy. There are lots of good standard reasonably priced hotels all over the city from hostels to five star. I picked the Crowne Plaza, it is in the heart of Hamra, which is described as the place to be.... lots of bars and restaurants, from corner take aways to expensive, there is something to suit everyone and very budget. Currency is no problem, they use the US$ which is exchanged at 1500 Lebanese, no need to change money, pay in $$ and get your change sometimes in Lebanese.
The people are friendly and when in bars people will talk to you, if like me you might find it initially difficult to get your head around the mix of cultures in the bars especially Muslims and Christians all drinking and eating happily beside each other ... it can be done !!!!
While there we booked a driver and guide for a day sightseeing, we started with a drive to Byblos further along the coast, what a charming little fishing village, again lots of restaurants and a few good hotels. This is where I will spend time when I come back to Lebanon. The history is amazing, from Roman to Phoenician all mixed together.
On the return to Beirut we visited the mosque, what an impressive building, relatively new, and surrounded by ruins of recent wars, as well as some beautiful buildings, including Orthodox, Catholic churches, as well as a Synagogue.
The City Hall and Parliament buildings are all very impressive.
All around the city are reminders of the past, good and bad. Beirut is a city in recovery, given time it will be great again. I wish it well and a speedy recovery.
Travelling to Lebanon, we flew with British Airways, a daily service, from Heathrow with a flying time of around 4hrs 30mins. Visas are issued on arrival, (but you should always check before travelling), we had pre booked a taxi transfer, I found this to be the cheapest and most convenient way, the driver was waiting in arrivals and it took approx 30 minutes to get to the hotel. Cost $25. As mentioned we stayed at the Crowne Plaza, a decent 4 star hotel, breakfast was good, but it was based on local food options, which we liked. Depending on the room type prices range from $90.
Restaurant and bar prices can be a bit expensive, look for the Happy Hours.... good prices. The thing that I really didn’t like, was .... smoking in the bars, most bars are small, so there is no getting away from it. One of my favourite cocktail bars .. Vesper, on Makdisi Street, great drinks reasonable prices and friendly bar staff.
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