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kawasaki gpz400 gpz550 z400f z500f z550f 1983 1985 manualRead More Select points of interest to plot on map by type Top Attractions Top Hotels Top Restaurants Top Entertainment Top Nightlife Top Shopping Temple of Bacchus Baalbek Ruins Baalbek Ruins Baalbek Archaeological Site National Museum of Beirut Beirut Museum Shouf Biosphere Reserve Chouf Mountains Nature Reserve Al Bass Archaeological Site Tyre Archaeological Site MIM Beirut Museum Main Square Deir Al Qamar Square St George Crypt Museum Beirut Archaeological Site Al Mina Tripoli Area Saida Souq Saida Market see all attractions Highlights in Lebanon 1 Beirut If you’re looking for the real East-meets-West so talked about in the Middle East, you need look no further than Beirut. A couple of excellent museums are the key sights, but exploring the character of the different districts, strolling the waterfront and diving into the city's wonderful restaurant and nightlife scene are major attractions. As Lebanon is so small, and day trips easy, some travellers base themselves here for their entire visit. The temples here, which were built on an extravagant scale, have enjoyed a stellar reputation throughout the centuries, yet still manage to maintain the appealing air of an undiscovered wonder because of their semi-rural setting. The town itself, which is 86km northeast of Beirut, is the administrative headquarters for both the Bekaa Valley and the Hezbollah party. At time of research, Western governments were advising against travel to Baalbek: it is important to check the security situation before visiting. Explore more 3 Tripoli Tripoli comprises two main areas: the city proper, which includes modern Tripoli and the Old City; and Al Mina, the rather enchanting port suburb, 3km west along the seafront. The geographical centre of town is Saahat At Tall, a large square by the clock tower. The old city sprawls east of Saahat At Tall, while the modern centre is west of the square, along Rue Fouad Chehab.http://htijsr.com/userfiles/how-to-manually-tune-freesat-channels.xml
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Tripoli's major sight is its Crusader fortress, but visitors should be sure not to miss the compact and wonderfully atmospheric Old City to the citadel's northwest. Dating from the Mamluk era (14th and 15th centuries), this is a sizeable maze of narrow alleys, colourful souqs, hammams, khans, mosques and madrasas (schools for study of the Quran). It’s a lively and fascinating place where craftspeople, including tailors, jewellers, soap makers and coppersmiths, continue to work as they have done for centuries. The Souq Al Sayyaghin (the gold souq), Souq Al Attarin (for perfumes and spices), the medieval Souq Al Haraj and Souq An Nahhassin (the brass souq) are highlights. Women should dress modestly in the Old City, and check with the custodian before entering mosques. Explore more 4 Deir Al Qamar One of Lebanon's loveliest villages, the pretty Chouf settlement of Deir Al Qamar ('Convent of the Moon') was the seat of Lebanon’s emirs during the 17th and 18th centuries, and retains a number of handsome buildings from this time. It's a popular weekend escape for Beirutis. Beiteddine Palace is a few kilometres further down the road. Explore more 5 Byblos A pretty fishing port with an ancient harbour, medieval town centre, Crusader-era castle and atmospheric archaeological site, Byblos (Jbail in Arabic) is a wonderful choice for those wanting a night or two out of Beirut, but it's also an easy and enjoyable day trip. The seaside, good accommodation and eating options, and a lively party scene in the old souq make it a likeably hedonistic place that packs out in summer. Explore more 6 Jeita Grotto One of the Middle East's greatest natural wonders, the stunning Jeita Grotto cave system extends around 6km into the mountains 18km, northeast of Beirut. The simply extraordinary upper cavern, accessed via a cable car from the ticket office, has strategically positioned coloured lights that showcase the stalactites and stalagmites in all their crystalline glory.https://www.fromagedujura.com/userfiles/how-to-manually-tune-an-electric-guitar.xml The flooded lower caves, reached via a tacky toy train, are explored by rowing boat and are closed when the flood levels rise too high. Explore more 7 Qadisha Valley The trip up to the mountain village of Bcharre takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in Lebanon. Red-roofed villages perch atop hills or cling precariously to the mountainsides; the Qadisha River, with its source just below the Cedars ski resort, runs along the valley bottom; and Lebanon’s highest peak, Qornet As Sawda (3090m), soars overhead. With plentiful opportunities for hiking quiet valley trails or scaling isolated mountain landscapes, this is the perfect antidote to the urban mayhem of Beirut. Explore more 8 Saida Set amid thick