The National Federation is pleased to announce that 170 Lebanese-Americans are visiting Lebanon and the Holy Land this June. Dr. Albert Johary of the Southern Federation and Michel Abou-Zelof of the Midwest Federation are once again hosting the tour that covers many major sites in Lebanon: the Cedar Forest; Qadisha Valley; Becharre’, the birthplace of Kahlil Gibran; Baalbeck; Zahle; Tripoli; Byblos; Jounieh; Jeita Grotto; Harissa; the ancient Mediterranean port cities of Sidon and Tyre in the South; and Cana, the site of the first miracle recorded in the Bible where Jesus turned water into wine.
National Federation Trip Tentative Itinerary
June 7 Depart USA – Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami
June 8 Arrive Beirut – transfer by air-conditioned buses to Le Bristol Hotel (5 stars)
June 9 Beiteddine Palace, Deir El Qamar & downtown Beirut
June 10 Baalbeck, Zahle, Ksara winery, Beirut Beer tour
June 11 FREE DAY
June 12 Tripoli, Qadisha Valley, Cedars of Lebanon
June 13 Jeita Grotto, Harissa by Cable car, Byblos
June 14 FREE DAY
June 15 FREE DAY
FREE DAYS – Expore Lebanon on your own or do an optional Tour of Tripoli and the Souks, Tour South Lebanon- Sidon, Tyre, Cana (possible site of the first miracle turning water into wine—see Qana, Israel below) , Jezzine, take your chance at the Casino du Liban, or enjoy a leisure day at Eddie Sands Resort or one of the other beaches on the Mediterrean; In the evening, enjoy the exciting and vibrant nightlife in Beirut; Possible return visit to the Presidential Palace in Baabda to greet the Lebanese President (upon invitation)
June 16 Early Departure to USA (OR Amman, Jordan if doing the Holyland tour)
HOLYLAND Experience
June 16 Tour Amman, the Roman Theatre, Jerash, and Ajioun
June 17 Madaba, Mount Nebo (Moses), Kerak Castle, and transfer to Petra (the “Red City” famously showcased in the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark)
June 18 full day in Petra, transfer to Dead Sea
June 19 Free LEISURE DAY at the Dead Sea- float in the salt water, have a mud massage/enoy the spa, relax and take in the beauty and serenity of the area
June 20 Transfer to the Allenby border (bridge connecting Jordan to Israel), visit Nazareth, Qana (possible site of the first miracle of turning water into wine; see Cana, Lebanon above), continue to Tiberias (sea of Galilee, Mount of Beatitudes)
June 21 Full day at the Sea of Galilee (go on the “Jesus boat” and eat fish from the Sea of Galilee) and then transfer via Jericho to Jerusalem
June 22 Full day tour of Bethlehem and Jerusalem
June 23 Visit Ein Karem (birthplace of John the Baptist) and Jerusalem’s modern city
June 24 Free Day in Jerusalem
June 25 Transfer to Airport after breakfast