Critics are raving about the British Pink Floyd Show, a world tour of the grandest Pink Floyd tribute ever. If you’re a Pink Floyd fan and you happen to be in Beirut in December, don’t miss out on this spectacular celebration of the Pink Floyd legacy.

The British Pink Floyd Show is on a hurricane tour that kicked off in Oslo, Norway on Oct 7 and will make its way through the hottest venues of cities all over Europe and the U.K. The psychedelic rock extravaganza will make its way to Beirut Lebanon on Thursday December 22, at the Karatina.

All the elements of the classic Pink Floyd shows are present, from a stellar cast of musicians and crew to incredible on-stage production. Expect mind-blowing visuals and animation that is all new and never-been-seen. The British Pink Floyd Show takes the psychedelia roots and merges them with today’s hottest live trip rock scene.

If you want to find out more about the tour, check out the website at www.britfloyd.com. You can also read what their huge following of fans have to say on their Facebook page, which has reached over two thousand ‘likes.’ Join in the conversation and catch insider material there at www.facebook.com/britfloydshow

What better way to spend a holiday weekend than kicking it off on a Thursday night with this epic live music event, enjoying a stay in one of our favorite Beirut hotels, and then spending a day or two kicking off the ski season at Mzaar ski resort. Merry Christmas indeed!

Fans of factual films and documentary lovers from around the world rejoice! The annual Beirut International Documentary Festival – or Docudays – is nearly upon us again.

Celebrating its tenth year as a major event in the calendar of Lebanese cinema, Docudays takes place over 5 days. Starting on December 15 and running to December 20, the festival promises to bring together a number of thought-provoking and inspirational works from film-makers living and operating throughout Lebanon and the wider Arab world.

Hosted in the Al Madina Theatre, the event takes place in the heart of downtown Beirut. Located on the bustling and popular conduit of Hamra Street, the theatre will be showing the cream of the crop of films submitted for the judge’s approval earlier this year. As this is the event’s tenth anniversary, there is also expected to be a certain amount of reflection on some of the outstanding contributions that have been put forward since the festival’s inception, including some special showings of the most popular films.

Previous winners at the festival have included Aline Kouyoumdjian, who took the award in 2000 for her film ‘Black & White’, and Sandra Madi, who won in 2009 with ‘Perforated Memory’. The festival is a high point of the social calendar for arts lovers and draws celebrated individuals from across the Middle East.

If you’re a film fan or a documentary aficionado, you owe it to yourself to take in some of the works of art on offer from some of the world’s greatest emerging talent in the field of factual filmography.

The festival can be enjoyed as part of a winter break to Beirut, where balmy Mediterranean temperatures are sure to keep any blues at bay. The Al Madina Theatre and the bright lights of Hamra Street are within easy walking distance of some of Beirut’s best hotels, and the charming marina district is also nearby. A couple of days enjoying the cultural highlights of Beirut is also the perfect complement to an extended ski break in Lebanon.

Another of Beirut’s cultural highlights is the Beirut Exhibition Centre, located on the other side of the marina waterfront. This space houses conventional gallery displays, in addition to specially organised arts events.

We here at lebhotels.com aim to keep you updated on any and all major upcoming cultural events across Lebanon, such as the upcoming ART DECO fair that we recently profiled. Stay tuned to this blog, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook to keep yourself in the loop.

We all know the feeling. After another hard week of work, all you want to do is crash out on the couch, maybe watch some TV and enjoy a glass or two of wine. Before you know it, you’ve slept all weekend and you’ve got a new wine stain on your living room carpet.

When you’re running on empty, there are only a few things that can really recharge your batteries and get you back on your feet. A relaxing spa break has to be one of the best options. There’s simply nothing quite like putting your feet up and being pampered.

The view from the roof of the Edde Sands Resort

Luckily, Lebanon has a huge amount to offer when it comes to luxury spa holidays. In addition to state of the art facilities and highly-trained practitioners, the deeply relaxing atmosphere and climate add significantly to any holiday experience. Imagine unwinding during one of the many wonderful treatment options available, before further relaxing on a beautiful beach as the Mediterranean laps at your toes. Bliss!

