• Beirut - 9:00 AM — Hotel Pickup
  The driver will meet the group at their Beirut hotel and proceed southeast into the Chouf Mountains towards Beiteddine.
• Beiteddine Palace - Beiteddine Palace — the presidential palace of Lebanon
  Constructed between 1788 and 1840 by Emir Bashir II, the leader who unified Lebanon’s mountain communities. It features three interconnected courtyards with intricate geometric tilework and ornately carved cedar-wood ceilings. Beneath the palace lies Lebanon’s finest collection of Byzantine mosaics in an underground museum often overlooked by visitors. Currently, it serves as the official summer residence of the Lebanese President. The driver will share the complete history of Beiteddine and Emir Bashir during the visit.
• Deir el Qamar - Deir el Qamar — Lebanon’s first capital
  Meaning “Monastery of the Moon,” this honey-stone Ottoman village was Lebanon’s first capital under the Ma’an dynasty and is one of the most well-preserved historic villages in the country. The cobblestone central square is surrounded by 17th and 18th-century mansions that have remained unchanged for centuries. The driver will discuss the dynastic and political history of this extraordinary village.
• Fakhreddine’s Mosque - Fakhreddine Mosque & Saydet el Tallé Church
  The 17th-century mosque of Emir Fakhreddine II, the Druze ruler who established an empire from the Bekaa to the Sinai, and the hilltop Maronite church offering panoramic views over the Chouf valleys. A mosque and a church just meters apart, showcasing four centuries of coexistence in a single view. The vehicle will be ready whenever the group decides to move.
• Deir el Qamar - Lunch in Deir el Qamar — optional
  Enjoy Lebanese mountain mezze at a local restaurant, featuring grilled meats, fresh bread, and views of the Chouf valley. This is optional and at your own expense. The driver will recommend the best spots. It’s a worthwhile stop before heading to the coast.
• Crusaders Sea Castle - Sidon Sea Castle — Crusader fortress on the water
  A 13th-century Crusader fortress located on a small island off the coast, connected to the shore by a stone causeway with open sea on both sides. Phoenician traders used this harbor 3,000 years before the Crusaders built here. The driver will provide a comprehensive history from the castle ramparts.
• Sidon Souks - Sidon Old Souks — not renovated, not curated, just real
  Stone-vaulted alleyways where spice merchants, goldsmiths, and artisan workshops have traded continuously for centuries. The driver will highlight what makes Sidon’s market unique compared to other souks in Lebanon. Explore at your own pace — the vehicle will be waiting.
• Soap Museum - Saida - Soap Museum — the only olive oil soap museum on earth
  The world’s only museum dedicated to olive oil soap, detailing the complete story of a craft Sidon has practiced for over a thousand years. Located in a beautifully restored khan in the old city. A stop that most travelers didn’t realize they wanted until they experience it.
• Khan al-Franj - Khan el Franj — the Silk Road caravanserai
  A 17th-century caravanserai built by Emir Fakhreddine II for European Silk Road merchants, featuring arcaded courtyards, vaulted galleries, and carved stone facades. One of the finest Ottoman buildings in Lebanon and a fitting conclusion to a day that explored Lebanese mountain and coastal history from the same century.
• Beirut - Return to Beirut — approx. 6:00–7:00 PM
  Drop-off at your Beirut hotel. A presidential palace, Lebanon’s first capital, and Sidon’s Phoenician-to-Ottoman layers — mountain and coast explored privately in a single day. Done properly.

• Beiteddine Palace including Byzantine mosaic museum
• Knowledgeable English-speaking driver
• Private air-conditioned vehicle exclusively for your group
• Soap Museum — world’s only olive oil soap museum
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Beirut
• Sidon Old Souks walk
• Deir el Qamar village — mosque, church & historic square

• Lunch in Deir el Qamar (optional — at own expense)
• Gratuities (optional)

Explore Lebanon’s rich mountain and coastal history in a single private day trip, starting with the Chouf Mountains in the morning and continuing to Sidon’s historical layers from the Phoenician to the Ottoman era in the afternoon. This unique combination offers a refreshing alternative to the typical Chouf-only or Sidon-only excursions, making it a truly worthwhile experience.

Visit Beiteddine Palace, Lebanon’s most important 19th-century palace, which now serves as the official summer residence of the Lebanese President. Beneath it lies a Byzantine mosaic museum that many visitors overlook. Discover Deir el Qamar, Lebanon’s first capital, a charming Ottoman village with honey-colored stone buildings, where a mosque and a church have coexisted on the same hillside for four centuries. In Sidon, explore a 13th-century Crusader sea castle, a vibrant medieval souk, the world’s only olive oil soap museum, and a Silk Road caravanserai. Enjoy the comfort of a private vehicle and the expertise of a knowledgeable driver throughout the journey. Travel at your own pace without the constraints of a group schedule. Tickets are payable on site.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.