Field Notes are firsthand travel recommendations for and by our ECT Clubhouse members. Get the lowdown on destinations across the globe from travelers and locals alike. This week, Malak Yacout shares her recommendations for Lebanon, specifically Beirut, where she is based. See more in the Clubhouse.

My everyday source of inspiration is Beirut. Beirut, Lebanon today, yesterday, and tomorrow. I haven’t lived anywhere else nearly as long as I have lived in Lebanon.

I have a romantic relationship with this country, which I sometimes find difficult to describe. In Lebanon, you’re prompted to think with your heart. In fact, Beirut, and how it’s made, including its political, economic and broken social system goes against logic. It taught me how to face challenges, one after the other, with bravery and grace. Yet, in this mess of a city, I feel alive. I find a rhythm to its chaos. Here, my purpose is strengthened. I see what my added value can be. Beirut is a part of who I am, and I am a part of Beirut. Every day, Beirut inspires me to love as fiercely as I can and be as kind as possible, to live life to the fullest of our human capacities.

Lebanon is a small, yet very rich country. Rich in landscapes, cultures, and history. My recommendations are deeply rooted in local experiences and un-Googleable recommendations. Some of them stem from special memories and milestones celebrated outside the capital - all reachable by car.

Camping at Le Couvent Rouge Winery above the fields of the Bekaa. Far from everything you know, Le Couvent Rouge is a small boutique winery that you can contact to set up an atypical lunch, dinner, or even overnight. It caters to groups of up to 12 people. While it is two hours away from the capital, it is only 45 minutes away from Baalbek - the temple of the sun, which is also a must-visit when in Lebanon.

Two nights at Beit Trad - simply my absolute favorite and home away from home. Beit Trad is a classic Lebanese mansion turned boutique hotel in Kfour (North Lebanon). It is a precious haven passed from one generation to another, filled with desires, memories, and objects left behind by people who have experienced glorious moments of Lebanese history. I don’t want to spoil the experience, so I am just going to say: Stay at Beit Trad to experience Lebanese hospitality at its finest. It is also surrounded by majestic forests, so it is equally great for people who enjoy hikes or nature activities.

In Beirut, I recommend two experiences, and of course, they are mostly centered around food. Tawlet - my favorite concept - boasts the bounty of the Lebanese farmer’s market and attempts to preserve Lebanese culinary heritage. Every day, Tawlet invites a cook from one of the thousands of Lebanese villages to tell the story of their village and traditions through home-cooked cuisine. No two lunches are the same at Tawlet. It is no coincidence that the founder of such an empowering social enterprise has just been named one of the Middle East’s culinary icons by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022!

Still in Beirut, La Ménagerie is one of my favorite spots. A flower shop by day and a bistro by night, La Ménagerie is one of those places that retain Beirut’s charms, liveliness, and elegance.

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