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History
Lebanon is a country with a long and rich history. Phoenician, Egyptian, Greek, Persian, Roman, Umayyad, Crusader, and Ottoman ruins are scattered about the country and the most important of them are easily accessible. Byblos, Beirut, and Sidon are among the oldest continuously populated cities in the world. There are Roman baths in Beirut, as well as the Cardio Maximus - to name a few. Byblos is also rich in Crusader ruins and for a small fee you can view them (they are located near the bazaar). There are a lot of ancient mosques, synagogues, and churches in Lebanon. Also be sure to visit the Place des Martyrs (Martyrs' Square) in Beirut, a statue erected in memory of the Lebanese nationalists who were hanged by the Ottomans for revolting during World War 1 (the statue is now riddled with bullet holes from the civil war, but is still beautiful).
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People
The people of Lebanon comprise a wide variety of ethnic groups and religions, with the majority split between Christian (Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Greek-Catholic Melkites, Armenians, Protestant etc) and Muslim (Shi'a, Sunni, Alawites) and Druzes. Other national include a large number of Syrian refugees (between 1,200,000 and 1,600,000 as of spring 2015) and of Palestinian refugees in the country (over 250,000).
People are very easy-going and welcoming. You should not be scared of talking to people on the streets and asking information, since most of them will do their best to help you. Politics and religion can be sensitive issues but most Lebanese are open to talk about it.
Lebanon is populated by very open and highly educated people, although this tends to be true more in Beirut, Mount Lebanon and some of the larger cities. Attitudes and behaviours tend to be more conservative in the Beqa'a Valley and rural north and south.
Lebanon and Beirut had once been called (the self-proclaimed) Switzerland and Paris of the East. The recent wars have diminished this status, but the Lebanese have learned to adapt. Their pursuit of happiness and fun overshadows their financial capabilities and political problems, which has to led to many problems over the years, including political problems, tensions among religious groups, and infrastructure problems.
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Climate
Lebanon has a temperate Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
Summer is usually the most popular time for people to visit, as there is virtually no rain between June and August, and the temperatures range between 25°C (night) - 35°C (day). There can also be occasional heat waves with the temperature rising above 40°C, and generally it can be very, very humid along the coast line during the summer months. It is somewhat dryer and somewhat cooler in the mountains, and many Lebanese tend to visit and vacation in the mountains during the summer if they wish to escape the heat and humidity of the coastline.
Autumn and spring are also good times to visit, with a bit more rain, but without the tourist crowds attracted in summer, and also with considerable less humidity.
Snow falls for a large part of winter in the mountain regions that form a large portion of the country, and there are numerous ski resorts. However, the coast is still relatively mild, with maximums rarely falling below 13°C (55°F), although it can fall much lower than that and has on many occasions and during the heavy winter thunderstorms.
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Time zone
Lebanon is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and observes daylight savings from end-March to end-October.
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Holidays
Lebanon has a number of both Christian and Islamic holidays. Holidays that are observed by the Lebanese Government are indicated in bold letters.
*New Year's Day (1 January)
*Epifany & Armenian Christmas (6 January)- Christian religious observances.
*St. Valentine's Day (14 February)
*St. Maroun's Day (9 February)- Christian religious observances.
*Prophet's Day (9 March)- Islamic religious observances
*Annunciation- Christian religious observances.
*Good Friday- Christian religious observances.
*Easter (A Sunday in March or April)- Christian religious observances.
*Labor Day (1 May)- most businesses and schools closed.
*Liberation of the South (25 May)
*St. Elias's Day (20 July)- A lot of fireworks and festivals.
*National Army Day (01 August
*Assumption Day (15 August)
*Ramadan (variable)-Islamic religious observances
*Eid el Fiitr (variable)-Islamic religious observances
*All Saints day (1 November)- Christian religious observances.
*Ashouraa- Islamic religious observances
*Independence Day (22 November)- All businesses and schools closed.
*Eid il-Burbara or Saint Barbara's Day (4 December)- Christian religious observances.
*Christmas (25 December)- Most businesses and restaurants closed the evening before and all day; family gathering, exchanging gifts, Christian religious observances.
*New Year's Eve' (31 December)
All in all, Beirut, Lebanon's capital city, is a vibrant metropolis with enough diversions that any city lover would look for, ranking it among the Middle East's top tourist destinations. Being perched on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Beirut has a climate that is perfect for year round visits, as it experiences all 4 seasons.
Beirut has something to offer most tastes, from roadside à la Parisienne coffee shops to rooftop open air cafes, as well as a variety of shopping venues.
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Lebanon can be divided into five regions:
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Many cities in Lebanon have Westernised names which are significantly different from their Arabic names; the Roman versions of the Arabic names are given in parentheses below.
* [wiki=8567d06b436c06938d4d20225c9ea85c]Beirut[/wiki] - the capital and largest city
* [wiki=275aca2900eb2e4bb1648a16fa47cd0e]Baalbek[/wiki] - a Phoenician and Roman archaeological site, including the biggest temple all over the Roman Empire
* [wiki=313a54137e6a7be2f78df10bae03a864]Byblos[/wiki] (Jbeil) - another city with plenty of remains, castles and museums
* [wiki=5b91a64538a943c5db6363db1be1a4fa]Jezzine[/wiki] - main summer resort and tourist destination of South Lebanon
* [wiki=1ac0f5d1bcde2da470b430e9b51aaea3]Jounieh[/wiki] - known for its seaside resorts and nightclubs
* [wiki=6956ea1a7279e0bd842aebddafb89c1e]Sidon[/wiki] (Saida) - plenty of medieval remains
* [wiki=bc68dd7487fafd77a51dacf230d0feea]Tripoli[/wiki] (Trablus) - still unspoilt by mass-tourism
* [wiki=5d047fe40dce53490bda010fab236145]Tyre[/wiki] (Sour) - has a number of ancient sites, including its Roman Hippodrome which is a [wiki=d8a9b665cf6b311b9557019e63670643]UNESCO World Heritage Site[/wiki]
* [wiki=553a312e795e7849c1bb04a907662253]Zahle[/wiki] - capital of Bekaa Valley
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[wiki=8ad9ce7601b33cc895d489279fd7bf4e]Batroun[/wiki]- an old city on the Mediterranean shore, with a city center offering many restaurants, cafes, bars, and nightclubs.
* [wiki=38520cfe5a59c20791566058af924584]Bcharre[/wiki] - Surrounded by mountains, it's a gateway to the Cedars of God forest and Cedars ski slopes.
* [wiki=503ef7b80953181cb9da8e2e5778f89f]Ehden[/wiki] - mountainous town with beautiful scenery and some sights. It's home to Ehden Nature Reserve.
