Thurs, 8 Sept

Pre-Academy starts (user pay)

Arrival to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport and transfer to Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel.

Welcome Drink upon arrival to the hotel while check in is being processed.

20:00 - Dinner in the center of Beirut

Fri, 9 Sept

Pre-Academy to Bekaa Valley & Ksara Winery

Phoenician inscriptions from 1400 BC described the Bekaa Valley as the ‘Place for the Gods’. The valley’s most stunning sights include the historical remains of the majestic Roman temples of Jupiter, Venus, Bacchus and Mercury in Baalbek. To further experience the best of the Bekaa Valley, we will travel from Beirut between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges to the fertile land of the Ksara Winery. Established in 1857 by Jesuit Priests, the Ksara Chateau is the country’s oldest wine maker.

19:00 EuroChapter main Meeting begins

Welcome Drink in the Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel while check-in is being processed

19:30 Pick up from the hotel to explore by bus Beirut City "The Pearl of the Middle East"

20:30 Dinner at the residence of the local event hosts

Sat, 10 Sept

08:00 Breakfast at the hotel

08:30 Forum Meeting at the hotel

10:00 Departure to visit Byblos, the world's oldest continually inhabited town. Discover some of Lebanon oldest Churches
and Monasteries from the 12-13 centuries. 

13:00 Lunch in Byblos

14:00 Visiting Jeita Grotto: In these caves and galleries the action of water has created cathedral-like vaults beneath the hills of Mount Lebanon forming one of the world's most astonishing caverns. The grotto has two levels: the lower caverns will be visited by boat over a subterranean lake, while the upper gallery will be reached by foot.

17:00 Return back to Beirut

20:30 Pick up from the hotel for dinner and show

Sun, 11 Sept

08:00 Breakfast at the hotel

08:30 Chapter Meeting at the hotel

10:00 Departure to the Chouf Mountain

10:30 Visit Deir el Qamar Town, the former capital of Mount Lebanon

11:30 Visit of Beiteddine Palace, Lebanon's best example of early 19th century Lebanese architecture

12:30 Lunch

14:30 Visit the Chouf Cedars Nature Reserve, and plant two Cedar Trees

16:30 Return back to Beiteddine Town

20:00 Gala Dinner at the Mir Amine Palace Hotel

Return back to Beirut

Mon, 12 Sept & Tue, 13 Sept

Breakfast and Departure

OR

Two-days Post-Academy within Lebanon  (user pay)

Sidon & Tyre, September 12, 2011

The two-day post academy begins in Sidon. Considered one of the most important centers of Phoenician culture, the city’s history dating b ack to 6000 BC has been shaped by Egyptian, Persian, and Ottoman influences. We will also visit Tyre—an island city of unprecedented splendor. During Phoenician times the city was considered the ‘Queen of the Seas’ and perhaps the most precious harbor on the eastern Mediterranean coast.

Bsharreh Village, September 13, 2011

Gibran Khalil Gibran Museum & Qozhaya Monastery

The adventure continues as we ascend to 1400 meters to the gateway of the ‘Cedars of God’ forest located in the village of Bsharreh. These cedars, among the last survivors of an extensive ancient forest that thrived across Mount Lebanon, are the national symbol of the country. Bsharreh is also the birthplace of Gibran Khalil Gibran, the famous Lebanese American poet and painter. The day concludes with a visit to the Qadisha Valley where you will have the opportunity to explore caves and visit some of the world’s oldest surviving monasteries.

Fees & Registration

Main Meeting in Beirut: €950 / person for existing EuroChapter members; add €300 if a non-member.
(Friday evening to Monday morning, 9-12 September.)

Pre-Academy in Byblos & Jeita Grotto: €290 / person.
(Thursday evening to Friday evening 8-9 September.)

Two days Post-Academy in Sidon & Tyre AND Gibran Khalil Gibran Museum & Qozhaya Monastery: €490 / person. (Monday morning to Tuesday evening, 12-13 September.)

Please sign up directly at our registration link.

Travel

It is easy to reach Beirut! There are daily flights directly from London, Frankfurt, Paris etc.

Please check your flight at www.momondo.com