Like the mythical phoenix risen from ashes, Beirut has regained its past glory as Paris of the MEA  surviving 2 decades of conflicts and political turmoil.

But this magic and triumphant city remains by far  “ A Land of Paradox” that delightfully depicts that opposites attract , weaving a patchwork of contrasts, where mosques stand shoulder to shoulder with churches, where ancient and modern stand side by side like ruins of Roman Baths and  Budha Bar the trendiest  Restaurant/Bar in town .

What s  more mystifying is the shade of contrast in  lifestyles where traditional blends in with liberalism when a lady in a miniskirt, dressed to be seen  is strolling down the sidewalk and just across another is veiled from head to toe , window shopping.

Even Peace  and War coexist in Beirut , where the Holiday Inn ‘s evident  with its bullet perforated walls like Swiss  cheese , stand erect next to the most notorious hotel in town the  Phoenicia InterContinental. ..

 For years now, Beirut has been home for glamour seekers , according to Lonely Planet  Beirut was among the  top ten liveliest cities on the planet in 2009 .World   Tourism Organization  and The New York Times also  placed  Beirut as the number one place to go in 2009.

As if the earth is too limited for Beirut‘s hustle and bustle, Beirut has seized the sky. Jetsetters take up trendy chic cocktail lounges such as such as Asia, vibrant ambiance White ,SkyBar , for inspired dancing you  find people grooving on the tables , dance floors  swaying till dawn  under the starry summer sky.

Beirutis like to party, all night long, and they do it with elegance and energy.

Only in Beirut, most evenings start and end with food, one might start light dining at  Le Rouge then bar hopping in Gemayze , then intense clubbing  at Monot or DT rooftops then at the break of dawn   ZWZ  for  thyme pastry known as man’ouche….Whether that evening  you were served  a  Champagne bottle of  $10,000 or a diet 7 up for $ 5 , you always end your night with a man’ouche breakfast .

For shopping and a more trendy, in-vogue exposure, attractive streets in  Saifi,  Ashrafieh or chic Verdun  brim with the latest fashions, from luxurious residential buildings to high-end shopping malls. Lebanese men and women pay a lot of attention to their appearances, whether grocery shopping, clubbing, jogging, business meeting etc… They dress to impress….

Another landmark in Beirut is  Raouche.  A commercial and upscale residential area located on the sea front of Beirut famed its wonder rising from the sea, the Pigeon’s Rock or The Rock of Raouche.

For a more picturesque sight ,The Corniche  is a seafront  sidewalk  along the Mediterranean  lined with majestic palm trees .Like a magnet for locals and tourists alike ,  jammed with  cart vendors pushing their way past joggers, roller blade and skate boarders , bikers,  offering  traditional  snacks exclusive to The Corniche such as cooked  fava beans with a pinch of cumin, oriental spices and lemon squeeze or corn on the comb ……

On warm summer evenings, locals pave The Corniche with bubbling narghiles releasing a sweet aroma of grape tobacco mingling with the sea breeze …….

Beirut Central District

Beirut city has been destroyed and reconstructed seven times —

A heritage from Phoenician era to French mandate, the remodeling and construction of the city center has conserved this historical wealth that complied to European-style architecture .

Nestled  in the historical heart of the capital and in close proximity to the hotels district by the waterfront  Beirut downtown has regained its pioneering stature as  a business hub and an ultimate touristic and cultural destination that attracts businessmen, investors, tourists and shoppers from all over the region.

Beirut souks   With brand names you’d see in London’s Knightsbridge , the  shopping experience in Beirut Souks is sublime and  no different than London, Milano or Paris in terms of Brands and novelty.

Strolling through cobblestone streets and landscaped gardens, you will come across the most enchanting sight, the Roman Baths of Berytus. Built in the 1^st century AD , hundreds of little columns and brick vaults are beautifully displayed just below le Grand Sérail and the Ottoman Hospital Building.

Beirut Culture

The culture of Beirut has evolved under the influence of contact with many civilizations and peoples, including Greeks, Romans and Arabs. The law school in Beirut under the Romanized Berytus is believed to be the first law school in the world.

The city’s name appeared as of the 14th century BC in cuneiform inscriptions, Beirut is considered  the focal point of the region’s cultural life, renowned for its freedom of thought and liberalism.

And where better than Hamra street to discover the hip and cultural side of Beirut where journalists, intellectuals, dissidents, university students and exiled refugees meet to discuss current issues and sometimes books that are banned in their own countries. Hamra is packed with cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, theatres, cultural and  business centers.

Beirut is the United Nations 2009 World Book Capital, an homage for its cultural wealth ,as an exclusive acknowledgement for its historic role as an anchor of the region’s literary and intellectual world

Museums

The Beirut National Museum houses an impressive and precious collection of sarcophagi, columns, and mosaics from the 3rd century BC .

The AUB Museum, is the third oldest Museum in the Near East, featuring a permanent collection of a wide range of artifacts, from the Early Stone Age to the Islamic period.

Beirut's Sursock Museum displays a collection of Japanese engravings and numerous works of Islamic visual arts through the ages.

Beirut’s cultural heritage and flourishing cultural scene has been and still is moving beyond “cliché” combining a dramatic fusion between the traditional and modern state of the art.

Yet despite the chaotic construction and the hectic stress of daily life, Beirut is effervescent with ‘joie de vie ‘and living in constant celebration.

Some Beirut Facts :

• Beirut hosted the Francophonie and the Arab League summits in 2002
• . In 2007, Beirut hosted the ceremony for Le Prix Albert Londres, which rewards outstanding Francophone journalists every year.
• The city also hosted the Jeux de la Francophonie in 2009
• Beirut is the United Nations 2009 World Book Capital, an homage for its cultural wealth ,as an exclusive acknowledgement for its historic role as an anchor of the region’s literary and intellectual world.