* [wiki=51ff82b555b2f6fe837a9c7e61d5e67b]Jeita[/wiki] - Known for its grotto, and Nahr-el-Kalb, a discreet historical site in a walkable distance.
* [wiki=83e036c2800e9260b076d8b220d9d6f6]Qadisha Valley[/wiki] or Qannoubine Valley - You can visit the home of the (now deceased) Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran.
* [wiki=6e8b6eb0a3e816d0d49cbba07b65af6a]Beiteddine[/wiki] - Famous for its palace.
* [wiki=cd6df045ba1d17cc7424e4ea1f7e7261]Deir el Qamar[/wiki] - Traditional village in Chouf district.
* [wiki=b45a7b4d3f7351df38ed8aed8d9d9248]Baskinta[/wiki] - Village at the foot of Mount Sannine.
* [wiki=55873793d77199ec2081d8d4d2540bb4]Qornet El-Sawda[/wiki] - Highest peak in the country.
* [wiki=4f0711c430d31b2379acff60d1f7683a]Mzaar Kfardebiane[/wiki] - Known for its skiing slopes.
* [wiki=d8a8eca4886887cc1002e3e3229ec720]Qaraoun[/wiki] - Known for its lake located in the Beqaa Valley.
* [wiki=8e4b4d528181f8bc32904c0d3c5f5dd1]Kefraya[/wiki] - Known for its vineyards.
* [wiki=26c7ea0fd7833eabc847cbd0c35342c5]Brummana[/wiki] - A traditional town often considered a summer resort with pleasant weather, spectacular views of Beirut and a good nightlife.
* [wiki=0a261f9369065343799ff4822cad151c]Chouf Cedar Reserve[/wiki] - Famous for its cedar forests, its wildlife and its views.
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Visas
Citizens of Iran and Turkey get a free 3 month visa that can only be renewed before one month passes since their entry.
Citizens of: Egypt - Sudan - Tunisia - Morocco - Algeria - Libya - Yemen - Somalia - Djibouti - Mauritania - Comers Island - Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast get a free one month tourist visa provided they have a two way travel ticket, a hotel reservation/place of residence and USD2,000 (The cash conditions can be exempted if you get the visa from the Lebanese embassy beforehand).
Citizens of Thailand (and several other countries not otherwise listed in this section) cannot get a visa directly at the airport or at a Lebanese embassy. Instead, a visa needs to be arranged by a Lebanese sponsor in Lebanon through the General Security head office in Beirut. This is a convoluted process that can take months, so start early. Visas issued this way are valid for 1 month but can be extended till 3 months at [url=http://www.general-security.gov.lb/Entry_visa.aspx]Sureté Générale[/url] once in Lebanon.
Three-month visas are free for nationals from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and [wiki=6ea1e24d60afddf388b06f8243c45b70]Jordan[/wiki]. Other nationals can obtain a 15-day visa for LBP25,000 (USD17), or a three-month visa for LBP50,000 (USD35). These visas are single-entry; nationals of many countries can also obtain multiple-entry visas (USD75 valid for six months). The 48 hour free of charge transit visas (valid for three calendar days) are still issued, but only if you enter by land and leave via the airport or vice-versa.
Visas can be obtained at Lebanese embassies and consulates in other countries, or upon arrival at Beirut airport and other points of entry for some nationalities.
A free one month valid visa, automatically renewed once (therefore, for a maximum stay of 2 months), is granted to the citizens of these countries who are coming for tourism: [wiki=68746a7280b143cfc01f967610d3e86d]Andorra[/wiki], [wiki=f7e68bf0791888ebcd5bfc62e022aa83]Antigua and Barbuda[/wiki], [wiki=3536be57ce0713954e454ae6c53ec023]Argentina[/wiki], [wiki=a00c273f0f497484093fa94865cf5ca5]Armenia[/wiki], [wiki=4442e4af0916f53a07fb8ca9a49b98ed]Australia[/wiki], [wiki=9891739094756d2605946c867b32ad28]Austria[/wiki], [wiki=7176f8c3bccfdf02322c73f7a0bc9688]Azerbaijan[/wiki], [wiki=6dbefdc38954fc54ea0c697d0c6ec0a7]Bahamas[/wiki], [wiki=3214c0f21d200a1dae4eb83a53ec2730]Barbados[/wiki],[wiki=6542f875eaa09a5c550e5f3986400ad9]Belarus[/wiki], [wiki=6c1674d14bf5f95742f572cddb0641a7]Belgium[/wiki], [wiki=20bca6785240fa722edb5c85d055a93d]Belize[/wiki], [wiki=e65a0ed0e39dd14a9e5af441efb09b37]Bhutan[/wiki], [wiki=42537f0fb56e31e20ab9c2305752087d]Brazil[/wiki], [wiki=01a151debf2bfee8906f43f4342eb10b]Bulgaria[/wiki], [wiki=445d337b5cd5de476f99333df6b0c2a7]Canada[/wiki], [wiki=2e6507f70a9cc26fb50f5fd82a83c7ef]Chile[/wiki], [wiki=51802d8bb965d0e5be697f07d16922e8]Czech Republic[/wiki], [wiki=5882b568d8a010ef48a6896f53b6eddb]Costa Rica[/wiki], [wiki=560d4c6ff431c86546f3fcec72c748c7]Croatia[/wiki], [wiki=ea2ba3f8011e19e3101ce65fdcefbcc4]Cyprus[/wiki], [wiki=424214945ba5615eca039bfe5d731c09]Denmark[/wiki], [wiki=7755415a9fe7022060b98a689236ccd2]Estonia[/wiki], [wiki=6f781c6559a0c605da918096bdb69edf]Finland[/wiki], [wiki=0309a6c666a7a803fdb9db95de71cf01]France[/wiki], [wiki=657bb1b09f0524e7840f9691358dae1f]Georgia[/wiki], [wiki=d8b00929dec65d422303256336ada04f]Germany[/wiki], [wiki=6b718641741f992e68ec3712718561b8]Greece[/wiki], [wiki=8b476ff778119b8d49588f3daadf69a1]Hong