Travel By Jury

One word that can strike either images of pain, war, cruelty, and suffering into your heart, or on the other hand inspire memories of fun, luxury, partying, and hospitality: Beirut!

Beirut, Lebanon is one of the hottest cities in the world now. NY Times ranked it the number 1 city to visit in 2009 , while also getting very notable reviews from USA Today, Lonely Planet, CNN, AFP, and others.

Beirut is one of the prime travel destinations in the world with the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea on one side, and beautiful mountains and valleys on the other, combined with some of the best night life and party scene in the Middle East (and might I say… all of Asia!?) it makes for a fun time.

Although it has a history (and stereotype) of war, tension, and violence, it is actually a very safe and fun city. Do not believe anything you hear about Beirut or Lebanon on American media, because 90% of it isn’t true. You won’t get kidnapped by Hezbollah, you won’t ride camels, you won’t get bombed… on the contrary, you’ll get bombed on Almaza and DouDou shots (Almaza is the popular Lebanese brewed beer, and DouDou shots are a combination of lemon, tabasco, vodka, and olives–and is a lot better in person than you might think).

Americans are very welcome in Lebanon. Never have I felt unwelcome or unwanted. Tourism is in fact their main source of revenue so they WANT you here! A part from amazing night life, bars and clubs everywhere, and incredible shopping opportunities, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea is a hot spot for blue water and sandy/rocky beaches, the mountains are popular for relaxing and skiing, the downtown is newly rebuilt, and all throughout Lebanon you have incredible opportunities to experience Arab culture and the natural beauty of Lebanon, as well as thousands of years of history including Crusader castles, Phoenician fortresses, Ummayyed ruins, and much more. Whether its at the Jeita Grotto, a natural calcium deposit cavern that was contending for one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, or the ancient Roman temple in Baalbek, no matter if you are a culture and history nut, or just a party nut, something is here for you to do and enjoy.

So I say if someone wants to come to Beirut, I would be happy to show you around! And as they say in Arabic which you will always hear if you come: “Ahlan wa Sahlan,” meaning… you are very welcome here!

Juror #25/Ogie

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