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Lebanon Surface : 10 452 Km² Capital : Beirut Offical language : Arabic Currency : Lebanese Pound (LBP). Local Time Climate
Electronic Banking: ATM machines are located all around Lebanon. The majority of credit cards are accepted in Lebanese banks. Transportation: You can either use the public transports or what we call “Service”. The “Service” is somehow considered as a public taxi. They are very easy to find, for that you just have to walk on the street and they will stop for you. The advantage is that they offer a fare rate: 1000 LBP per person to go around in the same area, 2000 LBP per person to 6000 LBP per person for longer distances in Great Beirut. You can also call a private taxi for your tranportation. The rate
varies according to the distance. In all cases, rate is to be negociated
in advance. Holidays with fixed dates - New Year’s Day : January 1 - St Maroun’s Day : February 9 - Labor Day : May 1 - Martyr’s Day : May 6 - Resistence & Liberation Day : May 25 - Ascension Day : August 15 - All Saints Day : November 1 - Independence Day : November 22 - Christmas : December 25 Religious Holidays with moveable dates
• Private Sector • Banks • Shops • Supermarkets Visas: Travelers wishing to enter Lebanon must possess a valid passport with a visa obtained from a Lebanese embassy or consulate abroad. Residents of 33 countries including the USA, members os European Union and countries of the Arabian Gulf (GCC) can obtain visas at Beirut International Airport. A valid passport is all that is required.
Shopping: Most international brands are available in Lebanon, but you will be more interested in the local products such as: handicrafts, embroidery, cutlery, brass, caftans and potery. Talented Lebanese jewelers are another source of original souvenirs at a good price. Shopping areas in Beirut: - Ashrafieh - Beirut down town - Hamra - Verdun Restaurants: Numerous quality restaurants offer international cuisine (Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, French etc) while restaurants serving delicious Lebanese food are too numerous to count. In Beirut: - Ashrafieh: Le Monot street, Sassine square - Beirut down town - Jemayzeh area - Ras Beirut: Ain El Mreissseh, Hamra,. Raoucheh, Verdun areas Night Clubs & Pubs: Most Night clubs and Pubs are located in : - Beirut: Monot street (Ashrafieh), Down town Beirut, Jemayzeh, Corniche area - Beirut periphery: Kaslik, Maamelten, Jounieh Lebanese Cuisine: Lebanon is much appreciated for its cuisine, which is among the most varied and savory in the world. Above all, Lebanese food is associated with the Mezze, a spread of innumerable small dishes that form the traditional opener to a meal. Among the most essential mezze dishes that are served with the traditional Lebanese bred “Markouk” : - Homos : purée of chick peas and sesame
paste dip After the mezze comes the seafood or grills: The diversity of cuisine knows no limits. It also includes many
complex dishes with a sophisticated blend of falvors
such as: The meal is traditionally accompanied by Arak, the national drink of distilled grape juice flavored with anis. Or you can select one of the excellent local wines: "adonis, kefraya, ksara, musar or wardeh". For dessert the choice extends to exotic fruits such as dates, sweet lemons, pineapple, persommon or try some local pastries with pistachios, white cheese or oriental ice cream with its own special perfume as well as the most popular Lebanese sweet called Kenafeh.
- Mankoucheh : pizza with thyme and olive oil - Lahmeh bi ajine : pizza with lightky spiced gound meat and tomato - Falafel : purée of breaded beans - Shawarma : thin slices of marinated meat usually garnished with fresh vegetables, pickles and sesame oil sauce Arabic mini dictionary : - Hello = Marhaba or Salam alaykom Sports and Outdoors Activities At Lebanon’s many sports and health clubs you can play golf, tennis or squash, swim, or participate in team sports. Fitness training is very popular and hotels and clubs will usually allow foreign visitors access to their facilities. Thanks to Lebanon’s varied geography, opportunities for outdoor activities abound. Ski For an unusual sports combination, try skiing in the morning and
spending the afternoon swimming on the coast. There are 6 ski stations
in Lebanon: Water sports Scuba diving is very popluar too. Explore the World War II submarine that lies submerged off Khaldeh south of Beirut, or search for ancient Phoenician remains in the coastal waters of Tyre. For more adventure, you can climb the steep slopes of mount Sannine, explore deep caves, paragliding at the Cedars, trekking or rock climbing.
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