06 January 2009 01:44 GMT
AirAsia Indonesia starts flights to Singapore
London City goes 'silent' this month
Easyjet to open more routes from Geneva
Keep flying wise! Sign up for our free e-newsletter The Transiter, which delivers the latest airport travel tips, news and feedback straight to your inbox every month
Lebanon is a country of diverse contrasts – which is partly why it makes such an interesting place to visit.
On the one hand it’s the most liberal country in the Middle East in terms of dress codes, alcohol and freedom of the press. Go out at night in Beirut’s main nightlife districts and you feel as if you’re in Europe.
On the other, Lebanon is also home to a number of very conservative religious communities, both Christian and Muslim. Sadly, in recent years, many of these have been dangerously polarised by the political situation in the country and in the wider region.
In terms of the national character, the Lebanese in general like living for the moment – something which is probably a result of the long-term instability in the country. No matter how bad things get, they have a reputation for going out and enjoying themselves.
For the visitor, Lebanon is an easy place to visit. There are no major taboos in terms of dress codes, although ladies are likely to get lots of attention for wearing revealing clothes. If you’re visiting rural parts of the country, then it’s probably best to dress a little more conservatively.
Arabic, French and English are all widely spoken, with certain areas being more likely to have French or English as their ‘second’ language. French has traditionally been the second language of many of the Christian community, although things have become quite blurred and English has gained ground across the board.
The local art and music scene is vibrant, with a good range of galleries and live music venues to keep both visitors and residents occupied. This is also aided by the large numbers of students in Beirut, which is home to the oldest university in the region - the American University of Beirut (AUB).
Comments, feedback, tips or advice?
Post it using the box below.