The Lebanese Coast:

Framed by the Mediterranean Sea to the west and Mount Lebanon (Mont Liban) to the east, the Lebanese Coast's temperate climate brings sunny, hot summers and cool, rainy winters. The average summer daytime temperature is 30°C (86°F), motivating you to head to the beach or for higher ground, to the altitude-cooled mountain slopes. In the coastal cities of Saïda (Sidon) and Jbeil (Byblos), tourists can enjoy the rare opportunity to snorkel amongst long-submerged Phoenician ruins, while excellent hiking is a mere hour away in the Chouf region of the Mount Lebanon Range.

Once a small, quiet town, Jounieh (Juniyah ?????,?????) has since the 1970’s, grown into a densely built-up area of high-rise buildings, hotels and large resort complexes. Its beautiful bay, lined with palm trees, excellent restaurants, glitzy night spots and shopping attracts visitors from all over the world.

Chalet Viking is located in the heart of the Mameltein (Maameltein) district, which lies at the northern end of Jounieh Bay. The vicinity is saturated with museums and religio-historical sites, as well as family-friendly recreational activities.

» more about the surroundings of Chalet Viking »

Harissa • ?????

On May 10, 1997, Pope John Paul II visited Harissa (Arabic ?????), a Lebanese pilgrimage site 650m. above the coastal town of Jounieh. The site is accessible either by a steep winding road or a 9-minute journey by a gondola lift (cable car) known as the Téléphérique.

Arriving at Harissa, pilgrims and tourists are greeted with spectacular views of Jounieh. Close to terminus is a church and a modernistic Maronite cathedral built of concrete and glass, as well as the famous landmark Statue of the Virgin Mary with her arms outstretched. Inaugurated in 1908, the 15-ton bronze statue (painted white) is also known as Our Lady of Lebanon, or Notre Dame du Liban, or Our Virgin of Lebanon. Inside the base of the statue is a chapel while outside is a spiral staircase leading to the top.

Within walking distance, just south of the statue, are the Melkite Greek-Catholic monastery/basilica and multi-domed Church of St. Paul, built between 1947 and 1962. The golden walls inside the church are covered with beautiful Byzantine-styled wall mosaics that represent Christ Pantocrater, the Virgin wearing a medallion, the Communion of the Apostles, the church fathers, and scenes from the Bible.

The Papal Embassy, as well as the residences of four Eastern Catholic cardinals church, are all in the vicinity of Harissa and Our Lady of Lebanon …

» read more at www.ikamalebanon.com »

Zouk Mikael • Zouk Mkayel • Souk Michael • Souq Michael • ??? ?????

The town of Zouk Mikael was named in reference to a Turkmen leader who inhabited the area during the Mamluk (Mamluke) era. Once a small, sleepy Lebanese village perched on a slope 275m. above sea level, it is now a prosperous community of 40,000. Located 4.5 km from Chalet Viking, Zouk Mikael has gorgeous views overlooking the bay of Jounieh, and is home to a number of old monasteries and traditional heritage houses protected by UNESCO.

Although besieged by newer metropolitan buildings, Zouk Mikael still has an old town center. Its focal point is the Old Souk of Zouk, a cobble-stoned pedestrian street surrounded by arcaded shops, restored in 1995. Known for its weaving of brocades and traditional stripes, Zouk Mikael has number of weaving and artisanal workshops. Many shops feature textiles woven on traditional looms, and have kept their traditional ateliers who host an annual souk (market) for traditional heritage products. There are plenty of other tourist traps here too: cafes, restaurants and terraces overlooking the sea and mountains.

» read more at Zouk Mikael's official site »

Jbeil • Jubayl • Gubayl • Byblos — the world's oldest city?

The ancient Phoenician city of Gebal was renamed Byblos (??ß???) by the Greeks, and is known in the present day by the Arabic name of Jubayl or Jbeil (????), which was derived from of its earlier Canaanite name. It is located 12 km. (7 miles) north of Chalet Viking. Archaeologists have found successive layers of debris resulting from centuries of human habitation …

» read more about Byblos at Wikipedia »

Jbeil is regarded as the world's oldest and continuously inhabited city. For more than 7000 years, people of different civilizations and cultures left their mark on its streets. Once a wealthy port city, it was an ally of the Egyptians, who revered it as the “land of the gods.” Around 3000 BC, Lebanon's cedars were shipped from here to Egypt, for use in the construction of their pyramids. Today, Byblos is a pleasant town with a lovely historical harbor lined with fine cafe's, set in a relaxing Mediterranean atmosphere. Visitor highlights are the Crusader Castle, built with Roman stones and columns, and the beautifully restored medieval town, with its lively souks …

» read more at TravelWizard.com Lebanon Vacations »

Jeita Grotto • Jeita Caverns • Zaita Caverns • ????? ?????

Why not take a boat ride through an underground river, and see the world's longest stalactite? It's located in the Jeita Grotto, 7 km (4½ miles) from Chalet Viking, along the highway north of Beirut. Few caverns in the world approach the astounding beauty of the Jeita Grotto. Its caves and galleries have been visited by man since Paleolithic times. Caves, sculpted by water and time into cathedral-like vaults, sit just beneath the wooded hills of Mount Liban, providing an escape route for an underground river — the principal source of the Nar el-Kalb (Dog River). There are 2 levels to the caverns: the upper galleries can be seen on foot, while the lower galleries (discovered in 1836) are normally visited by boat.

» read more about the Jeita Grotto »

Mamletein Roman Bridge

About 800m. north from Chalet Viking along the coast is a well-preserved Roman bridge across the River Ghazir, which was once the boundary between the Crusader county of Tripoli and the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem.

Casino du Liban

Just 1 km. north of Chalet Viking is the Casino du Liban, enticing you if you are so inclined, with casino standards such as slot machines, roulette, Black Jack, Baccarat and stud poker. In addition to these facilities are restaurants, a theater and night club.

Kaslik

Just 2 km. south of Chalet Viking, is Kaslik, with its yacht-lined harbor, beaches, art galleries, and posh restaurants. The ATCL marina docks 100 boats of all sizes, and is even open to visiting yachts.

Darbessama

Darbessama is a spiritual, cultural and social foundation named after the late Father Simon El-Zind.

» read more about the Darbessama »

Al-Batieh • Grotto of St. George

At the south end of the Jounieh Bay is the Shrine of St. George. The grotto is enclosed within a neatly landscaped park with a pond, at the foot of an overhanging cliff. There are several shrines cut into the rocks, one of which is an ancient funerary cave known to locals as Al-Batieh, and was almost certainly a pre-Christian shrine to Adonis. It was made into a place of Christian worship and pilgrimage in the Middle Ages, is now traditionally regarded the site of St. George’s battle with the dragon. Supplicants light candles to St. George and the Virgin Mary, or bathe in the waters to ensure fertility.

Sarbã

Close to Al-Batieh is the Greek-Catholic Monastery of the Holy Savior, built in 1883, on top of a Mamluk fortress; which itself was constructed on the remains of a Roman temple. The main building stands directly on the 7-meter walls of a vast Roman temple dedicated to the god Serapis. A bas relief left-facing head of Apis can be found in the middle of the north wall of the cellar. The original temple, probably had a subterranean passage through the cliff, to the Grotto of St. George, far below.