Northern Lebanon

The heart of old Tripoli is one of the most atmospheric places in Lebanon. While walking through a maze of winding alleys and negotiating thronging souqs surrounded by Mamluk-period buildings dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, it is easy to feel you have been transported back to the Middle Ages. The citadel of Raymond Saint-Gilles dominates the city and was once the capital of the Crusader state of the County of Tripoli. The castle is the finest example of Crusader military architecture in the country. It towers over the numerous fine mosques, khans, and madrassas that nestle beneath its walls. These charming buildings are a delight to discover and often feature typical black-and-white banded Syrian-style architecture.

Inland from Tripoli is the long, narrow gorge of the Qadisha Valley, a site of outstanding natural beauty, offering beautiful mountain vistas and excellent summer hiking and winter skiing opportunities. The valley is also the resting place of Khalil Gibran and the location of a museum dedicated to the author. UNESCO has listed the Qadisha Valley as a World Heritage Site because of monastic communities dating from the earliest years of Christianity and as one of the last surviving groves of Cedar trees – Lebanon’s national symbol.