Academy Alumni European Reunion
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Beirut, Lebanon
Questions? Please email Amy Watkins for additional information about the reunion.
Overview
The Academy’s next European Reunion will be held September 21-24 in Beirut, Lebanon. Please plan to join us! The program is being organized by 2017 Academy alumnus Charbel Abi-Antoun of the Beirut Law Firm. We are grateful to Charbel, Jacques Checrallah, Maryam Abdallah and all of our Lebanese alumni.
All Academy alumni are invited to participate in the Beirut Reunion.
Registration Details
What IS and what is NOT included in the $500 USD registration fee.
- All tours are secured by mini buses or a Pullman. (Depending on the number of guests)
- Sites’ entrance fees are covered in the budget.
- Tour guidance and trilingual professional interpretation provided in English, French and Italian.
- Mobile SIM Cards, with a 1 GB Data Plan, valid for 10 days from date of activation, will be secured and covered.
- Lunches at Lebanese restaurants (excluding on the 24th) with open regular bar (Beer, Wine, Whisky and Arak) are inclusive in the budget.
- Except for the Reception & the Farewell Ceremonial dinner, dinners and night outings are not covered in the budget.
- Air-tickets, accommodations and transfers from and to the airport are not inclusive within the budget.
- Individual transportations will be at personal own cost, but we will be assisted by a taxi company with fixed rates within a specific radius (taxi drivers speak English and/or French).
- Airbnb is available in Lebanon.
Tips
- Weather: On average, the recorded temperature is 26°C (79°F); the mountains at night could be very cold!
- Attire: Sport and Casual
- Currency: Lebanese Pounds; US Dollars are accepted anywhere as a local currency. Euros and all other currencies could be exchanged easily almost anywhere.
- Optional Tours: Optional excursions are available, during the event and after, on the guest’s own cost.
- Additional Excursions: More excursions and activities will be planned for guests having extended stays.
- Nightlife: Beirut Nightlife is known to be very alive; for those wishing to explore it, a list shall be provided.
- For enquiries, please contact Mr. Charbel Abi-Antoun at charbel@blf.law or on +961 71 4444 39.
Note about your passport concerning Israel
All visitors should have a passport FREE of Israeli’s visas or entry stamps; if you have one on your current passport, please have a new one issued.
Itinerary
Thursday, September 20: Reception and Meet Up
Gathering at the lobbies of the Ramada and Monroe hotels between 1800 and 1900, then meet up at Zeitouna Bay. Refreshments and a general orientation for the program.
Day 1 - Friday, September 21
Visits to Mount Lebanon (North District); Jeita Grotto, Byblos Ancient City (lunch at a seafront seafood restaurant), Harissa on the way back.
- Jeita: Nominated as one of the seven world wonders. Jeita is one of the world's most beautiful caverns, 20 km north of Beirut. (Watch a 30 Sec. Video on Jeita Grotto)
- Byblos: 30 km from Beirut, one of the oldest towns in the world dating back more than 7,000 years. It is one of the richest archeological areas in the country and was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. (Watch a 30 Sec. Video on Byblos City)
- Harissa: Statue of the Virgin Mary was erected in 1908. 600 meters above sea level and 26 km from Beirut, with a wonderful panoramic view covering the Bay of Jounieh. (Watch a 30 Sec. Video on Harissa)
At night, dinner and outings (Restaurants, Pubs or Night Clubs) are up to you. The cost is not included in the registration fee.
Day 2 - Saturday, September 22
Visit North of Lebanon, including the Cedars Reserve (known as the Cedars of God), Gibran Khalil Gibran’s museum, St. Antonios Kozhaya Monastery and lunch at a village restaurant.
- Cedars of God: The most venerable representatives of the Cedars of Lebanon, which once covered the country's mountains, are in the Bsharre region in the North of Lebanon, above 2000 meters altitude and 120 km from Beirut. (Watch a 30 Sec. Video)
- Gibran Museum: A biographical museum in Bsharre, dedicated to the Lebanese writer, philosopher, and artist Gibran Khalil Gibran, well known in the USA and worldwide (Watch this brief video on Gibran)
- Qozhaya: One of the oldest monasteries of the valley of Qadisha (Sacred Valley), with the oldest printing machine in the Middle East. For more info visit: (http://www.qozhaya.com/)
Day 3 - Sunday, September 23
Visit the Beqaa District, tour Baalbek Ancient City and the Roman Temples, visit one of the Lebanese old wineries, have lunch at one of Berdawni’s riverside restaurants at Zahle Valley.
- Baalbek: Lebanon's greatest Roman treasure, can be counted among the wonders of the ancient world. The largest and most noble Roman temples ever built, they are also among the best preserved. (Watch this short video on Baalbek)
- Château Ksara (or similar): Wine company in Beqaa Valley Lebanon, founded in 1857 by Jesuit Priests. Château Ksara developed the first dry wine in Lebanon. Château Ksara wine is one of the best known in Lebanon and can be found in many different countries. (Watch this video briefing 9000 years of history of the Lebanese Wine)
- Lunch at Berdawni Valley: In Zahlé Village, known as the “City of Wine and Poetry.” It is famous throughout Lebanon and the region for its pleasant climate, numerous riverside restaurants and quality food.
Day 4 - Monday, September 24
A whole day in Beirut City; visit the Beirut Bar Association, tour the National Museum, and Beirut Downtown Farewell Dinner.
- BBA: Visit the Beirut Bar Association, meet with the President of the Bar and attend a short lecture on Lebanon’s political and socio-economic regime. (www.bba.org.lb)
- National Museum: Tour the National Museum of archaeology in Lebanon, a 4 minute walk from the BBA.
- Beirut Downtown: Guided Tour at the Old District of Beirut Downtown, Berytus, the oldest law school in the region (was a center for the study of Roman law in classical antiquity located in Beirut. It flourished under the patronage of the Roman emperors and functioned as the Roman Empire's preeminent center of jurisprudence until its destruction in AD 551), and other ancient sites. (Watch a 30 Sec. Video on Beirut)
- Free time in the afternoon, for a walk, hangout, lunch or shopping.
- Farewell Dinner: (To visit the restaurant website: www.al-sultanbrahim.com)
Beirut Nightlife
Elected Best Nightlife City in the World consecutively for several years recently. Every night there will be different choices of dinner or hangouts, pubs, or clubs (optional and at personal cost, except for Monday night when the cost is included in the registration fee)
Overnight Accommodations
- Ramada Hotel (4*) – Downtown
Standard single room $90 + 11% VAT per room per night, including breakfast
Standard double room $100 + 11% VAT per room per night, including breakfast - Monroe Hotel (4*) – Downtown
Standard single room $80 + 11% VAT per room per night, including breakfast
Standard double room $90 + 11% VAT per room per night, including breakfast
For reservation, please email Ms. Nadine Shahny at Nadine.chahny@nakhal.com.lb. Keyword: CAIL European Reunion
Lots of different hotels are in the neighborhood, but at remarkably HIGHER prices!
Other Information
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