Beirut Travel Forum

Hi,
We have been to Beirut a couple of times but have always taken the organised excursion to Byblos, St Mary's church, Jeita Grotto and then a stroll around the city to see the old ruins and then some free time in the city around the pedestrianised area with a short trip back to the port (mini-cruise from Cyprus) by coach.

This time, we will not be taking the excursion but want to do some Duty Free shopping by the port and then making our way into the city. Unfortunately, we don't know the name of the area we usually end up - but it's to the right of the port if you stand with the sea behind you...

We would have liked to go to Byblos for some shopping but if there are any similar type of shops close by, we would be happy to try that instead. Otherwise, how much should we pay for a taxi (round trip) for 4 people from the port to Byblos?

In the evening, we think we will take the excursion to the Casino. We've always missed it before as we've been too tired from our daytime excursion. Does anyone know the dress code for men and women?

The last question is what is the best currency to use? We live in Cyprus so now have Euro or is it best to use USD$?

We go on 24th October so a quick reply would be much appreciated :-)

Thank you!
Michele

I am seeking a room in Beirut for two weeks in the beginning of November. Does anyone know of a place where I can find one that is not too expensive. I am travelling on a budget and would like to see about not having to pay for an expensive hotel room. Thank you.

Hello there
I´m having a two week language course spring 2008 in Beirut and now im looking for accomodation.
Im wondering whether theres any chance in beirut of staying private with a family or something like that.
Im not sure whether this is common in Beirut, but when i ´learned spanish in cetralamerica ages ago it was common and a good way to learn local people to know.

regards Jorgen, Copenhagen,Denmark

Please i'd like to know if cell phones are expensive in beirut??

i'd like to know if cellphones are expensive in beirut for example comparing to france??

Good day to all,

I am coming to Beirut in a month time and I am planning to go around the city A LOT. I was wondering whether there are districts in the city I should be careful wandering around in?

Really looking forward to coming.

Thank you.

P.S. I am a woman and I don’t speak Arabic.

Hi,

Assuming that things remain stable until mid October, my husband and I are planning to visit Lebanon for a week. Can anyone tell me the approximate price to hire a car and driver for day trips to places such as Baalbeck, Sidon, the Cedars? Also, where would it be best to book something like this--with a hotel concierge or perhaps a tourist office?

I've read that Tripoli and Tyre are probably off limits now for tourists, especially an American and a Swede. Any advice?

hello everyone, i am off to syria in october,and from syria going to lebanon,beirut,well is gay life is safe in beirut? im planing to stay there 4 days,what about club,bar,restaurant? i really appreciate your comments,thanks a lot indeed

I am a 25-yeared old Spanish girl who will stay in Beirut in August 2008. I am trying to find a bedroom to rent only for that month, in a flat sharing with other young people. If you have a room to rent, please contact me at anna.alberich@gmail.com
Cheers,
anna

Hi

I am going to be in Beirut in August and September and I am searching for:

-apartement for 1 Person (do not care where in Beirut it is).

I would be happy for all offers: fadi.sinno@uni-graz.at

Fadi Sinno
Austria

Hi all,

I am looking for a room/studio/flat to rent in beirut from 22 june till end of July. If you know anyone who got something available drop me a message or reply here.
Don't hesitate to ask.

Many Thanks

Hi all...
I'm wanting to travel to Lebanon the last week of June. I have been studying arabic for the last year & 1/2 & am wanting to travel around Lebanon & be in a situation where i HAVE to speak in arabic to people. I'd LOVE to also learn some lebanese cooking. I was wondering if there are any cooking classes available? I looked up on lebweb but couldn't find much. Also, was wondering if any families took boarders for a week or so?? A friend suggested this as an idea to help me understand the language as well as day to day lifestyle.

Thanks

Hi to all u guys!!:)

I m a Greek and soon I hope that I ll manage to pay my first visit in this beautifull-as people saying-city of Lebanon.

I have no idea about visas or way to go there (except airplane),what i ve to see,to taste,to enjoy,to avoid etc..in my mind I expect to feel the arab calm atmosphere along with the smell of the war..shortly i expect to have the best and the worst..from the greatest fun i ever had,in the Skybar,till a ''dangerous'' experience..

so if anyone feeling glad to speak about life there,in any aspect of it,please contact me and lets have a chat about all..any info is useful!!:)

Thanx in advance

We are to young Danish journalists coming to Beirut in the periode from the mittle of March to the beginning of April. We are looking for a place to stay for the time. The best would be a furnitured apartment. Are there anyone who can give an advice where to search for apartments or help with contacts to someone living in Beirut who can help us in our search?