The tranquil waters of Le Royal, Beirut's indoor swimming pool

Hotels providing spa services can be found all over Lebanon. Locations close to the coast are popular, given the relaxing properties of the sea, but there are also plenty of inland options. Several of Lebanon’s famous ski resorts are also home to spas, providing some TLC to skiers tired from a hard day on the slopes.

Here are some of our favourite Lebanon Spa Hotels:

• The Edde Sands Hotel and Wellness Resort – located just outside the old town of Byblos, this large dedicated resort offers a wide variety of treatment options and other relaxing activities. It boasts a fully self-contained spa – including a hammam, or Turkish bath – several swimming pools and a number of bars. It also has areas catering specifically to children, allowing parents to relax in peace while their kids are entertained elsewhere.
• Le Royal – situated on a hill with grandiose views over downtown Beirut and the Mediterranean, this opulent hotel provides an oasis of relaxation in the midst of the capital. It offers various facial and body treatments, in addition to a number of water-based therapies.
• InterContinental Mzaar Lebanon Mountain Resort and Spa – this high altitude resort, superbly located on the slopes of Mount Lebanon itself, offers snow lovers a great number of ways to wind down and rest their sore muscles. Options include balneotherapy, pressotheraphy, massages, sauna and even a Jacuzzi.

The latest in a long line of festivals and special events to bring excitement to Lebanon this summer, Le Festival du Bonheur (or the Happiness Festival) has just kicked off in Ain Saade.

The town’s name can be translated as ‘Spring of Happiness’ and it certainly looks set to be bubbling with fun and excitement this weekend. Usually a fairly quiet suburb, tucked away in the pine forests that cover the hills overlooking Beirut, it now finds itself buzzing with activity.

Organised by local business UrbanArt, the festival promises to deliver something exciting for all the family. In addition to movies, music and art, it also offers special entertainment for kids and a parade of floats and performers. The more extreme option of bungee jumping is also on offer – something that’s sure to get the adrenaline pumping, even if you’re just thinking about taking the plunge!

Ain Saade is located just 10km outside of the capital itself, meaning it’s very easy to get to from any Beirut hotel in the centre of town. A trip to this picturesque little town can be the perfect break from city life and is definitely worth a visit, even when the festival wraps up this year.

We at Lebhotels.com love the idea of a festival dedicated completely to happiness! It’s truly a noble cause. For everyone attending, we wish you a taste of purest Bonheur!

If you’re interested in other festivals taking place in Lebanon, there are some other big events to be aware of. The Ehdeniyat Festival started a couple of weeks back and runs until August 28. The Mzaar Summer Festival is also well underway but wraps up next week.

If the idea of bungee jumping whets your appetite for an extreme experience, there are also plenty of ways to satisfy a craving for adventure:

• A Bird’s Eye View of Beirut
• ATV tours around Lebanon
• Boat Excursions from Beirut
• Paragliding Flight Over Jounieh
• Skywalking – Parcours Aventure

There are plenty of Beirut hotels available in the centre of the nearby city, which can cater to your every requirement. Whether you’re looking for a bargain hostel bed, or a pampered luxury experience you’re sure to find something for you at a price that’s right.

This summer’s Ehdeniyat Festival is now underway! This annual event – held in the North Lebanon town of  Ehden, nestled between the peaks of the surrounding mountains – takes place in both winter and summer. The brainchild of Mrs. Rima Sleiman, it is organised and run by a locally based NGO called Al Midan.

The festival, which has its roots in the local community’s traditions and love for the surrounding environment, started life in 2004 and has taken place on several occasions since then. The vision is to provide a platform for local people, but especially youths, to express themselves by sharing their love of various topics.

The events taking place more or less fall under one of the following four topics:

• Environmental activities
• Cinematographic activities
• Handicrafts
• Astrologic activities

Acts this year include Helene Segara, whose sold-out performance last night marked the official start to the festival, Tino Favazza, Bond, Arthur Satyan, Jahida Wehbe, Oussama Rahbani, Hiba Tawaji, Carole Samaha and Ilham Al Madfai. There’s also a week activities completely aimed at kids, so parents can be confident in the knowledge that there’s something on offer to keep the little ones entertained.

The festival runs from now until the August 28, so there’s still plenty of time to get involved if you’re keen to take part in a bit of culture.

