With a peak at 3.086 meters above sea level, The Cedars Ski Resort in Lebanon reaches the highest altitude of any of Lebanon’s ski resorts. But with only 5 lifts (compared to Mzaar ski resort’s 18), it often gets overlooked. This winter, come find out why The Cedars is a well-kept secret for ski enthusiasts worldwide.

For a relatively small resort, The Cedars packs in great range and variety. There’s something for everyone here, from beginners seeking ski lessons to advanced snow sport addicts looking for some heady black-level slopes.

The Cedars features great cedar forests — a tree that appears on the Lebanese flag and is emblematic of the country. It’s perfect for nature-lovers. Another great attraction at The Cedars is the selection of Swiss-style chalets and other great lodging options.

Come ski at The Cedars on any budget! Here are three of our top picks in every price range:

1) Best budget option: Mon Refuge Hotel and Chalets

A great value for price, Mon Refuge Hotel and Chalets is a budget-friendly choice with a homelike atmosphere and warm, welcoming staff.
Proximity to The Cedars: just a five minute walk from  ski lifts
Price: from $41

2) Best midrange option: Cedrus Hotel and Suites

A top-rated ledge in The Cedars, Cedrus Hotel and Suites delivers for those who are seeking wintertime fun and cozy atmosphere. It is only a short drive away from Qornet El Saouda, the highest peak in the middle east at 3088 meters. Enjoy the warmth of the lobby’s hearth and the flavors of the hotel’s restaurant.
Price: from $141

3) Best Splurge: Cedars Palace

Pamper yourself in the elegance and luxury of Cedars Palace, a premier lodge in The Cedars with a true alpine wonderland feel. Choose from one of ten of the lodge’s suites, and wake up to your own private view of the majestic mountain and ski resort.
Price: from $364

When planning your winter getaway in 2012, think Lebanon. Get a little farther off the beaten track at The Cedars ski resort and book your hotel in The Cedars with Lebhotels.com, where you’ll find the lowest prices online, guaranteed.

For fine art admirers of any kind, Beirut has a special exhibition coming up: Exposure 2011. During this month-long event, emerging Lebanese artists will have the chance to display their work to a wider audience. Go show your support, and immerse yourself in Beirut’s local contemporary art scene at the same time.

This year will mark the third annual Exposure exhibition event in Beirut. It will be held at the Beirut Art Center, a premier venue in the Beirut art community. The idea is to provide a platform for artists whose work isn’t commercial in nature.

Competition for artists who want to exhibit their work at Exposure is strong. They must submit their new work to a jury of high profile art community members and the artistic board at Beirut Art Center. This year, seven great artists were selected.

Here’s a brief profile of the diverse set of artists who will display:

Nadia Al Issa – writer and artist. She will be presenting the first part of a written series on the politics of belonging, inspired by a campout in the no man’s land between Syria and Lebanon.

Ali Cherri – filmmaker. Ali has exhibited films in a number of international film festivals and has won various awards.

Laure de Selys – screenwriter and actor. Originally from Belgium and France, she now splits her time between Brussels and Beirut. She experiments with a new genre best described as “web performance” that involves remote realtime storytelling.

Bassem Mansour – installation artist. From Beirut originally, now based in Kuwait, Beirut and Italy. His work examines the relationship between daily life its immediate environment.

Dana Aljouder – designer and architect. Made her first breakthrough as an artist with a chair she designed in Copenhagen.

Franziska Pierwoss – visual artist. Originally from Germany, she studied as an exchange student in Beirut in 2007 through the DAAD scholarship.

Stéphanie Saadé – traditional printmaker. A Beirut native, she now practices printmaking in China, France, and Lebanon.

Setareh Shahbazi – scenographer and media arts. Originally from Tehran, Iran, she spent a year in Beirut in 2003, and has been back several times for exhibition.

Don’t miss this special display of contemporary art during your trip to Lebanon. Book a hotel in Beirut with lebhotels.com, and subscribe to our newsletter to keep updated about great deals and Lebanon’s best events.