Alternative suggestions of places to stay (cheap hotels, hostels with private rooms or private accommodation etc.) are also welcome.

Regards from Kim

We want to travel from Beirut to Damascus on bus or taxi service. Can we take the bus/taxi from Beirut airport, or need to go into Beirut city to catch the Bus / Taxi. Also is it safe to travel on Bus/Taxi. What is the usual cost of the journey. How much time does it take. How about visa at the syrian border.
Please inform. Thanks
James

Hallo,

Which is the best way to travel from Beirut to Latakia or Aleppo. Is it possible to take a Taxi? How much ist the price?

thx
:-)

Is there a way to drive from Beruit to Jerusalem. Is the boarder very dangerous? I'm a dark skinned American that has traveled extensivily, but could I make that journey if I had Lebanese friend drop me off and an Israeli pick me up at the border?

I would rather not fly, but I may have to.

Hello,
I'm looking for a flat to rent, for at least a year, in Furn Al-Shebbak or nearby, starting 1 January 2008. Any tips are welcome.

Hi,
I'm gonna be heading to Lebanon soon, by bus, via Syria. I was wondering if anyone has had the experience... and can someone say if it is possible for an American citizen to get a visa at the border? It wasn't exactly clear on the consular website.
Thank you!

Please can you tell me if in Beirut I can easily find products such as gluten free pasta, flour, biscuits at the pharmacy or where else for celiac deseases and if there are restaurants which have the acknowledge of this problem?
Thank you in advance for your reply

hi im a 21 aussie male i want 2 go to beirut to a girl i was wondering if it safe there 4 a aussie?

Hello,

I'm an American female about to start my first semester of grad school at the American Univ of Beirut. I need housing near AUB as soon as possible. I land there tomorrow the 20th and will likely stay at a hotel for a few days. I'd love to live with other students near the campus! Please let me know if you have any friends that need roommates or if you have any suggestions of where to look. Thank you..shukran!!

The best way to reach me directly is nmf10@aub.edu.lb or reply to the posting. thx!!

Hi there,
Greetings from Turkey.
I am a paediatrician and planning a one-week touristic trip to Lebanon and
wonder that, after the 2006 summer war, how is the security in general in
Lebanon.
Is there any hostile attitude among Armenians against someone coming from Turkey
because of the tragic events during the World War I.
Would you please add your suggestions else if any in order to recognize the
society over there and their daily life during my trip rather than seeing only
famous sight-seeing places.
Thanks for your advice from now.
Ayhan Ceri

Hi all,

I would like to visit Lebanon for the first time during this coming Ramadan holidays and would like to know the stability of the country. Is the current situation looking bright or do you anticipate trouble down the line.

Thanx in advanced

I am hoping to come and set up camp in Beirut for a month or so in the next two weeks and am hoping to rent a room in a shared flat/house. Ideally,I'd live in a decent area with other young professional, like-minded folk (Lebanese of foreign) but have no idea where to start looking - any tips re: websites or contact for rooms to rent? Ta!

hi dear friends,
please tell me if is safe to come for visit beirut in september. is very important and urgent to know.
thank u in advance for u kindly help.
thank u

I'm planning quick 3 day photography trip to Beirut in Late September - early October to photograph the leaves changing to their Fall colors. This will be my first visit to Lebanon. Any especially spectacular areas I should visit for this? Anyone else interested in this type of activity?
Thanks!

hello.

leaving today for beirut, staying in the city till the middle of september. My accomodation fell trhough last night, so looking for a room to rent, or a studio/one bed flat for the period. Anybody know anybody that may help?

I am a photgraphy postgraduate student.

thanks in advance.

matteo

p.s. have mobile email, so an email would probably be better.

Hello all,

I was just wondering if any Americans / Europeans have had problems entering Lebanon with an Israeli visa in their passport. I will be living in Israel for the summer and would more than anything love to visit my former Uni. and friends in Beirut, but not sure how feasable it will be... (I do have US & Polish passports but neither one seems to be preferrable when crossing Syria -and am highly questioning the switching passports between any borders...). I'd be most happy if anyone could advise! Thanks so much!

Hello People, Its my first day on VT,

My plan is to go to Beirut in 10 days and join a cooking class for lebanese cuisine, Does anybody know anywhere where i can get a class. please help!

Diana