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Proceed from Beirut to the village of Beit Chabab.
There are two options for the trip:
1) Drive 16 km east of Beirut to Beit Meri, then another 4 km to Brummana, then 5 km to Bikfaya. This route offers beautiful scenery, good road conditions, and pleasant stops in Beit Mery, Broummana, Dhour Shweir, and/or Bikfaya. After you pass through Bikfaya heading toward the coast, make a right toward Beit
Chabab.
2) Take the coastal motorway 11 km north of Beirut to the Antelias junction, then travel 14 km east toward Bikfaya. Just before Bikfaya, make a left at the fork in the road toward Beit Chabab.Beit Chabab is famous for its traditional crafts of pottery and bell making. It is home to Lebanon’s only bell foundry, which makes large bronze bells for churches throughout the country. The pottery workshops, which are open in the summer, make large storage jars for olive oil, preserved meats, and arak (liquor). The village has many picturesque traditional houses and churches. From Beit Chabab, proceed west down the riverside road to the coastal motorway (at the Antelias junction) and then drive northward for about 5 km. After you pass through the tunnel, be sure to stop at the Archaeological Valley of the Nahr el-Kalb (Dog River). Here, invading armies throughout history have left inscriptions on the stone faces of the river gorge. The oldest inscription, left by Ramses II of Egypt, dates back to the 13th century BC. The newest inscription was left by Christian militias during the 1975-1990 civil war. The inscriptions are located on both sides of the river, and you can consult a guidebook for specific information about the locations and history of the inscriptions (which are identified and catalogued by Roman numerals).Continue to drive north on the motorway for about 1 km, and take the exit for the Jeita Grotto. Jeita is an enormous limestone cave with breathtaking stalactites, stalagmites, and other stone formations that are millions of years old. First discovered in 1836, the caverns extend for over 6 km and serve as the source of the Nahr al-Kalb (Dog River). A tour of the Jeita Grotto includes a cable car ride to the entrance of the upper cavern, which is open for walking tours year round. A small train takes you to the lower cavern, where you can tour the underground lake by boat in spring, summer, and fall. There is also a sound and light show in the caverns.After exploring the grotto, head back to the coastal motorway and drive a few kilometers north toward Jounieh. In Jounieh, you can ride the télépherique (cable car), which makes a steep, 600 meter, 9-minute ascent from the coast to the mountain summit at Harissa. Harissa is famous for its large statue of the Virgin Mary, the Notre Dame du Liban. You can climb a spiral staircase that leads to the top of the statue. Harissa is an important site for religious pilgrims, and there are several old and modern cathedrals, churches, and monasteries surrounding the statue. Harissa also offers a spectacular view of the Bay of Jounieh and the Mediterranean coastline. You can ride the télépherique back down the mountain to Jounieh. At the entry building for the télépherique in Jounieh, you can also pay a visit to the Heritage Museum. From Jounieh, take the coastal motorway north and then turn to the east to the village of Ghazir, where you should ask for directions to the Château Musar Winery. Founded in 1830, Château Musar is one of the oldest and most famous wineries in Lebanon. The winery is located in an 18th century castle. Tours of the winery should be organized by telephone at least one day prior to your visit. The village of Ghazir is home to many 17th and 18th century monasteries and churches, and is also the birthplace of Emir Bashir Shihab II (1767-1850). For a taste of the traditional architecture, you can visit the Rennaissance-style church at the College of Deir Mar Maroun, the Hotel de Ville (built in 1904), or look for the village’s many traditional red-roofed homes. Below Ghazir there is an old Roman bridge built over the small River Maameltein.From Ghazir, you can proceed south Ghosta. Ghosta is one of the oldest Lebanese villages and is home to several interesting old monasteries.You can take to coastal motorway directly back to Beirut. The trip home should take about 35 minutes.
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