Our guide and the driver will pick you up from your hotel. The first stop today is the
National Museum of Beirut. It would be an eye-opening experience to see the Phoenician Alphabet Tablet, ancient Roman sculptures, stone coffins with fine reliefs, and many other relics of the Iron Age. Next, the guide will lead you to visit the
Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque and the nearby
St. Georges Maronite Cathedral.
★ Phoenician Alphabets – The World's First Alphabet SystemDo you know how the earliest alphabets were written? In the National Museum of Beirut, the sarcophagus with Phoenician alphabet will show you the answer. The stone coffin of King Ahiram, the biggest treasure of the museum, has preserved an inscription of the old alphabets. It is dated back to the 11th century BC, telling of a curse that the king’s son uttered to invaders after he made the sarcophagus for his father. Phoenician alphabet is the first phonetic letter system in the world, and is considered likely to be the ancestor of Greek alphabet and even all western alphabets. Invented by the Phoenicians, forebear in Lebanon, Phoenician alphabet had been spread over the Mediterranean area through thriving trades long before.
After lunch, we'll have a relaxed walk around the
Beirut Souks to see the landmark
Clock Tower. Later, a special stop is arranged for you to the
American University of Beirut, where you can know the real charm of this campus nicknamed “Harvard of the Middle East”. The
Archaeological Museum on campus is worth a visit.
► Interesting Confusion about Lebanon TimeWhen seeing that the clocks in Beirut show different times, you may be wandering what’s going on here. It’s because of the alternation of seasonal time, and multiple parties as well as religions. One party announces the winter or summer time changes as many countries do, but another party may claim a different date to carry out the alternation. Thus, you’d better confirm the appointed time with our guide in details if confused, especially during the alternation months of March to April and October to November.
Before nightfall, we'll approach the Mediterranean seaside. Complete the day by taking photos and watching the sunset with the guide as you stroll along the beautiful seafront
Corniche lined with palm trees, and see the offshore natural wonders of the
Pigeon Rocks (Raouche Rocks).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch