Sidon, Tyre & Maghdouche Day Trip - With Lunch

Very informative and enriching experience. Though it was raining, the tour was so interesting, the group enjoyed it much. Our guide Lucy was very caring, knowledgeable, and cheerful.

Had a very nice day tour with this company. The guide Walid was great — strong English skills, good knowledge base, and a nice person throughout the tour. In fact, he even went out of his way to help the others on my tour, and I was very impressed with his work all day long. That said, I knocked off one star because the company wouldn’t pick me up at a residential address (their competitors would), and managed to fumble the pickups of the other two people, such that they also had to go to the main office. The lady working at the main office was not interested in helping figure out where to go.

Super prepared and friendly staff. Guide knew everything about her country's ancient and contemporary history, and beyond. We had a great time and we saw and learn stuff you miss if you stay just in Beirut. Also a good chance to meet people if you're a lonely traveler as me. Next time I'll take the Bekka valley tour for sure!

+3

The medieval castle in Sidon and the walk through the old town was most enjoyable but the highlight was the Roman remains in Tyre especially the hippodrome. Look out for the monumental Roman arch, gateway to the ancient but also remains of the Roman road with its arcades and the remains of the aqueduct. The other site in Tyre is on the headland and equally worth a visit with its view over the open sea.

Well organized, pick you up at the hotel, includes lunch, very good guide, tour of Tyre, Sidon and Maghoduche

+14

We booked this tour with Viator. On the day of the tour we went to the main branch for pick up. The tour started on time: it included lunch and entries to different attractions. Since the tour started around 8 am we assumed that they would take a small coffee or breakfast break however it wasn’t the case. Jacques (the guide) failed to advise us regarding that point; we could have gotten some coffee while waiting for the bus since there is a small convenience store next to the departure location. Our first stop was at Sidon at the Crusaders’ fortress; it was very enjoyable and not too many people (rating 4/5). Next, we ventured sadly very quickly in the food souk to reach the Soap Factory which was an average visit (rating 3/5) with a very expensive coffee shop (5000L.L. (3.5$ US) for a tiny lemonade glass and 3500L.L. (2.25$ US) for a Turkish coffee). We then walked through the souks very briefly (pity would have been much better than the soap factory) and visited the St Nicholas orthodox church (rating 4/5). Our last stop in Sidon was Khan El Franj for a brief visit before we left to Tyre. Our 1st stop there was the Tyre Hippodrome which was amazing (rating 5/5) and our 2nd stop was Al Mina site which is also beautiful to visit (rating 5/5). Once we were done we were taken to Maghdouche for lunch at the Arc restaurant where we were served a Lebanese mezza. The main dish to our disappointment was chicken with mushroom and cheese (not a Lebanese dish). Furthermore, alcohol was not included in the price and was very expensive as a 250 ml Beer was 4$ (pure rip-off). The service was good though. Once done our final stop was the lady of Maghdouche. We visited the new church (rating 3/5) and the old church in the cave (rating 4/5). The peak of the visit is the statue and it is highly recommended to go up to the top if opened. The view is breathtaking and is well worth the climb. Overall: • No stop for breakfast - it should have been indicated in the voucher. • The tour is overall interesting but Jacques our guide had a fast pace in walking (some people weren’t able to follow) and he was rushing everything. He even skipped the Christian portion in the city of Sidon after he had told us we would visit it. • Additionally, according to my wife, Jacques was giving false historical information. I advise you strongly to go with another tour guide. • The restaurant is a letdown. • In terms of the tour, they should have offered each person a bottle of water for the journey.

+16

Very nice excursion with nice and interesting guide On the other hand unfortunate for lunch in Maghdouchie (Very very mediocre although the location is superb.) It would have been better to have lunch in Tyre... Thinking.

Over the years, Lebanon has been invaded by so many civilisations. This is very apparent on this tour. Our tour guide, Lucia, was passionate about archaeology and very knowledgable about her country’s history. She was a delight to listen to and answered questions with complete professionalism. You start at Sidon with a wander around the crusaders’ fortress. Then you go through the Souks to the soap factory before visiting a church linked to St Peter and St Paul. Then it’s to visit the site of the caravanserai. If I’m honest, I would have forgone the soap factory for some free time in the Souks. Onwards from there to Tyre to a couple of archaeological sites. Take a hat as there’s not a lot of shade. The second site gives you the opportunity to wander down to the sea front. Be prepared to see a number of Palestinian refugee camps on this trip. After Tyre, it’s up into the hills for a great lunch of cold mezze and fish with dessert and coffee before visiting Maghdouche, a shrine to the Virgin Mary and a statue to climb. This was the second tour we did with Nakhal and can’t fault them on their organisation; from the pre trip confirmations, to the hotel pick up and their knowledgeable tour guide (and very patient drivers). The tours sound expensive, but when you factor in all the entrance fees, lunch, travel, wages etc, it’s very good value. Highly recommended.

My wife and I did this as an easy introduction to important historical cities on the south coast of Lebanon. Our guide Waleed was very knowledgeable and friendly, and gave a good commentary as we moved from sight to sight. My only minor complaint was that the bus got very hot on some legs of the trip. Other than that I would have given 5 stars for the trip.

Informative and fast 8 hour tour in coach with 3 course lunch menu. Tire is a translation error for Tyr.