My plans are finally truly actually finalized! Tickets are bought, so there will be no more changing. Where am I going you may ask? India? Greece? Turkey? Nope. I am headed to Lebanon! What happened to India? Well the tickets went up, way up, according to Padmini and she just couldn't afford them for her family. So, why Lebanon? For starters it's a place that I definitely wanted to visit while I was over here (as are Turkey, India, and Greece). So what made me settle on Lebanon? In reality it just came down to price. Etihad was having a great deal on flying to Beirut so I checked it out in comparison to Greece. I was just a bit hesitant going to India by myself and Padmini mentioned that we'd plan the trip again in November, when ticket prices are lower, we can do more actual planning, and the temperatures are lower. I found out that I could spend a week in Lebanon (flight, tours, and hotel) for just 1,000 dirhams more than the flight to Greece. I could have gone to Greece and just spent a few days in Athens, but if I'm going to go to Greece I'm going to see some other islands and that just wasn't feasible. So I'm off to Lebanon April 2nd! Now don't worry. Yes, it's by Syria and yes there have been some warnings, but I did my homework and everything that I read says that it's very safe. Just stay away from the Syrian border. OK. Beirut is even safe. Well I guess as safe as it can be for a middle eastern capital city.
My hotel will be in downtown Beirut near all the shops, but I will be doing a lot of traveling. I'll actually only be in Beirut for 2 days. That's fine with me. Lebanon has a lot more to offer than just Beirut. Plus Beirut is known for its night atmosphere and partying really isn't my thing. I'll check out the shops, restaurants, and cafes, but I'll stay away from the clubs. Honestly after all I have planned I probably wouldn't have time even if I wanted to.
The weather in Lebanon is supposed to be perfect in April; upper 60s to mid 70s! I may even need a sweater, especially in the mornings and evenings. I'll take one just in case! It will be a nice break from the upper 80s to mid 90s that we've been experiencing here.
My itinerary
- Arrive in Beirut April 2nd around 3:30, check in to Queen's Suite hotel, and then do some sight seeing in Beirut.
- Tour to Cedars of Lebanon, Kozhaya, and Besharreh leaves Beirut around 7:45am and returns around 5pm.
- Tour to Tyre, Sidon, and Maghdouche leaves Beirut around 7:45 am and returns around 5pm.
- Historical Beirut walking tour leaves the hotel around 7:45 and returns around 12. If the weather is nice I'll head to the beach in the afternoon.
- Tour to Byblos, Jeita Grotto, and Harissa leaves Beirut around 7:45 and returns around 5pm.
- This is my free day! Not sure what I'll do. Maybe the beach. Maybe just sit in a cafe and read a book. Maybe some more sightseeing in Beirut. We'll see!
- Leave Beirut April 8 around 11:00am
82 degrees at 7:10
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