Kong[/wiki], [wiki=fa79c3005daec47ecff84a116a0927a1]Hungary[/wiki], [wiki=b78edab0f52e0d6c195fd0d8c5709d26]Iceland[/wiki], [wiki=21fc68909a9eb8692e84cf64e495213e]Iran[/wiki], [wiki=06e415f918c577f07328a52e24f75d43]Ireland[/wiki], [wiki=1007e1b7f894dfbf72a0eaa80f3bc57e]Italy[/wiki], [wiki=53a577bb3bc587b0c28ab808390f1c9b]Japan[/wiki], [wiki=7c1a943bf29d2c753fb935e99428482c]Kazakhstan[/wiki], [wiki=5e4a24f76c22f03700b283dfbdf6eec1]Kyrgyzstan[/wiki], [wiki=a09f4b2ae67f0a63ab8912047a1a1b55]Latvia[/wiki], [wiki=d9051e0b77f8bb5521389618e70e2ada]Lithuania[/wiki], [wiki=da4e3775bd2de6c37fadd9b0188f7a4e]Liechtenstein[/wiki], [wiki=06630c890abadde9228ea818ce52b621]Luxembourg[/wiki], [wiki=5547baeda33255ad8f5307fc92cb589e]Macedonia[/wiki], [wiki=9d6c9d893aa285a736aeabb2b66b316f]Macau[/wiki], [wiki=3f0e49c46cbde0c7adf5ea04a97ab261]Malaysia[/wiki], [wiki=92468e8a62373add2b9caefddbcf1303]Malta[/wiki], [wiki=8dbb07a18d46f63d8b3c8994d5ccc351]Mexico[/wiki], [wiki=0c12f5495afe76d9242ed25668979de9]Moldova[/wiki], [wiki=d6a297c6193fd59309453a0db7a51b90]Monaco[/wiki], [wiki=a67d4cbdd1b59e0ffccc6bafc83eb033]Netherlands[/wiki], [wiki=c51ed580ea5e20c910d951f692512b4d]New Zealand[/wiki], [wiki=d5b9290a0b67727d4ba1ca6059dc31a6]Norway[/wiki], [wiki=46096bb96824852d15ce4fa5ba4bf58e]Palau[/wiki], [wiki=6bec347f256837d3539ad619bd489de7]Panama[/wiki], [wiki=84c8fa2341f7d052a1ee3a36ff043798]Peru[/wiki], [wiki=94880bda83bda77c5692876700711f15]Poland[/wiki], [wiki=ea71b362e3ea9969db085abfccdeb10d]Portugal[/wiki], [wiki=5feb168ca8fb495dcc89b1208cdeb919]Russia[/wiki], [wiki=0c7d5ae44b2a0be9ebd7d6b9f7d60f20]Romania[/wiki], [wiki=5976169ac1852fff6f0b9095100407fc]Saint Kitts and Nevis[/wiki], [wiki=0861134397888c470803c77fb6cd2943]Samoa[/wiki], [wiki=a7db85742c67a70f8764c4d9c53bdb36]San Marino[/wiki], [wiki=2ff6e535bd2f100979a171ad430e642b]Serbia[/wiki], [wiki=458e4cbc78201c1aec5fc53a31c59378]Singapore[/wiki], [wiki=88a392b5a8d8f73986d83a2deefb0472]Slovakia[/wiki], [wiki=00247297c394dd443dc97067830c35f4]Slovenia[/wiki], [wiki=4d4803b0bb7dab1b0627e4f8277edc5b]South Korea[/wiki], [wiki=907eba32d950bfab68227fd7ea22999b]Spain[/wiki], [wiki=c8f4261f9f46e6465709e17ebea7a92b]Sweden[/wiki], [wiki=3ad08396dc5afa78f34f548eea3c1d64]Switzerland[/wiki], [wiki=b5a9722262bbb7a7449ebc0f4394c901]Tajikistan[/wiki], [wiki=221cdfb73049678e244380b45872cbb2]Turkey[/wiki], [wiki=63965a52775c39cd64c3ef0248d585b1]Trinidad and Tobago[/wiki], [wiki=f5d993d8e89c037d614ec8dc2559e4b7]Turkmenistan[/wiki], [wiki=89f9c9f489be2a83cf57e53b9197d288]United Kingdom[/wiki], [wiki=f75d91cdd36b85cc4a8dfeca4f24fa14]USA[/wiki], [wiki=f01fc92b23faa973f3492a23d5a705c5]Ukraine[/wiki], [wiki=a0a3e881895e46eb96218f0988d405b9]Uzbekistan[/wiki] and [wiki=e95294b730f61c8175550ec244bfcb50]Venezuela[/wiki].
The easiest way to renew this tourist visa after these 2 months is to leave the country and come back the day after. Due to the Syrian question, the only way to currently do this is to fly to Cyprus or Turkey which are the cheapest destinations.
After these 2 months, if you don't leave the country (or get a work permit), you will have to regularise your situation with Sureté Générale's offices in Beirut. (This is a special building - don't go to the main office on Damas St - ask the guards for the precise address.) There, to be allowed to leave the country, you'll have to pay a LBP50,000 (USD30) fee, which will grant you 7 days to leave the country. (Information dated May 2012)
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By plane
Beirut International Airport (BEY), is located 5km (3 mi) south of the city centre) - Middle East Airlines [url=http://www.mea.com.lb/MEA]]services daily to [[Abidjan[/url]], [wiki=ed49291dd8535b70546cb15e243ea37e]Abu Dhabi[/wiki], [wiki=74611b7301ba42555da48a38e252802c]Accra[/wiki], [wiki=65ca1960c302380349ee212d4d07e5c4]Amman[/wiki], [wiki=e14045c6b4fe1e65d04aade91b1f8c1b]Athens[/wiki], [wiki=b181c43993de481ea462a2bfe11f0a1b]Cairo[/wiki], [wiki=34de6132f13e62a0c803d12062324ad6]Cologne[/wiki], [wiki=2da3c827ccabc4855cb9921b4f1addfa]Copenhagen[/wiki], [wiki=53b6f5ee4271ce07c1124a24e1986660]Dammam[/wiki], [wiki=5503bcea3b608d5ce322ea8fb7f6806f]Doha[/wiki], [wiki=23b998b19b5f60dbbc4eedc53328b0c7]Dubai[/wiki], [wiki=4312d5c8cdda027420c474e2221abc34]Frankfurt[/wiki], [wiki=3f6765c843a517aa042ae011230aa976]Geneva[/wiki], [wiki=0ef8f876d62a45352e28410454e3634b]Istanbul[/wiki]-Ataturk, [wiki=e45c2028046d99deab4fd1c38baa989b]Jeddah[/wiki], [wiki=d82d42e3d1dafb98cbdfde12669aef6d]Kano[/wiki], [wiki=05387f3ca38d7bd84ae35f31f2899ecf]Kuwait[/wiki], [wiki=8db95c71eae98cf838c50d8916379eef]Lagos[/wiki], [wiki=7c73a5ef990ad848138af9569d7d5c12]Larnaca[/wiki], [wiki=59ead8d1e124ccfb79f3ace06f43e703]London[/wiki]-Heathrow, [wiki=437d461430ecc08e2d51abbcf5ce9b3c]Milan[/wiki]-Malpensa, [wiki=914d0a4ebc177889b5b89a23f556fd75]Nice[/wiki], [wiki=e20d37a5d7fcc4c35be6fc18a8e71bfa]Paris[/wiki]-Charles de Gaulle, [wiki=1abf78bf4a6d3cbfff7a0b66a203c755]Riyadh[/wiki] and [wiki=1f49f770adc6c84629f50ce3ca2a2109]Rome[/wiki]-Fiumicino, [wiki=ab014f5797b79c42d078976b9d1a413c]Warsaw[/wiki]-Okęcie.
