NIGHT STOPS: Beirut may still bear the scars of 15 years of civil war, but nowadays it is a welcoming and cosmopolitan city thats well worth a visit By Katy Lee, Log Board member Illustration: Tom Woolley S till associated with the Lebanese civil war, Beirut these days is a largely peaceful and overwhelmingly welcoming city. Signs of the conflict remain, but it really is a melting pot of Middle Eastern and Western cultures, where anything goes. There are three official languages English, French and Arabic and dont be surprised if you hear locals mixing all three in the same sentence. Most people speak enough English to get by without any trouble, though. Lebanon accepts the US dollar as standard because its currency, the lira, is pegged to it so save time and just take USD. Getting around From the airport, the easiest way to get into the city is by taxi, and servees (local taxi) drivers can be found on every corner in the city, too. Uber is growing in the country and can be used without a problem. Beirut has a good bus network, often using minivans, but be aware that bus stops are rare and most travellers simply stop the bus by waving wherever they want to embark. Some buses require payment on entry, others on exit, but the drivers will always be happy to clarify. Walking in Beirut is generally easy and often much quicker than taxis or buses for short journeys. Drivers pay no attention to traffic lights or pedestrian crossings, however, so you may have to walk out in front of oncoming cars if you want to cross the road! The sights The National Museum of Beirut, in the city centre, houses a superb collection of pieces that give a glimpse into Lebanese history. Pigeon Rocks, a limestone outcrop just offshore at Raouch, is a Beirut icon, and a visit can be combined with a walk along the Corniche especially good at sunset. If youve got more than a day, look at tours to Anjar, the Islamic ruins, and Baalbek, the Roman ruins, in the north of the country. They are little more than an hour or two by car from the city and well worth the effort. Sea Sweet, in Hazmieh and Zahle, is superb for souvenirs. Eating and drinking For a classic Lebanese shawarma, Barbar in Hamra is a great choice. For a reasonably priced sit-down meal, T-Marbouta, again in Hamra, offers fresh and tasty food and drink. If you fancy some traditional Middle Eastern ice cream, you cant do better than the famous Hanna Mitri, in Achrafieh. The shop has no signs, but the apricot and pine-nut ice cream is more than worth the hunt. Later on, the Mar Mikhael area is great for nightlife, with a wide selection of bars, while Radio Beirut has an upbeat vibe and good music. We would ask you to be cautious on your visit to Lebanon you can find out more about safety precautions for UK travellers on the Government website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/lebanon Do you have any tips for night stops around the globe? Let us know at TheLog@balpa.org NIGHT STOPS Beirut