citrus and banana groves, the port town of Saida, also called Sidon, was once a rich and flourishing Phoenician city, with tight trade links to ancient Egypt and a globally renowned glass-making industry. Later the capital of the Persian satrapy, these days it's best known for its fresh fruit and its sweets (the local speciality is a crumbly cookie called senioura ). Traces of Saida’s rich history can still be found all over town, with many ancient remnants in the Old City. The history is very much part of everyday life, and while this means that options for accommodation and eating out are fairly limited, it also offers a stronger sense of DIY exploration than some of Lebanon’s busier destinations. The local Sunni population is conservative, so dress and behave accordingly. Explore more 9 Tyre The storied city of Tyre, once famous across the known world for its purple dye made from murex sea snails (Tyrian purple), has a wonderful seaside location and extensive Roman ruins. It's a popular holiday destination for Beirutis, with excellent accommodation choices and what are Lebanon's best, cleanest beaches; you might even swim with turtles.http://fscl.ru/content/ef-manual-conversion-wiring Tyre (called Ksour or Sour in Arabic), a predominantly Shiite town, is the power base of Hezbollah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and also home to the United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL). The town's foundations date back to approximately 2750 BC, after which it was ruled by the Egyptians and then the famous King Hiram, under whom it prospered. Later colonised variously by the Assyrians, Neo-Babylonians, Greeks, Seleucids, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamluks and Ottomans, the settlement began to languish from the 13th century onwards and, despite many attempts, never quite recovered its former glory. Explore more 10 Shouf Biosphere Reserve The largest of Lebanon’s three natural protectorates, comprising an incredible 5 of the total land area, this is the largest natural cedar reserve in the country and has more than 250km of hiking trails. It's wonderful to see these beautiful trees in their natural environment, and the cool mountain climate makes a welcome change from the sweltering coast. There are several entrances, all with short-distance hiking trails to observe the cedars and access to longer trails. I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails. Contact Lonely Planet here. Lonely Planet Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Ancient history enthusiasts will be exhausted by the end of their trip: you can barely turn around without stumbling over a world-class archaeological site. Lovers of nightlife will find a gregarious capital with bacchanalian parties going to all hours. Those seeking serene nature can wander through ancient cedar forests and dramatic mountainscapes. Explore the city on foot, and take your time. Whether you encounter a decaying Ottoman-era mansion covered in bougainvillea (and sometimes decades-old bullet holes from the Lebanese Civil War), a couple at the table next to you at happy hour who insist you share their nachos or an elderly taxi driver with a luxurious moustache who sings old Arabic songs a cappella at full volume: this is a city where small moments loom large. Wander the neighbourhood of Hamra, stopping at used book shops and a cafe (try T Marbouta ) for an Arabic coffee, and then check out the American University of Beirut campus for greenery, new feline pals and a diverse mix of architectural styles. Stroll down to the Corniche, Beirut’s great common denominator, to watch the sun set on the Mediterranean ( Bay Rock Cafe has great views over Pigeon Rocks ). For dinner, head to Gemmayzeh for cheap and cheerful Lebanese mezze at Cafe Em Nazih and obligatory after-dinner drinks at Coop d’Etat, the rooftop bar upstairs. The world-class ruins of Baalbek, site of the Roman solar cult Heliopolis, are the valley’s star attraction. The soaring Temple of Bacchus, circa 200 AD, is one of the best preserved and most majestic Roman ruins in the world, featuring more than a dozen 19m-high columns and exquisitely preserved reliefs. After a day of tramping over ruins, find refreshment at one of many wineries in the mountains separating the Bekaa from the coast, located on the highway back to Beirut. The proprietors of Chateau Ksara and Domaine des Tourelles disagree over which was the first in Lebanon to mass-produce wine and arak (Lebanon’s national aniseed-flavoured distilled spirit); consider both sides of the debate while watching the setting sun cast pink light over the Anti-Lebanon range. It’s bursting with fantastic and varied historic and cultural sites, and Tripolitans may be the most welcoming in all of Lebanon. Inconceivably, few visitors make the trip because there is little official tourist infrastructure. Don’t make the same mistake: what Tripoli lacks