Beirut - safe?
Feb 27, 2003 | 3:24 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH LT SEN,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Gl,Mrtt LT P,HH LT D,IHG D-Amb,Acc D,GHA T,LHW A,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,947
Beirut - safe?
Hello, my first post in the TravelBuzz! forum.
I have been invited to go to Beirut and stay at this hotel - www.rivierahotel.com.lb
The trip (with an international group, including Americans, etc.) is supposed to take place in June and we were invited by two locals who have arranged a very nice 5-day program for us.
Now, I would be very curious to go to Beirut...but I am also quite concerned about safety. Especially in the current situation, do you think it would be safe to fly there (from Germany, on Lufthansa)? I know everyone here cannot predict the future, but if anyone has recently been in Beirut or maybe we even have some posters from Beirut here, I would appreciate your perspective on this.
Thanks
.
I have been invited to go to Beirut and stay at this hotel - www.rivierahotel.com.lb
The trip (with an international group, including Americans, etc.) is supposed to take place in June and we were invited by two locals who have arranged a very nice 5-day program for us.
Now, I would be very curious to go to Beirut...but I am also quite concerned about safety. Especially in the current situation, do you think it would be safe to fly there (from Germany, on Lufthansa)? I know everyone here cannot predict the future, but if anyone has recently been in Beirut or maybe we even have some posters from Beirut here, I would appreciate your perspective on this.
Thanks
.
Feb 27, 2003 | 3:50 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2002
Location: US
Programs: UA GS 3MM, AA 1MM/EXP, Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,832
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tango:
All bets are off with what is going on in Iraq. If Iraq was not in the picture, or if you were not going with a group, I would not hesitate to travel to Beirut. </font>
All bets are off with what is going on in Iraq. If Iraq was not in the picture, or if you were not going with a group, I would not hesitate to travel to Beirut. </font>
Feb 27, 2003 | 3:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The road less traveled
Programs: UA Gold MM, AA EXP, Delta Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HHonors Diamond, Natl EE, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 5,189
I was in Beirut last year and enjoyed the city but was always a little on my toes. It didn't help that Hezbollah was located only a few blocks away! 
Never at any moment did we feel unsafe, but we took the necessary precautions and usually were only out-and-about in the company of our Lebanese friends. The hotel (beautiful Sheraton -- would highly recommend) was securely staffed.
All that to say... I would agree with Tango that it is a hard call with the Iraq situation. Personally, I would not be traveling to that part of the world at this time of year -- and I tend to blend in decently well. YMMV.
Never at any moment did we feel unsafe, but we took the necessary precautions and usually were only out-and-about in the company of our Lebanese friends. The hotel (beautiful Sheraton -- would highly recommend) was securely staffed.All that to say... I would agree with Tango that it is a hard call with the Iraq situation. Personally, I would not be traveling to that part of the world at this time of year -- and I tend to blend in decently well. YMMV.