LEBANON —  well-known for its exquisite beauty, diversity, and glamour….

Lebanon’s diverse patchwork of Mediterranean-lapped coast, rugged alpine peaks, and green fertile valleys is packed into a parcel of land some 225km long and 46km wide – an area approximately the size of Cyprus or Connecticut. An ancient land, Lebanon features in the writings of Homer and in the Old Testament. Its cities were major outposts and seaports in Phoenician and Roman times, just two of the great civilizations that touched this important Middle Eastern crossroads.

The cosmopolitan flair of modern-day Beirut, the gastronomic renown of the country’s food and wine, and an educated and outward-looking population complement a country that is both traditional and progressive in outlook. For all the flavors of its storied past and rugged natural beauty, Lebanon is a well-kept tourist secret that begs exploration.

There are four main geographic regions in Lebanon, differentiated by topography and climate. From west to east, they include: the coastal plain, the Mount Lebanon Range, the Békaa Valley, and the Anti-Lebanon Range.

The lovely Lebanese coast is framed by the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the Mount Lebanon Range to the east, its temperate climate bringing in sunny, hot summers and cool, rainy winters. The Mount Lebanon Range includes numerous rivers that fizz with snowmelt, steep-walled gullies that shade grottoes once the hideout to those fleeing persecution, and also Lebanon’s highest summit, Qornet Es-Saouda (3,090m). In winter, the high peaks are blanketed with snow, lending Lebanon its name, Lubnan, the Arabic word for “white.” Lebanon boasts a number of world-class ski resorts, one of only a couple countries in the Middle East where you can ski. The ski season runs from December until April.

Lebanon is well-known for its exquisite beauty, diversity, and glamour. Its rich culture and history have placed it on the “must see” list of every world traveler.

With that in mind, we compiled a list of the 10 best places to visit in Lebanon before you die. It is worth noting that 3 sites on our list (Byblos, Sidon and Beirut) are among the top 10 oldest cities in the world!

There is really so much to do in Lebanon. From the mountains to the sea, we invite you to discover the best of what this country has to offer. And if you aren’t able to visit all 10 sites in one trip, you can always come back and continue where you left off!

Our Travel Designers local partners have traveled throughout Lebanon, seeking out new experiences that you can include in your tailor-made luxury holiday.