in malls and museums, it more than makes up for in ambience. Continue on to the medieval souqs, still bustling centuries later. Ask locals for directions to the hammam and Madrasa Al Nouriyat, some of the best examples of black-and-white marble-striped Mamluk architecture outside of Cairo. Press on to Tripoli’s Crusader-era Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles, or call it a day and enjoy a well-deserved libation in the Christian port quarter of Al Mina, fragrant with frangipani trees. The valley was a refuge for early Christians fleeing persecution, and some of the caves that line the steep walls of the canyon contain mummies dating to the 13th century. Spend the night in Bcharre, then wake up early to hike the steep, forested canyon walls. Don’t miss the nearby Cedars of Lebanon preserve before heading back to Beirut; the thin, high-altitude light filtering through ancient trees imparts a tranquillity you’ll be grateful for once you hit traffic on the coastal highway. Northern Lebanon has some sweet beach towns, where you can pass pleasant hours leaping off rocks and feasting on fish. Chilled-out Batroun is home to the Colonel Brewery, where you can find local craft beer and a sandy beach. Further south, 45 minutes from Beirut, is the ancient port city of Byblos, where the Phoenicians invented the alphabet. Toast their ingenuity with a glass of rose from the deck at Chez Pepe, where Marlon Brando and Brigitte Bardot used to hang out in the 1960s. Turquoise waters lap golden sand beaches, and sea turtles sometimes can be found surfing gentle waist-high waves. The best beaches in south Lebanon are in Tyre, about two hours south of Beirut. Post up at Cloud 59, the most fashionable of the seaside beach shacks, which serves up ice-cold Almaza and simple food. Turn left from the scene at Cloud 59 and wander down to the Tyre Coast Nature Preserve (one of just a few in Lebanon), home to beach grasses and scuttling crabs. The hippodrome is in the Al Bass complex, as is a reconstructed monumental archway and a legitimately spooky Roman necropolis (peer into the sarcophagi and you might see a skeleton). There are some excellent sights here, among them a Crusader castle and the fascinating Musee du Savon, but the laid-back vibes in the medieval souqs and on the seaside corniche are the real draw. Get a falafel at Abou Rami and then decamp across the road for a nargileh (flavoured water pipe) with everyone else in town basking in the cool evening breeze off the sea. But outside Lebanon's cities, the best way to see the country is by hiring a car for a road trip, easy to do at Beirut's airport. Check your government's travel advice before you go. Street crime is extremely rare: something you drop on the street is almost sure to be there when you come back for it, if someone hasn’t already chased you down the street to return it. Residents in rural areas can be a bit more wary of foreigners than their urban counterparts, but everyone is helpful and kind as long as you are respectful of local norms and dress appropriately (don't show thighs, upper arms or midriffs). I want emails from Lonely Planet with travel and product information, promotions, advertisements, third-party offers, and surveys. Peace is always a fingers-crossed concept here. Nevertheless, while you shouldn't venture close to the Israeli border, this is a really enticing slice of Lebanon that shouldn't be missed. After a short meeting and introduction to the tour, we will drive to the museum east of Beirut. ?55 4 hours Read More Save Outdoor Activities Beirut to Baalbek Private Day Trip with Hike and Wine Tasting Discover the big Cedars trees in Chouf, the world most preserved temples in Baalbek, and visit Ksara, the oldest winery in Lebanon. I am having my second cup of coffee but still, I haven’t been able to condense the beauty of Lebanon in just a few words. I’m trapped. This is perhaps the most difficult introduction I have ever written since I started blogging. Or maybe the several small Christian villages I visited. And what about the monasteries, lost in the mountains and inhabited by monks? And what happens with the hipster and underground culture in Beirut, a place where one drinks and forgets that he is actually in the heart of the most turbulent region on Earth? Remember to check my tips for traveling to Syria This applies to most Western countries, as well as Japan, South Korea, and a large etcetera. Except for the northern mountains, where you might need to stay overnight, if you wanted, you can visit the entire country on different day-trips from Beirut. However, in order to enjoy all the places to their fullest, I really recommend spending some nights outside of the capital. For a full analysis, including which areas you should avoid plus some safety tips, read: Is it safe to travel to Lebanon. They will not cause you any problem but just want to check your identity. Internet in