Two years ago, I’ve realized that I haven’t been around Lebanon much, that there is lot of things I’m missing in my own country. That’s when the journey started. I think hiking made it easier for me to move around and check all the hidden places around. Still, whenever I have the time, I go on trips even to the same places I’ve been before. There is always something new to find out.
Last weekend, I went to the Chouf area. What a wonderful place. I think it’s one of the greenest regions in Lebanon with very beautiful views and good roads if I may say.
We moved from Beirut early morning so we can have a typical breakfast at the Huge public square or midane in Deir El Qamar which was originally used for jousts and other equestrian contests.
Last weekend, I went to the Chouf area. What a wonderful place. I think it’s one of the greenest regions in Lebanon with very beautiful views and good roads if I may say.
We moved from Beirut early morning so we can have a typical breakfast at the Huge public square or midane in Deir El Qamar which was originally used for jousts and other equestrian contests.
After a great saj mankoucheh and coffee, we moved towards Beiteddine.
The Beiteddine Palace was built by Emir Bechir Chehab II around a small Muslim-Druze hermitage on the early 19th century. The Palace is
an artwork created by Italian architects and carried out by the finest artists and craftsmen. Beiteddine draws on all traditional forms of Lebanese architecture. The Beiteddine Palace, with its vast courtyard and beautiful fountains, ochre stone and perfectly geometrical arcades, is a wonderful sight to behold. The doors, the sealing, the floor, the fabric, the colors… I can’t just think of one thing that makes it magnificent.
The Beiteddine Palace was built by Emir Bechir Chehab II around a small Muslim-Druze hermitage on the early 19th century. The Palace is
an artwork created by Italian architects and carried out by the finest artists and craftsmen. Beiteddine draws on all traditional forms of Lebanese architecture. The Beiteddine Palace, with its vast courtyard and beautiful fountains, ochre stone and perfectly geometrical arcades, is a wonderful sight to behold. The doors, the sealing, the floor, the fabric, the colors… I can’t just think of one thing that makes it magnificent.
How could we go to Chouf without visiting the Barouk Reserve! I’ve visited Barouk during the hot and late summer days and it was absolutely awesome. Going to the reserves, we had to cross the sky to arrive: clouds were below our feet.
Barouk National reserve is the biggest natural reserve in Lebanon and the Middle East. It is decorated by around 2 millions of magnificent cedars trees. The reserve makes up 5 percent of the entire territory of the country and 70 percent of Lebanon's green area, making it the
largest nature reserve in the Middle East.
Barouk National reserve is the biggest natural reserve in Lebanon and the Middle East. It is decorated by around 2 millions of magnificent cedars trees. The reserve makes up 5 percent of the entire territory of the country and 70 percent of Lebanon's green area, making it the
largest nature reserve in the Middle East.
Going back to Beirut, we had to stop by Hamade Palace in Baakline. We were invited by the Palace owners to see the left heritage and the remarkable old architecture. The Hamade family kept the house in great shape without losing any of its old spirit. If the pictures hanged on the wall can speak, they’d narrate all the adventures, the revolutions, the innovation…