In addition the Airport is served by foreign airlines
[wiki_table=3a0912ea]
For flights from the United Kingdom try [url=http://www.thy.com]Turkish Airlines[/url], [url=http://www.cyprusairways.com]Cyprus Airways[/url], Air Serbia, Tarom or [url=http://www.czechairlines.com]Czech Airlines[/url] (please note Czech Airlines no longer fly to the UK). These three airlines are often cheaper even than MEA or BA direct from Heathrow.
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By bus
As of February 2013, Lebanon essentially became a fly-in, fly-out territory for tourists, with the ongoing civil war enveloping Syria and ferries from Turkey and Cyprus showing no sign of resumption.
In the peaceful times, buses would leave Damascus every hour and typically cost SYP400 or 500 . The trip is normally 4-5 hours, depending on traffic at the border. Note that when leaving Syria, you must pay an exit fee of SYP550 and must acquire a Lebanese visa on the other side of the border (48 hrs Transit Visa is free, 15 day Transit Visa is LBP25,000 (USD17), single-entry 30 day Tourist Visa is LL50,000 (US$34), payable in Lebanese Pounds only. Money changers can exchange currency, typically with a $1 exchange fee).
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By ship
There is a weekly, seasonal ferry available that runs between Tripoli in Lebanon and Tasucu in Turkey.
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Lebanon is a small country and it is possible to drive from north to south in under 3 hours. The main means of transport are buses, service taxis, taxis and private cars. The streets in and around Beirut often are congested and traffic jam can occur any time which makes it difficult to estimate the time of travel in advance.
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By bus
Lebanon's towns are well connected by frequently running buses, though it is difficult to find a bus going to smaller mountain towns. The bus fares are surprisingly cheap and are usually not open to negotiation.
Most buses for north Lebanon depart from the Dora roundabout east of Beirut and from Charles Helou Station (east of Downtown), while most buses to regions south and east of Beirut (including [wiki=f9087af03968b9a75a67376447f88bcf]Damascus[/wiki] and [wiki=275aca2900eb2e4bb1648a16fa47cd0e]Baalbek[/wiki]) depart from the Cola "Station" (which is really an intersection adjacent to the Cola bridge/overpass). Besides the big buses there are also minivans which often go to the same destinations as the big buses but some destinations, for example the Beqa', are only served by minivans.
For most destinations there are no time schedules and buses often depart when the majority of seats are occupied. As buses are a highly used means of transport this usually doesn't take more than 20 minutes.
Buses from Tyre to Sidon get scarce after 8pm and Buses from Sidon to Beirut and vice versa before midnight, while buses between Tripolis and Beirut run all night.
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By taxi
For short distances and within towns or villages there often are "service" taxis. Those taxis often operate like buses on set routes between towns, though they can be hired to visit other places with some negotiation. Each taxi carries up to between 4 (inside metropolitan areas) to 6 (longer distances) passengers, who share the fare between them. The fare usually is 2000 LL (Lebanese Lira) for inner-city distances (June 2015) but might be different for distances between towns and it increases depending on both distance to be travelled and of course, like everything in Lebanon, persuasion/negotiation skills. A private taxi ride, without sharing it with other passengers is similar to a "service" taxi in that the same pre-negotiation is required to determine the fare, and as a rule of thumb costs the same as a fully loaded "service" taxi (the fare * number of passengers).
Taxis and "service" taxis are physically the same, and the mode of operation depends on the availability of passengers and their demands and the willingness of the driver to go as "service".
All types of public transportation vehicles in Lebanon (taxis, buses, mini-vans and even trucks) can be recognized by their Red-colored licence plate.
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By train
There are no trains in Lebanon.
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By car
Car rental is relatively expensive in Lebanon compared to elsewhere in the region. Reasonable, if not exactly cheap rates can, however, be found with perseverance and negotiation and - once you have your rental - fuel is easy to get. Be warned, however, that fuel is not cheap, with fuel prices being among the most affected by inflation.
Lebanon's roads are generally in quite poor condition and Lebanese drivers are not known for their caution. Exercise extreme caution when driving in Lebanon. Note that even in central Beirut, even in areas undamaged by the Israeli assault, there can be massive potholes on busy multi-lane roads.
Driving in Lebanon should be considered an extreme activity for Western drivers accustomed to safe driving. Street names are virtually non-existent. Mountain driving is particularly hazardous, often involving 1-car roads in 2 way streets. Traffic, especially in major cities like Beirut and Tripoli, and on the highway from Beirut to Kaslik, can be extremely crowded and time-consuming, turning a normally 20 minute trip into over an hour during peak times.
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The official language of Lebanon is Standard [wiki=9d6b04acc186728b86134fa762b9edde]Arabic[/wiki] and the native language Lebanese Arabic, which is similar to (but not indistinguishable from) the Arabic of Syria, Jordan and the Palestinian territories.
Almost all Lebanese understand Standard Arabic but might reply in Lebanese Colloquial which is quite different, while many people also speak English and/or [wiki=4ab1c324b79a182e72e067ba8e9a510d]French[/wiki]. English is the first foreign language of most younger people, but older people usually speak French as their first foreign language. Some people in Lebanon also speak Armenian or Kurdish. Street and place signs are in both Arabic (first) and French (second), because of Lebanon's period as a French mandated territory after the First World War. Generally, signs and outdoors are written in at least two languages, Standard Arabic and Latin letters. The latter may vary from one sign to another. (Mar Mikael and Mer Micael are the same, for instance).
See also: [wiki=81656ef7ae596fa37bd59dbe3d7149d9]Lebanese Arabic phrasebook[/wiki]
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Lebanon is a country rich in natural scenery from beautiful beaches to mountains and valleys. Lebanese people take pride that Lebanon is one of the few countries that gives you the opportunity to go skiing in the morning and going to the beach in the afternoon. Keep in mind that this is only actually possible for a few days in the year, usually in the few days when winter shifts to spring and/or summer shifts to autumn.
