Visiting Roman Ruins, World-Famous Wineries and City Hotspots: A Big Short Break to Beirut, Lebanon

Today, on the first full day of your tailor-made Big Short Break to Beirut, you'll be met at your hotel by your guide and taken on a tour of this fantastically fast-paced and diverse city. There's so much to see and do in Beirut and you guide will show you around the top sites and hidden-away haunts. Visit the glitzy Downtown where you can gaze at beautiful architecture and nose around fragrant souqs; wander the winding streets of Basta - Beirut's biggest antique district - and head to a lovely local restaurant for tasty traditional food including flavourful fattoush salad, moutabel (the aubergine equivalent of hummus) and succulent shish taouk (chicken skewers).

Come afternoon, you will be transferred around 35-minutes along the coast to the city of Jounieh where you'll ride the gondola up to see Our Lady of Lebanon, a 60ft-tall statue depicting Mary, mother of Jesus. Drawing in millions of visitors each year, this is an important pilgrimage site and a wonderfully spiritual spot as well as a panorama with staggering views.

As evening draws in, experience Beirut's after-dark buzz as you dine at another wonderful local restaurant, walk along the waterfront and see the city from above in a cool rooftop bar (we can help point you in the direction of the best spots in town).

Today, on the penultimate day of your tailor-made trip to Beirut, you'll be exploring Lebanon's Bekaa Valley - a renowned wine growing region with a number of world-famous vineyards. After being collected from your hotel, you will be driven approximately two hours to the city of Baalbek where your private guide and driver will take you on a tour of the city's fabulous historical remains. In the UNESCO-listed Baalbek complex, see wonderfully preserved Roman temples including the Temple of Bacchus - named after the god of wine - the Temple of Venus and the Temple of Jupiter.

Refuel with a delicious Lebanese lunch at a local restaurant before getting back in the car for a 45-minute drive to Chateau Ksara, a famous winery and estate. Here, you will learn about the country's wonderful wines and the grape varieties that are grown - including carignan and muscat alongside more well-known grapes such as cabernet sauvignon and syrah - and the history of wine making in Lebanon, which stretches back 5,000 years. Enjoy a tour of the historic Roman caves where the vintage wines are stores and take a seat for a wine tasting.

Back in town, enjoy another chance to paint Beirut red with a helping hand from our Concierge.