Beirut, Lebanon, once known as the "Pearl of the Middle East" is a city that dates back further than 15th century BC and is presently the largest city in Lebanon with greater than 2 million inhabitants.

Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) is a hub for Middle East Airlines. Flights operated by Royal Jordanian, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar, and Cyprus Airways are also common to handle more than 6 million passengers who pass through the airport.

One of Beirut's natural gems is the Jeita Grotto. The Grotto consists of two parts, an upper grotto accessible by foot and a lower grotto accessible by boat.

A stop along ancient trade routes, the Temples of Baalbek are a UNESCO World Heritage Sight and Lebanon's most significant historical locales.

If visiting in July or August, be sure to check out the Baalbek International Festival. A tradition with more than 50 years of history, the festival is a musical and artistic display with Jupiter's Temple as a backdrop.

Beirut is known by many for its nightlife. With countless nightclubs and parties that continue past sunrise, Beirut is a destination for Europe and the Middle East's most avid party-goers.