Although smaller than the state of Connecticut, Lebanon offers extraordinary diversity. Here some of the oldest human settlements in the world at the Phoenician ports of Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos sit alongside modern Beirut, popular for its cuisine, eclectic nightlife, and mosaic of peoples. In Lebanon"s second city, Tripoli, busy medieval souks are watched over by a vast Crusader castle. Outside the city, snow-capped mountains and the lush Qadisha Valley with its snaking river and waterfalls provide entertainment for skiers and hikers, while the Mediterranean Sea draws sun and watersports enthusiasts. Bradt"s Lebanon provides detailed cultural and practical information to this increasingly popular destination. It also provides in-depth historical and religious background enabling visitors to travel with awareness and sensitivity.