[wiki=8567d06b436c06938d4d20225c9ea85c]Beirut[/wiki] Downtown Visitors from all around get astonished by the beautiful downtown. At Place de l'Etoile, tourists can enjoy a delightful meal or a cup of coffee at the outdoor cafes. In addition to those, the capital provides other restaurants and hangouts that people of all ages can enjoy. There are many also many nightclubs, bars, cafes, and restaurants, catering to a diverse amount of styles and budgets.
[wiki=275aca2900eb2e4bb1648a16fa47cd0e]Baalbek[/wiki] Roman Temples in the city of Baalbeck are among the largest and most beautiful Roman ruins.
[wiki=7823376b828f992eab160ea6acd3470c]Al Bass[/wiki] Archaeological Site, Tyre (Sour), a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest and best preserved Roman archeological sites in the world. The site is made up of a huge Necropolis, a massive monumental arch leading to a Roman Road, alongside which there is an excellent example of an acqueduct as well as the largest and best preserved Roman Hippodrome found to date.
[wiki=51ff82b555b2f6fe837a9c7e61d5e67b]Jeita[/wiki] Grotto Jeita Grotto is nominated to be one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Jeita Grotto is the jewel of tourism in Lebanon offering to its visitors 2 fabulous grottoes. It is a source of attraction for whole the families wishing to discover a mysterious world in the heart of the earth. The “Touristic Site of Jeita” gathers all elements of nature such as stone, water, trees, flowers, air and animals in a venturous environment and with a touch of Lebanese cultural heritage. It is one of the most impressive and interesting natural sites in the world.
[wiki=6e8b6eb0a3e816d0d49cbba07b65af6a]Beiteddine[/wiki] One of the most authentic Arabic architectural jewels is the palace of Beiteddine. This historic monument comprises two large courtyards: the “midane”, a vast rectangular place for visitors, and a smaller one for the royal private apartments, with a magnificent fountain in its centre.
[wiki=83e036c2800e9260b076d8b220d9d6f6]Qadisha Valley[/wiki] (Holy Valley) Located in north Lebanon, the “Holy Valley” spreads from Bcharreh to the coast. Classified under UNESCO's world heritage, it is full of countless caves, chapels, and monasteries.
[wiki=313a54137e6a7be2f78df10bae03a864]Byblos[/wiki] also known in Arabic as "Jbeil", is an ancient Phoenician city that had been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its touristic attractions include a medieval castle and a Roman amphitheater, as well as many seaside cafes and restaurants serving fresh seafood.
[wiki=e46e0e700b83e306000189d5c5bf1316]Anjar[/wiki] is a city in the Beqaa Valley with many local restaurants where you can enjoy the unique Lebanese cuisine. The city is home to the unique ruins of an 8th century Omayyad city.
[wiki=6956ea1a7279e0bd842aebddafb89c1e]Sidon[/wiki] (Saida) is famous for its labyrinthine old town with centuries old mosques and the Sea Castle ruins. It is also home to beautiful museums like old mansions and the soap museum.
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Night-Life
The Lebanese people have had to adapt to the political turmoil. Beirut is easily the party capital of the Middle East. The city features many different and distinct nightlife neighborhoods, like Gemmayze (close to Martyrs' Sq), Uruguay street in Down Town district, mostly full of bars and restaurants such as Gatsby, NU and Uruguay Bar which are trendy bars featuring outdoor terraces, or Armenia Street in Mar Mekhael which features nightclubs and bars. Lebanon is also known for it's open-air nightclubs such as Sky Bar (closed in 2015), White, and Iris. Greater Beirut is a sleepless city, as the great majority of it open 24 hours a day.
Lebanese nightclubs are widely diverse, as one can find both the "oriental" and "occidental" style, and in some cases, a mix of both.
Lebanon also has a huge beach party scene having exquisite beaches and beach resorts such as Oceana, Laguava or Edde Sands and Janna Sur Mer.
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Hike
Lebanon's countryside and especially the mountains are beautiful and could be great hiking areas. Unfortunately, hiking is not easy because of a lack of hiking trails and a lack of signs on existing paths and dirt tracks. Even locals often don't know the paths or where exactly they lead to and many ways are dead ends. You can find hiking trails on [url=http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/find.do?q=lebanon|]wikilocs[/url], but you need GPS to find them on the ground. Another solution is to take part in a guided group event that usually depart from Beirut.
* [wiki=43b72c77583ebd3fd4d757d23eccf4d8]Lebanon Mountain Trail[/wiki] (LMT) - 440-plus km national hiking trail extending from Al Qobaiyat in the north to Marjaayoun in the south. The Trail is not well marked and it is recommended that you get a guide because you will get lost. The guides can be expensive but it is worth talking them down on price. If you do decide to go alone, the country side is populated and you are never very far from people. This is by far the best way to see wild Lebanon!
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Ski
Lebanon has six ski resorts with groomed slopes, catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Beyond the ski-able domains await you kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails waiting to be explored; Lebanon has something for everyone. Each of the ski resorts has a different flavor.
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Wine-tasting
Lebanon is one of the oldest sites of wine production in the world and today enjoys a burgeoning industry producing award-winning wines for export throughout the world, mainly in the UK, Europe and the United States. Wine Tasting is an absolute must with any visit to Lebanon. Below are some wine producers in Lebanon for you to keep an eye out for:
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- * Chateau Musar [url=http://www.chateaumusar.com.lb/]]
- * Chateau Ksara [url=http://www.ksara.com.lb/[/url]]
- * Chateau Kefraya [url=http://www.chateaukefraya.com/[/url]]
- * Domaine Wardy [url=http://www.domaine-wardy.com/[/url]]
- * Vin Héritage [url=http://www.vinheritage.com/[/url]]
- * Chateau Fakra [url=http://www.chateaufakra.com/[/url]]
- * Chateau Nakad [url=http://www.winenakad.com/[/url]]
- * Massaya [url=http://www.massaya.com/[/url]]
- * Domaine des Tourelles [url=http://www.domainedestourelles.com/[/url]]
- * Clos Saint Thomas [url=http://www.closstthomas.com/[/url]]
- * Cave Kouroum [url=http://www.cavekouroum.com/[/url]]
- * Clos de Cana [url=http://www.closdecana.com/][/url[/url]
- * Nabise Mont Liban [url=http://www.nabise.com/]]
- * Enotica
- * Chateau Khoury [http://www.chateaukhoury.com/[/url]
- * Couvent St. Sauveur
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Currency
The Lebanese currency is the Lebanese pound, abbreviated "LBP" or "Lebanese Lira" abbreviated "LL", which is the most common abbreviation. Its value is kept stable relative to the US dollar, with a value of about LL1,500 to US$1. Either Lebanese pounds or US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, and it is common to pay in dollars but receive change in pounds (in which case, make sure you don't get short-changed).