Lebhotels.com has you covered for weekends and holiday vacations in Lebanon. We’ve got the biggest selection of hotels in Lebanon to be found online, organized and searchable by price, location, and rating. If you’re planning a short trip to Lebanon, Lebhotels.com is your one-stop shop for hotels and packages.

Yet, people travel to Lebanon for many reasons beyond the several-day leisure holiday, so we’ve got options for all kinds of medium- and long-term visitors as well. Whether you’re staying awhile for business travel and conferences in Lebanon, relocating to work or study in Lebanon, or needing a place to call home while looking for something more permanent, you can check out our wide selection of apartments in Beirut.

Looking into housing in a new place is always a big task. Who has the best location for the best price? If you’re staying for a month or longer, there are several factors that you’ll want to consider while looking for an apartment in Lebanon. To make things easier for you, we’ve selected three furnished apartments and residences in Lebanon with great monthly rates for the longer-term traveler.

1) EWA apartments

A dining room in an Ewa apartment

At the comfortable and home-like EWA Hotel Apartments, you’ll be in one of 16 furnished and tastefully-decorated suites, each featuring a balcony or terrace with a lovely view of the Mediterranean Sea. The apartments are spacious and well-equipped with top quality facilities and amenities. Make yourself at home!

2) La Casa Apartments

A living room in an apartment at La Casa

On Commodore Street in the vivacious Hamra district of Beirut, La Casa Apartments offers a great location for exploring the best of the city. Here, from the 25 units, you can choose between a single room, a one bedroom apartment, and a two bedroom apartment. The apartments all include a fully-equipped kitchenette for you to make your own home-cooked meals. Take off your shoes and stay awhile at La Casa Apartments.

3) Lavender Home

The living room of a Lavender Homes apartment

Lavender Home is the newest addition to Lebhotels.com apartment and a darling new accommodation on Baalbeck Street in the bustling Hamra district of Beirut. You’ll notice that the theme inside and out is the color purple – ‘lavender’ is the palette, and ‘urban chic’ is the style. For the comfort and convenience of its longer-term guests, each apartment at Lavender Home provides you with a kitchenette, a work desk, tea and coffee facilities, and a cozy lounge area. You’ll want to invite friends over to your place at Lavender Home.

November 22 marks the date upon which Lebanon secured independence in 1943. This years is the 68th anniversary of the event and, as with previous years, the date will be celebrated around the country.

The capital – Beirut – is home to some of the largest celebrations on this, one of the most important public holidays in the Lebanese calendar. Events usually revolve around a major military parade which makes its way through the city. Last year, fighter jets flew overhead while commandos demonstrated their training and skills whilst suspended from a hovering helicopter. Dignitaries from the Arab world and further afield come to pay their respects to those who suffered for Lebanon’s independence and to celebrate the continuing prosperity of the country.

Downtown Lebanon - photo by Abdallah K, Flickr

In addition the parade and top brass, the average Lebanese family also make a point of celebrating their heritage and love for their country on November 22. Flags are prominent, as are the national colors of red, white and green. Singing and dancing fill the streets, schools and homes of Beirut, and many families sit down to enjoy special meals together.

Visiting Beirut during the annual Independence Day celebrations will provide an angle on the city that view travellers get to experience. Most businesses are closed, so while the celebrations themselves are ongoing it’s worth just relaxing and trying to take in as much as possible.

If you are keen to take part, we recommend staying in a downtown Beirut hotel. This will put you in the heart of the action and will minimise the amount of time you need to spend moving around, which can be difficult due to the number of people present. The hustle and bustle of the festivities is all in good fun, but it’s also nice to be able to get back to the peace and quiet of a top Beirut hotel at the end of the day.

If you fancy venturing outside the capital, you’ll find Independence Day celebrations all across the rest of the country. Byblos, Tyre and Tripoli also play host to events.

If you’re thinking about planning a holiday in Lebanon toward the end of November, we’d advise you to be aware of Independence Day and, if possible, to build it into your plans. Celebrating Beirut style isn’t something that everyone gets to experience, so if you get the chance you should grab it with both hands!

