लेबनॉन

Drink

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 accompaniment to Meze.

But the grapes have also historically been used to make wine. This used to be predominantly white and sweet, but the soldiers and administrators that came to administer the French mandate after World War I 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, 25 km (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 is beautiful to pass through.

Sleep

Lebanon is full of hotels, with a range in price and quality, from USD10/night to many hundreds of dollars per night, and the quality ranges just as much. Many international hotel chains, such as Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, and Crowne Plaza, can be found here. In Beirut, in coastal cities, and around the historic site of Baalbek, many luxury hotels built in the “Golden Age” boom of the 1960s and early 1970s can be found all over and stayed in for a luxurious and nostalgic experience. They offer a variety of services, including pools and restaurants, amidst the ongoing financial crisis they, although expensive, are your best bet for staying somewhere in Lebanon, as 24-hour electricity is generally nowadays only found in these hotels.

If you want something more affordable, although be prepared to suffer electricity and wifi outages for long hours each day, you can also stay in the many “mom-and-pop” style hotels and boutique hotels found in the country. 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.

Connect

In Lebanon, there are 2 mobile internet providers (Touch and Alfa).

Touch: Advertised as the Visitor Line, Touch offers an exlusive plan for tourists including a SIM card containing 10GB of Mobile Internet, 100 minutes of talk and 100 SMS messages with a 14 days validity, with an initial price of 19$(This plan can be renewed by recharging a 15$ card on your account and sending an SMS with "VB" to 1100).

It is also possible to get a normal line and benefit from normal data plans without restrictions.

Alfa: Alfa on the other hand, doesn't offer any kind of special plans for tourists. It is still possible however to get a normal line and benefit from normal data plans without restrictions.

P.S: Due to the duopoly nature of telecommunications in Lebanon and the fact that both Touch and Alfa are owned by the Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications, Touch and Alfa nearly share the same data plans for the same price as their prices are also regulated by law. However, there still are some interesting different plans that you might want to consider depending on your needs.

Stay safe

thumb|Narrow street in the Christian quarter, Tyre Though many foreign visitors fear widespread violence and destruction upon arrival in Lebanon, since the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990 Lebanon has remained relatively peaceful. The vast majority of Lebanese are friendly, and most tourists experience no problems. Nevertheless tensions with neighbours Israel and Syria sometimes erupt (but are usually confined to South Lebanon) and therefore travellers should follow the independent press while in the country.

Like in any country, it is preferable to be accompanied when visiting certain locations. In general, immediate proximity to the borders with Syria and Israel, and any Palestinian or Syrian refugee camps should be avoided.

Some areas in Lebanon are likely to be dangerous for tourists, such as the town of Arsal in the Northern Bekaa, known for kidnapping expats for ransom. In the 2010s, Arsal was also known for the activities of ISIS cells in the area fighting in neighbouring Syria, and some may still operate in the area. As such, you should generally avoid the town of Arsal.

Since the end of the war, in Southern Lebanon, the pro-Iran Shi’a militia Hezbollah holds complete dominance over everyday life, with virtually no government presence and no army presence. As such, the region has been described as “lawless”. You should avoid making any kind of criticism of Hezbollah or Iran while in Southern Lebanon, or any praise of Israel, Saudi Arabia, or Western countries…

Stay healthy

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:

AUH (American University Hospital), Hamra area: +961-1-344704. RHUH (Rafic Hariri University Hospital), Bir Hassan area: +961-1-830000. Hotel Dieu de France, Ashrafieh area: +961-1-386791. Rizik Hospital, Ashrafieh area: +961-1-200800. Mont Liban Hospital, Hazmieh area: +961-1-955444. Sacré Coeur Hospital, Hazmieh area: +961-1-451704. Saint George Hospital, Ashrafieh area: +961-1-441000. Tel Shiha - Zahle, Beqaa Nini Hospital - Tripoli, North Lebanon: +961-6-431400. Hopital Albert Haykel - Koura, North Lebanon: +961-6-411111. Sahel Hospital - Airport Ave Area: +961-1-858333 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 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.

It's recommended to drink bottled water rather than tap water.

Respect

Lebanon is a country of many different religious sects, so it is wise to respect the religious differences of the Lebanese population. It is recommended to wear modest clothing when visiting religious sites (churches, mosques, etc.) and when visiting rural towns and villages. Sectarian attitudes, although widespread during the war, have largely decreased, especially in the wake of the recent financial crisis, which has seen large sectors of Lebanese society come together in unity. However it has not fully disappeared in areas such as the South.

Even in Beirut, some areas (notably the Shi’a-majority southern suburbs) are more conservative than others, thus visitors should bear that in mind when exploring the city. Overall, however, clothing considered 'western' is largely acceptable, with a large number of Lebanese women not wearing hijab in stark contrast to neighbouring Syria, and with a huge cosmetics, plastic surgery, and beauty industry. But to hedge your bets, keep your dress generally modest. Bear in mind, however, that as open and western as Beirut is, this is not Europe; "topless" at any beach, whether private or public, is not recommended at all.

In Tripoli, especially in the old city, it is recommended that women dress conservatively. The same applies on most traditional "souks" in the country. In general, Lebanese are accustomed to different lifestyles and some do not take offense easily, especially with matters related to dress. The Lebanese are people accustome…