A MASONIC & HISTORICAL VISIT TO LEBANON
TOURIST SCHEDULE
The Social Solidarity and Prosperity Association is proud to invite you to a marvellous historical tour of Lebanon.
The historical tour of Lebanon will cover locations, which are related to many different Masonic eras aged between 800 years and 7000 years. The Tomb of Hiram King of Tyre father in law of Hiram Abiff and the Tomb of Hiram Abiff's wife, Baalbeck Roman City, Phoenician archaeological sites, The Knight Templars fortifications, etc..
7 Days All Include
Hotel accommodation on a 3 Star Deluxe, Transportation, entrance fees to historical places, 1 day at Sea, nightly entertainment program, etc.
The places to be visited are the Historical and Ancient Cities of:
T Y RE
Tyre was originally a rocky Island. Its name was derived from the Semitic word "Sr." meaning "rock". From the earliest times, Tyre fascinated to it the envy of the people of the Old World due to its distinguished position as a prospering commercial centre. It has expanded its industries particularly its famous purple-dye and glass making. At this time, the purple dye was extracted from the murex.
S I D O N
Sidon means "fishing" for it was graced by Qala 'At Al Baher Castle of the Sea built by Crusaders. Also of interest is Saint Louis Castle and the Murex Hill, 45 meters high and made of an accumulation of shells from which the Phoenicians extracted the famous purple dye.
T R I P O L I
Tripoli is the capital of the North and the country's second largest urban area. Tripoli holds remarkable historical treasures dating back to around 1400 B.C. Tripoli means "Triple City", because it was a centre of the Phoenician confederation with Sidon, Tyre and Arados Island. What distinguishes Tripoli today from other archaeological sites in Lebanon is that the Medieval Mamluk town still exists within the contemporary city. Visitors are astonished by the beauty of its monuments that were built from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century. These archaeological treasures include Saint-Gilles Castle, the Tower of the Lions, Madrasahs, Hammams and the Khans. When you visit it don't forget to pass by the traditional souk which is very pleasant.
B A A L B E C K
The site dates back 4000 years, when the Canaanites built a temple to worship "Baal" the Semitic God of thunder and storms. In the Hellenistic ages, Baalbek was called Heliopolis "The City Of Sun" as it is still know today, identified with the Greek Sun God "Helios".
B Y B L O S
This distinctive site is one of the oldest inhabited cities of the world. It has been continuously occupied by many civilizations for seven thousand years: Phoenician, Egyptian, Persian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine. Therefore, we can find the largest amount of archaeological treasures dating from many Ages. Many temples have been devastated and new ones were built on the ruins. Among them was the "Temple of the Obelisks", so called because of huge amount of obelisks stone found within, and many precious objects were discovered kept in seal potter jars and hidden under the floors. The inhabitants of this land were famous in the making of pottery inventing different shapes and designs. Thus, the city became a centre of craftsmen and arts in the Old World. Moreover, it was widely known for its navigation and fishing port. 4700 years ago, Byblos became a centre for cedar shipments to the Nile Delta, and this is due to its geographical position, located at the foot of Lebanon's timber bearing mountains.
C E D A R S
The Cedars of the Lord, is a biblical forest. It is Lebanon's greatest treasure. The majestic Cedar tree presents the emblem of Lebanon. Unfortunately, few of these trees remain, since they have been decimated over the centuries from the time when ancient Egypt governed this area. In the ancient world, Cedar trees were claimed enormously, particularly during Pharaoh's Age, because they provided long beams for ships masts, and offered a unique wood around the area.
Other sites to visit of interest are Harisa, Mseilha and Beiteddin.
Hiram King of Tyre Sarcophagus and Tomb
W E A T H E R
The weather in the coastal area of Lebanon is typically Mediterranean, with mild rainy winters and long warm summers. What is particular is that bad weather never lasts too long, visitors can definitely count on 300 sunny days a year. Whereas, in mountain areas, summer is pleasantly warm, while winter is cold, and snow usually falls at elevations above 1000m.
C U I S I N E
Lebanese have spread their cuisine all over the countries. It is ranked among the world's most refined cuisine. There is no Lebanese dish that doesn't begin with a "Mezze", a word which means a pleasant tasting moment. Eating Mezze involves a wide choice of dishes and flavors all at one sitting; this may include around twenty dishes or more. It is usually served with Arak, a licorice flavored alcohol, and eaten with the Lebanese bread. The Mezze includes: Hommos, Tabboule, Fattouche, Mtaba, Kebbe, Labne etc. If you desire fish and seafood dishes, you can find typical restaurants mainly located on the seaside all along the Lebanese shore, from North to South.
Besides the local cuisine, foreign cooking is abundant with Tex- mex, Chinese, Thai, French, Italian and dozens more chosen.
TOUR TIME TABLE
DAY ONE:
- Arriving to Beirut international airport
- Short visit to down town Beirut
- Trip to the North Palace Hotel in Tripoli
- Dinner at the hotel.
DAY TWO:
- Breakfast in the hotel.
- Trip to Baalbeck.
- Arriving to the forests of Ihden.
- Visit to Yussef Beik Karam, historical location.
- Visit to the famous cave of Kadisha.
- Visit to the Cedars forest.
- Trip to Baalbeck to visit several historical places.
- Arrival to the ancient city and starting an amazing tour in it.
- Lunch at a restaurant in Baalbeck.
- Return to the hotel.
- Dinner at the hotel.
DAY THREE:
- Trip toward the south visiting the ancient cities of Tyre and Sidon.
- Arriving at Khalde for breakfast.
- Trip to the ancient city of Tyre.
- Visiting the old city and historical places of Tyre.
- Visit to the Tomb of Hiram - 17km from the city of Tyre.
- Lunch.
- Trip to Beiteddin.
- A visit to Moussa palace.
- Arrival to Beiteddin.
- Return to the hotel
- Dinner
DAY FOUR:
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Trip to the Castle of Tripoli
- Visit to ancient and historical sites of Souk, Khan Al-Saboun and Khan Al-Khayatin.
- To the sea shore, visit to the Palm Islands by boat
- Visit to the city of El-Mina, and roaming its historical places.
- Lunch
- Return to the hotel
- Dinner
DAY FIVE:
- Breakfast in the hotel.
- Trip to Mseilha Castle.
- Visit to Byblos Castle.
- Visit to Jeetas Cave
- Trip to Harrissa and Telefric
- Lunch
- Return to the hotel.
- Dinner
DAY SIX:
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Open time for shopping at Tripoli and Mina ancient Markets.
- Trip to Sir Al-Dennieh Mountains
- Lunch
- Return to Tripoli, nightly shopping
- Dinner party with dancing show.
DAY SEVEN:
- Breakfast and lunch at the hotel
- Free time to visit down town in Beirut for shopping.
- Afternoon trip to the airport.
Additional Tourist Information is also available:
The Social Solidarity and Prosperity Association
Bissar Buildingl 3rd Floor
A. H. karame Street
Tripoli North Lebanon
Lebanon
Contact: Mr. M. Samad
Phone :+961-3-337575
Fax: +961-6-446417
Email: mm.samad@gmail.com
Price per person
£350 Pounds
$625 US Dollars
The Price includes access to all sites Castles,
Parks, Museums Day Trips to sites, coach
Transfer to and from the Airport,
Accommodation and all meals included.
For other dates please contact us.
North Palace Hotel
Front of the North Palace Hotel
Reception
Lobby
Twin Room
Main Restaurant
