If you love history, Lebanon is a place where you will not have a hard time finding things to explore. Lebanon has an incredibly rich and lengthy history, full of all sorts of events that have shaped it into the country that you see today. Lebanon even has some of the oldest populated cities in the world - Byblos, Beirut, and Sidon. However, Lebanon isn't only for history buffs. Regarded as one of the best places to party in the world, and was the number one tourist destination in 2009. So if you're thinking of seeing the historical side of Lebanon, the wild side, or a little bit of both, you will need an American passport.
Going online to apply for passport is much easier and much more efficient than the standard passport process. From start to finish, there are only a few easy steps. All you need to do is go online, decide what sort of service addresses your issue, pick when you want it delivered by, and you're finished. They even offer a 24 hour passport renewal service, just in case you decide you need a last minute vacation break.
Lebanon shares a long border with the Mediterranean Sea, as well as with Syria. Because of this special location, much of Lebanon's history was dominated by the Romans. There are tons and tons of Roman ruins scattered throughout the country, and many of these sites don't require a long period of travel to get to. Baalbek is one of the most famous Roman ruin sites in the world, and it is also an officially declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient city has some of the most well-preserved Roman temples in the entire world, and it is considered a wonder of the ancient world. The Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Bacchus are spectacular to see, and they have retained much of their original design and art. Rising to about 70 feet high, they are truly monumental.
Another World Heritage Site in Lebanon is the Qadisha Valley and the Cedars of God. This valley is home to some of the oldest Christian monasteries in the entire world (Qadisha translates to "holy), and the cedars are what remains of a very ancient forest. This forest features the oldest trees in the world, with some of the oldest at 3000 years old. The wood from this forest was highly sought after, as it was one of the most valuable building materials during ancient times. For example, it was used by Solomon to construct the First Temple of Jerusalem, and the Egyptians used it to build their sturdy boats. The caves in this valley were the shelters used by those fleeing from persecution. In fact, mummies of people from 1283 AD were found just recently
Tyre, founded in 2750 BC, is an ancient city where people still live today. This particular spot is famous in Classical Roman Mythology as the birthplace of Dido and Europa, two famous characters in the mythology. Al Mina is another archaeological site to visit. Much of the original Roman architecture is still standing, and it's also located on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea.
Lebanon's nightlife scene should not be underestimated. Especially in places like Greater Beirut, the parties start late in the night and don't end until the sun rises. Then, the parties switch to the miles of beaches that Lebanon has, which are always full of people. Some parties take place on rooftop clubs and bars, overlooking the busy city.
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