While in Lebanon absolutely do not miss the impressive palace of Beit ed-Din, built in the 19th century over a period of 30 years  by Emir Bechir II.

It is a gorgeous example of the Lebanese architecture in that time. It’s only about 40 km from Beirut so it’s an easy daytrip (best combined with a visit to the village of Deir el-Qamar).


Look out for the annual Beiteddine Art Festival in the summer months with art exhibitions and music and theater performances. The palace also houses an interesting museum with a collection of weapons and jewelry and that kind of stuff as well as a Byzantine mosaic museum and an archeological museum. But honestly the palace itself is far more special then the museums.