Beirut... seeking insight
Feb 16, 2017, 8:33 pm
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 128
Beirut... seeking insight
Trying to pick a place in the middle east thats great for photography. Would like to hear people's thoughts on Beirut as well as suggestions of where to go (not just pictures, other things welcome to). I hear the nightlife is incredible there too.
Overall, would you say its a place worth going, one that you would long to go again/return to?
Overall, would you say its a place worth going, one that you would long to go again/return to?
Feb 17, 2017, 5:39 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Programs: ME, EK, LH, IC
Posts: 2,411
Very biased opinion... YES!!! It is worth a visit and there is so much to see and do in Beirut and outside Beirut. When are you planning the trip? Winter activities are in full swing at the moment (clear blue skies, snow capped mountains, etc) and yes, the nightlife is always buzzing (with weekend parties up on the pistes after everyone is done skiing for the day)...
Mar 6, 2017, 1:16 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2008
Location: WAS
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 1,630
Don't listen to the local, he is very much biased hehehehe --- just kidding. BEYFlyer is actually spot on. BEY is a great place to visit. A trip to BEY alone would be great but nearby one can visit Jeita Grotto, Byblos and the lady of Lebanon - Harissa all in a day trip. And the food. OMFG -- best I've had anywhere. Nice folks too, e.g., my day-trip driver saw me walking as I was trying to find a bus near the National Museum (awesome museum) and gave me a ride. Night life was fun too. One can get a beer and some Arak without breaking the bank but be careful, the higher end areas are higher end re $$$$.
Would I go again? Yes. In fact I went twice in a 6 week period and have been looking for flight deals back ever since.
As for photos, my first trip to BEY was to meet up with fellow FTer JohnnyColombia and his photos are publicly available
Would I go again? Yes. In fact I went twice in a 6 week period and have been looking for flight deals back ever since.
As for photos, my first trip to BEY was to meet up with fellow FTer JohnnyColombia and his photos are publicly available
Go and have fun
Cheers
Very biased opinion... YES!!! It is worth a visit and there is so much to see and do in Beirut and outside Beirut. When are you planning the trip? Winter activities are in full swing at the moment (clear blue skies, snow capped mountains, etc) and yes, the nightlife is always buzzing (with weekend parties up on the pistes after everyone is done skiing for the day)...
Mar 6, 2017, 8:24 pm
#6
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,648
Totally agree with this thegrailer character.
Wonderful wonderful city, he didn't invite me back for the second trip so clearly I was a jerk. As such I only say Beirut but wow it's amazing.
BEYFlyer is a brilliant local sage and has tonnes of valuable info.
All very walkable, a city of contrasts but all parts of it cool and photogenic, as my august travel companion points out, great food and wonderful people.
Wonderful wonderful city, he didn't invite me back for the second trip so clearly I was a jerk. As such I only say Beirut but wow it's amazing.
BEYFlyer is a brilliant local sage and has tonnes of valuable info.
All very walkable, a city of contrasts but all parts of it cool and photogenic, as my august travel companion points out, great food and wonderful people.
Mar 6, 2017, 8:40 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2008
Location: WAS
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 1,630
At least you have the self awareness to understand your limitations 
.
I invited you to ORD for boat ride -- too bad livingthedream99 (aka ORD Mark) probably didn't have as much fun (?)
And there was that trip to BAQ. Still sour we didn't have time to see the Shakira monument?
I'm game for another BEY trip. We'll stay with BEYFlyer this time
^
Cheers
. I invited you to ORD for boat ride -- too bad livingthedream99 (aka ORD Mark) probably didn't have as much fun (?)
And there was that trip to BAQ. Still sour we didn't have time to see the Shakira monument?
I'm game for another BEY trip. We'll stay with BEYFlyer this time
^Cheers
Totally agree with this thegrailer character.
Wonderful wonderful city, he didn't invite me back for the second trip so clearly I was a jerk. As such I only say Beirut but wow it's amazing.
BEYFlyer is a brilliant local sage and has tonnes of valuable info.
All very walkable, a city of contrasts but all parts of it cool and photogenic, as my august travel companion points out, great food and wonderful people.
Wonderful wonderful city, he didn't invite me back for the second trip so clearly I was a jerk. As such I only say Beirut but wow it's amazing.
BEYFlyer is a brilliant local sage and has tonnes of valuable info.
All very walkable, a city of contrasts but all parts of it cool and photogenic, as my august travel companion points out, great food and wonderful people.
Mar 7, 2017, 12:35 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: usually somewhere between 30000 and 40000 feet...but actually the English countryside
Programs: BA GGL/Lifetime Gold, EK Gold, Lowly M&M, Marriott tit, Hhonors Diamond, numerous others
Posts: 1,156
Definitely. I loved Byblos and very photogenic.
Mar 13, 2017, 2:47 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midwest/Mideast (ORD/DTW/FNT/BAH)
Programs: QR Gold/Gulf Air Gold/UA Gold
Posts: 345
Just to clarify, the Jeita Grotto is spectacular, but photography is strictly prohibited. Lots to do and see in Lebanon, so it will be worth the trip if you plan it right and explore the right places.
Apr 1, 2017, 11:40 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Nashville,TN
Programs: AA Gold Elite
Posts: 601
Questions for BEYFlyer
I will be spending a very short and quick weekend in Beirut visiting a very dear family friend who was born there after a couple of weeks of a mission trip in Kenya
When I arrive at BEY, do I just pay for a visa on arrival? No need to apply in advance?
Flying on QR out of Beirut back to the US. Can I get my luggage wrapped at BEY? Now that I have to pack my camera body in my luggage I would like the extra security of a wrapped bag. Damage to the camera body is another issues entirely though.
Do you know if I can bring any lenses in my carry on? Going BEY>DOH>DFW>BNA. I assume I will need to check both laptop and camera body in BEY? Bringing an old and slow laptop so I don't care if it breaks but the camera body I do.
Arrive on a mid day Saturday, then depart on a 1:30am flight on a Tuesday.
With that short a time there, what should I ask the friend to show me? She is in her upper 80s but has family and friends there of course.
Thanks for any advice.
When I arrive at BEY, do I just pay for a visa on arrival? No need to apply in advance?
Flying on QR out of Beirut back to the US. Can I get my luggage wrapped at BEY? Now that I have to pack my camera body in my luggage I would like the extra security of a wrapped bag. Damage to the camera body is another issues entirely though.
Do you know if I can bring any lenses in my carry on? Going BEY>DOH>DFW>BNA. I assume I will need to check both laptop and camera body in BEY? Bringing an old and slow laptop so I don't care if it breaks but the camera body I do.
Arrive on a mid day Saturday, then depart on a 1:30am flight on a Tuesday.
With that short a time there, what should I ask the friend to show me? She is in her upper 80s but has family and friends there of course.
Thanks for any advice.
Apr 2, 2017, 3:38 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,622
I heard from Emirates cabin crew that the place is amazing fun, seriously not to be missed. Dangerous for those single guys going there, depending on your definition of dangerous! I personally would enjoy the cultural mix that is there, the interaction with the people, the food and the geographical diversity (snowy mountains v desert landscapes). Must be great for photography. Although seeing major historic sites is great, I am one for getting off the beaten track and have had my most interesting experiences doing so.
Both Beirut and Amman are on my list of places to go to soon!
Both Beirut and Amman are on my list of places to go to soon!
Apr 2, 2017, 6:34 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,043