Lebanon sucks, a lot. It is very slow pretty much all across the country and even some budget hotels charge you extra for using it. Your best bet will be buying a SIM Card and using 3G. Normally, a SIM Card costs 4,000-5,000LBP (around 3USD) and 500MB of data 10USD. However, in order to activate it, you should buy 22USD of credit, at least. I recommend you check their websites to find out about their latest plans. Update October 2018: Apparently, Touch has decreased its prices and offering super good deals, like 4GB for 3USD. Check their website to see their latest deals. In the below itinerary section I recommend plenty of hotels and budget hostels per city but, if you want to get the cheapest deals, you should definitely find a room or an apartment through Airbnb. There are public buses and mini-vans going to almost every corner in the country from Beirut, where there are 2 main stations named Charles Helou and Cola Station. Charles Helou is ideal for traveling to the north, whereas Cola is to the South. Just be aware that, in Lebanon, people drive like crazy. However, it is no worse than any other Middle Eastern country. I am a Bradt Guides fan because all their guides are extremely insightful, both from a local perspective and also, because they give plenty of tips for independent travelers which help you easily plan your itinerary for Lebanon. It might be a bit challenging to include all of these places in just 2 weeks but, if you plan ahead, it is totally feasible. The rooms are getting quite old but, at this price, you won’t find anywhere better. The location is great, however, in Hamra, a very cool area to hang out. Besides, it has a lovely garden with a bar where all the young Lebanese come to hang out. It is also in Hamra, and I think it is the best value for money option. Byblos derives from the Greek word bublos, meaning papyrus, as the town was the stopping place for the Phoenicians who shipped papyrus from Egypt. A one-way taxi will charge you, at least, 50USD, if you have good negotiation skills, of course. From there, you can get on a second bus to Zahle. In any case, the first ride from Beirut to Chtoura cost me 2,500LBP (1.70USD) and 1,000LBP (66?) for the second one. It is a good value money for money option and, in any case, you won’t find anything cheaper! Seriously, these Romans ruins are just outstanding and, when I went there, I had the ruins completely to myself. Baalbek is very close to the border and, from the ruins, in the early morning, you are able to hear bombs and gunshots coming from the other site of the border. No need to be alarmed. The conflict will never go to the other side and, besides, it is highly guarded and there are mountains separating them. The price of the first bus is 2,500LBP (1.70USD) and the second 2,000LBP (1,30USD) It is oK for 1 night. It is also located next to the Roman ruins. Why is that so? Since the Civil War, there have been one-off clashes between Sunni and Alawi Muslims who reside in the neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jebel Mohsen, respectively. Throughout the years, these clashes have killed several people. It’s a fight between two small districts and doesn’t go beyond. However, since I’m an extremely curious human being, I also went to Jebel Mohsen. And what can I say? Life there was merely normal. Again, clashes and bombings happen once a year, not more. A one-way ticket with a mini-bus costs 3,000LBP (2USD), whereas modern buses cost 5,000LBP (3.30USD). With an awesome location, close to the old city, this is the best place for budget travelers and backpackers. Online booking not available. For coming back, the last one is at 4:30pm. Otherwise, you will just have 1 hour to explore it entirely. Everything is very simple but the family is lovely and very helpful. Slightly conservative, Saida is a nice place to visit on a day trip, wandering around its labyrinthine covered souq, full of cafes where the Lebanese are sitting outside, looking with expectation at the few foreigners that pass by. To be honest, I didn’t stay here but came on a day trip from Beirut. In any case, if you plan to stay here, these are the most feasible options. However, many people have complained about cleanliness, especially because it is not a cheap hotel for what you get. However, people complain about small details, like power cuts, the shower was not working and a large etcetera. I didn’t stay there but, if you are a beach lover and you can afford it, this is the most popular hotel. They serve an amazing traditional breakfast, with really fresh products and the staff are just extremely accommodating. I think this is the best option in Tyre, better than any of the other resorts, which kind of lack of personality and authenticity. This one of the most sensitive borders in the world. For the most part, it is unreachable, as it’s located too far from the road. But I was told that there’s one area where