Family Getaway: Bkerzay & Baakline

In the heart of the Chouf, ecotourism project Bkerzay (03 512020) is located on rich lands of olive groves and lush woods of pines and oaks with endangered flora indigenous to Lebanon. Bkerzay hosts a pottery workshop, small store and restaurant. An eco-village with guesthouses for artists and visitors is in the pipeline. Sleep Camp in the wild at the camping site of Baakline or head to Beiteddine and sleep in luxury at Mir Amin Palace (05 501315; miraminpalace.com) Eat Enjoy excellent Lebanese mezze or bring your own picnic and only pay rental of a table and chairs by the river at Shallalat Al Zarka restaurant (03 560301.) See Stroll through the historical village of Baakline taking in the old stairs that link squares and alleyways, mills and olive oil presses, the serail of the Takieddine family and the impressive library which once was a prison. Don’t miss the hiking trail developed by the Bkerzay Organization, which winds through olive, pine and oak trees.