Bills used are LL1000, LL5000, LL10,000, LL20,000, LL50,000 and LL100,000.
p.s: you may find two forms of LL1000 and they are both accepted.
Bills not used are LL1, LL5, LL10, LL25, LL50, LL100, LL250, LL500.
There are LL25, LL50, LL100, LL250 and LL500 coins. LL25, LL50 and LL100 coins are virtually never used.
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Exchange rates
Correct as of May 2015:
$ US DollarUSD$1 = LL1,508LL1,000 = USD$0.66
£ Pound Sterling£1.00 = LL2,361LL1,000 = £0.42
€ Euro€1.00 = LL1,707LL1,000 = €0.59
$ Australian DollarAUD$1 = LL1,205LL1,000 = AUD$0.83
$ New Zealand DollarNZD$1 = LL1,112LL1,000 = NZD$0.90
$ Canadian DollarCAD$1 = LL1,440LL1,000 = CAD$0.80
¥ Japanese Yen¥1.00 = LL12.56LL1,000 = ¥80
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Money transfer
You may transfer money from/to Lebanon through Western Union. For more information about locations offering Money transfers you may contact BOB Finance - Bank of Beirut Group on the number 1262 from inside Lebanon or +961-5-955262 from outside with 24/7 Customer Service Support
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Lebanon fosters exquisite cuisine ranging from mezze like the dips hommos, muhammara and moutabal to salads such as tabouleh, fattoush, and salatit kizbara bi-banadora (cilantro and tomato salad) and stuffed wine leaves called waraq 'inab. It is common to eat Mezze only and groups going to a restaurant often share a variety of Mezze which reflects the socially and culturally important sharing of food. After eating two kinds of Mezze you might find yourself already stuffed and thus skip the main course. The Mezze concept is also a great way to try many Lebanese dishes in a short period. Main dishes often are meat based and include Lebanese barbeque such as shish tawouk (barbequed chicken) - usually consumed with garlic, lahm mishwe (barbequed meat), and kafta (barbequed seasoned minced meat).
A full meal at an Arabic restaurant can cost as little as 15 us dollars (22500 LL) depending on where you go, though more expensive options can also be found.
Lebanese "fast food" is also available as sandwiches offered in roadside shops, such as falafel, different baked potato and fries, maqali (fried vegetables) and shawarma sandwiches (known in other countries as doner - or gyros in Greece). Shawarma, as opposed to doner is seasoned with tarator sauce based on sesame oil, vegetables and is rolled in lebanese thin bread. Walking thorough the streets of Beirut you will come across many fast food restaurants. Various barbequed meat sandwiches are also available, and even things such as lamb or chicken spleen, brains, lamb bone marrow or lamb testicles can be served as sandwiches.
Breakfast usually consists of manaqeesh (singular: manqoushe) which looks like a folded pizza. Most common toppings are zaatar (a mixture of thyme or oregano, olive oil sesame seeds), vegetables (tomatoes, onions and peppers), harr with hot tomato sauce and vegetables, and jebneh (cheese), but at some places you can also get different variations such as sugar and cinnamon or "halloum and bacon". It also comes as sabanigh when it gets folded into big or small triangular shapes containing spinach, onions, lemon juice and spices. Many manqoushe places stay open 24 hours a day and partygoers often go there for a bite at 4 in the morning. It costs between 500 LL and 3000 LL. The za'atar, vegetables, spinach and sugar Manaqeesh (plural of Manqoushe) usually are vegan, but sometimes the dough is made with milk.
Another traditional breakfast food is knefeh, a special kind of breaded cheese that is served with a simple syrup in a sesame seed bread. It is also served as dessert.
Famous and delicious Lebanese dishes are:
Hummus (or Hummus bi-Taheeni): a dip made from chick peas with sesame paste, lemon juice, garlic, salt and olive oil. You can have it as part of Mezze, but it makes a full meal served with bread, onions, tomatoes, mint and pickled cucumbers, parsnips and olives. Hummus is usually vegan (though especially in Syria and Turkey there are versions containing a kind of yoghurt).
Falafel: Fried chick pea balls. They are served on a plate with bread, a sesame sauce and veg, but more often in a rolled sandwich containing fresh and pickled veg and a sesame sauce. Falafel is usually vegan, but you might want to ask if
the sauce contains milk, which is very rare in Lebanon.
Manqoushe: A kind of pizza with different toppings, see above.
Tabboule: A parsley salad with mint, tomatoes, spring onions, bulghur (crushed wheat), olive oil and lemon juice. Usually vegan.
Fattoush: A lettuce salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, spring onions, mint, lemon juice and olive oil. Just before serving some crunchy bread is sprinkled on top. Usually vegan.
Salatit Kizbara bi-Banadoura: Cilantro and tomato salad with a lemon juice and olive oil sauce. Usually vegan.
Batata bi-Kizbara: Baked potato chunks with cilantro and sometimes crushed chilli. You can sprinkle lemon juice on top. Usually a part of Mezze. Sometimes you can get it rolled up in a sandwich to go. Usually vegan.
Batata Harra: Like Batata bi-Kizbara with more chilli but without cilantro. Usually vegan.
Mjaddara: Cooked lentils and rice or bulghur (cracked wheat) with spices and olive oil and a topping of fried onions. Usually vegan.
Muhammara: Dip made from red peppers, walnuts, bread crumbs, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, onions, garlic and spices. Usually vegan.
Mutabbal (or Mutabbal Beitinjân): A dip made from baked and skinned eggplants with sesame paste, lemon juice and olive oil. As hummus this can be eaten as part of Mezze or as a full meal with the same bread and veg accompanying it. Usually vegan.
Msabbha or Mshawshe: Similar to Hummus, but the chick peas don't get mashed and so it tastes quite differently. Served similar to Hummus. More popular in Saida than in Beirut and usually vegan.
Baleela: Chick pea salad with olive oil and lemon juice. Usually vegan.
Hendbe: Dandelion fried in olive oil with onions. Usually vegan.
Loubie bi-Zeit: Green beans fried in olive oil with tomatoes, onions, garlic and spices. Usually vegan.
Bâmie bi-Zeit: Fried okra with tomatoes and onions. Usually vegan.
Qarnabeet Meqle: Fried cauliflower. Comes as Mezze or in a sandwich. Usually vegan.
Sherbet 'adas: A simple but delicious lentil soup. Usually vegan.