In addition Ehdeniyat, Ehden has much more to offer to tourists. Its proximity to Mount Makmal and Kornet el Sawda, the highest peaks in Lebanon, offer plenty of opportunities for following Lebanon’s best hiking routes. The natural surroundings are inrecidbly impressive, with beautiful views afforded by Ehden’s significant elevation.

History buffs will be fascinated by the town’s ancient ruins, that include remnants of a Greek presence from thousands of years ago. The holy sites and places of worship, that continue to be used to this day, are also well worth a look.

Ehden is around 100km north of Beirut, meaning that staying in a hotel in Beirut is an option, but a hotel in Tripoli – just 30km to the West – may be a better bet for those who wish to visit Ehden. Alternatively, Bcharreh and the area surround Lebanon’s famous Cedars, is also an excellent choice. There are many outstanding Cedars hotels that can provide excellent accomodation, with Ehden jsut a short journey away to the north.

While hiking around on foot is a great way to see Lebanon up close and personal, the ultimate tour has to be one that’s conducted from the air. Beirut by plane is a new service that offers a complete overview of Beirut – literally!

Taking to the skies above Lebanon in a specially chartered Cessna is a truly once in a lifetime experience and offers you the opportunity to cover a great deal more ground than you would do on foot. A 45 minute circuit through the Lebanese air is ample time to take in some the capital’s most distinctive sites – albeit from a completely unusual perspective.

This bird’s eye view gives a much better idea of the both the city and the surrounding territory. It provides a glimpse of how this ancient metropolis has evolved and grown over the year; the placement of historic buildings that can be picked out from above suddenly make a lot more sense and their characteristic shapes provide a fascinating contrast to the lines and curves of the more modern developments downtown.

While it’s easy to drift off when you have your head stuck in the clouds, passengers on this flight can be guaranteed to be kept on target thanks to the expert narration provided by the pilot. His trained eye can pick out incredible focal points such as Raouche’s Pigeons’ Rock from high above, allowing him to call your attention to details that would otherwise be missed.

Other sights included as part of the tour include Jounieh Bay and the ancient port of Byblos. Nothing compares to the spectacle of the sun’s rays glittering off the gentle swells of the Mediterranean waters when viewed from above. As the pilot carves an expert course above the bay, it’s tempting to try to pick out a waterfront cafe in which to relax later once your feet are back on solid ground.

In between snippets from the pilot, losing yourself in the moment is made even easier by music piped in directly to your own pair of noise-cancelling stereo headphones. That’s right – your personal flying tour of Beirut even comes complete with a soundtrack!

Beirut from the air is truly the ultimate way to tour this ancient and fascinating city. It’s the ideal blend of adrenaline, information and pleasure. In addition to Cessnas, why not consider Paragliding in Beirut or Beirut by hot air balloon?

Summer is heating up, which means it’s time for great outdoor concerts.  An all-star line-up of famous musicians are slated to perform at this year’s annual Byblos International Festival.  The several week event is a celebration of live music, the fusion of international and Lebanese culture, and the magic of Byblos, which transforms itself into the ultimate seaside venue.

Stage on the coast of Byblos. Photo by byblosfestival.org/venue

One of Lebanon’s oldest port cities just 30 km north of Beirut, the city of Byblos has been designated as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. It was founded in 5000 B.C. in ancient Phoenicia.  Today, it is a beautiful modern city with a well-preserved historical district.  Iconic ruins such as Phoenician temples, Byblos castle, and the Crusader Fort still reminisce of ancient times.

The Byblos International Festival brings the city booming into the 21st century every summer.  Thousands of visitors, both Lebanese and international, flock to Byblos to take in the fun and music.  A huge concert stage, nestled between the monuments and the sea, lights up under the night sky.  The festival is famous for fusing the musical heritage of Lebanon with music styles from all over the world.

This year, the headliners are:

Don Quixote (28 June – 3 July)
Moby (5 July)
Scorpions (4, 6 and 7 July)
Florent Pagny (9 July)
Jamie Cullum (12 July)
Thirty Seconds to Mars (15 July)
Amadou Et Mariam (20 July)
Les Mysteres Lyriques (23 July)

Don’t forget to book your Byblos hotel in advance — accommodations fill up all summer long and especially during this spectacular event!

Dec 30 – Travelweekly.co.uk – News and Analysis

Lesser-known competitively priced destinations are attracting interest from British travellers in 2011, a new poll shows.