you can actually get close to it. I liked the idea pretty much, so I decided to go there. I was there by myself, with a camera, and I got arrested. If you wanna read my full story, check out this article: The day I was accused of being an Islamic State spy. It’s very easy to obtain and you can get it at the police station in the city of Saida. From Saida, take a bus to Nabatiyeh (3,000LB, 30 minutes). In Nabatiyeh, you need to take a shared taxi towards Kfarkela (5,000LB, 25 minutes). You have to drop off as soon as you see the wall. Please note that you may have to wait for over an hour for the taxi to be completely full. Backpacking in Lebanon: How much does it cost in 2018? These earnings help me maintain and keep Against the Compass going! Thanks ?? He is also the author of Against the Compass, an alternative travel blog, quite different from the rest, which aims at HELPING and INSPIRING you to do the same, always in a responsible way, with no rush, showing you the human side of the story and, above all, in a safe manner. I like the mix of elements it seems to have based on your photos. I’ve always been a fan of the food too ?? It’s a very underrated country and, the mix of elements you say, is what makes the country great;9 ? I have family in a village east of Tripoli named Aalma, I have yet to locate them but I do know that is where my family came from before migrating to the US. I will be spending a week traveling across Lebanon, a journey I have dreamt of for a long time coming. A country which is mistakenly given a bad reputation due to strict travel warnings from my government. Are you going to stay with some relatives. Please, do let me know if I can help you with anything. Cheers, By the way when you speak about Zahle you say it’s called Berdawini but it’s Berdawni. Do I need a guide? If so what’s the charge. And where is the airport. Close to what country You don’t necessarily need a guide, it’s up to you. The airport is in Beirut. And how much is a visa? Is it possible to cover all the famous destinations within one week? The hotel in Tripoli is expensive. My parents are lebanese and Im going there for the 1st time this summer. I really liked your itinerary. I was wondering if we needed a private driver to go from one place to another when we leave Beirut, since there isn’t really public transportations outside of Beirut. For example, I want to visit the cedars, and I would also like to go from byblos to Baalbek. Cheers! Only to the cedars, you may need to hire a taxi, including the taxi. In the article itself I give plenty of transportation tips, like how to get from each city to the other I enjoyed reading it. Do you think I’m trying to cram too much in. I’d love to hear any thoughts you might have on that plan. Thanks Maybe not the flight from the UK but everything else. 8-10 days. Can you recommend either the best local company for that or even one based here in the UK looking to come in either May or October. I did everything independently Please, refer to this for more information: We’re going to Lebanon from the UK for two weeks in October. We’re planning on spending a week in Beirut, and maybe three nights in Byblos and Batroun. Does this seem a good way to divide our time? Thanks! Will it be an issue entering Israel with visas from Sudan, Kurdistan and Syria. Am planning a trip to cover Lebanon, Israel and Jordan early next year and am considering adding on Kurdistan or Syria. Any ideas on itineraries. Will have to do at least one flight from Kurdistan and also from Lebanon to Jordan if not crossing through Syria. I’ll stay there for 2 weeks. I’ll spend about one week in Beirut (visiting some places from there), and then I’ll explore the Q. Valley and do lots of hiking. Thanks SO much for this information, it’s been very helpful. I also love the Middle East. I’m getting ready to go to Israel (second time) with my kids:). We’ll spend more time in the North this time. Blessings. Discover Lebanon?s treasure trove of archaeological sites, the kaleidoscopic culture of its capital Beirut, and its spectacular natural landscapes just made for strapping on your walking boots. After years of political turbulence punctuated with periods of stability, the country is slowly and surely rebuilding its reputation as a tourism destination. Beirut should soon be known again as the ?Pearl of the Middle East?. Few can say this with as much certainty as Lebanon. Now is the perfect time to see what?s up with a country that won?t be kept down. Read our Lebanon travel guide for more details.Homestays are a brilliant way to see the country, via home cooking and gardens filled with roses. Staying in nunneries and monasteries isn?t unusual, nor is a warm welcome wherever you go. Ksara is known for Rhone and Bordeaux varieties of red wine. Many of its wines use the Cinsault grape varietal, which thrives in the Middle Eastern climate. Whilst the entrance is touristy, once