Waraq 'enab: Wine leaves stuffed with rice and spices and sometimes with tabboule before being pickled. Eaten cold. Usually vegan.
Lebanon is also very famous for its Arabic sweets which can be found at leading restaurants. The city of Tripoli, however, is THE city for Lebanese sweets. Many critics refer to it as the "Sweet Capital" of Lebanon, the Hallab Sweets Palace (Abdul Rahman Hallab - Kaser El Helou 1881) is the place to visit when making a trip to Tripoli. A great place for organic (and vegan) traditional sweets is The Olive Tree in Beirut's Sodeco square.
If taking a trip to the Beqa', the restaurants known as the El-Wadi restuarants in Zahle serve exquisite Lebanese food. In Beirut, Abd el-Wahab in the "Monot" area and Mezyan in Hamra also serve excellent Lebanese food in a traditional setting.
International food chains such as KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Burger King or Domino's pizza and many other are widely spread and easily found across the country. French Pâtisseries, Chinese, Italian, American and Japanese cuisine are also widely spread and are found in virtually all of the country's malls. Foreign restaurants are concentrated mostly in Beirut, although they can be found in some of the other larger cities like Tripoli and in some of the more tourist friendly smaller cities like Byblos.
Cafes also exist virtually everywhere and as with foreign restaurants, foreign chains like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Costa, etc, are also concentrated more in Beirut.
Restaurant are very generous in supplying free extras. You get salted nuts, fresh pistachios, olives, carrots etc with your drink, and if you eat them all they are replaced even if you do not order more drinks. There is plenty of bread, often with delicious spreads. At the end of the meal many places give you a great selection of fresh fruits and cakes.
Even though there are hardly any explicitly vegetarian restaurants in Lebanon it is very easy to eat vegetarian or vegan because of the many traditionally vegetarian/vegan dishes. Make sure what ingredients are used in every restaurant as recipes may vary of course. There is also a [url=http://veganwiki.info/en/Beirut]vegetarian guide to Beirut[/url] and to [url=http://veganwiki.info/en/Lebanon]Lebanon[/url].
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Lebanon's wines have an international reputation. Grapes have been grown since antiquity, and the vineyards, largely in the Bekaa Valley, produce the base wine for distillation into the national spirit Arak, which, like Ouzo, is flavoured with aniseed and becomes cloudy when diluted with water. Arak is the traditional accompniment to Meze.
But the grapes have also historically been used to make wine. This used to be predominantly white and sweet, but the soliders and administrators that came to administer the French mandate after World War One created a demand for red wine, and large acreages were planted especially with the Cinsault grape. Over the last 20 years these have been supplemented with the most popular international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Wineries often offer wine tasting and are very welcoming. The highly individual, old fashioned, Chateau Musar, is based at Ghazir, 15 miles north of Beirut, and trucks in the grapes from Bekaa. In Bekaa itself, wineries include the large Kefraya, Ksara, the oldest winery of all, Massaya, a fashionable new producer in Tanail, and Nakad in Jdeita, which like Musar has stuck with an idiosyncratic old fashioned approach. Kefraya, in the West Bekaa region, also has a nice restaurant attached and the region itself is beautiful to pass through.
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Lebanon is full of hotels, with a range in price and quality, from $10/night to many hundreds of dollars per night, and the quality ranges just as much. Many international chains, such as Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza, can be found here, as well as local boutique and "mom-and-pop" style hotels, as well as low quality budget hotels.
The best way to save money if you are staying for a long visit is furnished apartments or all-suite hotels, as they come with cleaning and other services.
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A handful of private schools, such as the Lycée Français (several branches over the country), the Collège Protestant Français [url=http://www.cpf.edu.lb],]Collège Saint Joseph Antoura [url=http://www.college-antoura.edu.lb[/url],]Lycée Abdel Kader, Lycée Verdun college notre dame de jamhour and college elysee amongst others follow the official French curriculum. The official French Baccalaureate exams can be taken in Lebanon.
Some schools (such as "ACS") teach English as a first language and follow the english curriculum.
Beirut is also home to one of the most prestigious schools in the region, the International College(IC) which teaches both french and english as first languages among many others.Furthermore, IC offers a variety of baccalaureate programs such as the French, Lebanese, High School, and International Baccalaureat(IB).
The American University of Beirut - AUB [url=http://www.aub.edu.lb[/url]]is considered one of the best English speaking universities in Middle East.
Other Accredited and notable anglophone private universities are: University of Balamand [url=http://www.balamand.edu.lb[/url]|]Notre Dame University - NDU [url=http://www.ndu.edu.lb[/url]]| Lebanese American University - LAU[url=http://www.lau.edu.lb[/url]|]Haigazian University ...
Some private universities have French as the main teaching language. Université St. Joseph - USJ [http://www.usj.edu.lb[/url] is one of these, it is an old and respected institution in Lebanon, and probably offers the best price/quality ratio among private universities in the country. It is the private university which has enrolled most of the Lebanon students as well as foreign students from other countries in Middle East, Africa and Europe. Other francophone private universities are USEK and Université la Sagesse.
The Lebanese University is the state owned / public university and is the largest learning institution in the country. It offers virtually free tertiary education.
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[url=http://www.touch.com.lb/autoforms/portal/touch/Personal/Prepaid/Start/Tariffs]MTC Touch[/url] Mobile phone operator offers a GSM card for $15 including a $10 credit (The START plan). Internet access starts at $10 for up to 150 MByte in a month. The only competitor of MTC Touch is [url=http://www.alfa.com.lb]Alfa[/url]. There are shops all around the country that sell SIM-cards and credit but they usually don't have all offers and charge more, sometimes up to the double price. Therefore it's worthwhile to go to one of the official phone company shops. If you want to recharge little credit only it's better to ask at local stores.
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The vast majority of Lebanese are friendly, and most tourists experience no problems. Nevertheless, tensions with neighbouring Israel can erupt (but are usually confined to South Lebanon), and as such travellers should follow the independent press while in the country. Furthermore, the spillover from the current civil war in [wiki=465718d0a1bc8363ad01390923fad5d1]Syria[/wiki] has caused Lebanon's economy to significantly deteriorate; travellers must be wary while visiting Lebanon as the situation between both Lebanon and Syria is highly unpredictable.
Currently the Syrian border is also somewhat unstable, with Syrian troops reportedly crossing the border. There has been shelling and border crossings at Wadi Khaled, Al Qaa and Aarsal which travellers should probably avoid.
