Visited a mate there for 2 weeks a few years back...

Beirut and Lebanon generally are beautiful with super friendly people, great food, good weather and loads of culture. Plus its super cheap.

Would recommend Baalbek and the Bekka Valley around Zaleh and Byblos for a day trip if you go.

Before the civil war it was indeed called the The Paris of the Middle East. When I went you could still see the scars of the war with lots of "skeleton" buildings but the bits that have been done up are really nice and surprisingly up market.

Barring any escalation with the conflict happening next door I'd definitely take the opportunity to go.

Posted By: TOKYO_BILL, Aug 29, 02:38:04