you're inside you'll find these caves, where photography is banned and silence maintained, deserving of their popularity. It?s not just that Lebanon?s only international airport is here. The city is the country?s biggest. Among the sights: the national museum, the Mediterranean seafront, there?s the ineffable ?vibe? ? Beirut is the kind of place that stays out late. So celebrated are the temples here that they?re used as a setting for celebrity performances: Sting, Jonny Hallyday, Nina Simone and Lebanon?s own beloved Sabah have all sung at Baalbek International Festival. So celebrated are the temples here that they?re used as a setting for celebrity performances: Sting, Jonny Hallyday, Nina Simone and Lebanon?s own beloved Sabah have all sung at Baalbek International Festival. Lebanon?s claim that you can ski in the Mzaar Resort, and be swimming off the coast at Byblos in the afternoon, is only realistic for a small window in the spring. You?ll make multiple rearrangements to the table settings to make space for Lebanon?s famous appetisers. But there is nearly always a second course, often a vast platter of meat and rice, to negotiate afterwards. Sadly, five millennia of deforestation have shrunk the cedar forests from 500,000 to 2,000. The national parks only have small groves of trees, hardly an epic forest. Luckily there are replanting efforts in place. Outside the capital the dishes are Middle Eastern, and every town has its own speciality. Coastal cities invariably sell whole baked fish drenched in spice mixes, whilst the Beqaa valley can lay claim to originating the Lahm bi ajeen. Lebanon's popular meat pies. Vegetarians can fill up on ful.According to Human Rights Watch, Lebanon has one and a half million registered Syrian refugees, a large part of the country?s total population of around 6.8 million. Historically the country has seen influxes of Armenians and Iranian as well as many Palestinian refugees. During the civil war, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese people fled.You might also hear Armenian spoken, and English is a relatively common second language. In Beirut, people might say how are you, and thank you in French ( ca va?, merci ) then switch to Arabic.The oldest and most famous.But before classical empires got to Lebanon, there were two ancient civilisations doing just fine, thanks: the Canaanites, who were there around 2,000 BC, and the Phoenicians, a seafaring bunch who embarked from the Lebanese coast all across the Med. Phoenicia was eventually taken over by the Persians in around 500BC. Their rule lasted until the arrival of Alexander the Great, two centuries later. Read more This was one of the most technological interesting sieges in history ?you can still see the kilometre-long stone causeway he had his army build to reach the city. In 551 AD Beirut experienced a devastating earthquake, tidal wave and fire.The Roman hold was weakened, and in the 630s, Muslim Arabs took over. Whilst all this was going on, Maraidites, a Christian military group, grew in the north of the country, whilst the south became predominantly Sh?ite Muslim ? it?s a historic division in the country that would come into play in the 20th century. Beirut fell to Saladin in 1187, and a period of relative peace befell the country. The Ottoman Empire expanded to Lebanon in the 16th century. It would stay under Ottoman rule for 500 years.Lebanon was briefly controlled by the French under French Mandate until 1920, and became a republic in 1926. The country achieved independence in 1943 and Beirut finally became its capital. Many Palestinians moved to Lebanon as refugees after the 1948 Palestine War. In 1968 Israel began what would be a series of conflicts with Lebanon over accusations that Lebanon was supporting Palestinian terrorists. The Lebanese civil war ran from 1975 to 1990, fuelled in part by Syria, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Beirut was split in two, with Muslims in the west and Christians in the east, and was heavily bombed. In 1996, a cease fire was negotiated between the two countries and Israel withdrew forces in 2000. In 2005 president Rafik al-Hariri, who had resigned just four months prior, was killed in a car bomb, an event that led to widespread anti-Syrian demonstrations. The Syrian conflict spilled into Lebanon in 2012, and there are over a million Syrian refugees in the country. The FCO still advises against all travel close to Lebanon?s borders.Though terrorist attacks always remain a possibility, many people are surprised to find that Lebanon is one of the safest countries in the Middle East. This city is buzzing. Dress to the nines and go to a French restaurant for dinner, or just sit out in the Hamra neighbourhood watching the world go by. People often report back that the country feels more welcoming than their own home towns. If you'd like any help contact us. Yet the reality, alas, is not quite so rosy.