Another summer of festival events in Lebanon is in full swing!  If the Baalbek International Festival and the Byblos International Festival weren’t enough, The Beiteddine Art Festival will also draw crowds and ignite artistic imagination in a sumptuous setting of rich cultural heritage.

The Beiteddine Art Festival takes place in the Beiteddine Palace, a magnificent structure that dates back 200 years and hidden in the Chouf mountains of Lebanan, just 30 miles south of Beirut.  Highlights of its regal architecture include lush courtyards, graceful arcades, and magnificent front gates.

The Inner Courtyard of the Beiteddine Palace is the regal setting for Beiteddine Art Festival

The story behind the festival

2011 will mark the Beiteddine Art Festival’s 26th anniversary.  The first annual festival was held in 1985, in the the context of war, as an audacious experiment of culture’s ability to triumph amidst turmoil.  Against the odds, the first few years of the festival were successful, and now the Beiteddine Art Festival has grown in prestige to become a leading cultural event in the Middle East.

Through the support of both public and private sponsors as well as a loyal audience that returns year after year, the festival has grown healthily.  Each summer about 50,000 spectators fill the palace’s courtyards to enjoy an impressive variety of both performing arts and fine arts exhibitions.

The details for 2011

This year, the Beiteddine Art Festival will feature a world-class line-up of performers and artists, both of Lebanese background and international acclaim.

The events are ongoing from June 24 through August 4.  Have a look at the program and don’t miss out on this beautiful celebration of art in culture in Lebanon.

Friday June 24 – Saturday June 25
Sabah: the musical!
A glamourous and fantastical musical, tracing the life of Lebanese pop icon Sabah

Friday, July 8
Roberto Alagna
Renowned Sicilian tenor singer of French and Italian opera

Friday July 15 – Saturday July 16
Kadim Al Sahir
Iraqi musician, composer, singer, songwriter, and cultural ambassador for peace

Tuesday July 19
George Benson
Award-winning American jazz guitarist and soul/R&B musician

Friday July 22
Babel (words)
Contemporary dance performance with choreography by Sidi Larbi

Wednesday July 27
Ibrahim Maalouf and his quintet Diachronism
Beirut’s own trumpet virtuoso with a five-piece brass accompaniment

Saturday July 30
Stabat Mater
A 13th century Christian and Muslim hymn of praise to the Virgin Mary

Thursday August 4
Farida and the Iraqi Maqam Ensemble
The voice of Mesopotamia” with Omar Mounir Bachir on Oud

In visual arts, the exhibitions of Sabah and Reza Abedini will be on display during the course of the festival,  June 24 to August 4.

Don’t wait til the last minute to book your Lebanon hotel.  The summer season is busy and rooms fill up fast!  Make your trip complete with our exciting Lebanon activities and tours.

Photo courtesy of wikimedia/blingbling10

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Baalbek, known to the Ancient Greeks as Heliopolis or ‘City of the Sun’, is home to one of the world’s greatest collection of antique ruins. The temple complex contains fantastically preserved examples of ancient architecture, its various buildings dedicated to the Romanized versions of gods from civilizations dating back thousands of years.

In addition to its colossal historical value, this ancient site has, in recent years, become synonymous with contemporary cultural events. Since 1955, it has been home to the annual Baalbek International Festival, one of the most famous and popular events of its kind in the entire region.

The Bacchus Temple at Baalbek - backdrop and venue for the Baalbek International Festival. Photo courtesy of Heretiq, Wikimedia Commons

In the past, the BIF has played host to such various luminaries as jazz legend Miles Davis, soul icon Nina Simone and ‘first lady of song’ Ella Fitzgerald. By providing a platform for the performance of music, dance and theatre, it has done much to establish Lebanon’s rightful recognition as a supporter of both domestic and international cultural development.

This year’s festival, which commences on July 7, offers attendees a dramatic selection of entertainment to choose from, including:

• From the Days of Saladin – a musical play accompanied by orchestra and dancers
• The Boris Eifman Ballet Theatre of. St Petersburg
• The Gershwin Piano Quartet
• Abdel Rahman El Bacha

All acts will be performed against the unparalleled backdrop of Baalbek’s temple buildings, or within the incredible interior of the Bacchus Temple itself.

Baalbek is located some 90km to the East of Beirut itself. Most visitors will prefer to stay in Beirut hotels and make the round trip to BIF events (which takes around 90 minutes), but it’s also feasible to stay in other Lebanon hotels and make the journey to the temple site. Performances start at 8pm sharp, so be sure to allow plenty of time.

