The minute I stepped foot in Beirut, Lebanon, a wave of humidity and heat greeted me. Although it was almost impossible to straighten my hair during this trip, Beirut was a luxurious city filled with adventure and excitement. There was so much to see; I was there for two weeks and only visited half of the destinations on my list.

Much of the city was under construction, and 20^th-century buildings were getting torn down, only to be replaced with all-glass architecture and car elevators. Modeling itself after Europe and Dubai, Beirut is trying to become modern while seeking to preserve its traditional landmarks.

We took a boat tour through Jeita Grotto, a series of limestone caves leaving any viewer in awe. Discovered in the 1800s, the limestone caves were said to be one of the top finalists when deciding the Wonders of the World.

No matter which city you are in, the Lady of Lebanon statue can always be seen on the mountains afar. We took a teleferique (cable car) up to the mountains to see the statue, more beautiful up close. The view from the top was indescribable, as all the country was under your gaze.

The food was always flavorful and fresh, with everything seasoned to perfection. One of my favorite restaurants in Beirut is Al-Sultan Brahim. The restaurant was created to sit on top of the water, making it accessible by boat or car. Surprisingly, most of the diners were arriving on their yachts. The food was fresh, the fish laid out so you could choose which type you wanted. In a matter of minutes, they brought the fish back, skinned, boneless and cooked just the way you wanted.

Of course, it’s also not a Beirut trip if you don’t take a picture in front of the I Love Beirut sign. Located in one of the most expensive and luxurious shopping villages in Lebanon, the sign was crowded with tourists from all over the world.

— Grace Khanlian, intern