Qadisha , Cedars , Baalbek

The tour starts by picking you up from your hotel in Beirut, on any place of residence within Beirut city.

1st stop is Qadisha Valley: Located in North of Lebanon, Qadisha Valley, actually means ‘holy’, is the site of many monasteries dating back centuries. It is an important site of some of the earliest Christian monastic settlements in the world, and a continued example of early Christian faith. Part of a World Heritage Site, the area is associated with the early Christian church, in particular its growth plus the homes of saints and hermits. Very beautiful deep sided valley with many historical / religious sites, and wonderful natural panoramic views.
One of the monasteries, is Saint Anthony Kozhaya monastery, located in a peaceful part of the Qadisha Valley.

2nd stop: The Cedars of God: Quite apart from being the modern symbol of Lebanon, the importance of cedars in the history of the area should not be overlooked. Cedar wood was the shipbuilding timber for the Phoenicians; cedar oil, by the Egyptians for embalming purposes. There is a simple majesty about a cedar tree. You can see the 4,000 year old cedar tree before taking a walk in the cedar tree reserve. You really feel honored to be in the presence of such majestic trees.

3rd stop: Baalbek Roman city: Baalbek city also known as the city of the Sun, is one the premier sites of Roman ruins in the world. In terms of architecture the greatest temples at the site are the Temples of Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus. The sheer magnitude of these have created something of a puzzle for archaeologists as they continuously theorize as to how rocks of this grandeur could have been carved and assembled. For example, the temple of Jupiter is surrounded by 54 columns which stand at nearly 23 meters high and are considered some of the largest in the world. The temple of Bacchus stands out from the rest as it is so well preserved and is adorned with beautiful carvings that date back to the Roman Empire.

Then we will get back to Beirut, and drop you off at your hotel.
Hope you enjoy your day with Libano Tours!