Cultural Odyssey: Private Tour to Beitedine, Deir el Qamar& Sidon

Step into the realm of Lebanese royalty as you wander through the majestic halls and ornate courtyards of Beiteddine Palace. Nestled amidst the breathtaking Chouf Mountains, this architectural masterpiece reflects the splendor of Lebanon's Ottoman era. Marvel at the intricate mosaics, delicate woodwork, and vibrant frescoes that adorn the palace walls, each telling a story of opulence and refinement.

Journey back in time to the picturesque village of Deir el Qamar, where history comes to life in every cobblestone street and ancient building. Explore the charming architecture of traditional Lebanese houses, adorned with intricate stone carvings and red-tiled roofs. Wander through the quaint souks, where artisans showcase their crafts, and immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Fakhreddine Mosque with its octagonal minaret is a mosque in Deir el Qamar, Lebanon. Built in 1493 and restored in the sixteenth century by Fakhreddine 1st, it is the oldest mosque in Mount Lebanon.

The Church of Saidet et Tallé and translated as Our Lady of the Hill is one of the most important historical and religious sites in Deir el Qamar and dates to the 15th century.
Monk Nicolas Smisaati built a church on the site over the ruins of an old Phoenician temple dedicated to the goddess Astarte that was later destroyed by an earthquake in 859.
According to the Maronite Heritage web site, "the legend says that there was a Druze Emir in Baakline looking at the hill of Dar El Kamar. He saw a light coming out of the hill so he gathered his soldiers and ordered them to go in the morning and dig in the land. He said to them: 'If you find an Islamic symbol, build a mosque. If you find a Christian symbol, build a church."
In the morning, the soldiers went and found a rock with a cross on it and under the cross there was the moon and venus. That was the sign that in the distant past there was a temple dedicated to the moon and venus and later it became a church.

Experience the allure of Lebanon's vibrant coastal city as you wander through the bustling streets of Sidon. From its ancient Phoenician ruins to its bustling seafood markets, Sidon offers a captivating blend of past and present. Explore the historic Sidon Sea Castle, a testament to the city's rich maritime heritage, and stroll along the bustling promenade, where the scent of spices mingles with the salty breeze.

The Sidon Sea Castle was built by the crusaders in the thirteenth century on a small island, connected to the mainland by a causeway, as a fortress of the holy land. It is one of the most prominent historical sites in the port city of Sidon, Lebanon. The castle was largely destroyed by the Mamluks in 1291 and was later restored by Fakhr el-Dine Maan II in the early 17th century.
Old prints of the fortress show it to be one of great beauty, but little remains of the embellishments that once decorated its ramparts.

The Soap Museum is a museum in Sidon specialized in Levantine soaps
The soap workshop was originally built in Sidon by the Hammoud family in the 17th century.
The Soap Museum traces the history of soap making in the region, its development and manufacturing techniques. Visitors can see a demonstration of how traditional olive oil soaps are made and learn about the history of the "hammam" (bath) traditions.
A historical section of the museum introduces artifacts which were found during onsite excavation and which include remains of clay pipe heads dating from the 17th to 19th century as well as pottery fragments. The Museum building is an old soap factory built in the 17th century, although containing parts thought to date back to the 13th century.

The souk of Sidon is the center of all the commercial activities of retail, as well as craft industry.
The souk is a maze of narrow alleyways with small kiosks, shops and cafes, street merchant, butchers, grocers, shoe-makers, tailors and jewelers.

Khan al-Franj is one of Sidon’s main attractions. It was built in the beginning of the 17th century by Emir Fakhreddine II to be a hotel for ambassadors and a center for commercial exchange between Lebanon and France.
The hotel soon became a center for literature, religion, history, industry and diplomacy. It became a home for culture and civilization.
This is a typical khan with a large rectangular courtyard and a central fountain surrounded by covered galleries.