The beachside resort of Buzios in Brazil and Lebanese capital of Beirut are top of the wish list, according to research by a leading travel agency in Europe.

[...]

Interest in new and emerging city break destinations is also on the rise with Beirut experiencing a 115% increase in searches, fuelled by an influx of new boutique hotels and the launch of a second daily Bmi flight from London.

The research was based on hotel searches made on the company’s UK site between December 1 and 22.

A n agency spokeswoman said: “Our research reveals a more independent explorative streak from British travellers for 2011.We have seen a surge of interest in Mexico, confirming predictions that it could be a real hotspot next year, along with South America, India and Lebanon.Value is clearly still a key concern with many of the most widely searched destinations offering some very competitive hotel rates.”

What do you think about this article? What are your reasons for visiting Beirut?

Dec 05 – Ooaha.com – Travel – by Ben Pate

If history is something you are passionate about, consider visiting the Republic of Lebanon. Lebanon’s history is long and full of different phases, occupations, and periods of tumult, making it the interesting country that it is today. Lebanon is actually home to some of the oldest populated cities in the entire world: Byblos, Beirut, and Sidon. However, there is more to Lebanon than just history. Lebanon is actually a world-class party destination, with celebrities making their way to the biggest cities to party, and it was declared the number one tourist destination in 2009. [...]

Sharing a border with the Mediterranean Sea and Syria, the Nation of Lebanon was ruled for many years by the Romans. All over the country you can find Roman ruins, and many of these sites are incredibly easy to get to. Baalbek is considered one of the most famous Roman ruins site on Earth. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a wonder of the ancient world, Baalbek features some of the best-preserved Roman temples on the planet. If you plan on visiting, be sure to see the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Bacchus, both around 70 feet high, they are incredible to see first-hand. They still contain much of their art and they are still standing today.

Another World Heritage Site in Lebanon is the Qadisha Valley and the Cedars of God. This valley is home to some of the oldest Christian monasteries in the entire world (Qadisha translates to “holy), and the cedars are what remains of a very ancient forest. This forest features the oldest trees in the world, with some of the oldest at 3000 years old. The wood from this forest was highly sought after, as it was one of the most valuable building materials during ancient times. For example, it was used by Solomon to construct the First Temple of Jerusalem, and the Egyptians used it to build their sturdy boats. The caves in this valley were the shelters used by those fleeing from persecution. In fact, mummies of people from 1283 AD were found just recently

Tyre is an ancient city, founded in 2750 BC, that is still inhabited today. It is known in Classical Roman Mythology as being the birthplace of Dido and Europa, two significant figures in mythology. Al Mina is an archaeological site where much of the original Roman architecture still stands. Standing at the ruins and looking over the Mediterranean Sea really transports you back to the time of the Romans.

Lebanon’s nightlife scene should not be underestimated. Especially in places like Greater Beirut, the parties start late in the night and don’t end until the sun rises. Then, the parties switch to the miles of beaches that Lebanon has, which are always full of people. Some parties take place on rooftop clubs and bars, overlooking the busy city.

Fellow nominees, officials, superstar performers, celebrities, journalists, photographers, men, women and children! Anxiety is bursting within each and every one of them as the judges give their final verdict. Of course polls were running all week with speculations about the winner, bets were made accordingly, fans flew from all over the world and the media mobilized its special reporters force unit to broadcast every minute of this long awaited event!

And the winner is: Lebanon! Yes, we might be just a tiny peace of land where you can ski in the morning and bathe in the afternoon!Yes, we might have the most vibrant and coolest nightlife in the Middle East! Yes, we are the home of Skybar, the tabboule, have 18 different religious sects and the most suffocating traffic jam (seriously!) but we have risen above all these cliches and claimed victory for the world’s largest national flag; too large we couldn’t even fit it in a picture to insert it in this post!

But since, we at Lebhotels.com, thrive to grant our dedicated readers a front row to all the action happening in Beirut, decided to jump in one of those choppers parked on our office’s roof (yes, we’re cool- but cool with a purpose) and voilaa:

Big, huh? A sight for sore eyes, just like the many wonders this tiny map dot has to offer that are not listed in the Guiness World Records. And what a better way to find out than to adventure yourself in the land of the Cedars and indulge in one of Beirut’s hotel for an ultimate relaxing and entertaining world record winning stay.