 Often blighted by the stigma of a war torn past, Lebanon is a country that can all too easily be passed up as a potential holiday destination. However, this small country situated on the Eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea holds many treasures both natural and manmade and indeed has much to offer those in search of a gentle introduction to the diversity of the Middle East.
Lebanon has much to offer in the way of natural beauty with 225kms of scenic coastline and a mountainous inland area that offers picture postcard views and a much cooler climate. The Bekaa valley, where the Litani and Orontes Rivers are located, is a fertile area that stands out as one of the county’s most breathtaking areas of natural beauty. A moderate Mediterranean climate fosters a lush green landscape and encourages the growth of a variety of interesting specimens of flora and fauna.
 Historically, Lebanon is steeped in the legacies of ancient civilisations such as the Romans and the Phoenicians and visitors will find ample opportunities to view the remains of structures originating from times when such races populated the region. Ancient cities such as Byblos, Tyre and Baalbek are all rich in visual reminders of days gone by and give visitors a true sense of the diverse heritage of which this fascinating country sits.
Beirut is the country’s capital city and is a modern metropolis that is gradually fashioning itself to look more and more like a European capital. Certainly in terms of modern conveniences, Beirut has everything that a modern city is capable of offering and visitors will find ample accommodation, top class restaurants and a nightlife which on a par with major international tourist destinations.
 Accommodation ranges from luxurious five-star establishments to mid-range hotels catering to families. Much of the country’s entertainment can be found in the hotels with many of them boasting nightly cabaret performances along with children’s entertainment. It is adviseable to book your hotel in advance, especially during peak seasons otherwise you may not be able to book the hotel of your choice.
The locals speak Arabic, however French is spoken as a second language on account of the country having previously been a part of the French Mandate of Syria. English is also spoken by many citizens and visitors should have little difficulty in communicating with the locals in tourist areas with hotels and restaurants invariably employing English speaking staff.
A volatile political situation can occasionally mean travel to Lebanon is advised against by foreign governments so visitors are always advised to check the advice of the relevant government department before considering booking a holiday. Travel agents are often kept up to date of developments and can advise accordingly.
Weather
 Climate
Lebanon’s climate is predominantly Mediterranean in character with hot summers and mild winters and precipitation occurring largely in the cooler seasons. Some regional weather variations occur on account of topographical differences with the mountainous regions certainly experiencing less rain and considerably cooler temperatures.
The summer season, which generally spans the June to September period, sees temperatures soaring into the mid to high 30’s (°C) and little or no rain for the duration. From a visitor’s perspective, this is perhaps only a good time to take a holiday if you are well adjusted to extremes of heat as the intensity of the midday sun would preclude the possibility of safe sunbathing.
The winter season begins towards the end of December with the bulk of the season’s rain falling in the New Year. While volumes of rain are significant, downpours tend to be heavy and sporadic allowing for plenty of days that are entirely dry and suitable for pursuing outdoor activities. The months leading up to both the winter and the summer seasons are the best times to visit Lebanon in terms of avoiding the rain and any extremes of heat.
History
 In the earliest days of recorded history, the region that we now know as Lebanon was home to the ancient civilisation known as the Phoenicians whose influence had already been felt across a large proportion of the Mediterranean. The arrival of the prolific Greek figure, Alexander the Great however saw an end to the Phoenician independence with the burning of Tyre, the most significant Phoenician city. This marked the beginning of their downfall and they were never to have. In subsequent centuries, the country was occupied by a variety of empires, including the Romans, the Persians and the Byzantines. The Ottoman Empire however held the longest successive period of control with more than 400 years of ruling in the region.
After WWI, Lebanon found itself under the control of the French becoming a part of the French Mandate of Syria in 1920. On 1 September in that year, the State of Greater Lebanon was formed as part of a number of French held enclaves within the Syrian region. On the corresponding date six years later, the French formed the Republic of Lebanon awarding it some limited degree of autonomy with the greater part of its administration still coming from the French Mandate for Syria. The country gained complete independence during the WWII as the French were forced to loosen their grip while under occupation by the Germans. The British meanwhile, sent forces into Lebanon in order to prevent what they considered the high possibility of a Nazi invasion.
 The commencement of the Arab-Israeli war in 1948 saw Lebanon join forces with neighbouring Arab states in the invasion of Israel. Logistical operations of the Arab Liberation Army were focused in Lebanon, however this did not prevent the army’s defeat and subsequently the country was forced to accept an armistice with Israel (March 23, 1949). The country continued to see sporadic periods of unrest which culminated in the breaking out of a civil war in 1975. The Lebanese Civil War lasted a harrowing 15 years, during which time both the country’s population and economy were devastated. Official estimates hold that some 150,000 citizens lost their lives during the conflict with a further 200,000 suffering serious injury. The official end to the war came with the signing of the Taif Agreement in 1990. Twice during the 15 year period, Israel Defense Forces launched invasions in Lebanon, on the second occasion managing to take control of the southern region of the country where they remained until 2000. Lebanon continues to have a highly volatile relationship with Israel which has seen conflicts as recently as in 2006.
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