Lebanon Tourism, culture, music and events

Lebanon is a complex country of charm, chaos and contradiction. Beirut, it’s capital, is the wild child of the Middle East. The country hasn’t fully recovered from its 15 year civil war, but people are eternally optimistic and live every day as if its their last. With the utmost respect to my Lebanese friends, I bring you the Lebanon Survival Guide:   Ignore soldiers on the street. Don't panic when you see armed troops or even tanks, it’s normal. Don’t join any protests or take pictures of them and you’ll be fine. Locals are experts at distinguishing between fireworks and gunshots, so if they if they aren’t panicking you shouldn’t either.   Use the triple greeting. The quickest way to fit in (especially if you’re a pale westerner) is to greet everyone in English, Arabic and French at once. Hi, kifak, ça va? After that, if you can’t speak the language, simply throw in the three most common expressions every few minutes: Laaa (you’re kidding, repeated quickly three tim...

Producer: Two Wheels Across DOP: Christian Ghammachi Editing: Sebastien Leclercq Colour Grading: Belal Hibri(Rez Visual) Music and Sound Design: Karim Khneisser

The hidden riches of Souk al-Ahad   Date: Saturday, December 17, 2016 By: Victoria Yan  Source:  The Daily Star BEIRUT: “[One] shouldn’t regret anything, even if their childhood was very very poor and miserable, and harsh,” Abu Walid advised. “You shouldn’t bemoan it, you know, because this is called an experience.” Abu Walid is among a myriad of vendors who carves out a meager living at Tripoli’s Souk al-Ahad (Sunday Market). His is among the assortment of voices that aspiring filmmaker Yahya Mourad has compiled for his forthcoming documentary project “Sunday Market: Tripoli.” For the past 11 months, the 25-year-old Tripoli native has been working to embed himself within the fabric of this market space, which he learned is as much a treasure trove of culture as commerce. “I was very curious about the market because I used to go every Sunday to look for filmmaking things – like a Super 8 millimeter [film camera],” Mourad recalled. “You can’t find any of these thing...

Vogue Paris : Lebanon Among 5 Unusual Ski Destinations   Date: Wednesday, December 07, 2016 By: Escapes  Source:  Beiruting.com In Antarctica Carpeted with powdery snow and studded with glacial peaks, Antarctica has all the ski space must-haves to rival the world's best resorts. With the season upon us, the polar island is organizing more and more expeditions by the day, where you can show off your skills in a veritable winter Wonderland. Where to stay: Whichaway Camp Antarctica's very first (and unique) luxury camp is situated in the heart of Queen Maud Land. Offering stays of one week at a time, visitors flock to explore the land of ice through seasonal activities, from skiing and paraskiing to ice treks and penguin-filled polar safaris. When the day is done, hit the hay in one of six domes designed by  Ryan Ashworth , equipped with all the comforts you could ask for - soft couches and beds, crackling fireplaces and fully-stocked bookshelves. . I...

A street in Lebanon is one of the most expensive streets in the world Date: Monday, November 28, 2016 By: World News Source: Beirut.com The 2016 - 2017 survey of the world's most expensive retail rental locations by property consultants Cushman & Wakefield ranked Hamra as the 2nd most expensive streetin the Arab region and 44 th  most expensive worldwide. Last year, Hamra was ranked as the 48 th most expensive rental location and now renting in Hamra costs on average 93$/sq FT. Prime street in Qatar follows Lebanon in the ranking as the 45 th  where it costs on average 92$/sq FT per year. City Centre in Jordan is ranked as the 50 th  where it cost on average 65$/sq FT per year. Naturally, the first in the world was named to be Upper 5th Avenue (49th - 60th Sts) in New York - USA where it costs on average 3000$/sq FT per year followed by Hon Kong...

Remnants of a great past: Lebanese hotel that has remained open since 1874 stands emptied as nearby civil war rages Date: Wednesday, January 06, 2016 By: GIANLUCA MEZZOFIORE Source: Daily Mail Hotel Palmyra in the Roman city of Baalbek hosted international figures like Ella Fitzgerald and Charles de Gaulle  It became top destination for tourists and academics looking to visit Roman ruins  Now stands emptied due to growing security concerns in the Bekaa valley, close to the Syrian border  'No one has a right to touch Hotel Palmyra, except for time' defiant owner says With its windows facing the ancient Roman temple ruins of Heliopolis, the Palmyra hotel in Lebanon's Baalbek attracted renowned international figures since it opened in 1874.  Jazz singers Ella...

Starting the  1st of December  and until the  4th of December , Le Bristol Hotel will take you to a magical world! More than 50 exhibitors, manufacturers and designers will be at the rendez-vous in the sumptuous premises of the Bristol to offer you a wide collection of gifts, table set-up ideas, refined arts, gastronomy and much more! The Bristol Christmas Market is the Ultimate destination for all the visitors to choose their gifts for Christmas! Come with your kids and explore our Christmas fair in a dreamlike atmosphere! We have dedicated a whole area for your little ones to live the magic of the season while enjoying our daily special animation program (workshop, music, magic…) Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all! Verdun, Madame Curie Street Beirut, Lebanon