We recommend booking your accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment as hotels fill up quickly at this time of year.

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!

Lebanon is a place of deep and wondrous history.  Visit the four sites that have been awarded UNESCO world heritage status:

Anjar

The Anjar UNESCO World Heritage Site in Lebanon. Photo by Bengt B

Nestled in the fertile Beqaa Valley, close to Lebanon’s easterly border with Syria, the origins of the city capital of Anjar can be traced back to the 8^th Century. It was founded during the reign of Caliph Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik.

A complicated and beautiful series of buildings and fortifications, the city was completely abandoned less than fifty years after construction began. Gradually reclaimed by the desert, Anjar’s ruins were preserved until their rediscovery by archaeologists in the mid 20^th Century.

Hotel recommendation: Grand Hotel Kadri

Baalbek

The Propylaea entrance of Baalbek. Photo by Heretiq

Also located in the Beqaa Valley, Baalbek was founded by the ancient Phoenicians but retained its importance during the rise and fall of both the Greeks and the Romans.

Its temple complex – known to the Hellenes as Heliopolis – can be explored to this day, and continues to inspire awe and wonder in visitors to Lebanon.

Byblos

The Crusader Castle in Byblos, Lebanon. Photo by Citypeek

Located on the coast mid way between Beirut and Tripoli, Byblos is one of the world’s oldest Phoenician cities.

As with many other beautiful coastal towns on the Lebanese Coast, Byblos has been constantly occupied since pre-historic times and has many visible layers of history on display. Persian walls, Roman roads, Byzantine buildings, Crusaders’ Castles – the whole town is a miniature reflection of Lebanon’s history.

Hotel recommendation: Byblos Sur Mer

Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab)

Cross in Qadisha Valley, Lebanon. Photo by Bdell555

Lebanon’s biblical history and connections to biblical antiquity are well known. The Qadisha Valley is home to some of Christianity’s earliest and most important monastic sites.

Its shadowy glades and rocky outcrops seem to have changed little since the days of the apostles and continue to offer peace and space for spiritual reflection to those who visit Lebanon.

The nearby Forest of the Cedars of God is an ancient woodland that has survived for thousands of years. It is one of the best known homes to cedrus libani, the Lebanon Cedar which graces the Flag of Lebanon.

Hotel recommendation: Hotel Chbat

Tyre

Tyre, Lebanon. Photo by Petteri Sulonen

The ancient and mighty Phoenician capital; a rock (the literal translation of its name) upon which great empires were built. Home to mythological luminaries such as Europa and Elissa (Dido), Tyre is also believed to be the birthplace of purple dye – an incredibly expensive and prestigious substance in the ancient world.

Located on the coastline to the south of Beirut, close to the modern border with Israel, Tyre is Lebanon’s fourth largest city and is home to many outstanding Lebanon Hotels from which to explore its wealth of ancient treasures.

Hotel recommendation: Al-Fanar

Dec 12, 2009 – Travelvivi.com – L.K

These cities and town experienced a lot during their long history: both  raids and wars,  a high rise and deep decline. Now some of them  just  vanished and some are almost not visible when having a glance at the  map, while others are still  considered to be among the most influential world capitals. Our list will greatly surprise you with its information about the oldest cities of the world.

[...]

12. Tyr, Lebanon

Legendary birthplace of the beauty in Europe, Tyr, according to Herodotus, was founded in 2750 BC. In the IV century BC it was conquered by Alexander the Great and later became a Roman province. Today the main source of income Tyr became tourism. Roman hippodrome Tyr is listed in the UNESCO list of World Heritage by UNESCO.

Find out some of the best hotels in Tyre, Lebanon

[...]

10. Beirut, Lebanon

The capital of Lebanon even now remains a major cultural, administrative and economic center. Thanks to the excavations carried out today in the city you can see the monuments of the Phoenician, Hellenistic, Roman, Arab and Ottoman eras. After the civil war in Lebanon, the city became accessible to tourists.

Find out some of the best hotels in Beirut, Lebanon

7. Saida, Lebanon

Approximately 25 kilometers south of Beirut is one of the most important and perhaps the oldest Phoenician city. He was a kind of base from which the Phoenicians began to reign in the Mediterranean. In 333 BC Alexander of Macedon conquered the city.