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.

Summer is coming to an end. Don’t let the last few months of sun and sand slip through your fingers! Take the beach holiday you’ve been dreaming about. Lebanon is a top destination for enjoying the Mediterranean sea and its golden beaches. Here are some of the finest beach resorts Lebanon has to offer:

1) Edde Sands Hotel and Wellness Resort

Just 30 km south of the Lebanon airport and outside ancient city of Byblos, Edde Sands Hotel and Wellness Resort is ideally located to make the most of your time in Lebanon. On the resort’s sprawling 85,000 square meters of property, you will find everything you need for a holiday of beach lounging and total relaxation. Chill out on the sand, by one of the four pools, or at one of the resorts’ nine restaurants and bars. Pamper yourself with an appointment at the spa, or get active with a water sport like jet ski or kite surfing.

2) Portaluna Hotel and Resort

For those who lust for poetry, sophistication, and imagination, the Portaluna Hotel has the perfect ambience. It is situated on the romantic coast of Jounieh.  The beaches of Jounieh are some of the most acclaimed in the eastern Mediterranean. A highlight of Portaluna is its exquisite dining room, The Poesia Restaurant. From the domed tower on the roof of the hotel, you can see 360 degrees in every direction. Its name comes from the library where you can browse the writings of epic writers from all over the world.

3) Byblos Sur Mer

Set in the context of one of Lebanon’s most treasured historical sites, the Byblos Sur Mer is steeped in both legend and luxury. Imagine this place on a slope overlooking the Mediterranean, imagine watching the sunset over the water after a lazy day on the shore, imagine arriving in only 45 minutes from the Beirut airport.  Bring an appetite, because the resort’s L’Odyssee restaurant serves up fine specialties and international wines just above an archaeological site where you can meaner into cave ruins or over to the warmth of the fireplace.

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.

With so much to see and do as part of a visit to Lebanon, the hustle and bustle of moving from place to place can feel a little overwhelming at times. While there are plenty of adrenaline-pumping experiences on offer, it’s sometimes easy to forget that the best experiences are often the simplest and that the best way of seeing some of a country’s most unique sights is the old-fashioned way: walking.

The Qannoubine Valley - a great destination for hikers. Photo by David Holt, Flickr.

Lebanon boasts a huge variety of fantastic hiking routes, which make the most of its outstanding natural features and rich history. With the right preparation, planning and guidance, most of these routes can be enjoyed throughout the year. High temperatures during the summer months may be daunting, but getting up early to catch the sunrise or hiking through the twilight are both great options. Summer is also a great time to plan some routes for the autumn, when things start to cool off, making long walks easier.

Here’s a list of just a few of our favourite hikes:

• Al-Chouf Cedars Nature Reserve Hike – 50km outside of Beirut, this huge nature reserve is home to a wide array of species and is the ideal destination for lovers of the natural world. A guided hike through its foothills and forests is the perfect way to get back to nature.
• Hiking from Laklouk to Balaa Pit – This route takes walkers through the Tannourine Cedars nature reserve to experience some of the most unusual sights in all of Lebanon. The village of Balaa is home to a huge cavern, or sink hole, which provides a staggering backdrop to walks in and around the area.
• Hiking in the holy valley of Qannoubine – One for history lovers. The Qannoubine valley is an area steeped in tradition and is home to churches, convents and caves that have been used as places of worship for centuries. Above 900m in elevation, this is a challenging hike, but one that can be appreciated by all who take part.
• Reach the Highest Summit 3088m – This is the ultimate; a journey to the very highest point in Lebanon. Departing from the Cedars ski resort and getting an early start is the best way to enjoy the climb. The views from the top are beyond compare.

Hiking in Lebanon is an experience that can be enjoyed by just about anyone, but common sense does apply. Prepare in advance and always bring suitable clothing, sun protection and water.

After a day of hard walking, what better way to unwind than pampering yourself in a top Beirut hotel? Curling up in a soft bed is the ultimate tonic, and while you may have sore feet for a while, the memories will last forever!