Beirut feels unlike any other city in the Middle East — warm, chaotic, stylish, historic, and modern all at the same time. It’s a place where the sea touches the edge of the city, where old stone houses sit next to sleek new buildings, and where every neighborhood has its own rhythm. Beirut carries thousands of years of history, yet it lives with a youthful energy that you feel the moment you arrive. People sit in cafés for hours over tiny cups of coffee, fishermen cast their lines from rocky shores, and the scent of fresh bread, cardamom, and grilled meats drifts through the streets. There’s an openness here, a mix of cultures and influences that comes from centuries of trade, migration, and rebuilding.

Lebanon, officially called the Lebanese Republic, is an Arabic-speaking nation resting along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It is situated in Western Asia, bordered by Syria to the north and east, and Israel to the south, with the island of Cyprus lying a short distance away across the blue expanse of the Mediterranean. Its location at the very crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland has played a defining role in shaping both its identity and its fate.

Throughout its long and storied history, Lebanon has acted as a cultural bridge between East and West. Traders from ancient Phoenician ports sailed its coasts, Roman legions built their temples on its hills, and Arab dynasties once ruled its fertile valleys. This constant interaction gave Lebanon a remarkable mix of civilizations, languages, and religions that still define the country today.

Oman is a land where tradition and beauty intertwine effortlessly, revealing a world that feels untouched yet welcoming. Resting gracefully on the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sultanate captures both the heart and imagination of travelers. Its golden deserts seem endless, its ancient forts whisper stories of power and resilience, and its coastline glows beneath a warm Arabian sun. From mystical canyons to peaceful fishing villages, every corner of Oman feels like an open secret waiting to be explored.

If you’re planning a trip to this small yet incredibly diverse Middle Eastern country, you might be surprised at just how much it offers. Lebanon may be compact in size, but it holds a fascinating mix of ancient history, breathtaking natural beauty, and deeply rooted cultures that have intertwined for thousands of years.

One of the most convenient things about traveling through Lebanon is its scale. The country is small enough that you can comfortably stay in one city—most travelers choose Beirut—and explore almost everything else through day trips. That means you can experience Lebanon’s coastal towns, mountain monasteries, and archaeological treasures without having to constantly pack up and move.

The earliest signs of civilization in what is now Lebanon reach back over seven thousand years, placing it among the world’s oldest continuously inhabited regions. Long before modern borders were drawn, this stretch of Mediterranean coastline was home to the Canaanites—later known as the Phoenicians—an ancient maritime people whose cities such as Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos became thriving hubs of trade and culture. These seafaring pioneers built sturdy cedar ships and established trade routes that linked them to Egypt, Greece, and the far western Mediterranean. Their alphabet, carved on stone and etched on clay, would later inspire the Greek and Latin writing systems.

Oman is one of those rare places where ancient traditions still hum quietly beneath the rhythm of modern life. Nestled along the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, this peaceful nation tells its story through wind-carved deserts, mountain forts, and the scent of frankincense drifting through its streets. Though small compared to its neighbors, Oman stands tall in heritage, beauty, and hospitality — a country that blends humility with timeless grandeur.