How do you feel that this situation in Lebanon will end?

Question

While I do have a friend who lives in a suburb of Beirut that I plan to visit early next year for the first time (I'm American of old European descent - never been to the ME), I am concerned about him, but also selfishly, my own vacation plans. How do you forsee this playing out, and what are my safety risks? I will be staying in a "Christian area", and have no plans to travel too far south or to Tripoli. What is the best time to go in '08?


*PLEASE* only answers from people that actually know, not racists or overly paranoid fellow Americans ;) I need advice from Lebanese there and here, and my fellow world travellers.

Aside from air and hotel, how much money do you think I need to bring?

I'd like to see a few local movies/plays/theater, eat lots of street food and go to the really ethnic local restaurants (non-tourist laid back casual everyday places), see the Roman ruins on my own, and confess this- I very much love the pubs on vacation. I'd also like to take my local friend and his friends out one nigh. How much money am I looking at here (prefer to save and spend the cash over using credit cards)?

I plan to go for 2 weeks (14/15 days)

Ahhh! I love you great ambassadors! I was thinking I needed about 1,500US, just to be safe. How much of that in cash or travelers checks do you think? Ukranian whore spankings will go on my CC, just because the reciept and billing wording will be just to precious, lol. I really cannot wait to come and see all of the great places, beautiful people, and best of food in Lebanon! You here have been such a help to me. Bisous!

Answer 1

Some of my friends are making plans to go there next year.
And I think they'll be safe.
If you'll have the opportunity to know that wonderful country.....dont hesitate and do it..
It's not my lebanese blood who talks, but be sure that you'll be surprised bcoz of that amazing country and its pple.
I went last year in april and may, and can tell you that were the nicest 2 months I spent in the last years.

Spring in Lebanon is marvelous, but if you like winter sports, then winter can be great for you too. the only thing in winter, is that you'll not be able to reach everywhere.
As Kate said, U$ 1000 will be ok, and as she said too, you'll see how much generous and hospitable lebanese pple is.
Good luck and enjoy ur trip.

EDIT...
May be my information can be useful to you. B4 travelling I put all my money in my bank account in my country, so I travelled only with the minimun, and when needed money I went to the cashier and took what I needed with my card . I never had problems and was calm about the money.
Be sure first that your bank is same "net" than some in Lebanon. CIRRUS....REDLINK....BANELCO, any of the well known ones you'll find them in Lebanon too.

Answer 2

Aussie's right...no one can exactly tell you when it will be ok to travel to Lebanon...but I think with the "crisis" we have now, life is still going on as usual, you can go anywhere around Lebanon...prices are a bit high, things are more expensive, but that is due to the fuel prices going up and I think it's the same all around the world.
The best time (weatehr wise) is to come in April-May.
The fun time is July August.

If you're staying in a hotel it would be very expensive...other than that food is pretty cheap and well I don't think your friend will let you pay for that cuz we Lebanese like to invite our guests and pay for their food...lol

Anyway, for a couple of weeks, if you're planning on doing a little shopping, you'll need 1000 USD.

Answer 3

Ton of them here nd have been for a long time and they head back with no problem and told me recently that the situation 'has light at the end of the tunnel'. So Syria is out and they have had enough of all of it. Take care. Have a safe trip and bring me a proof set. On second thought I think they and Israel stopped making proof sets a few years back so go to the bank and get a new roll of 20 livres, they have the Cedar of Lebanon on their coins like in the Bible and it's pretty neat.

Answer 4

Well , I am planning to visit in mid March if things appear to be stable & will be staying in Tripoli..

Even the locals have no idea how the politics are going to play out but are forever the optimists & will encourage you to come..

I was there in January last year & didn't mind the cold weather & rain but this trip we are going in Spring so as to be able to travel in the mountains.

You'll love it & , like us , want to return .

edit...You can use your bank debit card from ATM'S at any major bank....you have the choice to withdraw in local currency or US Dollars If it was me , I would take up to $500 in US Dollars & then withdraw the rest as & if required....maybe budget for up to $1,500.

Answer 5

If in basic terms it grow to be a concern... there is a minimum of 10 circumstances in this one concern. the government? there's a president who does not go with to preside and does not go with to bypass there's a cabinet who isn't effective if that is valid or no longer there's a parliament no longer able to fulfill simply by fact it does not adventure vast chief. exterior acquaintances? there's a neighbour who pretends to have left and is enjoying us against one yet another the different neighbour stormed in destroyed and killed and left in basic terms because it got here. The large powers have comfortably desperate to combat their battles in this tiny land of ours. the human beings? 0.5 of them have spent the final month in the streets demonstrating on an identical time as the different 0.5 is fortunately and obliviously continuing existence as though no longer something. The monetary gadget? what the israeli invasion did no longer end we desperate to end and we are self inflicting our coup de grace to ourselves with a view to recapitulate, there is this tiny land divided with a crippled goverment, no funds and no acquaintances... and additionally you recognize what? we are effective...we are able to work out the sunshine on the tip of the tunnel, that's a lengthy tunnel we've been seeing this easy for the previous 30 strange years, simply by fact we want back what we as quickly as had and we are residing in wish. enable's in basic terms wish that this easy isn't a prepare.

Answer 6

is it safe to go to lebanon i live in leb and is it so safe is not dangerous even they are some problem but is okay u can visit beirut and tripolie or north they are diff u will have time to visit all lebanon leb is small country and it will not cost u a lot and i wish to enjoy it

Answer 7

You'll need 1000$ as Kate said.. if you're planning on shoppin that is, my favorite hobby.. for me, i'll have more than 1000$ :D
I hope nothing happens :s.. i changed my job few weeks ago,.. the company is supposed to have a bright future.. if something happens.. i'll be in deep sht :(

Answer 8

okay,
i think that coming to lebanon at this time is a little little bit risky the political events are not that optemizing, so if u like u can delay ur arrival!

Answer 9

I think it would be fine, and the best time to go would be in spring or autum.