Tripoli was the scene of frequent deadly clashes between Wahabbi militias from Bab al-Tabbaneh and pro-Assad groups in Jabal Mohsen neighborhoods in the north part of the city in the winter of 2013/4. These clashes included small arms, RPG and even mortar fire. While these clashes were usually confined to the north of the city and only erupt occasionally since 2014 Tripoli has seen attacks in other parts as well and should be considered unsafe and thus avoided.
There was a major clash between the Army and Wahabbi militants in Sidon between 23-25 June 2013 that left some 50 people dead (however only two were civilians), but the militants were defeated and since then the city has seen no further incident.
The historical attraction town of Baalbek has seen a few minor incidents without casualties, but can still be considered safe to visit.
Like in any country, it is preferable to be accompanied when visiting certain locations. In general, the Israeli borders and any Palestinian refugee camps should be avoided, while lone tourists in Hezbollah strongholds like southern Beirut may arouse suspicion.
Visitors to areas in the vicinity of the border with Israel need a permission without which they won't be allowed to cross the many checkpoints in the area.
Organised criminal activity is endemic in the Beqa' Valley. Most of it is connected to the drug trade, but kidnappings involving foreigners have occurred. Travelling in groups is advisable in this part of the country.
Visitors should always register with their respective embassies once they enter Lebanon and keep up-to-date regarding any travel warnings regarding Lebanon. Automobile accidents are also a big problem in major cities like Beirut, so take care driving. Motorcycles will sometimes swerve in front of you; numerous motoring laws do not apply to motorcycles.
Useful phone numbers:
* Police: 112
* Fire brigade: 175 (metropolitan Beirut only)
* Civil defense: 125 (outside Beirut)
* The Red Cross (Medic Response): 140
* Information: 1515
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As a key destination for health tourism in the region, Lebanon has a professional and private healthcare system. Located mainly in Beirut , key hospitals include:
* AUBMC (American University of Beirut- Medical Center), Hamra area: +961-1-344704.
* SGHUMC (Saint George Hospital University Medical Center), Ashrafieh area: +961-1-441000.
* RHUH (Rafic Hariri University Hospital), Bir Hassan area: +961-1-830000.
* Hotel Dieu de France, Ashrafieh area: +961-1-386791.
* UMC-RH (University Medical Center - Rizk Hospital), Ashrafieh area: +961-1-200800.
* BMC (Bellevue Medical Center), Mansourieh: +961-1-682666, Hotline:1565.
* Mont Liban Hospital, Hazmieh area: +961-1-955444.
* Sacré Coeur Hospital, Hazmieh area: +961-1-451704.
* Tel Shiha - Zahle, Beqaa
* Makassed General Hospital (MGH), Tarik el Jadida area: +961-1-636000
* Jabal Amel Hospital - Jal Al Baher Area, Tyre: +961-7-740343, 07-740198, 07-343852, 03-280580
* Labib Medical Center - Abou Zahr Street, Sidon Area: +961-7-723444, 07-750715/6
* Sahel Hospital - Airport Ave Area: +961-1-858333
* Bahman Hospital - Beirut, Haret Hreik Area: +961-1-544000 or 961-3-544000
It is extremely important that you get travel insurance prior to your departure to Lebanon. Hospitals in the country can be very expensive and, with the lack of insurance, cash payments may be expected beforehand.
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In general the people in Lebanon are very kind, polite and respectful. Thus treating them similarly is easy and comes quite naturally.
Lebanese in general are extremely hospitable and consider it an honour to have guests in their home and in their country.
Lebanon is a country of many different religious groups and religion plays a vital role in many people's lives. It is wise to respect the religious differences of the Lebanese population. People are accustomed to religious differences so there is no need to hide your religious (non-)affiliation.
It is recommended to wear modest dress when visiting religious sites (churches, mosques, etc). The same is true for visiting rural towns and villages if you want to avoid surprised and continuous looks. Even in Beirut, some areas are more conservative than others; visitors should bear that in mind when exploring the city. Overall, however, clothing considered 'western' is generally acceptable, and even though so to hedge your bets, keep your dress modest. Bear in mind, however, that as open and western as Beirut is, this is not Europe; for women "topless" at any beach, whether private or public, is not recommended at all. Beirutis rather dress chic, comparable to people in Paris and Italian cities, and especially local women like to express their individual taste, but casual clothes are totally acceptable and (neat) tracksuit trousers are a common sight on people of any gender. In Tripoli, especially in the old city, it is recommended that women dress conservatively. The same applies on most traditional markets in the country. In general, Lebanese are accustomed to different lifestyles and usually do not take offense easily, especially with matters related to dress, though not all Lebanese are so open-minded.
It is common that people in Lebanon discuss political and social matters openly even though many of them are very frustrated by the political system and politicians. Because of political tensions and the conflict with Israel and tension with Syria tourists should be cautious to strongly take sides with one of those two countries, but regional problems are among the topics which are discussed the most. Visitors should be open to regional perspectives on world politics and might be interested in hearing the many different views and interpretations of regional problems and their background from various people.
[wiki=ad6ada7ff634d294f7f976a3627e1514]de:Libanon[/wiki]
[wiki=be9da930bcebaa4a61d073e12d722957]eo:Libano[/wiki]
[wiki=7f53e672daf3f93b753ba415531df4c8]es:Líbano[/wiki]
[wiki=1f82b3707cad35f73edfa1b295476213]fi:Libanon[/wiki]
[wiki=8e091f2faecceebc838b21060b11daeb]fr:Liban[/wiki]
[wiki=3524196858270a2e449c78005dfddaec]hu:Libanon[/wiki]
[wiki=8dbf09f950ac3862e65c70ba6c5d0dc4]it:Libano[/wiki]
[wiki=eeeda9c3874d255388dc69cd9e02c05a]ja:レバノン[/wiki]
[wiki=8e79dd14e3d7a464fc73296ca3edcbe4]nl:Libanon[/wiki]
[wiki=f7444953e87fbed20990a1691d9a0abf]pl:Liban[/wiki]
[wiki=4038c72fa47c7f62ef9f101eae0696f8]pt:Líbano[/wiki]
[wiki=ee48b5fcb2a0a966d3e1799ef2430e86]ru:Ливан[/wiki]
[wiki=80be5b9bad8b0cf8808f209f7aee1ad4]sv:Libanon[/wiki]
[wiki=45730fc0dc218034fa70c98fa1c5489a]zh:黎巴嫩[/wiki]
[wiki=617374062279a13be5242b6cbf227bc6]wts:Category:Lebanon[/wiki]
[[WikiPedia:Lebanon]]
[wiki=d9e35e96bd0a501326135133eae852e2]Dmoz:Middle East/Lebanon/[/wiki]
[wiki=f0043737539f962b4fcee99649fe0620]World66:asia/middleeast/lebanon[/wiki]
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