Trip to Lebanon

Day 1:    Sunday 04 Aug / 06 Oct

• Saint Anthony of Qozhaya Monastery: Mass and visit of:

The Monastery, located in the Holy Valley of Qannoubine, is dedicated to Saint Anthony the Great. It is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries in the Holy Valley.

The Church, carved into the mountain, is the product of the joint endeavor of man and nature.

The Miracles cave, which burrows into the mountainside, is a popular place for miracles, especially for those who are mentally ill.

The Museum and the Library: exhibiting the first printing press of the Middle East and many other religious and cultural objects and vestments, some of which are gifts from kings and heads of state.

• Gibran Khalil Gibran Museum and tomb in Bsharreh: founded in 1935 and is dedicated to the Lebanese writer, philosopher, and painter Khalil Gibran. It exhibits 440 original paintings and drawings of Gibran.

• Forest of the Cedars of God in Bsharreh that once shaded the mountains of Lebanon. The forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Cedar tree is the symbol of Lebanon.

Day 2:    Monday 05 Aug / 07 Oct

• Our Lady of Mantara (Awaiting) in Maghdousheh: Mass and tour of the site and the cave where, as per the tradition, Virgin Mary used to wait for Jesus while he went preaching in the area.

• Saida (Sidon): Tour of the old Souks, Saint Nicolas church, the Soap Museum, Khan Sassi, Debbane palace…etc…

Day 3:    Tuesday 06 Aug / 08 Oct

• Saint Maron Monastery:

Mass and visit of Saint Charbel tomb.

Hermitage of Saints Peter & Paul where Saint Charbel spent the last 20 years of his religious life as hermit.

• Byblos (Jbeil): a UNESCO World Heritage site believed to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Tour of ancient Byblos: Saint John-Marc Church, the Wax Museum, the Citadel, the old Souks, etc...

Day 4:    Wednesday 07 Aug / 09 Oct

• Deir El Qamar: The town of Princes. It retains a remarkable picturesque landscape with typical stone houses and red tile roofs. It is placed under protection as a National monument.

• Beiteddine Palace: the official summer residence of the Lebanese President. It hosts the annual Beiteddine Festival and the Beiteddine Palace Museum. Built between the 18th & 19th centuries, it is a perfect example of classic Lebanese architecture. It has richly decorated ceilings, colorful mosaic floors, luxurious Turkish bath with numerous glass-studded cupolas, harem suites overlooking the town of Deir El Qamar, a guest house in which the French poet Lamartine once dwelt…etc...

Day 5:    Thursday 08 Aug / 10 Oct

• Kfifan Monastery: Visit the tombs of Saint Naamtallah Hardini and Beatified Estephan Neemeh.

• Saint Joseph Monastery: Tour of the monastery and visit the tomb of Saint Rafqa.

• Tripoli: visit the Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles, the Count of Toulouse and Crusader commander who was a key player in its enlargement and the famous old city souks.

• Our Lady of Nourieh Monastery: Nourieh is a derivative of the Arabic word, nour, meaning light. Thus, in English, the Marian shrine can be called Our Lady of Light. The miraculous shrine is a popular Christian pilgrimage site in Lebanon and tourists and pilgrims alike enjoy the beautiful view of the bay from atop this historic Cape.

Day 6:    Friday 09 Aug / 11 Oct

• Château Ksara Winery: Founded in the 19th century by the Jesuits, it developed the first dry wine in Lebanon. Ksara wine has been featured at wine tasting competitions all over the world, and won several international awards. Wine tasting and tour of the winery and the historic two-kilometer Roman caves where the rarest and finest vintages are stored.

• Baalbeck Temple: As early as 9000 BC, Baalbeck was a place for worship and became a cornerstone of ancient civilizations. Today, the ruins stand tall as an archaeological wonder with towering monuments and impressive columns. In terms of architecture the greatest temples at the site are the Temples of Jupiter, Bacchus and Venus. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 7:    Saturday 10 Aug / 12 Oct

• Sour (Tyr): old city tour and visit the Saint Thomas Melkite church and Our Lady of the Seas (+Mass).

• Tyr Roman Hippodrome: It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Named one of the five best racecourses in the Levant.

Day 8:    Sunday 11 Aug / 13 Oct

• Holy Cross Monastery: Mass and visit the tomb of Blessed Abouna Yaacoub the Capucin.

• Zaytouna Bay: The chic waterfront of Beirut downtown extending along Beirut's high-end streets. The landscape design for the entry plaza, quayside and corniche sidewalk, create open-air terraces in the form of a ‘stone beach’ over the restaurants and shops.

• Beirut National Museum: The principal museum of archaeology in Lebanon. Ranked as a leading collector for ancient Phoenician objects.

Day 9:    Monday 12 Aug / 14 Oct

• Saint Paul Basilica: The Greek-Melkite majestic basilica. The largest and most attractive in the whole country.

• Our Lady of Lebanon Basilica (Harissa): Lebanon number one Marian shrine and a famous pilgrimage site in the Middle East. Overlooking the picturesque bay of Jounieh, the shrine is a major tourist attraction as well. Enjoy an included gondola lift ride (the Téléphérique), from the mountain top to the sea side.

• Jeita Grotto: chosen as an official finalist representing Lebanon and selected as one of the 14 worldwide landmarks “new7wonders” of nature competition. It is the longest cave complex in the Middle East.

Price / per person:

Double Bedroom: 1,050 USD

Single Bedroom: 1,250 USD

Reduced price for children:

• Under 4 years old: 650 USD
• Between 5 & 10 years old: 950 USD

Price includes:

• Health insurance.
• 8 nights stay in a top guest house.
• All meals (except for 1 lunch meal).
• Bus transportation.
• Tour escort.
• Entrance fees (to all sites mentioned in the program).

To book your place:

• Copy of passport or ID.
• 1st deposit (upon registration): 200 USD.
• The remaining amount should be paid no later than:

• May 03, 2019 for the 1st group (04-12 Aug).
• July 06, 2019 for the 2nd group (06-14 Oct).

For info or reservation:

Tel: +961-1-255 436; +961-1-255 437; +961-1-255 438

E-mail: telelumieretravel@gmail.com ; travel@telelumiere.com

Facebook: Telelumiere Trips and Pilgrimage

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