Beirut

Cornered by a dramatic mountain range at one end, and the alluring Mediterranean Sea at the other, Beirut is by all accounts charming. In addition to its stunning locale, the Lebanese capital is also a blossoming cosmopolitan city.

Visitors to Beirut will find the Middle East's youth partying hard in Gemayzeh, and studying hard at the American University of Beirut, one of the region's most prestigious educational institutions. They'll also find bars and cafes on Rue Hamra and the Corniche, where old Lebanese men and women gather to play cards and smoke.

Reminders of Beirut's dark past are everywhere. From 1975 to 1990, the nation experienced a virtual lockdown as the political and religious factions fought for power. The city still bears visible scars from the nation's bloody civil war, including bullet-riddled buildings and bomb sites. The war ended a long time ago, but Beirut's reputation remains intricately tied to its volatile past. Some Lebanese like it that way. They think it gives Beirut an edge.

Beirut's weather is mild and generally predictable. The summers are hot and humid, and the winters are cold, but not insufferable. The best time to visit is between March and May, or September and November. For visitors interested in skiing in Lebanon, the slopes are usually open between December and February.