PACKAGE 2
LEBANON, A HOLY LAND VISIT

Local experts like to stress that there are over 96 references to Lebanon in the Bible. For centuries, diverse religious traditions have shared this land, creating a rich mosaic of religious beliefs and a unique multicultural society. Whatever your own spiritual background, a pilgrimage to Lebanon will allow you to experience a fascinating meld of religious heritage and traditions.

HIGHLIGHTS

1- Find serenity in the religious places you will visit from basilicas, cathedrals, churches, chapels, shrines, convents, monasteries and even caves.
2- You will tour from north to south, passing through the coastal roads.
3- Take memories of some natural architecture, impressive valleys, and breathtaking views of the mountains of Lebanon.
4- Learn about the Holy Land of Saints, where the concepts of faith, respect, tolerance and friendship never fade.

DURATION: 7 Days
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+ ITINERARY+ PLACES TO VISIT

Day 1
Visit of Byblos/Batroun

  1. Visit Saint Charbel
  2. Visit Saint Hardini
  3. Visit saint Rafka
  4. Byblos old souk and religious sites

Day 2
Visit North of Lebanon

  1. Visit Batroun le old city and sea Castle.
  2. Visit of Msailha
  3. Church Saint Nouriye Hamat
  4. Church Saint Estephan/saint Maroun Batroun

Day 3
Visit keserwan

  1. Harissa with Mass
  2. Bkerke
  3. Christ the King site
  4. Maronite museum at Saint Louwaize
  5. Cave of Jeita

Day 4
Visit South Lebanon

  1. Saydet El Mantara (Maghdouche)
  2. Khan of Tyre
  3. The Shrine of Saints Peter & Paul at St. Nicolas Church
  4. Qana where the first Miracle occured
  5. Tyre, first Byzantine church in the world

Day 5
Visit North

  1. Qadicha valley hiking (site Unesco)
  2. Hamatoura Monastery

Day 6

  1. Monastery Saint John (1st Arabic printing press)
  2. Wine tasting
  3. Down town Beirut churches and ruins

Day 7 – Free

  • St Charbel in Annaya, Monastery of Saint Maron and Sanctuary of Saint Charbel
  • Saint Hardini, Nematullah Kassab al-Hardini, The Saint of Kfifan, North of Lebanon
  • Saint Rafqa’s tomb located in Saint Joseph’s Monastery in Jrabta, Batroun, North of Lebanon
  • Byblos/Jbeil, the first city in Phoenicia. It is one of the cities suggested as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Visit St. Jean-Marc Cathedral which stands witness to centuries of history, its courtyard has a pedestrian access to the old port on one side and an access to the old souk and the fortress on the other.
  • Batroun, coastal city in northern Lebanon, famous for its fresh lemonade and the old harbor. Visit St Estephan’s church which is set on a square right next to the harbor. The stone building with its arched entrance, decorated facade and square crenellated towers is quietly imposing.
  • Visit of Msailha fortress which was built by prince Fakhr Eddine II in 1624 on a high rock in the Joz river East to Batroun city. The fortress is believed to be built upon an older castle ruins.
  • Our Lady of Nouriye shrine and monastery in Hamat. Tourists and pilgrims alike enjoy the beautiful view of the bay from atop the historic Cape Theoprosopon, Chekka in North Lebanon.
  • Visit the Monastery of St-John-Maron, in Kfarhay, Batroun (Mar Youhanna-Maroun) which was the residence of the first Maronite Patriarch (Youhanna-Maroun, late seventh century A.D.)
  • Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, one of the most important shrines in the world honoring Mary, Mother of Jesus, who stretches her hands towards Beirut.
  • Bkerke, The see of the Maronite Catholic Patriarchate since 1830.
  • The church and monastery of Christ the King which stands on the hill called “The Ruins of Kings” in Zouk Mosbeh, Keserwan district.
  • Maronite museum at Saint Louwaize
  • Jeita Grotto, was one of top 14 finalists in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition, that has two separate, but interconnected, karstic limestone caves.
  • Visit Maghdouché village, the Greek-Catholic Marian shrine of Saydet El Mantara (Our Lady of Awaiting). Some popular traditions say that the Virgin Mary waited in a cave in Maghdouché during her pregnancy with Jesus and others during the time Jesus Christ was preaching in Sidon.
  • Visit Tyre, the Phoenician city, described as the queen of the seas. Stroll in the the old Souk of Tyre, a lively area and discover the khan from the Ottoman period, an old house which belonged to an Ottoman noble family. And then head to the Christian Quarter, a beautiful area with narrow streets and traditional houses. Tyre is said to be one of the first Lebanese towns to adopt Christianity and hosts the first Byzantine church in the world.
  • Visit Qana, see the rock-carved hermitages that provide proof of the early presence of Christianity in the region. The Christ’s first miracle, changing the water into wine at the wedding in Cana, took place in this small region.
  • Explore Qadicha valley (the holey valley) on a hiking journey, a Unesco World Heritage–listed site that is home to isolated rock-cut monasteries, wildflowers and plenty of wildlife.
  • The monastery of Our Lady of Hamatoura, built in the rocky hollow of a high cliff. The church of Saint Jacob is the most ancient part of the monastery, but it also holds two venerable churches, one dedicated to Saint Michael and the other to Saint John the Baptist.
  • Saint John Monastery in Khinshara, where you’ll see Lebanon’s first Arabic printing press and enjoy a wine tasting session at Father Charbel’s winery.
  • Beirut, Capital of Lebanon, stroll in the Downtown streets and central square, discover many landmarks which are totally explorable by foot. Full of history and many religious sites.
NOTES
TOUR INCLUDES:
Accommodation at Lamedina Hotel, Jounieh
Lunch and Dinner
Transfer on your arrival and departure at airport.
Tours based on Itinerary
(Transportation + Entrance fees to the touristic sites + Escort of Official guide)

TOUR EXCLUDES:
Visa to Lebanon
Airline ticket
Personal Expenses
Drinks
Meals which are not indicated in the package

OTHER NOTES
Other visits could be organized upon request.
Flexibility in length of stay (shorter or longer)
The child rate with extra bed is calculated upon request.
The rates are applicable during low season excluding Holidays.