About the Sites

The city of Sidon is located on the Mediterranean coast of Lebanon. This ancient Phoenician city has been of great religious, political and commercial value; it is said to be inhabited since 4000 B.C. During the 13th century, the Crusaders built Sidon's Sea Castle as a fortress on a small island connected to the mainland by a narrow 80m long roadway. The island was formerly the site of a temple to Melqart, the Phoenician version of Heracles. The beauty of the Castle can be seen in old illustrations of it; however, after bearing several wars, it has been damaged and renovated several times. It was partially destroyed by the Mamluks when they took over the city from the Crusaders, but they subsequently rebuilt it and added the long causeway. The castle later fell into disuse, but was again restored in the 17th century by Emir Fakhreddine II, only to suffer great damage.

The main street near the crusader castle is full of small shops, cafes, sea-shell crafts. In the old souq (marketplace) you will find shops of all sorts in narrow intricate and inter-connected alleyways. You will visit a soap museum which displays an important piece of Sidon's heritage as a coastal city. Sidon gained fame for their soap and sponge.

You will enjoy a lunch by the famous Jezzine waterfall.

 Our last stop is Mleeta; an open-air war museum commemorating Hezbollah's victory against Israel during the 2006 Lebanese-Israeli war. It is the place where many militia soldiers from Hezbollah fell as martyrs and served as the base of their operations.

MEETING LOCATION + TOUR DURATION

Meeting location: Pick-up will be at your hotel or any arranged accommodation in Beirut.
End location: Drop-off will be at your hotel or any arranged accommodation in Beirut.
Duration: 8 1/2 hours
(The tour may last up to 9 hours depending on traffic conditions)

SAMPLE ITINERARY

8:30  - pickup from hotel
9:15   - Arrive at Sidon
11:15   - Leave Sidon
12:00 - Arrive at Jezzine
            (Lunch next to waterfall)
13:15   - Leave Jezzine
13:45  - Arrive at Mleeta
15:45  - Leave Mleeta
17:30  - Return to hotel

TRANSPORTATION

New Toyota corolla or equivalent (sedan)

New Toyota Sienna or equivalent (mini-van)

New Mercedes S-class or equivalent (luxury)

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Included in the price are: transportation in a new vehicle, driver, personal guide licensed by the ministry of tourism* , complimentary wi-fi.

WHAT’S EXTRA

Excluded in the price are: admission to touristic attractions, lunch, extra expenses ie. souvenirs.

ESTIMATED LOCAL CASH NEEDED

29 $USD - Up to $29 of extra cash required per person: Admission to Sidon sea castle $3, soap museum (optional) $3, Lunch $20 or less, admission to Mleeta $3.