Week end of April 25-26, 2015 - LEBANON'S RAILWAYS Part II

(French Follows)

After the success of our Lebanon Railways' outing in January during which we followed the old rail tracks between Beirut and Tripoli, we will be tracking another unknown part of the country's history: the railways from Beirut to Riyak, one of the biggest train stations of the country and once a major transport hub. Sarah Lilly Yassine, a guide whose expertise is Lebanon's railways history, will share her stories with us. Everyone is welcome, don't hesitate to give us a call to know more and to register!

Detailed Program:
I.Saturday April 25
- Departure at 8:30 am from Beirut
- Visit of the old train stations of Araya, Sofar, Bhamdoun, and Saadnayel
- Lunch in Taanayel (Khan al Maksoud)
- 1 small local winery in Jdita
- Visit of Anjar, the Armenian town, with a stop at local preserves shops
- Tour in Anjar's Bird Reserve
- Dinner at Al Shams Restaurant, Anjar

Night at Layali Al Shams hotel in Anjar, a 4 stars hotel

II.Sunday April 26
- 9:00 am: Breakfast & Check out
- Visit of the old city of Anjar
- Visit of the Niha Temple
- Visit of the Riyak train station
- Lunch at Chez Raymond next to Riyak's train station
- Visit of the museum of Terbol
- Departure from the Beqaa at 5:00 pm

Prices (including: transport, guides, visits, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner, and the night at the hotel, games and prizes.)
oDouble room: LL 285 000 / $190
oSingle room: LL 345 000 / $230
oStudents double room: LL 270 000 / $180
oChildren between 12 and 5 years: LL 180 000 / $ 120
oChildren under 5: Free of charge

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Suite au succès de notre sortie "Sur les chemins de fer du Liban" qui nous a permis de suivre les traces des trains entre Beyrouth et Tripoli, nous suivrons lors de ce week-end un autre parcours ferré entre Beyrouth et Riyak, une des plus grande gare du pays, autrefois un centre de transport incontournable de la région. Sarah Lily Yassine, qui a fait de l'histoire du Train au Liban son domaine d'expertise, partagera ses connaissances et ses histoires avec nous.
Vous êtes tous et toutes les bienvenue pour ce week-end découverte, alors n'hésitez pas à nous contacter pour en savoir plus et pour vous inscrire!

Programme Détaillé:

I.Samedi 25 avril 2015
- Départ de Beyrouth à 8h30
- Visite des gares de Araya, Sofar, Bhamdoun et Saadnayel
- Déjeuner à Taanayel - Khan al Maksoud
- Visite d'une cave de vin locale à Jdita
- Visite de la ville Arménienne de Anjar et arrêt à un magasin de produits locaux
- Petite tournée dans la réserve d'oiseaux de Anjar
- Diner au restaurant Shams à Anjar.

Nuitée à l'hôtel 4 étoiles Layali Al Shams à Anjar

II.Dimanche 26 avril 2015
- 9h: petit déjeuner et Check out
- Visite de la ville Omeyyade de Anjar
- Visite du temple de Niha
- Visite de la gare de Riyak
- Déjeuner Chez Raymond, à coté de la gare de Riyak
- Visite du musée de Terbol
- Départ de la Beqaa à 17h.

Prix (incluant: transport, guides, visites, 2 petits déjeuners, 2 déjeuners, 1 diner, une nuitée à l'hôtel, jeux et prix.)
oChambre occupation double : 285 000 LL / 190 $
oChambre occupation simple : 345 000 LL / 230 $
oEtudiants Chambre occupation double : 270 000 LL / 180 $
oEnfants entre 12 et 5 ans : 180 000 LL /120 $
oEnfants de moins de 5 ans : Gratuit

Organizer

Contact

TOURLEB

Ever since we moved to Montreal fifteen years ago, we heard it all concerning Lebanon (from Lebanese and non-Lebanese alike): "But isn’t it a dangerous place to go to?" "I have never been in this region, it is not Lebanon" "You ski in Lebanon?" "You have the sea?" "Oh! You can do extreme sports in Lebanon?" "You have Roman Ruins?" "No way! There is no such thing in Lebanon!" We heard it all, we tell you.

Having visited many different countries, we have come to realize how hard it is to truly experience a country in a short time. It is even harder when the trip is organized and when you are on the roof of a bus with 30 people who are all passing comments and judgment.

We travelled many destinations between these two extremes and came to realize that there is a huge demand for customized/personalized travel.

This is why, after having offered this service on a “freelance” basis, we decided to make it a business with all the necessary tools used to promote it and to develop it.

We know Lebanon from East to West, each and every nook and cranny. We have visited all of the country, many times, and we have enjoyed almost all that it has to offer. So when we recommend something it’s not just because they say it’s nice, it's because we have tried it and know, for a fact, that it’s worth it.

We have contacts all over the country, so accommodations, transportation, activities, food and lodgings have no secrets for us, no matter where in Lebanon you want to spend the night. From the 5 stars hotel to the "modestest" camping site, to bed and breakfasts or guesthouses, we take good care of you.

“We” means Nada Raphael and Joelle Sfeir.

Nada Raphael is the founder of Tourleb. She is its thinking head and its beating heart.

With a very diverse resume and a heart that beats for her native country, she brings to tourleb her unwavering love for Lebanon and all that it holds.

Her knowledge of the country stemmed from her book “Hyphen Islam-Christianity” published in 2009. She also is a journalist, a DJ, a film director (she has her production company and has released many documentaries), and a photographer (with many photo exhibits behind her, presented in Canada, Europe and Lebanon of course).

Nada Raphael’s right and left hands is Joelle Sfeir, with whom she has worked on many previous projects of which “Hyphen Islam-Christianity” (Joelle co-wrote and co-directed the project).

Joelle Sfeir studied Land development but has been working for 10 years in communications, editing, copywriting and writing, and event organizing in Lebanon and Canada.

Organizer Profile