Couple of weeks back I had the pleasure to prepare and throw my very first Family day out for a private group! We picked a Sunday and our destination was Tannourine.
This lovely village lies in a collection of valleys and ravines and can be accessible from different roads (Either via Douma / Bcharre Road - Batroun's newly constructed highway or up from Jbeil / Mar Charbel road..we chose the latter.)
We wanted to experience Apple Picking with the kids so high altitude location was a must. Sharing with you how it all went.
This lovely village lies in a collection of valleys and ravines and can be accessible from different roads (Either via Douma / Bcharre Road - Batroun's newly constructed highway or up from Jbeil / Mar Charbel road..we chose the latter.)
We wanted to experience Apple Picking with the kids so high altitude location was a must. Sharing with you how it all went.
1st Stop: Breakfast
We took off from Beirut around 9:00 am and for such a long busy day we had to stop for a quick breakfast.
Taking up the scenery road from Jbeil provided us with lots of breathtakingly mountain views.
Lebanon’s beauty lies in its diversity, from the coastal beaches through the cities to the cedar-filled mountains there is so much variety in what you can see. Passing through all these small villages along the way watching traditional Lebanese houses and small mountain roads was a great start for our day.
Lebanon’s beauty lies in its diversity, from the coastal beaches through the cities to the cedar-filled mountains there is so much variety in what you can see. Passing through all these small villages along the way watching traditional Lebanese houses and small mountain roads was a great start for our day.
2nd stop: Baloueh Balaa
We reached 1 of Tannourine's major sites the Baatra waterfall, located in the village of Balaa just before Tannourine.
Balou3 Balaa, is a natural sinkhole plunging 250 meters in the mountainside and featuring a 100 meter waterfall between the bridges.
We paid an entrance fee: 3,000 / adults and kids for Free. There are two paths to take.
A rough hike down to the sinkhole, so deep you can’t see the bottom and not advisable if you have a group age of old people and very young kids. Or the easiest (most recommended with young kids and un-experienced hikers) takes to you a high vantage point to see the long, thin waterfall pouring down (which we learned on sight there was NO WATER at that time of the year!).
The stunning rocky and mountainous landscape as sharp slopes and a deep valley, with cedars seemingly defying gravity and growing on extremely vertical slopes, was impressive. The walk back up was a bit tiring so make sure you stay hydrated and have a snack and hats on for the little ones.
2nd MUST see attraction is the Tannourine Nature Reserve, however, we decided to keep that for another dedicated visit.
Balou3 Balaa, is a natural sinkhole plunging 250 meters in the mountainside and featuring a 100 meter waterfall between the bridges.
We paid an entrance fee: 3,000 / adults and kids for Free. There are two paths to take.
A rough hike down to the sinkhole, so deep you can’t see the bottom and not advisable if you have a group age of old people and very young kids. Or the easiest (most recommended with young kids and un-experienced hikers) takes to you a high vantage point to see the long, thin waterfall pouring down (which we learned on sight there was NO WATER at that time of the year!).
The stunning rocky and mountainous landscape as sharp slopes and a deep valley, with cedars seemingly defying gravity and growing on extremely vertical slopes, was impressive. The walk back up was a bit tiring so make sure you stay hydrated and have a snack and hats on for the little ones.
2nd MUST see attraction is the Tannourine Nature Reserve, however, we decided to keep that for another dedicated visit.
3rd Stop: Apple Picking in a Private Land
I never thought picking up some apples off the trees could be so much fun! We drove up to Jroud Tannourine at another higher altitude of 1750 above sea level.
A very recommended family activity which was enjoyed and practiced by group of all ages.
A great bonding time with nature while spending quality time with the little ones teaching them how to pick and sort apples.
The great weather, walking in the field, smelling tons of apples was such a refreshing and cherished activity. The other great factor was helping our Lebanese farmers in their current huge Apple crises.
A very recommended family activity which was enjoyed and practiced by group of all ages.
A great bonding time with nature while spending quality time with the little ones teaching them how to pick and sort apples.
The great weather, walking in the field, smelling tons of apples was such a refreshing and cherished activity. The other great factor was helping our Lebanese farmers in their current huge Apple crises.
4th stop: Lunching @ Moultaka el Nahrein
It was almost 1:30 and we desperately needed a break to sit, relax and most important of all..to eat!
Our destination was a very famous and well-known Lebanese Restaurant named Multaka Al-Nahrein مطعم ملتقى النهرين located in Tannourine el Tahta a 20 minutues drive from our apple picking location. We reached there around 2:00 and were so extremely delighted not only to hear the sound of the water but to be seated right next to it!
It's a family owned restaurant, service was amazing, and food was every better! There was a very small and not well maintained kid's playground, but the weather, ambiance and general mood made us easily stay 2.5 hours!
Our destination was a very famous and well-known Lebanese Restaurant named Multaka Al-Nahrein مطعم ملتقى النهرين located in Tannourine el Tahta a 20 minutues drive from our apple picking location. We reached there around 2:00 and were so extremely delighted not only to hear the sound of the water but to be seated right next to it!
It's a family owned restaurant, service was amazing, and food was every better! There was a very small and not well maintained kid's playground, but the weather, ambiance and general mood made us easily stay 2.5 hours!
We started heading back home via another scenery road ( the new highway road leading to Batroun).
I highly recommend a day out exploring different areas of Lebanon with your family and friends.
Check our previous blogs for more ideas on Family day outs in the North...
Note: Expect at-least 2 to 4 hours of driving :)
Check our previous blogs for more ideas on Family day outs in the North...
Note: Expect at-least 2 to 4 hours of driving :)