Lebanon has been called a lot of things. Before the 15 year civil war, Lebanon was known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East," both because it was the banking capital of the Arab world and because the country is surrounded by mountains. Beirut has been called the "Paris of the Middle East" because of its allure to tourists.
Beirut and the rest of Lebanon are not immune to the unrest that plagues the rest of the Middle East, however. Palestinians have taken refuge in the country and it also suffers from a severely unstable political situation. Check travel warnings and news media before you go.
What to do
The villages of Lebanon, such as Barouk, are charming, but the main attraction is Beirut. Although largely destroyed by the civil war, Beirut is now looking to recapture that former swagger.
Outside of Beirut, the main attractions of Lebanon are the archaeological sites. Baalbek, about two hours outside of Beirut, is known for temples built by both the Phoenicians and the Romans and the site is known for producing artifacts used to pay tribute to various Greek and Roman Gods.
Getting there
Flights to Lebanon land in Beirut and arrive from London and Paris in Europe. US airline companies are now permitted to serve Lebanon, although there are no direct flights yet and most larger travel hubs in Africa have flights to Lebanon.
Where to stay
Lebanon has hotels in Beirut and Jounieh as well as a comfortable and extensive set of hostels providing backpackers with places to crash. Some of these places have closed down because of the war, but many of the hostels outside of Beirut remain open.
