• Beiteddine Palace - Known as the ‘House of Faith,’ Beiteddine Palace is a 19th-century architectural marvel located in Beiteddine, Lebanon. It is the venue for the annual Beiteddine Festival and houses the Beiteddine Palace Museum. Constructed by Emir Bashir Chehab II, who later ruled the Mount Lebanon Emirate, the palace was built between 1788 and 1818. Post-1840, it served as a government building under Ottoman rule and later as a local administrative office during the French Mandate. In 1943, it was designated as the official summer residence of the president. Although it suffered significant damage during the Lebanese Civil War, parts of the palace are now open to the public, while the remainder continues to serve as the president’s summer residence.
• Deir El Qamar - Deir al-Qamar, translating to “Monastery of the Moon,” is a charming village situated southeast of Beirut, approximately five kilometers from Beiteddine Palace in the Chouf District of Mount Lebanon. In 1864, it became the first village in Lebanon to establish a municipality and is the birthplace of numerous notable figures, including artists, writers, and politicians. The village was historically home to people of various religious backgrounds, featuring a mosque, synagogue, and Christian churches. In 1860, Deir al-Qamar was devastated during the civil conflict between Druze and Christians, during which the town was set ablaze. Napoleon III dispatched a French contingent to rebuild it, reaffirming France’s historical role as protector of Christians in the Ottoman Empire, as established by a treaty in 1523. In 1864, Deir el-Qamar elected the first municipality in the Arab provinces of the Ottoman Empire. The village maintains a stunning picturesque appearance with its traditional stone houses and red-tiled roofs.
• Fakhreddine’s Mosque - Fakhreddine Mosque, featuring an octagonal minaret, is located in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Originally built in 1493 and later restored in the 16th century by Fakhreddine I, it stands as the oldest mosque in Mount Lebanon.
• Saydet El Talle Church - The Church of Saidet et Tallé, also known as Our Lady of the Hill, is a significant historical and religious landmark in Deir el Qamar, dating back to the 15th century. Monk Nicolas Smisaati constructed a church on the site over the remnants of an ancient Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 859. According to the Maronite Heritage website, legend has it that a Druze Emir in Baakline observed a light emanating from the hill of Dar El Kamar. He instructed his soldiers to investigate the site the following morning, saying, ‘If you find an Islamic symbol, build a mosque. If you find a Christian symbol, build a church.’ The soldiers discovered a rock with a cross on it, beneath which were the moon and Venus, indicating that the site was once a temple dedicated to the moon and Venus, which later became a church.

• Comfortable transportation
• Lunch
• Small group sizes
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Professional, knowledgeable guides

• Gratuities

Take a break from the city commotion and explore the wonders of the Lebanese rural areas on this intimate group expedition from Beirut. Venture through charming villages once governed by the Emirs, who constructed finely crafted palaces in the Beiteddine village. Experience the allure of Deir el Qamar village and delve into the tranquility of life beyond the city’s hustle and bustle, before returning to Beirut with ease.

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