Deir El Ahmar
is located at 100 kms from Beirut and at 12 kms to the north-east of Baalbeck in the Bekaa valley in Lebanon. Due to Deir el Ahmar’s strategic location between the fertile Beqaa plain and the western mountains chain of Lebanon thus it has many fruitful sources of produce; Quince, apple, dried fig, grape, strawberry, pumpkin, eggplant, apricot, bitter orange, roses, Citrus, Kishek, Labneh, Shanklich and many diversed woodcrafts and hand made broderies.
The village altitudes vary between 1,050m and 1,150m above sea level and many roads lead from Lebanon's major coastal cities to Deir El Ahmar. The Deir El Ahmar village population is around 20,000 people. The Deir el Ahmar region including the surrounding village’s population is around 55,000 people. The people of Deir el Ahmar are well known for their dynamism and for keeping the rural Lebanese traditions for example Hospitality, Traditional gastronomy: Mezzeh, Tabbouleh, Kebbeh, etc. Traditional wedding ceremonies: traditional songs, dances & poems (zaffeh), traditional religious ceremonies, etc.
Kfardebian Village
Kfardebian, the highest village of Kessrwan, is situated at an altitude ranging between 600 and 2800m. It covers an area of 40 Km2 which makes it one of the biggest villages in Lebanon. Its population amounts to 12000 inhabitants and it is located at a distance of 44 km from Beirut and 27 km from Jounieh.
In summer and winter the village is full of activities. Those who live in the coast visit the region to enjoy its moderate climate. Ski lovers can practice ski in Faqra and Ouyoun Es- Siman. Kfardebian is known for its agricultural products and its honey and is rich in water that spring from two sources: Nebaa el- Laban and Nebaa el-Assal.
Kfardebian has a rich and arable soil due to its good and sunny climate protected from strong winds. The dry climate, the temperature degrees, the humidity and the abundant sources help different kinds of mountainous cultures to grow, per example the mulberry tree which was the main food of the silkworm, peach, cherry, apple, pear and quince, also grapevines were cultivated to make provisions of vinegars. Kfardebiane established greenhouses and adopted modern irrigation Techniques in order to exploit more than one season each year.
Kafar Helda
(32 km from Batroun) - Waterfalls and Monasteries This long narrow town runs along the hillside of the rich agricultural valley of the same name and is known for its pleasant outdoor restaurants. Scattered around the village are the ruins of many monasteries and churches. Mar Boutros is identifiable by its large rust-coloured stones.
On the road of Kfar Hilda is a springtime waterfall on the Jose (Walnut River) which should be seen from the road above for the best view.
A pretty valley known as "Basatin al-Issi" near the falls is suitable for hiking or picnics. This is reached by a rough road about half a kilometre long.
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Akkar El Atika(152 km from Beirut) - Castle Probably built in the late 10th century A.D. by Mouhriz Ibn Akkar, the castle was taken by the Crusaders in the 12th century and re-conquered in 1271 by the Mamluke Sultan Baibars. During the Ottoman period, it belonged to the feudal family of the Banu Sayfa, and then around 1620 it was partially destroyed by Emir Fakhreddine II. Although the castle is in ruins, you can recognize two courts separated by a sort of ditch and surrounded by five rectangular towers. The higher court contains a vaulted cistern. The main tower at the southern end, which is still in fairly good condition, is decorated with a frieze of lions carved during restoration work carried out by Sultan Baibars. From here there is also a splendid view of the surrounding area. From El Abdeh, north of Tripoli, drive in the direction of Halba, once there; take the road direction Rahbe or Beit Mellat then Akkar el-Atika. Located near the village of Akkar el-Atiqa (Old Akkar), the castle begins at a bridge over a little river, just where the road climbs steeply to the village of Akkar el-Atiqa. The castle stands on a narrow spur at 694 meters but the best view is from the village itself
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