Find out some of the best hotels in Saida, Lebanon

2. Jbeil, Lebanon

Founded by the Phoenicians as Hebe, Byblos takes its name from the Greeks. This is associated with the books  name which was given from the Greeks  papyri. In Byblos, the Phoenician temples , the city and the castle built in the XII century by the Crusaders Church of St. John the Baptistare worth seeing.

Find out some of the best hotels in Byblos, Lebanon

Beiruuuut, are you ready to shoooogle? Yup you heard us right! Shoogle here, shoogle there, everywhere shoogle shoogle! Besides bringing you the best deals for hotels in Lebanon, we thought of spicing things up a bit and voila:

Part of the Reel Festivals’s mission to expose Lebanon to the Scottish culture and vice versa, the Music Hall Beirut invites you to an unparalleled celtic fusion performance by Shooglenifty – shoogletresting don’t you think? The shoogling part is besides enjoying an extraordinary night you get to nab a great deal at one of the hotels in Beirut, check them out:

*Intercontinental Phoenicia Beirut at $291/night

*Movenpick Hotel and Resort Beirut at $184/night

*Etoile Suites Hotel Downtown Beirut at $150/night including breakfast

*Four Seasons Hotel Beirut at $445/night

*Le Gray Hotel Downtown Beirut at $345/night

Planning an Easter vacation in Lebanon? Then look no further! We at Lebhotels.com have prepared a handful of deals in the best resorts and hotels in Lebanon for a holiday of a lifetime!

Whether you’re in for some adrenaline rush in the beautiful Lebanese mountains, or just want to relax in a top notch resort, we’ve got just what it takes to make your Easter vacation in Lebanon SPECIAL!

*MzaarVille Chalets: one night accommodation in a two bedroom chalet with one hour ATV drill at $85/person including taxes. Package based on 4 people.

*Grand Hills Hotel and Spa: one night accommodation with breakfast and buffet lunch at $360/couple including taxes.

*Etoile du Loup Chalets Jezzine: one night accommodation with breakfast and dinner at $300/couple including taxes.

*Pineland Hotel Hammana: one night accommodation in a mountain view room with breakfast and full access to the resort’s activities for $138/couple including taxes.

*Ehden Country Club: one night accommodation with dinner and breakfast at $230/couple including taxes.

You never thought you’d get a taste of Andalusia in Beirut, but we at Lebhotels.com are always psyched to bringing you closer to cultural and musical events besides offering the best deals for hotels in Lebanon of course .

Embark on a journey of passion to the breathtaking performance of Josele Miranda which will arise your senses to an aphrodisiac level. While you’re at it discover the beautiful city of Zouk Mikael and stay at one of these hotels in Jounieh:

*Almond Blooms Guesthouse Jounieh with rooms at $59/night.
*Portemilio Hotel and Resort Jounieh with rooms at $141/night including breakfast.
*Portaluna Hotel with rooms at $118/night including breakfast.
*Bel Azur Hotel Jounieh with rooms at $91/night including breakfast.

Planning an Easter holiday trip with your family and friends? Then look nowhere else than Lebhotels.com because we are cooking awesome deals for hotels in Lebanon to make your vacation extraordinary!

Speaking of extraordinary, make sure to check out Danny Howells spinning the decks live in Bo18 on Easter Sunday: yes, we are expecting a lot of dancing bunnies! Warm up by Madjam and after hours with Gunther & Stamina, just the right ingredients for a celebratory night on the dance floor. And if you’re planning to stay in the capital at low cost, here’s a list of the best hotels in Beirut on a tight budget:

*Grand Hotel Versailles Beirut starting $95/night including breakfast.
*Mayflower Hotel Hamra starting $80/night including breakfast.
*Marble Tower Hotel Hamra Beirut starting $84/night including breakfast.
*Napoleon Hotel Hamra starting $80/night including breakfast.

Looks like April will be showcasing some of the region’s most cultural events and unbelievable package deals for hotels in Lebanon and April’s fools will be the ones missing all this action.

The Metropolis Cinema Beirut has gained a reputation of being a cultural hub; it constantly strives to bringing new festivals to Lebanon and the latest addition comes from Denmark with a very promising program starting tonight.

A good meal with good company after a good movie are just the perfect ingredients for an enjoyable night. Also make sure you benefit from the best deals for hotels in Beirut such as the Albergo Hotel Achrafieh at $273/night, the Port View Hotel Gemayze at $54/night including breakfast and the Golden Tulip Hotel de Ville Beirut at $118/night including breakfast.